Ten West Coast Wine Escapes

Many oenophiles head straight to Napa for their wine tasting travels. Napa’s great of course, but the entire west coast of North America has much to offer in the way of wineries, from the cool climates of Canada to the hot desert of Baja. Here are ten wine tasting destinations that will have you saying “awesome” and “aye!” from north to south.

Vancouver, British Columbia
While I was driving through BC last summer, I was surprised to see numerous grapevine signs, indicating the presence of a tasting room or vineyard. In fact, Vancouver Island and the surrounding Gulf Islands (known by vintners as the “Wine Islands”) are densely packed with wineries, cideries, and something you won’t find in the states—meaderies. Most of the grape varietals are those that can handle cooler climates, like Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Gewurztraminer, and many of the vineyards are small lot and family owned. A fun trip would include a stay at Salt Spring Vineyards, a quant bed & breakfast, winery, and vineyard located on salt spring island; tasting at Garry Oaks Winery; and boating over to Vancouver Island for a visit to Venturi-Schulze Vineyards, a winery and balsamic vinegary (hopefully, you’ll be able to tell which is which!).

Walla Walla in Washington
Washington State has nine distinct wine-growing regions, also known as American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) or appellations. Down near the Oregon border is the Walla Walla appellation, home to a cluster of eighty wineries. Their proximity makes it easy to maximize your tasting time while minimizing your transport time. Try to go during the Spring Release Weekend in May, when winemakers are pouring their new wines, or the first weekend in June for the Vintage Walla Walla, when cellar rooms are pillaged for the best old ones. 

Willamette Valley, Oregon
The Willamette Valley appellation and its subappellations are Oregon’s largest wine growing region—home to over 300 wineries. Before you start exploring, stop off for a Friday night tasting and some expert friendly advice from the folks at Gem Wine Cellar in Portland. Heading southwest, get your bubbly fix at Argyle Winery, where sparkling wine is served from a charming farmhouse, and then onto Amity Vineyards for some serious Pinot tasting.