Wine buffs and anyone simply seeking a romantic getaway will love a trip to Cooper Mountain Vineyards. Located on the site of an extinct volcano just a thirty-minute drive from downtown Portland, this quaint spot is open daily from noon until 5 p.m. for all to enjoy.
A pleasant diversion from the city for couples and groups, Cooper Mountain Vineyards is a family-run business that is certified organic and biodynamic. Their range of organic wines is small but impressive. On fifty hectares of land, ten grape varieties are produced: Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Ice Wine Chardonnay, and Late Harvest Chardonnay for Reds and Gewurztraminer, Late Harvest Riesling, and Ice Wine Riesling for Whites. Cooper Mountain will soon add Malbec, Cab Franc, Semillion, and Pinot Grigio to its list of accomplishments.
The winery is known for its pinot noir and chardonnay. If organic wine-making is of interest to you, the staff will gladly walk you through the process and explain the benefits. Recently, Cooper Mountain has expanded into barrel-aged balsamic vinegar, which you can sample during your visit. There is a small fee for tastings, which is refunded when you make a purchase. Even those who are allergic to wine can enjoy a sample of the winery’s sulphite-free wine, which is offered for this purpose.
Contact Cooper Mountain for a complete listing of events before you schedule a visit. In November, the vineyard participates in Willamette Valley Thanksgiving Open House Weekend, in which more than 100 vineyards in the Willamette Valley put on special tasting events. There are wine and food pairings, as well as live music. On Friday evenings in summer, the winery hosts live music by local artists.
If all the wonderful organic wine isn’t enough, Cooper Mountain Vineyards also operates a fruit stand from about mid-April to mid-October. Visitors can appreciate many varieties of fruit, from succulent cherries to the more exotic Asian pear. There are also arts, crafts, and speciality foods in the gift shop, and a greenhouse and flower shop operate at this time of year as well.