Ah ….Fall in Hillsboro, Oregon can be such a wonderful time. Even in the middle of a world-wide pandemic and a contentious election one can find solace in some things. One of those things in Washington County is the annual wine harvest and the tasting of some of the world’s best wines which are produced right here in our valley. Now Hillsboro may not be the epicenter of the wine business but we are well-positioned to be a great launch point.
There is no argument that the majority of the wineries in the region are to our South in Yamhill County; we sure do love our neighbors and the soils are exquisite there. But we have a growing winemaker community and more wineries going in to our North and West and some of the oldest vineyards in the Pacific NW are right here. Helvetia Vineyards just North of Hillsboro has amazing wines and the claim to be in the birthplace of winemaking in the area. The Swiss immigrants, like Jacob Yungen, were producing wines in the 1800s. Helvetia Vineyards stands as a reminder of that. Ponzi Winery in Scholls and Oak Knoll Winery on the edge of Hillsboro are two of the first generation wineries that started the entire Oregon wine scene dating back to the 1960s and 1970s. Add to that Scotch Church Road Vineyards on the North edge of Hillsboro and Hillsboro stands firmly in a position as a wine country town.
COVID-19 has been a soul wrecker, a killer, and a separator of people. One thing I can tell you is getting out into the countryside, seeing the Fall colors, and getting some fresh air is a great way to find some solace and a little respite from all of that. Visiting a local winery can be done safely and with proper caution and can be a good experience all the way around. To aid you in that we have a link to a list of local area wineries and vineyards with their updated hours and information. You can find that list at TualatinValley.org right here.
The wines are so good – a trip-a glass- an opportunity to relax. Just what so many of us need right now!
