Oregon Wine Tours ? Art Events in Wine Country

Art openings and wine seem to go hand in hand, as savoring the complexities of one is simply not the same without being able to ponder the other at the same time. Oregon has no shortage of both, with the well-respected vineyards of Willamette Valley giving way to the art events of Portland and beyond. Some of the top art festivals in Portland, including First Thursday in the Pearl District and Last Thursday in the Alberta Arts District, both feature the fruits of local wineries to help showcase what artists and vintners have both been working on. This can be something to think about attending when looking into organized Oregon wine tours.

Further afield throughout Oregon wine country, many wineries and vineyards also feature art on premises. This could be either specifically in a gallery, or in a restaurant or tasting room. There are Oregon wine tours that have been set up specifically to get the taste of what local Oregon artists are producing while learning about the specific wines of the region that are also being produced. These art events may also include a musical portion, with local bands coming out to towns such as Dundee that have a high percentage of wineries. Jazz festivals are not uncommon, particularly in the summertime.

Another facet of Oregon wine tours that has really taken off as the local wines have gained more international attention is the gastronomic aspect of this region. With local cuisine undergoing a renaissance, the wineries are also offering special tasting menus along with the artwork that makes use of fresh local ingredients. Staples of Northwest cuisine include freshly caught salmon, berries, hazelnuts, and truffles, all produced from the nearby countryside and then incorporated into innovative and fanciful new dishes. That adds an extra dimension to the entire tasting experience and brings out further dimensions of the wine.

When planning on booking your next choice of Oregon wine tours, it’s a good idea to ask about any special events that might be going on alongside the regular tasting tour portion. The region has become such a hotbed of artistic activity that you can potentially get a full cultural experience along with learning more about the local wines that have been earning top honors and awards lately. Summer is one of the best times to do this, but there are special artistic events that take place year-round if you have a flexible schedule.