Wine tasting is a popular pastime around Oregon, where nearly 1,000 vintners produce some of the world’s most acclaimed Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Syrah, and other exciting wines.
And while Central Oregon vintners enjoy a shorter growing season than their counterparts on the wetter, west side of the Cascade Range, several industrious growers have earned raves for their award-winning wines—usually with grapes suited to the region’s dry climate. In recent years, tasting rooms have opened across Central Oregon to spotlight local wineries, as well as producers from the Willamette Valley and other wine-growing regions around the world.
So as you make plans to visit soon, here’s a round-up of popular tasting rooms pouring some of the best wines in Central Oregon.
Favorite Wine Tasting Spots in Bend
Befitting its status as the biggest city in Central Oregon, Bend offers a little of everything for wine fans of all stripes—including stalwarts from around the globe, outposts from Oregon wineries, and locally crafted wines. Here’s a rundown of where to go wine tasting in Bend, Oregon. (And when you’re feeling peckish, learn about where to wine and dine in Bend.)
Portello Winecafe
Enjoy a sampling of wines from around the world at Portello Winecafe on Bend’s relaxed westside. Here, the European-inspired wine bar pours a selection of international favorites. The rotating menu often includes a mix of wine options. Wine labels include bottles from Australia, Argentina, Chile, and Portugal; of course, popular producers from the Pacific Northwest are also included.
The ambiance at Portello is enhanced by a food menu brimming with fresh, light bites; and a comfortable patio that fills quickly on sunny days.
Box Factory Wineries and Tasting Rooms
The Box Factory opened as an industrial hub in 1916, sandwiched between downtown and the modern-day Old Mill District. The factory shuttered decades ago but has been reinvented in recent years as a shopping center that hosts, among other stops, a trio of wineries—making the Box Factory ground zero for good wine in Bend.
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- Stoller Wine Bar: Pouring selections from its five Willamette Valley-based brands, Stoller Wine Bar largely focuses on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with 10 varieties grown in their Willamette Valley and Dundee Hills vineyards.
- The Bend Wine Bar & Winery Tasting Room: Home to wines from The Winery at Manzanita, which produces small-batch wines from vineyards throughout Oregon and Washington, The Bend Wine Bar offers 20 different pours from crisp whites to Cabernet Franc.
- Bledsoe Family Winery: Walla Walla-based Bledsoe Family Winery, produced by former NFL star and Bend resident Drew Bledsoe, sits on the corner of the Box Factory, pouring its “Big Reds” and steel barrel-aged Chardonnays, which pay homage to the family’s history.
Just across from the Box Factory is another popular stop: Elixir Wine Group, known for its globe-trotting selection of acclaimed wines from beloved wine-growing countries, such as France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Uruguay, Chile, and Argentina. Rounding out the menu is a lineup of locally produced wines crafted with grapes from throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Willamette Valley Wineries in Bend
Just across the Cascade Range, the Willamette Valley is home to more than 700 wineries—and is among the best-known wine regions in the world. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are just some of the many varieties that grow in the Willamette Valley’s nutrient-rich volcanic soils and adapt to the region’s cool climate.
If your travels don’t take you to that scenic slice of Oregon, however, you’ll find plenty of Willamette Valley wineries with tasting rooms in Bend.
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- Willamette Valley Vineyards: New to downtown Bend, Willamette Valley Vineyards pours sustainability-crafted wines and offers regionally inspired light bites.
- Domaine Serene Wine Lounge Bend: Pouring a variety of flights showcasing its diverse lineup of acclaimed wines, Domaine Serene Wine Lounge brings an elevated experience to downtown Bend, along with their high-end pours from sister vineyards in Burgundy.
Redmond Wineries and Wine Bars You Have to Try
Redmond sits within a short drive of two of Central Oregon’s largest wineries—and is itself home to a chic wine bar pouring tastes from some of the United States’ best vintners. Here’s where to get started with wine tasting in Redmond, Oregon.
Beyond The Vine
Located just two block from downtown, Beyond the Vine is the newest addition to the Redmond wine scene. Beyond the Vine’s goal is to make wine approachable and enjoyable for all, which is why they boast a selection of wines from around the globe so everyone is sure to find something that suites their palette. From reds, to whites, bubbles, and more their menu has something for all. Grab a glass and enjoy their patio seating with delicious sharable plates to accompany your drinks.
Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards
Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards sits just a 25-minute drive northwest of Redmond (and a 15-minute drive west of Terrebonne), making it an easy—and sip-worthy—stop after a day of outdoor adventure.
The winery—among the largest and best-known in Central Oregon—takes its moniker from a regional nickname for the Three Sisters mountains, all of which are visible from its sun-kissed tasting room patio.
There, oenophiles can enjoy wine crafted from grapes that are uncommon in Oregon—such as a citrus-tinged Frontenac Gris and a Marquette that boasts notes of berry, licorice, and vanilla. More common offerings, sourced from vineyards throughout the Pacific Northwest, are also available—and include Pinot Noir, Dolcetto, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Maragas Winery
Maragas Winery sits along Highway 97, just 15 minutes north of Redmond; it’s easy accessibility is just one of many reasons it’s become a popular stop for fans of good wine in recent years. Maragas opened in 1999 as the latest step in a long lineage of family winemakers that dates back generations.
The winery’s old-world techniques are on display in its lineup of European-inspired wines—including a full-bodied Malbec, bright Chardonnay, and a variety of elegant blends. Maragas prides itself on using organic and sustainability-minded practices for producing unfiltered wines where the fruit’s flavor really shines through. The wines never taste better than on a sunny afternoon at the Maragas tasting room, where views of the Cascade peaks and Smith Rock State Park abound.
Spring and Summer Wine Tasting Options in Sisters
Sisters might be synonymous with the Old West, but its pours occasionally reflect an Old World sensibility. Here’s where to enjoy a glass of good wine around town.
The Open Door Wine Bar
Just off the main drag in downtown Sisters, The Open Door Wine Bar perfectly balances a cozy, welcoming atmosphere with an ever-changing lineup of beloved wines from Central Oregon and around the world. The wines pair well with (scratch-made) European-inspired dishes (such as flatbreads, pasta, and lasagna), shareable plates, and light bites.
Enjoy it all in The Open Door’s retro-inspired café—or on its charming patio, lit by string lights and heated by cozy fire pits. Excited to see where else you can imbibe around town? Check out our beer and wine guide to Sisters, Oregon.
Friends and Vine
Whether you’re a fan of crisp whites or bold reds, Friends and Vine Wine Shop & Wine Bar has just what you need for an exquisite experience. Cheers with bubbles from France, California, and Spain, or consider one of their signature tasting flights showcasing a range of tastings from economic to premium.
During your sipping experience, snack on accouterments like local salmon spread, gourmet chocolates, and a selection of charcuteries. You can find Friends and Vine across from The Barn in Sisters, where you can indulge in full-sized meals after your tasting adventure.
Other stories
More inspiring stories, adventures, and tips & tricks for planning and experiencing the best Central Oregon has to offer.
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Where to Wine and Dine in Bend, Oregon
Bend, Oregon has a reputation as a beer town, the local wine scene has exploded in recent years with several new tasting rooms and nearby vineyards producing award-winning wines. Bend’s wine scene is intertwined with its farm-to-table culinary scene, and as a result, tasting rooms across Bend offer menus featuring fine dining options made from local ingredients. These tasting rooms are often cozy and fire-lit, perfect for any winter time tour through Bend. In the summer, inviting outdoor patios become a lively spot for wine-tasting in the sunshine. Read on to discover some of our favorite spots to wine and dine this year in Bend.
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Sisters, Oregon Beer and Wine Guide
Sisters sits at the crossroads of high desert ranching country and the vast wilderness of the Deschutes and Willamette National Forests at the base of the mighty Cascade Mountains. Sisters Country is known for providing adventurous experiences and farm-to-table dining. Like the rest of Central Oregon, the city of Sisters is a great spot to enjoy craft brews and fine wines from both local and imported sources. Read on to discover some of the best places to sip your favorite libation in Sisters.
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Girls’ Getaway in Bend: Retail & Spa Therapy Included
With fall right around the corner, it’s a good time to grab a few friends and escape for a girls’ getaway. On such trips, my girlfriends and I like to splurge a little with a day of shopping and spa treatments. And what better location to do so than downtown Bend?