Winter’s Hill Vineyard
This vineyard just north of McMinnville is owned by an environmentally conscious family who has created paths specifically for birdwatchers through their oak savanna and oak-fir forest. The owners ask visitors to check in at the tasting room and gift shop before hiking the trails. Nest boxes for Western Bluebird line the 0.5 mi road up to the vineyard. A spectacular view of the Coast mountain range is visible from the gravel parking lot with picnic tables nestled under oak trees. Acorn Woodpeckers are resident in oaks nearby; look for their granary trees where they store acorns, and you will soon see the woodpeckers. The nearby vineyards for Sokol Blosser Winery, 0.8 miles along Breyman Orchards Rd from Hwy 99W, also have many bluebird houses along the 0.5 mi drive to the tasting room, used by Violet-green and Tree Swallows as well as bluebirds. Mt. Hood looms on the drive back down to the highway.
From Hwy 99W about 3 mi E of Lafayette, turn N on McDougall Rd, which bends E. After 0.2 mi turn L (N) on Breyman Orchards Rd and follow signs to Winter’s Hill (2.6 mi).