Autumn in Willamette Valley’s farm and wine country is on display in October, in technicolor. A scenic drive through Newberg’s back roads will bring you to orchards, vineyards, pumpkin patches, and a farm stand, providing the opportunity for you to purchase locally-grown produce and healthy products. Be sure to take the loop drive on Dopp Creek Road and Ribbon Ridge Road. These gravel roads will have you oohing and ahhing over the fall colors.
Start your day with breakfast at Newberg’s original coffeehouse, Coffee Cottage, and treat yourself to an abundance of delicious Fall menu options, including Pumpkin Cream Cheese Scones, Ultimate Cranberry Muffins, Caramel Apple Parfait, Autumn Harvest Breakfast Wrap, Cardamom-Clove Cold Brew, Salted Caramel Pumpkin Latte, or Cranberry Apple Spiced Cider.
Head over to Dolce Farm and Orchards, offering a beautiful Chehalem Valley view, hazelnut and fruit orchards, as well as artisan jams, chutney, honey, and hazelnuts. And no trip to our area is complete without a visit to Rain Dance Vineyards, to view the farm’s llamas, as well as enjoy wine tasting (outdoor option, weather permitting) and shop in the well-stocked gift shop for locally-made treasures. On weekends, visit Chehalem Flats Farm Market for pumpkins, gourds, and u-pick figs. Enjoy a pumpkin patch, hayride, baby farm animal viewing, and u-pick vegetables at Koch Family Farm in Saint Paul, just 5 miles from downtown Newberg.
Embracing Newberg’s farm bounty, Ruddick/Wood sources their produce locally and Jory, at The Allison Inn and Spa, grow much of their products on-site. Both offer an excellent choice for your lunch or dinner plans. Another lunch option would be to assemble a picnic at Good Company Cheese Bar & Bistro, featuring locally-made cheese. It’s also a great place to go for a pre-dinner cocktail.
Enjoy the beer garden at Wolves & People Farmhouse Brewery, with three fresh hop beer selections currently on tap, with hops locally harvested just a few weeks ago. If you’d prefer to do some wine tasting and catch a glimpse of harvest operations while you’re here, you’re in luck! There are more than 100 wineries within 15 minutes of downtown Newberg. Some allow drop-ins, but your best bet is to make an appointment. Click here for a complete list of Newberg wineries.
If beer or wine isn’t your thing, Newberg also sports two distilleries. In addition to a spirits tasting flight, at Ewing Young Distillery, check out Giacomo, their 2005 Kentucky Derby-winning racehorse. While there, be sure to take a stab at ax throwing — it’s exhilarating! Killdeer Distilling is recently open for tastings in the Ribbon Ridge area, and they’re making Vodka, Bourbon, and Rye.
Make it a weekend getaway, with these great lodging options who are all practicing a high level of safety and cleaning protocols, while being as welcoming as ever. The Allison Inn and Spa is Oregon’s most luxurious resort, and it’s right in the middle of Newberg Wine Country. More budget-friendly options include a Best Western, Holiday Inn Express, and Travelodge Suites. With the bounty of fresh and local produce in our area, you might instead opt for a vacation rental with a full kitchen. Yamhill Flats, in downtown Newberg, can be booked direct or through Airbnb and is an excellent choice. Whichever you choose, Newberg has plenty of lodging options, and one is sure to suit your needs and budget.
If you opted for a room with a kitchen, a stop at Apple Hill Farm for fresh eggs (by appointment), Chapters Books and Coffee for a bag of locally-roasted Caravan Coffee, and this great recipe from Rex Hill Winery for Apple Cider Donuts, you’ll have the makings for a great breakfast!
Harvest is a great time in Newberg that shouldn’t be missed. Such a short drive down Highway 99 from Portland, once you’ve crossed over Rex Hill, you’ll find that you didn’t just drive a few miles; you changed your entire outlook. Be sure to plan your route and make appointments in advance. Visit our ‘Plan my Trip’ web page for more information.
Photo Credits
- The pumpkin photo is provided by Koch Family Farm
- The gourds photo is provided by Chehalem Flats Farm Market
- Eggs, honey, and hazelnuts photo provided by Dolce Farm & Orchards
- Wolves and People photo provided by Wolves & People Farmhouse Brewery
- Lodging pictures provided by Lifestyle Properties/Yamhill Flats
- The fig photo is provided by Chehalem Flats Farm Market
- Photo of table and chairs provided by Raindance Vineyards
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