Mom works around the clock, why not help her wind down this Mother’s Day with an afternoon of touring waterfalls or the Willamette valley while sipping on Oregon wines? Several local companies offer unique touring and tasting experiences that allow guests to “getaway” without going far. And if your special mom isn’t the outdoorsy sort, there are plenty of wineries just waiting to treat her to an afternoon of sipping and relaxing. Read on to find out which tours and tastings we think make great gifts for Mother’s Day.
Evergreen Escapes Wine & Waterfall Tour
Give mom the gift of an all-inclusive day-long tour that takes her to see some of Oregon’s most majestic waterfalls and then on to sip on some of the finest wines our area has to offer. Choose from the Columbia Gorge Waterfalls & Wine Day Tour or the Willamette Valley Wine & Waterfalls Tour. Both experiences are led by expert naturalist guides who have deep knowledge of the area and are ready to educate, entertain and meet their customer’s needs.
While on her tour, mom will either have the opportunity to learn the history of the Columbia River Gorge while exploring its waterfalls or tour the stunning waterfalls of Silver Falls State Park. Either way, both experiences are followed by and relaxing and luxurious afternoon spent sipping on a variety of wines at boutique wineries. Don’t worry about mom getting enough to eat, Evergreen Escapes provides coffee, snacks and a tasty lunch to munch on throughout the day and afternoon.
Both Wine & Waterfall tours are conducted by Limo Vans and Luxury Coaches, ensuring plenty of room and that attendees’ are comfortable the whole way. Tour groups are limited 10 individuals and Evergreen Escapes promises that a 1 to 10 ratio will be maintained. Mom will be picked up from a designated location at one of Portland’s luxury hotels where she will be dropped of at the end of the day.
Columbia Gorge Waterfalls & Wine Tour
When: May 15-Oct. 31;Mon., Tue., Thurs., Fri. and Sun. 1-7 p.m.
Cost: $150
Willamette Valley Wine & Waterfalls Tour
When: Year-round, Wed. and Sat. 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Cost: $199
Contact: 503-252-1931
Online: www.evergreenescapes.com
Mother’s Day Tip: Evergreen Escapes makes gifting a tour easy with the option to purchase gift certificates online.
A Vineyard Wine Tour
Arrange a tour for mom and her best friend(s) or send her on a date with dad! This tour gives passengers the opportunity to explore the Willamette Valley with a knowledgeable guide prepared to educate them on the history of the valley while making sure they feel pampered and relaxed. They will be picked up directly from home (if in the service area) or designated hotel by a Mercedes-Benz sprinter van or Audi Q5 (depending on the size of the tour) where they will spend their time on the road relaxing in luxury.
The goal of the tour is to make sure that everyone gets to experience the breadth of wineries the Willamette Valley has to offer. Debra Kabarsky, a Wine and Spirits Educational Trust certified guide, leads the tours and will take your mom and her guest to up to four wineries that produce world class wines. Snacks, bottled water and beverages are served throughout the day and food and wine pairings will be available.
Vineyard Wine Tour
When: See available dates here.
Cost: $395/1-2 guests, $75 for each additional guest up to 10.
Contact: 503-474-2646
Online: avineyardwinetour.com
Nearby Wineries
If the special mom in your life likes to do things her own way and in her own time, consider sending her directly to a winery for the day. The following destinations offer gift certificates and Mother’s Day specials.
Rex Hill Winery
Mom sips for free on Mother’s Day at this Newberg winery. Send her off to spend the afternoon sipping and nibbling either on own or with her friends. Or consider signing her up for one of the mini tours that run on Saturdays at 11 a.m.
Location: 30835 North Hwy. 99W, Newberg, Or.
Cost: Free tasting. Mini Tour $25/person
Online: rexhill.com
Enso
This winery offers a tasting lounge right in Portland so mom doesn’t have to go far for her sipping experience. They offer e-gift cards that can be delivered via e-mail or printed and given in person making Mother’s Day gift giving easy.
Location: 1416 SE Stark Street
Cost: Tasting flights start at $12 each
Online: ensowinery.com
Seven Bridged Winery
This Portland winery offers tastings Saturdays and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. You can schedule your mom’s experience by appointment and they have gift certificates available.
Location: 2303 North Harding Ave., Portland
Cost: $15/per tasting
Online: sevenbridgeswinery.com
Coelho
Mom will be treated right at Mother’s Day Sunday at Coelho. Plan her day out right with a morning or afternoon of sipping on Portuguese wine from this vineyard.
Location: 111 5th St, Amity, Or
Cost: $20 and up
Online: coelhowinery.com
Do you have a favorite local winery? Share it with us in the comments below.
—Story and photos by Annette Benedetti
