Side Quest: Drinks with a View? Wine Not

Wine tasting is a treasured pastime in the Willamette Valley, a region whose renown continues to grow on the world stage. As such, it becomes harder and harder to stand out among industry peers, but Amaterra certainly sets the bar high (on top of the West Hills, in fact).

A 15-minute drive from downtown Portland — consider taking Uber or Lyft for safety — takes you to the multi-level tasting room, restaurant, and production facility, where oenophiles can savor vintages from Amaterra, as well as charcuterie boards, tartines, and a dinner menu with dishes that celebrate each season.

The wines are made with grapes cultivated on the slopes below and in nearby growing regions like Eola-Amity, Dundee, Yamhill-Carlton, and Chehalem, using a state-of-the-art, gravity-flow approach that preserves the delicate flavors and aromas for your palate.

Before getting too deep in our cups, it’s important to note that Amaterra is a private, membership-based winery. For first-timers, a $25 one-time fee will grant you an entry-level social membership, which comes with preferred wine pricing, as well as Portland-specific benefits such as priority reservations, invitations to private events, and exclusive access to the Members’ Gallery space. It can also be applied as a credit to the purchase of two or more bottles to-go following your visit. Traditional wine tastings are offered 12 to 4 p.m. and dinner is 4:30 p.m. to close.

The details of Amaterra's social membership have been updated.