Oregon's biggest city is not an AVA, but there is plenty going on in the way of wine. Portland, aka Bridge City or City of Roses, is Oregon's biggest city and sits at the north end of the Willamette Valley with the Willamette and Columbia rivers flowing through. And it's less than 30 minutes to the nearest Oregon winegrowing region.

The city is known for its sustainable ways, cycle-friendly streets, green parks, and creative and high-tech industries. In the summers the streets come alive with Farmers' markets, sidewalk arts celebrations and live performances.

Portland continues to gain recognition for its amazing crop of market-fresh, chef-owned restaurants that, of course, serve incredible wine made right here in Oregon.

Each May marks the Portland Indie Wine Festival, which takes place in and around Urban Wineworks, a year-round facility offering wine classes and tastings located on the edge of Portland's trendy Pearl District. For this weekend, though, it's dedicated to Independent winemakers, who unveil their small-batch vintages for guests from all over the world to taste (and you're invited, of course).

Beyond festivals, Portland is chock-full of wine bars, wine shops, restaurants - even local grocery chains - where visitors can find a great selection of Oregon labels for immediate or future enjoyment. At the Oregon Convention Center (just across the river from Downtown Portland), for example, is a wine tasting room called Appellation Oregon, which serves a number of varietals and vintages from 15 wineries across Oregon.