By Margarett Waterbury
For a landscape unlike any other Oregon wine region, head for the Snake River Valley AVA. With its high elevation, continental climate with four distinct seasons, uncrowded vibe and views that go on for days, it produces full-bodied reds that yearn for local grass-fed beef.
Sips
Most of the tasting rooms within the Snake River Valley AVA are in Idaho, but Copper Belt Wines in Baker City makes it possible to sample this distinctive terroir on the Oregon side of the border. The finesse of Snake River Valley fruit is on full display in its light-footed Cabernet Sauvignon and full-bodied Tempranillo. Choose from a dozen wines available to taste, then pair your flight with a plate from The Cheese Fairy Cheese Shop, conveniently located right inside the tasting room.
In the mood for something a little stronger? Stroll down the block to Glacier 45 Distillery. Bourbon, gin and a kaleidoscope of flavored vodkas provide plenty of inspiration for home cocktailing. Also within walking distance is Barley Brown’s Brew Pub, which pours classic and experimental pints alongside a full food menu.
About 90 miles west, David Hamilton Winery in Mt. Vernon offers a truly unique tasting experience of fruit wines featuring locally foraged produce. Sample wines made from wild plum, elderberry, Oregon grape (a wild plant not to be confused with vinifera grapes) and mountain huckleberries.
Eats
Start the day with a cinnamon-laced pecan sticky bun or a savory quiche alongside your Americano at Sweet Wife Baking in Baker City. It also offers a full lunch menu, including hot sandwiches, soups and salads. At Peterson’s Chocolates, just two blocks away, you can choose from a tantalizing array of homemade truffles, including some infused with Copper Belt wines and Glacier 45 spirits. Latitude 45 Grille serves hearty dishes like grilled steaks and satisfying burgers that pair beautifully with the Snake River Valley’s reds.
Play
To experience the Snake River’s spectacular scenery for yourself, start at the north end of the valley in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. The Wallowa mountains are sometimes billed as North America’s “Little Switzerland.” To see why, hop on the Wallowa Lake Tramway for a 3,700-foot vertical ascent to the top of Mt. Howard, where alpine views (and walking trails) extend in every direction.
If outdoor adventure isn’t your thing, there’s still plenty of western style to be had. Visit Lostine’s
M. Crow, a 107-year-old general store now owned and operated by a local designer selling handmade clothing, mercantile items and fresh-baked pizzas with an expansive out-door seating area. (There’s a second location in Manhattan, naturally.)
Stay
The first guests checked into the Geiser Grand Hotel in Baker City in 1889. Today this fully restored historic building offers rooms with vintage touches like crystal chande-liers, silk-damask bedspreads and gilt mirrors. Up for something a little more rugged? Go Wild American Adventures makes backpacking a breeze. Skilled guides lead excursions into the Eagle Cap Wilderness, including gourmet meals prepared fireside each night and served with local wine.
This article appears in the 2023-24 Oregon Wine Touring Guide. Order your free copy today.
