Sip Wine with a Mountain View

Since this is all about Mt. Hood, how about a stop at Mt. Hood Winery. The wines are iconic for Mt. Hood on the label. The winery offers a magnificent view of the mountain. As they say, “Come for the wine and stay for the views.” Mt. Hood Winery’s award-winning wines are grown in the Mt. Hood area volcanic soil.

While the contemporary tasting room is newer, the Bickford family has been growing orchard fruit in the Hood River Valley for generations. In 2000, they were talked into growing grapes and making wine and the business has taken off. I took a tour of their facility and ran into a winemaker who just happened to own another winery where I had tasted. He was one of their expert winemakers. Among the wine growers and producers, there is camaraderie. I was told that they all have lunch together every Friday and drink other people’s wine.

Enjoy a tasting with a view of Mt. Hood at the Mt. Hood Winery. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

After tasting wine (including the pear wine from the family’s orchard), we took a glass of Pinot Noir outside to sit in an Adirondack chair and marvel at the mountain. Soon, the Mt. Hood scenic loop tour would take us into the shadows of the magnificent Columbia Gorge, and views of Mt. Hood would be just memories.

Returning Through the Columbia River Gorge

While you can stop in Hood River for pizza at a place like Solstice, if you are touring with kids, sometimes it’s just fun to head back into the Portland area, making a few stops in the Columbia River Gorge. You’ll be once again on I-84, this time heading west. Watch for huge barges that ply the river, marvel at the high cliffs, and watch for waterfalls.

After a long day driving around Mt. Hood, enjoy the sunset along the Columbia River as you make your way to Portland. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

While it’s too crowded at Multnomah Falls by that time of day, you can still have a peek at it as you pass this amazing double falls on your left. Soon you will be back in town laden with bouquets of lavender, a few bottles of Hood River Wine, souvenirs from Timberline Lodge, and amazing memories of the day spent on the Mt. Hood scenic loop.