🍷 Wine, Beer, Cider, and other Drink Tastings

There are so many options for wine tastings! If there is a lot of interest, we may organize a tour, or just list a few different stops/times that you can join us at if you so feel inclined. Most places require reservations, so just let us know your interest!

Drink Tours:

Downtown Hood River Tasting Rooms: There are many tasting rooms within walking distance of each other in downtown Hood River. Just walk down Oak Street and explore! (Note: there's a lot of wine that's more cidery/fruit forward too.)

Sol Rides: Organizes e-bike tours of the Hood River Valley with 3 stops at Columbia River Gorge AVA (AVA is an Americanized version of AOC focused only on geographic origin).

Some Wineries:

Hiyu Wine: Complex and unusual natural wines in a large open kitchen, with fantastic and elaborate pairings made from locally sourced farm produce. Reservations required; Luxury pricing.

Syncline Winery: Located in Lyle, WA, we met the winemaker and his wife, who shared their wines with us on Lummi Island over a feast of Dungeness Crab. A beautiful spot. Reservations required, $25/tasting.

Annalema Winery: Located in Mosier, which is a beautiful bike ride away on the Historic Columbia River Highway Trail. Lunch available on Saturdays. Reservations required.

Loop de Loop Winery: Sold everywhere throughout Seattle and a favorite listed on many guides. Reservations available.

Breweries/Cideries:

Pfriem Brewery: Craft brewery with Belgian-style and PNW style ales that is beloved and renowned. Consistent quality and known for their great menu of food as well. Grab a pint or a six pack from the bar-only section (which has a much shorter line than the restaurant section), and wander across the street to the River to watch the windsurfers.

🥾 Hiking and Scenic Drives

Are you in the Pacific Northwest if you aren't spending at least part of your weekend on a hike? This website has a list of popular hikes, as well as detailed info on permits and other requirements.

Go chase some waterfalls: There are multiple waterfalls along the Gorge, which are a favorite view of scenic drivers. You'll see the traffic lining up to visit the Multnomah Falls, which is always very crowded with a long line; best for the determined super early-risers plagued by jetlag. The other waterfalls are not so bad.

Enjoy the end of peak wildflowers in the scrub: Rowena Plateau and Tom McCall Point: Early June is the tail end of wildflower season of this hike (which really peaks in late April/May), which is filled with meadows of balsamroot and lupine, which gives way to oak scrub. Be cautious of snakes. There was a fire there earlier this year; not sure what it will look like in 2026. Maybe be on the lookout for morels too?

🚴 Bike Rides

There's no shortage of bike trails around Mt. Hood! Check out road, gravel, and mountain biking options here.

The first 10 miles of the Historic Columbia River Highway Trail between Mt Hood and Mosier are car-free and relatively flat. This historic highway was the country's first scenic highway with spectacular and beautiful views and sites along the way. Take a leisurely stroll and end at Annalema Winery for a glass of wine before returning.

🍓 Farm tours/visits

The Mt Hood area is also known as the "Fruit Loop," where you can visit from farm to farm to pick fresh produce yourself. Early June is strawberry season!

🍽️ Restaurants

Places we've been to and liked, or places that were strongly recommended to us:

Solstice Pizza: Right near the Pfriem brewing and Wilderton Non Alcoholic Spirits Tasting rooms, and across from the Gorge where windsurfers set up.

Riverside: The Restaurant of the Best Western Plus Hood River Inn, this restaurant has a gorgeous view of the Gorge and has been written up in many food publications. Best food you'll ever have at a Best Western.

Pfriem Brewing: We couldn't stand the line when we visited in April to eat there, but it's a local's favorite serving elevated pub food.

🚂 Scenic Train

The Mt Hood Railroad offers scenic tours on a historic train through the lower Hood River Valley, with stops at the Fruit Museum.

🏔️ Mt Hood and the Historic Timberline Lodge

Located about a 45 minute drive from the town of Hood River, the actual mountain called Mt. Hood is also one of Portland's most favorite ski destinations, with some snow available typically through August, although activities may shift to mountain biking/hiking on the mountain too. It's worth visiting and having lunch or a drink at the historic Timberline Lodge, which was a classic 1930s Works Public Administration project designed to give work to the unemployed during the Great Depression.

🏄 Wind and Kite Surfing

The Columbia Gorge River is a world-class windsurfing destination, hosting those rarefied professionals who spend half the year windsurfing in Hawaii and the other half in Hood River. June marks the opening of Wind Surfing season (this also means it will be windy.) Take a lesson, or bring your own gear! Just please don't injure yourself! For more information see: https://columbiagorgetomthood.com/windsurfing/

🚣 White Water Rafting

White water rafting tours at all levels are available in the spring! We maybe will go on Monday after the wedding if people are around, but if you're dying to go, don't let us stop you. Please don't injure yourself! (https://columbiagorgetomthood.com/rafting/)