These pictures are from a recent Saturday drive on the Long Tom Trail (in rural Lane County Oregon). We went with our friends Donna and Sherm and had a lot of fun exploring a part of the Willamette Valley that we didn't know well at all.
Even though we lived in this area for thirty years and still visit every summer, there are still new places to go right here at "home"! This country trail covers some beautiful scenery and has a number of places to explore. Some of these stops – flower farms and fields, sheep and alpaca ranches — might be best in the Spring, but there are several wineries on the trail. Fall is a perfect time to visit those.
It was one of those Oregon days when the weather varied — every few minutes — from bright sun to clouds and spitting rain. We were lucky because the sun came out each time we wanted to stop. Our wine tasting was just meant to be!
Grapes were heavy on the vines and harvesting and pressing were in various stages at each of the places.
We visited and tasted at High Pass Winery, Pfeiffer Vinyards, and Benton-Lane Winery. Pinot noir is the wine Oregon is most noted for. All of these three also make good white wines. 
Another smaller vineyard, Rainsong, was closed to visitors because they were all busy with the fall press.
The three wineries were quite different from each other in atmosphere as well as in the taste of their wines.
High Pass is small and friendly, like visiting a neighbor and being offered a taste of their favorite wines — which were really delicious.
Pfeiffer has a kind of dark formal tasting area, built like an Italian wine cellar/bistro. Their wines are sold only on their premises. And they charge for their tastings. We know they do that now in California, but this is the first time we'd ever encountered tasting fees in Oregon.
Benton-Lane has a large bright and open tasting area, with a full wine bar. Their pourers were friendly and very knowledgeable. It is set up for parties and receptions, but is always open for drop-in visitors as well.
(That's Bill and Donna & Sherm sampling the local products)
Good friends, good wine, pretty decent weather. A fine Autumn weekend!
Below are a couple of links for maps and more information about the trail:
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