Hood River Wine Tasting
Visit Marchesi Vineyards During Your Columbia Gorge Getaway
If a wine tasting getaway to Hood River is on your calendar, Marchesi Vineyards deserves a spot on the itinerary. Franco Marchesi built the winery to bring the wines of his native Piedmont, Italy to the Columbia Gorge. It is one of the few places in the Pacific Northwest pouring Italian varietals grown on American soil. The tasting room sits on Belmont Drive with a view of the vines and Mount Hood in the distance, and it operates first come, first served, so there is no need to book ahead. In summer, misters and fans keep the patio comfortable. In winter, blankets, fire pits, and heaters do the same job, and leashed dogs are welcome outside year-round.
What Is Nebbiolo Wine?
Nebbiolo is Marchesi’s signature pour, and it is worth knowing the grape before you taste it. Nebbiolo is an Italian red variety tied to the Piedmont region, the same area Franco grew up in. Its name likely comes from nebbia, the Italian word for fog, since the grapes are often picked late in the season when fog settles over the vineyards. A young Nebbiolo wine is light in color but heavy in tannin. As it ages, the rim shifts toward brick orange, and into layers of violet, tar, herbs, cherry, raspberry, tobacco, and prune. Some bottles need years before those tannins settle into balance.
Wines to Try at Marchesi Vineyards
Marchesi pours a full range of Italian reds, whites, and sparkling wines. The Barbera Achille is a good starting point, easy to pair with a cold beer or a plate of short ribs, and it won gold at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. The Nebbiolo itself took silver at that same competition and double gold at the LA Invitational Wine and Spirits Competition. The Capolavoro, a red blend with dark plum, dried violet, and a touch of cinnamon on the finish, pairs well with porchetta. For a white, the Il Bianco blends estate-grown Pinot Grigio with Chardonnay from Sunnyside, bright with honeysuckle and green apple, and it works nicely alongside oysters or clam linguini.
Marchesi’s Fall Winemaker’s Dinner
If your trip lands in mid-October, Marchesi hosts a multi-course winemaker’s dinner paired with their wines, set to live opera with singers performing between courses. Tickets tend to sell out, so reserve a spot early if this is part of your plan.
Wineries Near the Columbia River Gorge
Marchesi Vineyards and other wineries near the Columbia River Gorge are twenty to thirty minutes apart, which makes it easy to string together two or three tasting rooms in an afternoon without spending the whole day in the car. Add a waterfall hike or a river viewpoint to cover the best things to do in the Columbia River Gorge.
Where to Stay: Cabins Near Hood River
Carson Ridge Luxury Cabins sits thirty minutes from downtown Hood River and an hour from Portland, close enough to spend your afternoon at Marchesi Vineyards and still be back in time to relax. Each private cabin comes with a gourmet breakfast, a jetted spa tub, and a fireplace.Two of the cabins are dog-friendly, so your pup gets to be part of the whole trip instead of waiting at home. It is one of the more private cabins near Hood River for a couple planning a romantic getaway to the Columbia Gorge Wine Country.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nebbiolo wine?
Nebbiolo is an Italian red wine grape from Piedmont, known for light color, high tannin when young, and notes of violet, tar, cherry, and tobacco as it ages.
Does Nebbiolo wine taste dry?
Yes. Nebbiolo is typically a dry red wine with firm tannins and high acidity, which is part of why it pairs so well with rich food.
Do I need a reservation to visit Marchesi Vineyards?
No. The tasting room is first come, first served, with outdoor seating available in every season.
Are dogs allowed at Marchesi Vineyards?
Yes, leashed dogs are welcome on the patio.
Where should I stay near Marchesi Vineyards?
Carson Ridge Luxury Cabins is thirty minutes from Marchesi Vineyards and offers private cabins with breakfast, spa tubs, and dog-friendly lodging options for a wine tasting getaway.
Ready to plan your Hood River wine tasting getaway? Book your stay at Carson Ridge Luxury Cabins and make one of the private cabins near Hood River your home base for the trip.