The Pacific shore pairs perfectly with a glass of Oregon wine.
By Brian Barker
Marked by towering sea stacks, craggy headlands, and open sandy beaches, the Oregon Coast is a dramatic backdrop year-round. It’s the perfect setting to pair sea air and a love for local wines.
Tee off on a tour from the coast’s southern reaches in Bandon, where the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, prized for its five links-style layouts, ranks as one of the top golf destinations in the nation. After challenging the dune-lined holes, settle into The Gallery Restaurant on-site and sample a deep wine list of Oregon favorites, from brut and rosé to Chardonnay and Pinot.
Two hours north, just outside of Yachats (YAH-hots), Cape Perpetua Scenic Area is known for its tide pools, crashing waves, blowholes, and breathtaking vistas. Ranger-led hikes are available year-round from the visitor center, with spring and summer bringing the best chances to spot migrating gray whales.
Farther up Highway 101, Newport comes with a nearly endless variety of attractions, including the renowned Oregon Coast Aquarium, a pair of scenic lighthouses, and a bevy of cafés, shops, galleries, and eateries. For dinner, Local Oceanis the place for crab cakes made from fresh-caught Dungeness and albacore tuna poke.
In Depoe Bay, the Flying Dutchman Winery tasting room feels practically airborne, thanks to its perch atop a coastal bluff. A selection of Cabernets and Pinots sourced from Southern Oregon vineyards heightens the mesmerizing ocean views. For a sweet ending to a coastal tour, drop your anchor at The Winery at Manzanita in that quaint downtown, where tasting flights are served inside a cedar-shingled house or around outdoor fire pits alongside DIY s’mores kits.
