Portland & Willamette Valley: Wine, Food & Why Oregon Deserves Your Attention

Oregon wine country is closer, more accessible, and more delicious than you think. In this episode, we sit down with AJ Resnick—former Wine Access colleague, podcast co-creator, and current Ponzi Vineyards Chief of Marketing—to explore Portland and the Willamette Valley through the eyes of someone who left California to make Oregon home. From why Ponzi is only 20 miles from downtown Portland to which pizza shops deserve a permanent spot in your rental car, AJ breaks down how to plan your Oregon wine trip, where to eat in Portland, and why these Pinot Noirs deserve more age than they're getting. We taste Ponzi's Laurelwood Chardonnay, compare Oregon to Burgundy and California, and get AJ's insider list of restaurants, wine bars, and hidden gem wineries. Whether you're planning your first trip to the Pacific Northwest or wondering if Oregon wine lives up to the hype, this episode proves it absolutely does. 2023 Ponzi Vineyards Chardonnay Laurelwood District, Willamette Valley Restaurants - Portland: Pizza: Scottie's Pizza Parlor Baby Doll Pizza (keeps well in car trunk, per AJ) High-End/Fine Dining: Canard (Le Pigeon's sister restaurant) Kann (chef Gregory Gourdet, James Beard winner, Top Chef alum) Nodoguro (omakase) Ox (Argentine-inspired) International: Kachka (Russian) Janken (Japanese izakaya) Akadi (Portland African cuisine) Luc Lac (Vietnamese) Casual/Other: Matt's BBQ Coquine (mentioned by AJ) Gabbiano's Reel M Inn Breweries: Breakside Brewery (AJ's first stop in Portland) Bakeries/Coffee: Nuvrei (bakery Amanda couldn’t remember name of) Willamette Valley Restsaurants/food The Allison Inn & Spa, Newberg (burger highly recommended for brunch) Sushi Kichi (Vale - small town sushi) Joel Palmer House (mushroom-focused) Nick's Italian Cafe (Dundee Hills) Red Hills Market (Dundee) Wineries Mentioned: Must-Visits: Ponzi Vineyards Domaine Drouhin Domaine Serene Bergström Lingua Franca (Thomas Savre) Soter Hidden Gems: Artist Block Winery (sparkling, Syrah, creative tastings) Carlton Winemakers Studio (collective/incubator for multiple producers) Historic Oregon Producers (aged well at Press Restaurant): Domaine Drouhin Rex Hill Eyrie Vineyards (pioneering Oregon winery) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices