Pinot Paddle
The Willamette Valley, Oregon's largest wine region, brings the perfect balance of temperature, humidity, soil and river recreation. We are excited to announce that Willamette Riverkeeper will hold its 2nd Pinot Paddle the weekend of July 17-18, 2021 ! Experience a weekend of world-class wines and a celebrated National Water Trail.
While Pinot Noir is the Valley’s leading varietal, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and some 75 other varietals are also worthy of attention. Location is the key ingredient with wine, which is also true when it comes to selecting your paddling route and camping spot. We’ve combined the best of both worlds with a weekend itinerary completely unique to our own Willamette Valley AVA which includes:
- Two days of scenic paddling
- Wine tasting from Yamhill Valley Vineyards and Cramoisi Vineyard featuring pleasing Pinots and other varieties
- A converstaion with the wine makers
- Delicious catered meals paired with wines from Yamhill Valley Vineyards and Cramoisi Vineyard
- Spacious camping along a quiet back channel
- An abundance of information on the Willamette River's history and ecology
*A limited number of Willamette Riverkeeper canoes are available for reservation for no additional charge.
WHAT: Pinot Paddle
WHEN: July 17-18
WHERE: Salem to St. Paul, 27 miles over two days
COST: $379 per guest (includes tasting fees, dinner wines, catered meals, Sunday lunch sack, and shuttle transport)
DETAILS: Drop your gear and paddle craft at Salem's Wallace Marine Park before 8:30AM. After gear is dropped of you will need to drive and park your car at the St. Paul Rodeo Grounds - Willamette Riverkeeper will provide a shuttle back to Wallace Marine Park (details below and in follow-up emails). Willamette Riverkeeper will transport your camping gear to our campsite, so there will be no need to load it into your boat.
You will only need whatever items you want with on the water for that day, the rest of your gear can travel on our truck. We'll paddle 12 miles to our campsite on Grand Island, an Oregon State Parks Greenway property located behind Wheatland Bar.
After you set up your tent, you'll enjoy appetizers and eventually dinner, provided by local McMinville eateries, while you taste a variety of Willamette Valley grown pinots including PINOT NOIR, PINOT GRIS, PINOT BLANC, PINOT ROSE and other notable selections from our four featured wineries. You'll learn more about this tempermental grape, as well as the Willamette River.
After breakfast on Sunday morning, we'll pack up and head downstream, paddling 14 miles to our take out at San Salvador Park, arriving around 3pm. Here we'll load you and your boat onto our shuttle buses, and transport you back to your vehicle at the St. Paul Rodeo Grounds, where you will arrive around 3:30pm.
BRING: Pack a lunch and water bottle for Saturday afternoon (the rest of your meals will be catered), your own paddle craft, and camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad).
PARKING: Due to current Covid regulations in Salem, parking for this event is at the St. Paul Rodeo Grounds (20025 4th St NE, Saint Paul, OR 97137) - a 34 minute drive. You will need to drop your gear at Wallace Marine Park in Salem and then take your car to the Rodeo Grounds. ONE shuttle bus will leave St. Paul at 9:15AM to bring all participants back to Wallace Marine Park for a 10am launch time.
ABOUT THE WINES: Due to Covid restrictions we will only have two wineries on site for this year's paddle event.
Yamhill Valley Vineyards is the oldest winery in the McMinnville AVA. They grow, produce and bottle all of our own grapes at their vineyard. Yamhill Valley Vineyards is located on a 150 acre estate in the rolling foothills of Oregon's Coast Range Mountains, one hour southwest of Portland in the Willamette Valley. The heart of their wine making is dedicated to Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Riesling.
- Tasting: TBD
- Wine pairing with dinner: TBD
Cramoisi Vineyard, located in Dundee, named their vineyard using the French word for crimson, derived from the delightful crimson clover that blankets the vineyard every spring. Vibrant, elegant, earthy; Cramoisi reflects the color, beauty and complexity of wines born from red volcanic soils. Estate grown with respect for the land, the grape and hardworking vineyard stewards, every bottle honors and delivers the winemaker’s passion, from soil to glass.
- Tasting: TBD
- Wine pairing with dinner: TBD
(NOTE: You may only register one paddler at a time.)
CANCELATION POLICY:
Refunds less $100 can be processed through June 25th.
After June 25th no refunds will be issued.