Springtime Wine Tasting In Oregon's Mt. Hood Territory
By Guest Author: Lilly Longshore
- After winter wine tasting, I was eager to try more wineries in Clackamas County.
- Find out more about accessible, welcoming wine experiences at Twill Cellars and Christopher Bridge Cellars.
- Enjoy scenic springtime settings, from intimate vineyard patios to sweeping views of the Coastal Range.
- Discover the standout wines, including crisp rosé, chardonnay and a memorable estate-grown Muscat.
- Experience personal hospitality and hear family stories that turn tastings into meaningful connections.
Twill Cellars: An Inviting, Accessible Tasting Experience In West Linn
It was a gorgeous spring day with plenty of sunshine and cloudless blue skies as my niece, Sydney and I arrived at Twill Cellars in West Linn. We followed the drive past the gravel lot and parked in the paved accessible parking near the charming indoor tasting room. When we entered, Molly Roby, one of the owners, greeted us with sincere warmth. We opted for a comfortable table near the entrance and settled in for a cozy, relaxing stay.
The back patio of Twill Cellars offers great views.
I was impressed with how much the owners accomplish here at this vineyard and winery. The accessibility is great — they do so much with their footprint! Molly told us that they grow some of their grapes on the 2.7-acre vineyard and select quality partners for some aspects of their wine production. The wine here is very good, as is characteristic of the wine produced in the Willamette Valley. We enjoyed five wines in our tasting. I liked rosé and the chardonnay best.
After enjoying our wine, we used the wheelchair-friendly restrooms and ventured out to explore the verdant grounds and outdoor tasting area. The outdoor patio overlooked acres of spring-green vineyards — such a peaceful view. It was a great way to spend a lovely spring day with my niece!
Christopher Bridge Cellars: Estate-grown Excellence In A Welcoming, Family-run Setting
In Oregon City, Christopher Bridge Cellars stretches across a magnificent rolling 80 acres. My friend Annette and I were graciously greeted by owner Suzanne Carlberg and Kimmie, the resident friendly feline. We had our choice of the homey indoor tasting room or a seat on the open balcony overlooking the Coastal Range. We opted for a table right at the edge, inside but with a spectacular view across the balcony to the distant mountains.
This delightful venue is wonderfully accessible from start to finish — paved wheelchair-friendly parking, space around tables, accessible restrooms and a step-free balcony. The obvious consideration for inclusivity here is evident.
You might even make a new friend at Christopher Bridge Cellars, like Kimmie, the resident friendly cat.
Suzanne and later her assistant, Egbert, sat down with us and treated us to such open, honest and stimulating conversation that I felt I was making new friends instead of being served. We covered a variety of topics. Suzanne filled us in on much of the estate history. It was homesteaded by her husband Christopher’s grandparents. Christopher and Suzanne raised cattle for a while, then in 1998, they transitioned into vineyards and winemaking. They do it all on-site, from planting to grape-picking by hand to wine production and bottling. Their daughter even designed and drew the bottle labels. Their family-run estate is efficient, environmentally responsible and impressive!
The wine on this estate is outstanding. I savored the unique fruit essence present in all seven wines I tasted. I came home with a bottle of their delicious Muscat.
I know already that I will return with my husband and son this summer. We will sip a glass of Muscat, or maybe Ehrenfelser, on the balcony and watch as the sun serenely sets over the distant Coastal Range.
The view from Christopher Bridge Cellars adds to the wonderful atmosphere.
Lilly Longshore is an accessible travel writer, a speaker and an advocate/educator for those with physical disabilities and vision impairments. She has written for various magazines including New Mobility, PN Magazine and Cascade Journal, as well as for various travel blog sites. Passionate about traveling and sharing possibilities with others, she adventures via wheelchair and shares the world of travel possibilities through her writing. After retiring from civil/environmental engineering, she continued to give back to her community by serving as parent representative on the Board for the Washington State School for the Blind, on Washington’s Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment and is currently serving as Community Outreach Chair for Clark County, Washington’s Accessible Communities Advisory Committee. Connect with Lilly through her Wheeling the World Facebook page. Photo by Carla Foth Christian.
