In the riverside town of Cascade Locks, this winery specifically focuses on Italian varietals grown in the Columbia River Gorge and Columbia Valley, ranging from Underwood-grown sauvignon blanc to Dolcetto rosé with grapes from Hood River Valley’s Allegre Vineyard. A favorite of Dame’s Jane Smith, Buona Notte is the kind of place wine nerds love, offering distinctive expressions unlike many others found in the Columbia River Gorge. Tastings are by appointment only, at $15 per person.

Those looking to walk in and taste can visit Phelps Creek’s tasting room, just off i-84 in Hood River; however, for the full pastoral experience, it’s best to plan ahead and schedule a tasting at this picturesque vineyard with Mt. Hood views. Visitors have a couple of options here: They can taste at the edge of the vineyard, sipping pinot noir and riesling while strolling through the vines, or sit down to a picnic — in the lavender patch or under the shade of the oak trees. Tastings start at $25.

Loop de Loop is one of those borderline-perfect tasting experiences, where the wines are interesting and cool but the vibe remains relaxed. Sure, a tasting at Loop de Loop may involve wild blends of skin contact pinot blanc and gris or some gorgeous Eola-Amity pinot noir, but you’ll be drinking it sitting among the overgrown clover, with views of both the river and the mountains. If you’re lucky, Luna — owners Julia Bailey Gulstine and Scott Gulstine’s dog — will check up on you between pours. Loop de Loop is open for walk-in tastings indoors or out.

This renovated barn-turned-winery is a stunning place to taste wine, with a jaw-dropping view of the Columbia River Gorge from its casual outdoor tables. Wines here are fun and approachable, but nowhere near simple or sophomoric: the 2021 Baba Yaga blends grenache blanc and picpoul for a bright, crisp white, while the 2021 Puck is a 100 percent albariño, summery sparkling wine. Make a reservation online; those who wish to taste indoors must show proof of vaccination.

For gourmands who want to splurge, it’s extremely hard to beat one of the tasting options at this working farm and vineyard near Hood River. Chefs Jason Barwikowski and Anthony Dao sear aged steaks from vineyard-raised cows, fry foraged dandelions served with a pool of garum, and puree nettles to pair with freekeh. Meanwhile, the wines served alongside the food are similarly stunning field blends and single-varietals unlike anything else available in the region. Tastings require reservations and start at $75 for food and wine, but trust us — it’s worth it.

The Hood River tasting room of this Columbia Gorge winery focuses on not just chardonnay, tempranillo, and pinot noir, but also a fun collection of small-lot varietals like a floral, smoky Nebbiolo or a 2016 Sangiovese ideal for cookouts. Cerulean is open to walk-in tasters, but also takes reservations for groups larger than six.

Wy’East is one of the old school spots in the Hood River area, planting grapes in the ‘90s and producing its own wine starting in 2002. This is a family-run vineyard and it feels like it: Visitors taste out on the back deck with a view of the farm, where dogs curl up next to tables covered in wine and families play Bocce between pours. Current releases include harder-to-find options like dessert wine and carménère, as well as people-pleasers like pinot noir rosé. Reservations are not required.

At this organic vineyard and orchard site in Mosier, French and Italian varietals grow among cherry and pear trees, eventually fermented with the wild yeast found there. Any given visit may involve blends of sauvignon blanc and semillon, an estate grown dolcetto, or a red table wine with barbera and primitivo, all poured in a relaxed, quiet corner of the gorge. Walk-ins are welcome.

This Lyle winery and tasting room offers a sophisticated sampling of both estate-grown and Columbia Valley-grown wines. Tastings here — held in the winery’s picturesque garden, among the lavender bushes — are varied, involving Rhone-esque reds like mourvèdre and the Cotes-du-Rhone Villages-style Subduction Red, plus dry and citrusy whites and bubbles. Reservations are a must; you can make them online.

For Alsatian-esque whites, effortlessly cool reds, and bottles across the board brimming with energy, Cor Cellars is a must-visit. A critical darling, Cor primarily sources from the Columbia River Gorge, Horse Heaven Hills, and Yakima American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), which turn into both the Cor and Ago label wines; visitors taste them both in a stylish Lyle tasting room, either in the courtyard or indoors. Reservations are required.