Willamette Wine Minibox

Willamette Vineyard

Placed By: Silver Eagle
Date: 09/07/08
Nearest Town: McMinnville, OR
County: Yamhill
Terrain Difficulty: Easy (flat, 200 yards RT)
Recommended Ink: red
Status: alive (05/26/09)

The Willamette Valley is the region in northwest Oregon that surrounds the Willamette River as it proceeds northward from its emergence from mountains near Eugene to its confluence with the Columbia River at Portland. Being a productive agricultural area, the valley was the destination of choice for the emigrants on the Oregon Trail in the 1840s, and in recent decades the valley has also become a major wine producer. With a cooler climate than California, the gently rolling hills surrounding the Willamette are home to some of the best pinot noir in the world. I highly recommend tasting some at the many wineries near Airport Park, where this minibox is located. Oh, and you pronounce it Wil-LAM-ette, or as one local told me: It's Willamette, Dammit!

Directions:

Airport Park is located at the edge of McMinnville Airport on Armory Way, across from the Evergreen Aviation museum on Hwy 18.

Clues:

Take the far left trail, which goes straight to the south , for about 100 yards to a concrete bench on the right across from a 5-trunk tree on the left. Walk west off trail behind the bench for 5 steps to a 3-trunk tree. Continue 5 more steps to a single tree. This screw-top wine bottle is in the crotch about 3 feet high, but is attached to the tree, so open and remove contents for stamping. Make sure to screw the top back on all the way to preserve the vintage.

NOTE: Always take adequate precautions (such as prodding with a stick and/or wearing gloves) before reaching into dark crevasses and holes in the wild. Before you set out read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer.

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Last updated on 05/26/2009

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