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- ✈️ Perks & Rec: September 2025
September 4, 2025
8 min read
The Pacific Northwest
August - 2025
“Oh, great… another stupid wine bar. Man, the owners probably aren’t even from here. I bet they’re from California.”
We had just arrived, but it’s a half hour before check-in so we decided to park the car and walk around to check out the area. It’s that weird time of day around 2:30pm when lunch is over and there’s not much energy in the streets.
We walked down 3rd st. This area isn’t as polished as Healdsburg. In fact, unlike Somona, many people in this area couldn’t care less about wine. Still there’s a cool antique shop, a modern furniture store, a few restaurants and tasting rooms everywhere. I’m looking in windows and reading menus. The wine list at one particular spot read very euro, great small plates, too. Hi-Fi wine bar. I’ll make a note to return.
As I grab my phone to make the note, I hear the three teenagers skateboarding past, looking in my direction shaking their heads.
🍇 Welcome to Wine Country
We arrived at PDX after a quick connection in ATL. It’s Thursday morning in mid August, the lines for car rentals was bonkers! I had reserved in advance and fortunately the line for Sixt was the shortest of all. We grabbed our car, had lunch and bought a bunch of local flowers before rolling out to the Willamette Valley. It’s the most important wine region in Oregon and their focus is the most Goldie Locks grape of them all, pinot noir. Can’t be too hot, or too cold. The conditions must be just right. Having recently returned from an extended stay in Burgundy, I’m excited to see how these wines stack up.
This part of the country is not solely wine centric because besides grapes, 90% of the countries hazelnuts along with amazing varieties of wild and cultivated mushrooms are grown in this area. The farmers markets are diverse and plentiful. We have reservations and bookings throughout our time here, we’re super stoked.
🛏 McMinnville vs. Newberg
Question: Do we stay in McMinnville or Newberg? McMinnville is charming, towny and reminds me of Asheville 20 years ago. It comes alive at night with tasting rooms, bars and restaurants. Newberg is larger and has more high end restaurants but it’s pretty sleepy at night. We chose McMinnville.
Pro Tip: I recommend staying at the Atticus Hotel, the perfect location in the heart of downtown. There’s an excellent mediterranean restaurant on site.
As you all know, tasting rooms open before noon so we didn’t waiste time. We visited Stoller and enjoyed their delicious food and wine pairing experience. The exclusive Legacy experience at Penner Ashe with our host Reid was a blast. He poured a library selection and pointed out the distant landscapes, all visibly from our vantage point. The clear favorite, however, was the experience, the history and the wines at Patricia Green.
Patty, was a 5’ powerhouse in Oregon winemaking. Against all odds in a male dominated industry, year after year her namesake winery continues to make world class pinot noir, a grape that’s notoriously fickle in the vineyard.
While wondering through the vineyards with our personal host, Tekla, you could see the character of the old vines, (which ultimately makes more interesting wine, kind of like people) the attention to detail in canopy management and natural remedies for pest control. Verasion was underway and we continued our tour that looped back to the tasting room patio. A simple structure overlooking the beautiful 20 acres of grapevines. We tasted a selection of single vineyard wines from various clones, all 100% Pinot. The 2023 Coury Clone was my favorite.
I love visiting Oregon because of folks like Reid and Tekla. The young enthusiastic wine professionals that work at the winery and are excellent ambassadors for their region.
Back in Mac, we refreshed with a glass of mosel riesling at Hi-Fi. I dug it immediately. Old school record player, pool table, tinned fish selection. In short order, we’re chopping it up with the bartender and Somm who shared a variety of delicious local ‘off menu’ wines from producers we didn’t know.
The next morning we drove north toward Seattle. In Olympia we stopped at Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar for 2 dozen oysters from a variety of locations, Dungeness crab cocktail, geoduck ceviche and the best clam chowder we’ve ever had. These guys at the bar were just as nerdy about oysters as Reid and Tekla were about wine. They explained that they difference in the flavors of the oysters had to do with “Marroir” or Marine-Terroir. Different levels of salinity and temperature exist in the ocean in different regions which often influences the flavors of the oysters. Makes sense!
Another hour and we’re in the Emerald City. We selected the rental return in Seattle that was just a few blocks from our hotel which was super convenient.
🛏 The Thompson Seattle
After a “Thanks for being a World of Hyatt Member” welcome, we checked in walked to the elevator. For whatever reason, it wouldn’t stop on our floor! We went all the way up, all the way down nothing. I politely raised the issue to the front desk. They politely upgraded our room to a different floor!
And it was wild, y’all! A huge suite overlooking First st and the Pikes Place Market with a view of the water. There was a sitting area, a fully stocked bar with snacks. It was absolutely amazing! We hurried downstairs, crossed a busy intersection at First st, then hopped on a boat for our sunset sail on Elliot Bay.
🛍 Pike Place & Chihuly 🎨
On our final day in Seattle, we had coffee in a local shop then walked over to the iconic Pike’s Public Market. We meandered through produce stands, hand made art, tons of amazing fresh seafood. Then I saw the sign for salmon. We talked to the young enthusiastic guy and sampled 4 varieties. We bought a half pound of hot smoked king salmon and a sweet hat.
Next move, skip the guys tossing the fish and grab some chowder. The line at the legendary Pike’s Place Chowder was out the door and around the block.
Pro tip: You can order and pay online and pick up in a separate line. Saved 30-45 min.
On the way to the public picnic tables we grabbed two local apple ciders and had lunch with a view of the water.
Dale Chihuly is an American artist from the pacific north west. His fantastical sculptures are world famous and there’s a permeant installation at the base of the space needle. 10/10 Highly recommend.
Pro tip: The free audio guide is available via the galleries website. Bring your ear pods.
Back in the suite, we needed to relax and chill out before dinner. Lauren had a few work related emails to send and I walked down the 30 foot hallway to open the curtains along the window so we could take in the view. In the hall, I checked out the floor length mirror and it slid a few inches to the side. We’d been in the room almost 24hrs and I’d just discovered a second bathroom!
The next morning, after a few more perfect espressos, we grabbed an Uber to SEA-TAC. We’re already counting the days until next year’s 2026 Pacific Northwest Tour.
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Did you know? World of Hyatt owns and partners with several hotel brands to offer more variety and they’re bookable with points! All for incredible value. Here are some of my favorite recent stays:
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Thinking of playing the points & miles game? I personally recommend adding any of the following cards to your wallet and if you use my referral link when you apply, I’ll get a few points, too!
Thanks as always. Safe travels!
Jake
