Drink Beyond the Vine in Oregon's Wine Country
The Wine Country Whiskey Trail, located in Oregon’s Willamette Valley launched in the spring of 2023. We spoke with Mitch Graham from Branch Point Distillery about the new trail.
How did the Wine Country Whiskey Trail come about?
The Wine Country Whiskey Trail was started with the desire to bring people out to Oregon’s wine country to showcase Oregon whiskeys. The Willamette Valley is typically known for wine, but what a lot of people have overlooked is the growing craft distilling industry. We began planning just under a year ago and with the involvement of all six distilleries, we were able to launch the distillery in April 2023.
The trail resides in a region best known for its wine. How has that influenced the distilleries in the area?
Being in Oregon’s Wine Country, we have access to some amazing barrels for finishing. From Pinot Noir to Chardonnay to Resiling and Port-style barrels. As craft distilleries, we enjoy using what’s around us and creating something unique for customers to taste and enjoy. From the trail distilleries, you will always find experimentation barrels being released.
What is unique about the whiskey made in the Dundee area compared to the whiskey made in other parts of the country?
As Oregon businesses, we are constantly pushing boundaries and pioneering for future generations. You will see this in the unique whiskeys that we provide. Each distillery offers a very different approach and style on their whiskeys that just can’t be replicated anywhere else in the country. With access to some of the world’s best wine and beer barrels within 40 miles of us, to high-quality Oregon grain grown right around us. Each distillery uses and focuses on different aspects of what makes whiskey great to enjoy.
What do you hope to get out of your digital passport?
We hope that we can bring whiskey enthusiasts out to Wine Country. Participants of this trail will be able to taste and experience whiskeys that will never see a store shelf. There will be plenty of limited releases only available in the tasting rooms and we hope everyone will be able to come visit, relax and experience these unique whiskeys.