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FEBRUARY / MARCH 2020 • MONTANA SENIOR NEWS tRAVEL PAGE 51

The Bridges Of Lane County: They Go Great With Local Wine!

One of the largest, most beautiful win-
BY JACK MCNEEL eries is the King Estate. If you’re visiting in
the Cottage Grove area, this winery should
Oregon has many wonderous places definitely be on your to-do list. I first learned
to visit and sights to see, including its of it while at one of the covered bridges and
numerous old, covered bridges. Seeing these chanced to strike up a conversation with a
bridges is like taking a step back in time. local. She promptly told me that I had to
Modern technology has now eliminated visit the King Estate, and how glad I am
construction of these bridges, which has that we did that.
added to their intrigue, and many folks The winery is relatively new, having
travel to Oregon largely to view these old, been established in 1991. It rests on a hill-
unique bridges. The Dorena covered bridge, built in 1949, spans side, several miles north of Cottage Grove.
The largest concentration of bridges is the Row River in Lane County, Ore. It’s an attraction The winery itself overlooks the massive
located in the general vicinity of Eugene. listed on the National Register of Historic places. vineyards, which cover over 1,000 acres. It’s
Photo by Jackie McNeel.
When paired with the region’s wineries, known primarily for Pinot Gris and Pinot
it makes for a fabulously unique vacation. My wife’s favorites were Currin Bridge, Noir wines.
Most people think of eastern states when for its red and white coloration, and Dorena Tours of the winery are almost over-
discussing old covered bridges, largely Bridge, for its windows. I was more drawn whelming because of the size of the wine
because those states started building them to Chambers Bridge, not only for its colors structures within and the quality throughout.
long before the west was even settled. and openness but also for the beauty of the If you go, plan on having a meal at their
Oregon’s oldest bridges date back to stream passing beneath it and vegetation. restaurant. Not only is the food outstanding, the
the 1800s. But that said, all were intriguing, and each views down over the vineyard are spectacular
The state was home to roughly 450 had its unique aspects and history. with its panoramic backdrop of the Willmette
bridges at one time, the majority of which Cottage Grove is considered “the gate- Valley and outlying Cascade mountains.
were built between 1905 and 1925. That way to Oregon wine country.” Thirteen In addition, they have 30 acres of orchards
number has dwindled to 54 today, still a wineries lie within 45 minutes from town, and gardens, the produce from which is
significant number. Most are found midway and some are practically in town. incorporated into the restaurant’s meals.
down the state in Lane County, just south We first visited Saginaw Winery. This is a Their garden covers 18 acres and the orchard
of Eugene. small winery in a beautiful setting. The visitor another 14 acres. If that weren’t enough, they
We decided to stay at a motel in Cottage center is a small, older farm building. Inside, also have their own on-site bakery.
Grove as both covered bridges and wineries one may sample a variety of wines, and in And if you want to extend your vacation
surround the town. With only one exception, an adjacent room can enjoy live music and a bit, it’s only about 75 miles from Cottage
all the bridges and wineries we visited were no dancing. The vineyards pretty much surround Grove to the Pacific Coast. MSN
more than a 15-minute drive from the motel. the visitor center with large trees farther back.

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This project was supported in part by grant numbers 90MP0163 and 90MP0015 from the U.S. Administration on Aging, Department of
Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express
freely their finds and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration on Aging policy.