Taste the South Willamette Valley

South Willamette Valley Food Trail Map

Go out and explore the incredible bounty of the Willamette Valley. Visit South Willamette Valley Food Trail stops throughout Oregon's agricultural heartland using this interactive map. 

Real Food, Real Local

Eugene

Taste the best dinners, drinks and desserts prepared by the area’s most creative chefs. Start the morning downtown at Noisette Pastry Kitchen (3). This boutique café serves up seasonal, local handmade sweets, savories and of course, coffee.

If you’re in town on a Tuesday or Saturday, the Lane County Farmers Market (38) is a great way to spend the morning. Find a wide variety of local foods throughout the year – including breakfast!

Enjoy the riverfront bike paths or a local hike to get your appetite ready for your next meal. Several craft breweries in town feature local ingredients in their food menus as well as their beer. Grab a bite and a brew at Claim 52 Tasting Room (16). Looking for a gift to send back home, or to enjoy yourself later? We suggest Euphoria Chocolate Company (43). 

When you are ready for dinner, there are plenty of options to indulge your palette. Marché (8) offers a luxurious farm-to-table experience, as does rye Restaurant(11), which also features house-made chocolates. Party Bar (10) is the perfect spot to end your day. Their organic menu features a fresh take on American cuisine, late night food, and craft cocktails. Enjoy bold Caribbean flavors at Yardy Rum Bar (12), which was recently named one of the top 50 restaurants in the country by New York Times.

Outstanding Wine

Eugene to South Willamette Valley Wine Country

A weekend of award-winning wines as you make your way from downtown Eugene to the rolling foothills of the coastal range.

Start your day at Provisions Market Hall (44) in Eugene. Peruse specialty to-go foods and charcuterie to fill your picnic basket with tasty snacks. Make sure to ask for wine recommendations!

Leave the city and head west to Veneta and stop by Our Daily Bread (4) for a delicious meal or simply to grab breads and pastries for later. Another option is not much further north in Junction City, where you will find the Camas Country Mill Bakery & Store (1).

Then make your way to wine country and spend the day exploring the Lower Long Tom AVA, five vineyards within a ten-mile radius. Bennett Vineyards & Wine Company (14), Walnut Ridge Vineyard (27), and Brigadoon Wine Co. (15) are just a few, and all have extraordinary views.

Spend your second day visiting tasting rooms south of the city. Start at Saginaw Vineyard (21) near Cottage Grove, and then climb back into the foothills for the famous Pinots at King Estate (18), Sweet Cheeks Winery (23), and Hinman Vineyards (22) (formerly Silvan Ridge Winery).

Finally, explore something a little different at Alesong Brewing & Blending (13), where craft beers are aged in wine and spirit barrels.

Family-Friendly Farms

Veneta to Junction City to McKenzie River

Explore the farms along the Willamette and McKenzie Rivers. Start your day at either the Spencer Creek Community Market (40) or Veneta Downtown Farmers Market (41), where you can find bountiful produce and unique local vendors during their operating seasons. Head north past Fern Ridge Reservoir and visit Bush’s Fern View Farms (29) for berries in the summer and apples in the fall.

Drive the scenic county roads to Junction City and explore the variety of farms in the area. Hentze Family Farm (32) is a certified Century farm with a farm stand, u-pick, and delicious cherry lemonade. Continue south on River Road to find Groundwork Organics (31) farm stand, as well as Thistledown Farm (37) which has a farm stand and also seasonal activities including a corn maze and pumpkin patch.

Spend your next day exploring the McKenzie River, where lavender fields, hazelnut orchards and organic farms fill the lower part of the valley. Make a stop at Herrick Farms (33) and Upriver Organics (36), who both offer an array of farm fresh produce and seasonal u-pick opportunities. McKenzie River Lavender (34) hosts a festival in July that cannot be missed! Or end your trip getting acquainted with the river that sustains all of this with a rafting or fishing trip from A. Helfrich Outfitter (51).

Travel Tips

While traveling through rural areas, you may encounter livestock, wild animals, harvest equipment and cyclists. Be mindful to share the road and enjoy the slower pace of rural life.

The working farms along this trail provide unique and engaging experiences. Please be respectful when visiting, and be cautious around farm animals and equipment. Dogs may not be welcome, so check ahead. Children must be supervised at all times and you should be prepared to follow all site-specific rules. For your safety and comfort wear appropriate footwear and bring sun protection and water. Bring cash for farm stands and smaller markets.