| The Willamette Valley, Oregon's largest wine region, brings the perfect balance of temperature, humidity, soil and river recreation. We are excited to announce that Willamette Riverkeeper will hold its 5th Annual Pinot Paddle the weekend of July 13th - 14th, 2024! Experience a weekend of world-class wines and a celebrated National Water Trail.
While Pinot Noir is the Valley’s leading varietal, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and some 75 other varietals are also worthy of attention. Location is the key ingredient with wine, which is also true when it comes to selecting your paddling route and camping spot. We’ve combined the best of both worlds with a weekend itinerary completely unique to our own Willamette Valley AVA which includes:
- Two days of scenic paddling and gear transport
- Wine tasting from local vineyards featuring pleasing Pinots and other varieties
- A conversation with the wine makers
- Delicious catered meals from McMinnville local caterer, Biscuits & Pickles, paired with wines from throughout the Valley
- Spacious camping along a quiet back channel
- Learn about the State of the River and how to support the work Willamette Riverkeeper is doing to improve the river's health
WHEN: Saturday & Sunday, July 13th-14th 2024
WHERE: Salem to St Paul, on the Willamette Water Trail and camping out on Grand Island in Oregon, covering 28 beautiful river miles in two days!
COST: $479 per guest including tasting fees, dinner wines, catered dinner Saturday, catered Sunday breakfast and lunch to go, ACA event insurance, Willamette water trail map, safety boaters, live music, camping gear / shuttle transport. Payment can be made via credit card through this registration form or via check.
You may pay by credit card using the PayPal link in the registration form. All payments made by check are due within two weeks of registration. Please send checks to: Willamette Riverkeeper 1210 Center St., Oregon City, OR 97045
Please read our refund policy carefully, see below.
DETAILS: Pinot Paddle participants will launch from Marine Wallace Park in Salem on Saturday morning. Willamette Riverkeeper will transport your overnight gear to the campsite. Please load your boats with only the items you will need to access on the water for that day. Together, we'll paddle 12 miles to our campsite on Grand Island, an Oregon State Parks Greenway property located behind Wheatland Bar.
After you set up your tent, you can relax with appetizers provided by Biscuit and Pickles, as well as a wine tasting highlighting a variety of Willamette Valley grown pinots and other notable selections from our featured wineries. Learn more about Oregon pinot grapes from our vintners, and feel free to ask our on-hand staff questions about our work and Willamette River ecology, while listening to live music.
Afterwards, enjoy a fully catered gourmet dinner experience, also provided by Biscuit and Pickles, as well as full pours of your favorite wines sampled during the wine tasting.
We will be offering a morning stretch and yoga session after your restful sleep under the stars, as well as a hot breakfast and packable lunch. After breakfast, we'll pack up and head downstream, paddling 14 miles to our take out at San Salvador Park, where we'll load ourselves, watercraft and gear onto our shuttle rigs, and be transported back to our vehicles. Our estimated arrival time back is between 4-5PM.
BRING: Please pack a lunch for Saturday afternoon! The rest of your meals will be catered. Please also bring at least 2 full water bottles, your own paddle supplies (boat, paddle, PFD, whistle, sunscreen, dry bags, etc.) warm clothing for overnight, and camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, flashlight, toiletries, etc).
PARKING: Parking for this event is a 34 minute drive from Wallace Marine Park. You will need to drop your gear at Wallace Marine Park in Salem at 8:00AM and then take your car to St. Paul. The shuttle bus will leave St. Paul at 9:00AM to bring all participants back to Wallace Marine Park for a 10AM launch.
PLEASE NOTE: Fluctuating volume, upwellings, strong eddies, and strainers can create challenging navigation issues. It is strongly recommended that participants understand basic paddling skills and some experience traveling on moving water! If you do not have your own watercraft, a limited number of Willamette Riverkeeper tandem canoes are available to rent for the weekend at $100 per boat. You must reserve your canoe in the registration to guarantee use. Each participant must register separately.
We will send a reminder email with more details as we get closer to the event.
CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY: This event will occur rain or shine. If the event needs to be rescheduled due to hazardous safety conditions, we'll provide a 50% refund if registrants are not able to attend the newly scheduled date. If you have a personal emergency we will refund 50%. No refunds after July 1, 2024.
Huge thanks to our 2024 Pinot Paddle Partners: |
