We think you’ll agree that there are way more than seven wonders of the world. The traditional list of wonders even includes places that don’t exist anymore, like the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, as well as places that are still with us like the Great Pyramid of Gyza.
But there are so many other wonders that more lists have been written – like: The Seven Wonders of the Natural World, The Seven Modern Wonders of the World, and even The Seven New Wonders of the World. Travel Oregon has matched these lists with a list of their own: The Seven Wonders of Oregon. These wonders include the Oregon coast, Mount Hood, Crater Lake, the Columbia River Gorge, the Wallowas, Smith Rock, and the Painted Hills.
As residents of Oregon, we have to agree with this list of wonders. And we’re going to have to raise you another wonder, Travel Oregon. That wonder is: Willamette Valley, the 8th Wonder of Oregon.
We know. We know. There’s a traditional limit to just seven wonders – and it’s so hard to choose which places are included in a list like this. So, to help the decision-making process along, we’ve listed here why our valley is among the wonders of Oregon:
The Wine
Our valley is the perfect place to grow world-class pinot noir. The soil is complex and rich. The weather provides just the right amount of sun and rain to create the best environment for wine grapes to thrive.
Not only do grapes grow here, but there is a diverse amount of life growing all around us. We see birds, insect, grasses, trees, and flowers thrive throughout our valley. This natural life is supported by healthy and organic farming practices utilized in most farms throughout the valley. In fact, the Willamette Valley is the most studied river valley in the world. This leads us to:
The People
When you ask why so many farmers have come to Willamette Valley, they will tell you about the terroir. They will talk about the organic farming practices which are second nature to many farmers here.
The Willamette Valley is a close farming community filled with neighbors. There are good people here, people you can trust to help you in a crisis and friendships that will last a lifetime. One of the reasons so many have chosen the Willamette Valley as their home is the people.
What’s Nearby
The Willamette Valley is in a singular position. You can view Mount Hood and the cascade mountain range from a variety of vantages throughout the valley – including right here at Youngberg Hill. We are only an hour away from another wonder listed in the “7 Wonders of Oregon” – the Oregon Coast. Three other wonders can be visited during a day trip – these are: Mount Hood, Smith Rock, and the Columbia River Gorge.
The valley itself has over 300 wineries, tasting rooms, and vineyards within driving or biking distance – including our own. Wine lovers also tend to be foodies – and the valley doesn’t disappoint. We have a ton of amazing restaurants and boutique food locations like chocolatiers, microbreweries, and cheesemakers. There are gardens which celebrate Oregon’s amazing array of flora. Want to enjoy a real view of Oregon? There are helicopter and balloon rides available to view the valley and surrounding area.
So, although we know Travel Oregon had to limit the list to just seven wonders, we’ve decided to add one more. We hope you’ll visit our valley – and even make it a central base from which you can visit many of the other wonders of Oregon. We bet that the more you explore, the more wonders you can add to the list. Cheers to you and yours!
