New Vineyard & Valley Scenic Tour Route To Enhance Washington County’s Tourism Assets
April 15th, 2009 by Sylke
Scenic Tour Route Created to Showcase the Region’s Viticulture and Agriculture Features
BEAVERTON, Ore. (April 15, 2009) – After five years of study, planning and support from organizations throughout Washington County, the new Vineyard and Valley Scenic Tour Route becomes a reality.
The 50-mile scenic driving loop showcases the viticultural, agricultural and historical region of Washington County, Oregon, which is located just minutes west of downtown Portland.
Among the suburban areas of Washington County lie the agricultural areas of the county, offering a bounty of products ranging from nuts, nursery stock and wine grapes to apples, berries and lavender. The tour route takes visitors past farms, pioneer settlements, wetlands and natural areas, with opportunities to stop at some of the 21 wineries in the county or at one of several “U-pick” farms and/or produce stands along the route.
The project, which was granted preliminary approval in 2004, was created with the intention to weave Washington County’s viticultural and agricultural, scenic and natural environment with its rich history of the Tualatin Valley to create an engaging visitor experience.
“In the nearly five years since the inception of this idea, Washington County’s wine industry has experienced significant growth,” said Ruthie Reinert, president and chief executive officer for the Washington County Visitors Association (WCVA). “Today, this route takes on more importance as wine and agricultural tourism continues to grow.”
According to preliminary findings of the WCVA-commissioned 2008 visitor profile study, visiting a winery/brewery (68 percent) and sightseeing/driving tours (48 percent) were the top two visitor activities.
The Vineyard & Valley Scenic Tour Route was funded by the WCVA, via funds allocated through the WCVA’s “Strategic Investment Fund,” a fund designated for tourism development, as prescribed in the Tourism 2015 Plan, which was approved in 2007.
In 2008, the Oregon Department of Transportation Byways Program approved the scenic tour route, and it became an official Oregon tour route in 2009.
About the Washington County Visitors Association
The Washington County Visitors Association serves the region’s tourism industry by actively promoting Washington County, Ore., as a destination for sporting events, business, and leisure travelers. Washington County is scenically situated between Portland and the Oregon Coast. Spanning 727 square miles, it includes the growing communities of Banks, Beaverton, Cornelius, Durham, Forest Grove, Gaston, Hillsboro, King City, North Plains, Sherwood, Tigard, Tualatin and Wilsonville. Washington County is home to world-class golf, award-winning wineries, an array of outdoor recreation, and superb dining and shopping. Its thriving corporate business parks house some of the largest high-tech and industrial companies in the world. For more information, visit www.visitwashingtoncountyoregon, or call 503-644-5555, or toll-free, 800-537-3149.
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