Wherever you may have been, and whatever you were doing, we hope you enjoyed your Memorial Weekend as much as we did.  
 
As detailed on this Web site, most every Oregon winery was open throughout the weekend, and offered tastings to some 10,000 thirsty wine enthusiasts across Oregon. The 2002 vintage looks to be the best in a long series of great years, and the new wines, being poured for the first time to the general public, helped make this weekend such a success.  
 
Now that Memorial Weekend is over, many wineries will be opening their doors for summer hours. The industry is transitioning into its busiest time of year, when wine drinkers travel across the Northwest to sample wines everywhere. Tour groups, weddings, special dinners and occasions... you name it, the wineries will be open and ready to offer you their wine.  
 
If you haven't had a chance to visit an Oregon winery, or better yet, take a tour of a group of wineries, you should consider doing so this summer. Why not plan a few days in the next few weeks, get away from your home or job, and see what Oregon's wine country has to offer you? There is nothing more intoxicating (figuratively speaking of course!) than driving down the back roads of the Willamette Valley, past the steep cliffs of the Columbia Gorge, over the jagged mountains of Southern Oregon, or through the green coastal mountains, as you continue on your way to visit an Oregon winery.  
 
As some wineries are located in hard-to-reach places, you might consider staying at one of the many bed and breakfasts. Some wineries double as an inn - so after tasting their wines, you can relax in their vineyard, and spend the night at the winery, nestled deep in the Oregon countryside.  
 
 
 
If you want to do something more relaxed and less complicated, you might consider tasting locally. Many shops, galleries, and grocery stores will be offering weekend tastings to shoppers throughout the summer.  
 
OregonWines.com is considering launching a special statewide business directory in the next month or so, which would feature inns, hotels, bed and breakfasts, shops, galleries, and stores found along the wine-touring route. If this type of service would interest you, or, if you operate a business, and would like to become listed in this new directory, please write to us and let us know your thoughts:  
http://www.oregonwines.com/contact.php  
 
Finally, if all you want to do is enjoy some great wine, consider putting on a barbecue and invite some friends over to help drink in the experience. In recent weeks we have been writing about pairing grilled food with great Oregon wine, but the best way for you to really experience it is to do it. Check out our Adventures In Food and Wine for more ideas, at:  
http://www.oregonwines.com/section.php?SectionID=17  
 
The summer is at hand. Fantastic weather and great wines await you. Whatever you do this summer, we hope you take some time to enjoy it, and write to us with your ideas.