Ruby Vineyard and Winery (Hillsboro, Oregon)

Ruby Vineyard & Winery: quaint, farmhouse-chic, countryside views, decently priced.

On a frigid day in October (the 24th to be exact for no reason), I sat my happy ass down with a friend at Ruby Vineyards in Hillsboro.

Despite the temperature and the wind (freezing and gale-force), the gracious hosts provided us with a heat lamp and allowed us to bring blankets and snacks as we attempted to enjoy the leafy vines and golden rays of deceiving sunlight. Though the heat lamp ultimately did nothing, I am eternally grateful for their attempts. After all, it wasn’t their fault we idiots picked a terrible day to go wine tasting.

If you want to feel the true Oregonian wine experience, visit Ruby. Hills envelop this vineyard in all directions, providing a gorgeous view no matter where you’re seated, and the surrounding farms create a serene natural environment that relaxes and enriches the soul.

Or at least I felt so.

As for the wine, being semi-broke, just-graduated-college students, we bought the cheapest bottle of Pinot Noir (actually, two now that I think about it ), and were not disappointed with the outcome. Lightly sweet with still enough dryness to be a pinot, our cheap tastebuds thanked us before becoming too numb to taste anything else.

Once we were satisfied and only a little wine drunk, we went off to explore the grounds and take in the bright fall foliage, not wanting the beautiful but freezing day to end.