THE NINES HOTEL PORTLAND

OUR HOTEL

Welcome to the Nines

DEAR FRIEND,

A warm welcome to you from our Nines family! We are so delighted to host you and we look forward to showing off Portland, our beautiful City of Roses.

We invite you to experience our Urban Farmer and Departure restaurants as you plan your perfect day in our beautiful city. Portland offers amazing restaurants, local breweries and fantastic outdoor experiences ranging from snow-covered mountain tops and clear river beds to sun-filled ocean beaches. Whether you are looking to spend a quiet day browsing through the shelves of Powell's bookstore or immersing yourself in rich Portland culture, we have plenty of options for every traveler.

Warm regards,

Dragan Andrejic

General Manager

THE NINES PORTLAND

CONTENTS READ DIGITAL

OUR HOTEL 05 Welcome to The Nines Hotel 08 A Spotlight on The Nines: From Past to Present 10 Adorned with Elegance: A Bold Collection of Curated Art 12 Elevate Your Experience 14 The Nines in Portland Celebrates: Chief Concierge Patrick McNearney 16 Our Rooms & Suites 24 Hear It For Yourself: An Unforgettable Stay at The Nines 26 Dining at The Nines 34 Our Weddings 36 Meetings & Events 40 The Fitness Center 42 Patrick McNearney’s 3-Day Itinerary: Portland 44 Experiences You Can Trust: Magazine Partners DISCOVER PORTLAND 48 Island Escapes in the City: A Guide to Surrendering to Wellness in Portland’s Pearl District 54 Portland’s Best Kept Open Secret: The Riverfront Market That Locals Love and Visitors Never Forget 60 The Pearl District: Portland’s Creative Quarter 64 Thirty Minutes to Wine Country

A SPOTLIGHT ON THE NINES:

From Past to Present

AS YOU SETTLE INTO YOUR ACCOMMODATION HERE, TAKE A MOMENT TO REFLECT ON OUR OWN HISTORY. THE NINES HAS A RICH PAST, ELEMENTS OF WHICH CAN STILL BE SEEN IN THE SERVICE, INTERIORS AND ARCHITECTURE THROUGHOUT THE HOTEL.

A HUB OF COMMERCE

Built in 1908, the hotel was originally a retail dynasty created by Aaron Meier and Sigmund Frank. The Meier & Frank building housed the city’s premier department store and was recognized as a long-standing commercial hub within the City of Roses.

At the height of its existence, the Meier & Frank building was also home to a pharmacy, deli and pet store, and even a studio for Meier & Frank’s own radio station. It was a place to see and be seen, as was frequented by a distinguished clientele.

The building’s past also speaks to a culture of innovation and modernity that helped it gain such popularity and success. It was the first building to install an escalator in the city, and it was only one of few to deliver small items to its customers. This was a business model later adapted by retail brands such as Amazon.

THE HOTEL TRANSFORMATION

Opened in 2008, the development of The Nines Hotel began in 2005. At the forefront of the architectural and interior vision was a nostalgic, modern design ethos that retained elements of the original building. While the exterior remained unchanged, a seven-story atrium was created to bring in ample natural light and provide guests exceptional views of the city. Throughout the hotel, elements of the modern worlds of fashion and art combine to create a truly unique, stunning design.

While the hotel and its staff remain committed to upholding the same level of service and dedication as the building’s original owners, The Nines makes strives towards creating a more sustainable hospitality experience for its guests. It is proud to be LEED Silver-certified and to be making efforts to deliver more environmentally conscious dining experiences.

EXPERIENCES

Adorned with Elegance

A BOLD COLLECTION OF CURATED ART

AT THE NINES, WE CELEBRATE THE TALENT THAT HAS MADE PORTLAND THE CREATIVE CAPITAL OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. THE HOTEL FEATURES A BOLD COLLECTION OF CURATED ART WITH OVER 400 DISTINCT PIECES.

We feature a bold collection of commissioned works exclusively created by local artists. Our extraordinary collection, curated by Paige Powell, a former Warhol confidante, includes sculptures, paintings and custom installations that grace the atrium, restaurant, library, lobby and accommodations.

DESIGNED BY COLLABORATION: OUR GUEST ROOMS

Each guest room at The Nines features striking original artwork created from a partnership between the hotel and the Pacific Northwest College of Art. They feature abstract monotype and silkscreen images of varying sizes. The monotypes utilize materials such as crumpled paper to create textured shapes, while the silkscreen prints build imagery through a series of circles and rectangles, creating optical art.

DYNAMIC & DIVERSE WORKS: IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Some of the hotel’s dynamic and diverse works include Melody Owen’s grand stairwell chandelier called “Bird Song”, which uses glass, LEDs and steel to create a 35-foot hanging structure illustrating the audio waves of bird songs from the Pacific Northwest. The Library, with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves & a billiards table, features local artwork including pieces by filmmaker Gus Van Sant, cartoonist John Callahan, painter Chris Johanson and emerging artist Nell Warren.

Take a look at a few of our other stand-out pieces found around the hotel and ask a member of staff if you are interested in learning more about them.

ARTIST: SEAN HEALY, LINKS

Standing 8’ tall x 6’ wide, “Links” is a statement of fashion and art in the lobby on the 8th floor. The sculpture is made from gold-plated steel links that cascade, curve and drape eight feet down from the ceiling. Embedded in the gold links are gems made out of cut lead crystal, which sparkle in the light. The entire piece culminates in an oversized cameo made out of laminated glass of white and pink with a face in relief. This vibrant tension in scale keeps the work playful and free spirited, simultaneously addressing the presence of power and status as exemplified in objects of luxury, thus also invoking a sense of “modern nostalgia”.

ARTIST: STORM THARP, SNAKES

“Snakes” embody the most basic idea of decoration as a means to employ power and assertiveness. It is a suggestion of manipulation, parade and weaponry. A seductive tonic - Poison. In making them, I have thought about missiles, sports cars and docile, caged animals, as well as Eloise, Edward Gorey and Truman Capote.

ARTIST: MELODY OWEN, BIRDSONG

These long strands are modeled after bird songs. They are visual, three-dimensional representations of sound, not scientific renderings, but poetic translations. The piece was designed using Multnomah Falls as an over visual reference, and the waveforms used are from the songs of local birds. Lit from within and strung together like necklaces, the songs cascade down the center of the stairwell in elegant blue beads.

ARTIST: STORM THARP | TIE SALESMAN (CLARK GABLE)

The idea that Clark Gable was a tie salesman was interesting to me because it established the basis of a narrative. We know what he became, but it is curious to know what he was. His desire to manifest himself, to create an illusion or an identity is the basis for the drawing. As I began practicing his face, I saw the nature of his endeavor.

12 EXPERIENCES

EXPERIENCES

OUR HOTEL

Elevate Your Experience

As you ascend the elevator to the 8th floor of the renowned Meier & Frank building, a realization dawns upon you - you have arrived. While steeped in the roots of Portland, The Nines epitomizes distinctive luxury. Our Portland hotel, centrally located in the heart of Downtown, offers proximity to Pioneer Square and the bustling Central Business District.

Being a LEED Silver-certified establishment, we boast magnificent rooftop vistas, artistic embellishments in each room, and two dining establishments that have captured the hearts of visitors and locals alike. Our venue also features exquisite event spaces, perfect for weddings, meetings, and special occasions.

During your stay, you can explore nearby boutiques, savor cuisine in the trendy Pearl District, or utilize the eco-friendly MAX Light Rail and streetcar systems to immerse yourself in the vibrant and beautiful city of Portland.

OUR HOTEL

Chief Concierge Patrick McNearney

THE NINES IN PORTLAND CELEBRATES CHIEF CONCIERGE Patrick McNearney AS OREGON’S ONLY LES CLEFS D’OR MEMBER The prestigious Les Clefs d’Or organization recognizes top hotel concierges around the world for their network, knowledge, and commitment to service.

THE NINES IN PORTLAND CELEBRATES

CHIEF CONCIERGE

Patrick McNearney

AS OREGON’S ONLY LES CLEFS D’OR MEMBER

The prestigious Les Clefs d’Or organization recognizes top hotel concierges around the world for their network, knowledge, and commitment to service.

Of all the concierges catering to hotel guests throughout Oregon, only Patrick McNearney, Chief Concierge of The Nines, has achieved the profession’s most coveted recognition: membership in Les Clefs d’Or, the professional organization of hotel concierges around the world. Drawing upon more than a dozen years of experience at The Nines, a deep knowledge of Portland and the Pacific Northwest, and a personal mission to strive for 100% satisfaction for every guest, McNearney is the model of outgoing, efficient, and memorable concierge service in the state – and he proudly pins the crossed golden keys of Les Clefs d’Or on his lapels to show it.

Attaining membership in Les Clefs d’Or requires a minimum of five years of experience as a full-time hotel lobby-level concierge, comprehensive testing, and the proven ability to deliver the highest quality of service. The benefits of membership extend to hotel guests, with wearers of the golden keys able to tap the knowledge and assistance of the organization’s 4,000 members in over 80 countries in keeping with Les Clefs d’Or’s motto of “In Service Through Friendship.”

McNearney joined The Nines in 2010, arriving after a turn as Guest Services Supervisor for Winegardner & Hammons, a Cincinnati-based hotel management and development company. He got his start in hospitality as an events manager for Coffee Emporium, a multi-outlet purveyor of coffee and baked goods in Cincinnati.

Stationed at the Concierge Desk in the lobby of The Nines surrounded by a soaring, seven-story atrium within the historic Meier & Frank building, McNearney leads a three-member team of concierges in curating individualized experiences and acts as personal guides for guests to discover arts, culture, nature, recreation, shopping, cuisine, and more in the city. Securing that coveted concert ticket, recommending an undiscovered bike trail, and helping travelers make the most of their time in Portland are just a few of his skills.

A longtime resident of Portland, McNearney lives by his personal motto “vacation is a verb,” and can often be found at a BurnCycle class, a vegan potluck, or keeping his finger on the pulse of everything that Portland has to offer to guests of The Nines.

OUR HOTEL

Our Rooms & Suites

OUR ROOMS & SUITES

THE NINES PORTLAND

DELUXE ROOM

GOLD DAMASK LINES THE WALLS SURROUNDING THE TUFTED WHITE HEADBOARDS OF THE DELUXE ROOMS. THESE ROOMS FEATURE EXTERIOR VIEWS AND LAVISH MODERN DESIGNS.

Our Deluxe Rooms are designed with modern nostalgic glamour in mind. Each room features 9-foot ceilings, oversized windows, and an elegantly upholstered window seat for reading and relaxation. Sink into your choice of either one king bed or two queen beds. ADA access rooms are also available.

SUPERIOR ROOM

TAKE REFUGE IN THE NOSTALGIC,MODERN DÉCOR TASTEFULLY EXHIBITED THROUGHOUT THE NINES, PORTLAND.

An opulent palate of gold-tinged beige and sky blue winds its way throughout the room, from the silk throw pillows to the exquisitely printed armchair. A minibar rounds out the room’s endless charm. Influenced by our former department store building, our Superior Rooms are artfully designed, infusing fashion and bright colors to make our signature Nines look. Our Superior Rooms have interior atrium views.

ONE-BEDROOM SUITE

Our Portland hotel’s one-bedroom suites are wonderful for those who are planning on entertaining friends or colleagues, or just want extra room to sprawl. The living room is individually designed with luxurious touches including a sleeper sofa. With 9-foot ceilings and oversized windows, these rooms have our signature stylish décor and historic elegance.

MEIER & FRANK SUITE

OPEN AND AIRY, THE 1,536-SQUARE-FOOT MEIER & FRANK SUITE SPEAKS TO THE GRAND STYLE OF A BYGONE ERA.

The spacious suite offers plenty of places to make your own, including a living room with an inviting chocolate-colored sectional couch, perfect for gazing at the spectacular view of the city beyond. The dining room glows from the light of a deco-style chandelier, with seating for eight on tufted velvet chairs. One and a half baths ensure convenience while entertaining.

Features such as 9-foot high ceilings and oversized windows contribute to the nostalgic modern décor exhibited throughout the hotel. The den features a sleeper sofa for additional sleeping accommodations.

Guests of this suite have access to the exclusive Club Lounge, a privilege bestowed only upon those residing on the 12th floor of the hotel. It’s here that guests of the 12th floor can unwind and relax, in a private area that also features a flat screen television and complimentary high-speed internet access. Enjoy breakfast in the morning or late afternoon refreshments, served by our Club Lounge Concierge.

RETREAT INTO A WORLD OF ELEGANCE AND COMFORT WITH THE AMPLE SPACE AND AMENITIES OF A NINES SUITE.

THE NINES SUITE

Conversely, open up this special suite for intimate soirees in the living room or den, or a sit down dinner for up to eight people in the elegant dining room conveniently located adjacent to the butler’s kitchen. Hardwood floors complement the rich palette of golden beige, plum and black found throughout the suite, which includes velvet couches, pillows in a regal purple and tufted leather seats that add texture and depth to the space.

The suite also features a fireplace, perfect for a night of relaxation, 9-foot ceilings, oversized windows and an elegantly designed window seat. This suite truly reflects our hotel’s unique combination of fashion, sophistication and history. The den features a sleeper sofa for additional sleeping accommodations.

Escape into the exclusive Club Lounge for an equally elegant retreat. It’s here that guests of the 12th floor can unwind and relax, in a private area that also features a flat screen television and complimentary high-speed internet access.

AMENITIES

At The Nines, we take pride in curating an exceptional experience for our discerning guests. Our extensive array of amenities is designed to cater to your every need, ensuring your stay with us is nothing short of extraordinary. Whether you’re a business traveler, a celebrity seeking privacy, or a connoisseur of luxury, our world-class facilities and services are here to make your visit truly memorable. Join us as we explore the exquisite offerings included in your Destination Amenity Fee at The Nines.

CONCIERGE SERVICES

• $15 food and beverage credit (Non-cumulative)
• Courtesy car transportation
• Electric bike and helmet rental
• Daily epicurean tastings
• Discounts at select Nines partners
• Enhanced Wi-Fi access
• In-room Nespresso® service
• Complimentary pool table usage in The Library
• Unlimited Fitness Center and locker use
• Concerts in The Nines Living Room
• Complimentary shoe shine services
• Dog amenities
• Two tickets to the Portland Art Museum per stay
• Complimentary printing

EXPERIENCES

“I recently had the opportunity to visit Portland, motivated by a long-awaited reunion with a dear friend. I chose to stay at The Nines, and I was impressed by the level of service and attention I received from the concierge team, who reached out to me via email and phone prior to my arrival to introduce themselves and offer their assistance throughout my stay. Upon arrival, guests have the option of utilizing their parking service for $65 per day or parking at a nearby garage, with the closest located on Alden. After taking the elevator to the 8th floor, I was greeted at the front desk, where my reservation benefits were explained. I was thrilled to learn about the complimentary $30 credit per day, applicable toward the two on-site restaurants or the mini bar, which offers a selection of beverages and snacks (though it’s worth noting that the mini bar pricing can be on the higher side). Additionally, I received information about nearby excursions, transportation options available within a 30-minute commute from 8 AM to 8 PM, scooter rentals for up to two hours, and various other amenities arranged by the concierge team. I had the pleasure of interacting primarily with Sheryl, the lead concierge representative, who went above and beyond to accommodate my needs, especially when I encountered an issue with my reservation regarding an event that was no longer available. There were minor difficulties with the room key system initially, but the staff promptly addressed the situation. Shortly after settling in, I received a plate of decorative chocolates with a welcoming note, which was

a lovely touch. The next day, I was pleasantly surprised to find a bottle of champagne and a heartfelt note from Sheryl, which genuinely moved me. “Teary eyed” I must commend Cruz and Kyle for their exceptional service as well; they were always ready to resolve any concerns and ensure a comfortable experience for all guests. In conclusion, even if Portland is not a place you typically consider, I highly recommend a visit, particularly to stay at The Nines. Dine at Departure on the 12th floor, visit The Library with 3,000 books, enjoy shopping where you receive a small discount for staying with The Nines “certain locations” or go ice skating. Most importantly, allow the team members at The Nines, Patrick, Sheryl, Kyle, and Cruz, to treat you not just as a guest, but as family. SHERYL... I promise to return soon.”

OUR HOTEL

An Unforgettable Stay at The Nines

HEAR IT FOR YOURSELF

AN UNFORGETTABLE STAY AT THE NINES

Patrick is the Chief Concierge here at The Nines and is on hand to ensure each and every guest enjoys a memorable stay in our hotel. With over a decade of experience curating trips for guests throughout Portland, Patrick knows this city like none other. Visit Patrick and his brilliant concierge team on the eighth floor for personalized recommendations of the best things to do and see throughout your stay.

EXPERIENCES

Dining at The Nines

DINING AT THE NINES

ENJOY TWO DISTINCT AND UNIQUELY CRAFTED, RENOWNED RESTAURANTS AT THE NINES HOTEL.

THE NINES PORTLAND 27

URBAN FARMER STEAKHOUSE

URBAN FARMER STEAKHOUSE REDEFINES WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A STEAKHOUSE IN OUR DOWNTOWN PORTLAND NINES HOTEL.

Redefining the modern steakhouse with an emphasis on Northwest, sustainable ingredients and simple, straightforward preparations, Urban Farmer Restaurant offers a range of beef options including grass-fed Oregon beef, pasture-raised, grain-finished beef, as well as corn-fed beef. With an expansive wine list that has been recognized by Wine Spectator for three consecutive years and cocktails made with many local spirits, the beverage program extends the concept of local and sustainable.

New York City designer, David Ashen, created a country-chic ambiance using organic, reclaimed and modern materials, including an old-growth Douglas Fir to create the 20-foot communal table. Whether you’re looking to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner in Portland, Urban Farmer Restaurant is open seven days a week.

The spacious “Deck” captures the spirit of outdoor dining, while a field of wheatgrass in the room’s center completes the sensation. For a truly cozy experience, the “Pantry”, which is also available for 28 private party bookings, offers an intimate setting with walls of steel and reclaimed timber, as well as shelves stacked with vibrant jars of pickled fruits and vegetables.

Featured beef includes both Carman Ranch grass-fed and Mason Hill’s pure-blood wagyu all accented with sophisticated spins on traditional steakhouse side dishes. Urban Farmer Steakhouse works closely with these farms to source whole cows that are then butchered and aged in-house to ensure the finest quality of steak is served.

Save room for dessert, which includes playful takes of classic American sweets including a must-try Butterscotch sundae.

Round out the meal with a bottle of your favorite drink, many of which are secured through partnerships with local distilleries, breweries and wineries. All wine is sourced from winemakers who prioritize sustainable, organic and biodynamic farming in keeping with the restaurant’s overall philosophy.

LAUDED DESIGNER DAVID ASHEN

Lauded designer David Ashen has created a unique restaurant space at Urban Farmer Steakhouse within the larger 8th-floor atrium lobby.

NATIONAL & LOCAL CULINARY TRADITIONS

Urban Farmer’s menu honors national and local culinary traditions and sources ingredients from some of the Northwest’s finest eco-friendly producers.

NEARLY 200 WINE VARIETALS

The wine list includes nearly 200 varietals found in Oregon, Washington and California, as well as over three-dozen world-class wines from Willamette Valley, Oregon.

BREAKFAST & LUNCH

Monday - Friday 7:00AM - 2:00PM

BRUNCH

Saturday & Sunday 7:00AM - 2:00PM

DINNER

Monday - Sunday 5:00PM - 10:00PM

For reservations and more information, visit our website.

DEPARTURE RESTAURANT

Departure Restaurant offers modern Asian cuisine in a sleek, cosmopolitan setting with two outdoor decks and stunning views of the city, mountains and river. Traditional Asian preparations meet Northwest ingredients in signature dishes such as the restaurant’s grilled kushiyaki selection. Our dishes are created by top executive chefs featuring an ever-evolving menu, inventive flavors and the finest quality ingredients.

Guests are whisked directly to the 15th floor by elevator from the ground floor lobby of The Nines Hotel and immediately enter through the “barnacle,” a low ceiling entrance. The main dining room is an intimate space situated below a 65-foot-long windshield skylight. A custom-made wooden structure shaped like a smokestack juts above the bar and makes reference to the ocean liner theme. A nautical mural of fantasy islands wraps around the main dining room. The bar is the epicenter of the dining room and a place to be observed. Dining 30 room booths face in toward the bar and the area is defined by marine teak decking, sailcloth panels and helm bar seating. Outdoors, two open patios invite guests to relax and view the urban horizon.

The menu also mixes in the flavors and dishes of other Southeast Asian countries, from Malaysia and China to Laos and Thailand. The menu is available throughout the restaurant and lounge and presented for easy sharing.

Departure’s beverage program complements the culinary journey throughout Asia with an extensive list of more than 30 specialty sakes and shochu. The sake list includes unfiltered, seasonal and house-style sake, as well as shochu, a distilled beverage native to Japan and a popular drink in the local izakayas. Cocktails are infused with the spices and other flavors found throughout Southeast Asia. Departure also features a wine list with selections spanning the globe.

LARGEST SAKE LIST IN PORTLAND

Featuring the largest sake list in Portland, Departure Restaurant also showcases exotic cocktails and a global wine list. The sake and shochu list represents many handcrafted, artisan producers.

9,000 SQF

The 9,000-square-foot space added a new full-level 15th floor to the original 1908 Meier & Frank building and two new rooftop patios with views overlooking downtown Portland, the Willamette River, Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens.

MODERN ASIAN MENU

The menu draws much of its inspiration from the food discovered in the neighborhood izakayas in Japan. The traditional cuisine is reinterpreted using seasonal and local ingredients, as well as a modern and sophisticated presentation.

DINNER DAILY 4:00PM - 11:00PM

For reservations and more information, visit our website.

IN-ROOM DINING

WE MAKE IN-ROOM DINING EASY, CREATING AN ELEVATED EXPERIENCE FOR OUR GUESTS. ORDER ROOM SERVICE NOW.

Please don’t hesitate to let us know how we can make your stay more comfortable.

THE LIBRARY

LOUNGE MENU OFFERINGS & COCKTAILS

SERVICE DAILY 3:00PM - 11:00PM

The room features wall-to-wall, reclaimed wooden shelves with new and used books from Powell’s Bookstore, Chesterfield tufted leather sofas and purple leather walls. Art curator Paige Powell commissioned local artists to fill The Library with original pieces, including Gus Van Sant, cartoonist John Callahan and painter Chris Johanson. The Library is non-smoking and is available for casual gatherings, cocktail receptions and speciality dinners. Visitors to The Library can take advantage of the free board games kindly provided by our partners at Guardian Games.

OUR HOTEL

Our Weddings

OUR WEDDINGS

CREATE THE PERFECT WEDDING IN ONE OF PORTLAND’S MOST ICONIC VENUES AT THE NINES. Located in the heart of downtown, our stunning wedding spaces are impeccably decorated with original artwork and a uniquely modern yet nostalgic feel (and stunning downtown views!). PHOTO CREDIT: JESSICA HILL Whether you’re hosting a small, intimate affair or a grand celebration, you’ll find the perfect space to suit your needs at our Portland wedding venue. Our amazing team of wedding specialists are here to assist you with every detail from audio/visual to creating a customized culinary experience for you and your guests. Elevate your wedding at The Nines! THE NINES PORTLAND 35

EXPERIENCES

Meetings & Events

MEETINGS & EVENTS

ENJOY AN ELEVATED MEETING EXPERIENCE WITH CONTEMPORARY EVENT SPACE. THE NINES CAN CUTOMIZE SPACES TO MEET YOUR BESPOKE NEEDS.

WELCOME TO AN ELEVATED MEETING EXPERIENCE

MEETING FEATURES

At The Nines we have 14 creative and contemporary meeting and event spaces able to host a range of events, from a small boardroom meeting for 10 to a large 600-person event in our sumptuous ballroom. Elegantly designed with a modern stylish aesthetic, our meeting and event spaces feature stunning city views and original art pieces.

• Unique, flexible meeting spaces
• Complimentary wireless internet access throughout the hotel
• On-site meeting & event specialists

Delivering anticipatory and authentic guest service, we take pride in our tenured staff who are skilled at providing exceptional and personalized service. We ensure every need is met and also provide state-of-the-art audio/visual as well as customized food and beverage catering. Please don’t hesitate to let us know how we can make your event or meeting a success.

• Customized food & beverage experience by our award-winning culinary team
• Vast Atrium area ideally suited for large receptions that require a stylish venue
• Interactive reader-boards with “Social Wall” capabilities
• LEED Silver-certified and Green Seal-certified, lending sustainability as well as luxury to every event

SMALL MEETINGS

Ideal Meeting Size: 2 — 20

• Flexible urban meeting rooms are perfect for hosting small groups and intimate receptions
• Three stylish, executive boardrooms with views of Downtown
• Five small meeting rooms with luxurious lounging space in the foyer
• The Library is perfect for a private conversation, small meetings and elegant dinners
• The Barrel Room, our newest space, has a movable wine wall that divides the space into two smaller rooms
• State-of-the-art audio/visual in meeting spaces

LARGE MEETINGS

Ideal Meeting Size: 20 — 600

• Our unique meeting spaces can accommodate up to 600 guests. We have approximately 13,000 square feet of Portland meeting and event space, including an approximately 7,200-square-foot ballroom with 18-foot ceilings and Murano glass chandeliers
• Flexible, large meeting spaces are located on the same level
• Elegant pre-function space is perfect for meals, receptions and exhibits
• State-of-the-art audio/visual services
• Customized food & beverage experience that brings the Portland culinary scene to life

UNIQUE MEETING SPACES

Ideal Meeting Size: 40 — 120

• Outdoor event space with spectacular views of Downtown, the Cascade Mountains and Willamette River
• Contemporary meeting rooms
• Customized food & beverage experience by award-winning chefs

OUR HOTEL

The Fitness Center

OUR FULL-SERVICE FITNESS CENTER IS OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY WITH THREE PELOTON BIKES, FREE WEIGHTS AND TVS.

It features Precor treadmills with unparalleled reliability, performance and efficiency as well as three Peloton bikes, professional-grade free weights and numerous flatscreen televisions. We also provide complimentary earphones, towels, water, reading materials, and a shower room, ensuring an optimal workout.

LE CHEMIN BATH & BODY COLLECTION

THE NINES OFFERS LUXURY LE CHEMIN BATH & BODY PRODUCTS TO ENSURE LUXURIOUS COMFORT AND SUSTAINABLE ITEMS.

Byredo is a luxurious European brand founded in Stockholm. The brand combines high-end ingredients with first-class design to create refined, timeless products.

The Le Chemin by Byredo bath and body collection will ensure you feel refreshed and pampered as their signature formulas feature notes of tangerine, Calabrian bergamot, white cedarwood and violets. The uplifting collection will allow you to experience the pleasure and relaxation of an exceptional spa retreat daily.

EXPERIENCES

Patrick McNearney’s 3-Day Itinerary: Portland

DAY ONE

Welcome to Portland! Begin the morning with brunch at Mother’s Bistro, a 10-minute walk from The Nines. Mother’s Bistro is known for its award-winning comfort food with a touch of culinary finesse and a lot of love. A must-try on their menu is their Belgian waffle.

After brunch, walk towards the city center and catch the MAX Light Rail train westbound to Washington Park. You will enter the deepest transit station in North America at 260 feet below ground. Once you exit the MAX Train and take the elevator into the park, you have entered lush forestry – only 3 miles from urban downtown!

Take the Washington Park Free Shuttle or enjoy the 25-minute stroll to the International Rose Gardens and take in the natural beauty of 400 varietals of roses. Now you will truly understand why we are called the City of Roses.

After stopping to “smell the roses” return towards downtown via Uber/Lyft or the MAX Light Rail train and enjoy happy hour on the 30th Floor at Portland City Grill.

For dinner, walk 12 minutes into the West End for an exquisite dinner at Dolly Olive. Dolly Olive centers around Southern Mediterranean ingredients and flavors and is famous for their in-house focaccia. Cheers!

Once fueled for the day, hop on the Portland Streetcar on 10th Avenue to the 23rd & Marshall exit. You have arrived at Nob Hill, which is a historic neighborhood filled with quaint shops and boutiques. Stop at Barista for a gourmet latte

and Fireside Restaurant for lunch. After lunch, take a short walk to Creo Chocolates and enjoy one of their dozens of scratch-made chocolate truffles. You are in for a treat!

DAY TWO

It is a great day to be in Portland! Begin your morning by exploring an iconic food cart just a block away from The Nines at Pioneer Square - Fried Egg I’m In Love. Fried Egg I’m in Love makes Portland’s best breakfast sandwiches.

After having a foodie day, venture a 20-minute walk into the Pearl District for shopping, local parks, and our urban wine bars. My favorite local urban wine bar is Erath – one of the pioneering wineries of Oregon’s Willamette Valley and the region’s leading producer of Pinot Noir.

The night would not be complete without seeing one of Portland’s many live music venues. Nearby The Nines, we have the wonderful Jack London Revue, which hosts live jazz four days a week. If you are in need of a laugh, venture a 10-minute drive into the Central Eastside to the Helium Comedy Club.

DAY THREE

Begin the morning with a coffee and pastry from 40 LBS, a nearby specialty coffee bar. Take your items togo, and head down to our waterfront park trail along the Willamette River. You will find locals and visitors on a jog, hike, or dog stroll, all enjoying the vistas.

Walk south, and head into our burgeoning South Waterfront district and home to our newest bridge in Portland, the Tillikum Crossing Bridge, the first bridge of its kind in the country. If time allows head 10 minutes towards the base of the Portland Ariel Tram, a unique and exciting transportation landmark. The Tram is a five-minute ride each way, rising 500 vertical feet and traveling 3300 feet in distance.

If you are in the mood for a relaxing and scenic boat ride experience, head one mile back north towards The Nines and aboard the Portland Spirit. See the city in a whole new light as you travel upriver from the city center to the historic Milwaukie Waterfront.

On your way home from exploring, stop by the Toasted S’mores Bar. See your gourmet s’more torched up in front of your eyes for a toasty snack treat on your way back to the hotel for a cozy evening night rest.

For dinner, join us on the 15th floor at Departure Restaurant here at The Nines. Departure offers contemporary Asian cuisine in a cosmopolitan setting and features two stunning rooftop patios with views of the surrounding area.

Thank you for choosing us as your home and we can’t wait to welcome you again soon to Portland!

OUR HOTEL

Experiences You Can Trust

Visiting somewhere new or returning to a favorite destination is always an exciting experience. When organized effectively and by those with great connections and unmatched local knowledge, it can be one of life’s most fulfilling adventures. If you are reading this, then you have chosen to stay in one of the finest hotels the luxury hospitality industry has to offer. You are in the safe hands of a world-class hotel team that will look after your every need from the second you arrive until the moment you leave.

The challenge begins with creating a fun and varied itinerary for when you venture beyond the comfort of the hotel. The good news is that you don’t have to navigate this alone; there are exceptional local businesses available to curate unforgettable experiences for you. At Greydoor Publishing, we firmly believe that as a valued guest of a world-renowned hotel, you shouldn’t have to depend on an internet search to find these. We think you deserve something much more refined than that.

THAT’S WHERE THE EXPERIENCES MAGAZINE COMES IN.

Through the hard work and tenacity of Greydoor Publishing and The Nines Hotel, this publication provides details of the local companies that are best placed to serve your needs and requirements when you find yourself in unfamiliar surroundings.

Every hotel guest seeks an extraordinary experience from start to finish, yet every guest’s vision of the perfect trip is unique. Families seek engaging entertainment. Couples desire fine dining. Businesspeople need efficient transport. Thrill seekers crave outdoor excursions. As we understand the diversity of the hotel’s clientele, our magazine avoids a one-size-fits-all approach to guiding your stay.

While we appreciate the excitement of spontaneity, we believe there’s a better time and place for it. Whether you’re staying at the hotel for business or leisure, your time is precious and playing it by ear could be a risk. Choosing the wrong restaurant can spoil a romantic evening, unreliable transportation can result in missed connections, and unsatisfactory guided tours can leave you feeling short-changed.

Working with the hand-selected businesses listed within this magazine means avoiding the pitfalls of choosing the wrong local experiences, enabling you to make the most of your time in this outstanding location. With their association with this industry-leading hotel, you can rest assured that these trusted professionals will provide premium products and invaluable services to ensure you enjoy a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience!

MAGAZINE PARTNERS

We thank all of our advertising partners for taking the opportunity to showcase their products and services within this magazine. Your details are now reaching the guests at this wonderful hotel who are ready to create lasting memories throughout their stay.

Abbott Claim

Winery

Phone: 503.687.3839 | Text: 503.862.9486

abbottclaim.com

Balsall Creek

Vineyard / Tasting Room

503.687.1888

balsallcreek.com

Après Plastic Surgery & MedSpa

Surgical / MedSpa Clinic

503.212.9411

apresplasticsurgery.com

Ben Bridge Jeweler

Jewelry Store

503.295.2800

benbridge.com

Kanani Pearl Spa

Day Spa

503.242.5500

kananipearl.com

Portland Saturday Market

Open-Air Maker's Market

503.222.6072

portlandsaturdaymarket.com

The Luxury Exchange PDX

Luxury Resale Boutique

503.930.5682

theluxuryexchangepdx.com

DISCOVER PORTLAND

Island Escapes in the City

A GUIDE TO SURRENDERING TO WELLNESS IN PORTLAND’S PEARL DISTRICT

48 EXPERIENCES

A GUIDE TO SURRENDERING TO WELLNESS IN PORTLAND’S PEARL DISTRICT

EXPERIENCES

Specialty Massage • Clinical Skincare • Rejuvenating Body Treatments Portland is a city that rewards those who slow down. Beneath its surface of artisan coffee shops, creative galleries, and buzzing weekend markets, lies a quieter, more restorative city, one of hushed treatment rooms, ancient healing traditions, and deeply considered wellness practices. For visitors to the Pearl District, the slower pace is never more than a short walk away. Located in the heart of the Pearl District - Established 2004 - • (503) 242-5500 www.kananipearl.com 49

The Pearl District itself sets the tone from the moment you arrive. Occupying the upper floors of the landmark Meier & Frank Building, the neighborhood’s historic architecture and curated public art cultivate a sense of calm sophistication that makes it easy to decompress from the moment you step inside. Many of the area’s hotels offer in-room wellness services or concierge referrals, meaning there is no need to venture far for a restorative experience, but when you do, the Pearl District offers some of the city’s most thoughtful wellness destinations.

A DISTRICT BUILT FOR RESTORATION

The Pearl District has quietly established itself as one of Portland’s foremost destinations for restorative wellness. Tucked into its elegant grid of converted warehouses and cobblestone streets, you’ll find day spas, bodywork studios, and treatment rooms drawing on traditions from across the world, from Hawaiian healing practices to Japanese bathing rituals and Pacific Northwest botanicals. The neighborhood’s unhurried pace and considered aesthetic make it an unusually fitting backdrop for this kind of work.

What distinguishes Pearl District wellness venues from the more transactional end of the spa market is an emphasis on craft and philosophy. Many practitioners here bring deep, specialist training to their work, in ancient bodywork lineages, plant-based skincare, or somatic techniques rooted in the connection between physical and emotional wellbeing. Treatments tend to be tailored rather than templated, with therapists taking time to understand what a guest actually needs rather than following a fixed script.

Refined. Restored. Remarkably You. At Après Plastic Surgery, every transformation begins with who you already are. We don't chase extremes. We refine, restore and elevate. The result? You'll hear "You look incredible" ... not "What did you have done?" • SURGICAL ARTISTRY • MEDICAL WEIGHT LOSS • ADVANCED AESTHETICS BREAST AUGMENTATION • BODY LIFTS • TUMMY TUCKS • LIPOSUCTION • ADVANCED INJECTABLES • LASER RESURFACING Dr. Aric Aghayan Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon QEM 5331 S Macadam Ave., Suite 254, Portland, OR 97239 503-212-9411 • ApresPlasticSurgery.com

The range of treatments available across the district is broad. Visitors can find traditional massage and advanced facial therapies alongside body wraps, polishes, and steam rituals that draw on locally sourced Pacific Northwest ingredients, fir and cedar, volcanic clay and sea botanicals, as well as influences carried westward from Hawaii, Japan, and beyond. The overall effect is a wellness culture that feels genuinely rooted in place.

WELLNESS AS A WAY OF ARRIVING

There is a particular pleasure in treating a spa visit as a way of orienting yourself to a new city, of shaking off the journey and arriving fully present. Portland, with its gentle pace and deeply felt culture of self-care, lends itself to this approach more than most American cities. The Pearl District, easily reached on foot or via the Portland Streetcar from most downtown accommodation, is an ideal neighborhood in which to begin. Tree-lined streets, public art, and neighborhood parks, such as Tanner Springs, plus a full city block of wetland walkways, create a naturally meditative environment before you’ve even arrived at your appointment.

Afterwards, returning to the Pearl District takes on a different quality. The neighborhood’s rooftop bars and riverside terraces, with their panoramic views over downtown Portland, become the ideal place to let the effects of a treatment settle. Order something light, a fresh juice, or a glass of Willamette Valley white, and watch the city ease into evening. Portland’s visitor infrastructure is well attuned to wellness travelers, and most hotels in the area are well placed to assist with bookings and recommendations, ensuring that whatever kind of restoration you’re seeking, it’s never more than a conversation away.

RETURNING RENEWED

Portland has long held a reputation for doing things with care — its food culture, its architecture, its creative communities all reflect a city that takes considered living seriously. Its wellness offering is no different. In a city as sensorially rich as this, where every neighborhood seems to offer a new experience, the ability to find stillness becomes genuinely valuable. It’s the difference between seeing a city and truly being in it.

Whether you choose a solo session to decompress between meetings, a couples treatment to mark a special occasion, or simply an afternoon given entirely over to rest, Portland’s wellness landscape offers something rare: a genuine invitation to pause. The Pearl District, with its walkable streets, cultured atmosphere, and thoughtful amenities, makes answering that invitation as easy as possible.

DISCOVER PORTLAND

Portland’s Best Kept Open Secret

PORTLAND’S BEST KEPT OPEN SECRET: THE RIVERFRONT MARKET THAT LOCALS LOVE AND VISITORS NEVER FORGET

There are markets, and then there are institutions. Portland Saturday Market belongs firmly in the second category. Operating continuously since 1974, making it the longest-running open-air arts and crafts market in the United States, it has become as integral to the identity of Portland as the Japanese Garden or the city’s beloved independent bookshops. For visitors to the Pearl District and downtown Portland, it also happens to be one of the most rewarding morning excursions the city offers, sitting an easy walk away on the banks of the Willamette River.

The market runs every Saturday from March through to Christmas Eve, anchored beneath the Burnside Bridge at Tom McCall Waterfront Park and Ankeny Plaza in Portland’s historic Old Town. Arriving on foot from downtown, a fifteen-minute stroll past Pioneer Courthouse Square and down toward the riverfront, is itself part of the pleasure. The city’s walkable grid, punctuated by public art and the chime of the Portland Streetcar, does a good job of building anticipation before you’ve even glimpsed the first row of tents.

A SENSORY EXPERIENCE

More than 250 makers, artists, and artisan food producers gather each week, representing independent creative businesses from across the Pacific Northwest. The variety is genuinely impressive. Handcrafted jewelry sits alongside ceramic vessels, hand-woven textiles, fine art photography, intricate woodwork, and sculptures that would look perfectly at home in a gallery. What makes the experience different from a conventional market is the direct relationship it fosters between visitor and maker: every vendor has produced what they’re selling, and many will be crafting or finishing pieces as you browse.

For those with an eye for jewelry, the market is a particularly rich hunting ground. The Pacific Northwest has a strong tradition of artisan metalwork and gemstone craft, and the range on display on any given Saturday, from delicate silver pieces set with Oregon sunstones to bold statement work incorporating locally gathered materials, reflects that heritage well. It is the kind of shopping that feels genuinely meaningful: pieces with a provenance, a maker, and a story.

LIVE MUSIC AND LOCAL FLAVOR

One of the market’s most distinctive qualities is its sound. Bluegrass pickers, jazz trios, and folk duos rotate through weekly sets at the waterfront, creating an atmosphere that is relaxed and communal without ever feeling contrived. The music drifts between the tents and out over the river, and on a clear Pacific Northwest morning, the kind of crisp, bright morning that Portland does especially well, it is difficult to imagine a more pleasant way to spend a few hours.

The food offering at the market is equally varied and equally committed to quality. Vendors prepare dishes to order from across the spectrum of Portland’s diverse culinary influences, pupusas, elotes, empanadas, handmade noodle dishes, artisan pastries, and freshly brewed coffee among them. It is an ideal place to eat well and inexpensively, and to develop a feel for Portland’s food culture before an evening exploring the more elevated dining the city’s restaurants have to offer. EVERY SATURDAY Free To Enter MARCH - DECEMBER CELEBRATE 52 YEARS OF ART, CRAFT, AND COMMUNITY! An Oregon Heritage Tradition Phone: (503) 222-6072 Weekend: (971) 865-0382 portlandsaturdaymarket.com THE NINES PORTLAND 2 SW Naito Parkway Portland, OR 97204 57

OLD TOWN AND BEYOND

The market’s location in Portland’s historic Old Town-Chinatown neighborhood adds a further layer of interest for those inclined to explore beyond the market itself. The area retains some of Portland’s most characterful architecture, and the surrounding streets offer a sense of the city’s layered history, from its origins as a bustling river trading post through its mid-century reinvention and contemporary creative renaissance.

Nearby, the Lan Su Chinese Garden, a walled classical garden created in the Suzhou style, offers a contemplative contrast to the energy of the market. Admission is modest and the garden is small enough to feel genuinely intimate, its pavilions and still-water reflections providing a quiet counterpoint to the morning’s browsing. From there, the walk back through the heart of downtown Portland passes galleries, the Portland Art Museum, and the kind of independent coffee shops for which the city has long been celebrated.

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY...

How to Shop Pre-Owned Luxury Like an Expert by Beth Anundi

After years spent curating pre-owned luxury, I always return to the same advice: authenticity is essential. Seek out stitching that is precise, hardware with substantial weight, and materials that feel intentionally chosen. Even the most experienced eye benefits from support, which is why we combine our team’s expertise with the accuracy of AI-assisted verification for every piece we review.

Condition is only part of the story. A vintage handbag with gentle, honest wear often possesses a character and enduring value that newness cannot match. I encourage clients to seek out timeless design rather than fleeting trends; these are the pieces that truly endure.

At The Luxury Exchange, this philosophy guides every piece we curate. I believe buying pre-owned luxury should feel as confident as it is exciting. We'd love to welcome you to our Downtown Portland boutique and help you discover a piece you'll enjoy for years to come.

For guests looking to bring something of Portland home, the Saturday Market offers something no airport gift shop can match: the work of people who live here, made with care, sold with pride, and carrying with it the particular quality that only a genuinely local object can possess.

EXPERIENCES

The Pearl District: Portland’s Creative Quarter

THE PEARL DISTRICT:

PORTLAND’S CREATIVE QUARTER

Portland’s Pearl District did not become one of the most talked-about creative quarters in the American West by accident. What was once a patchwork of rail yards and industrial warehouses began its transformation in the late 1980s, when artists moved in for the affordable space — and stayed for the community. Today, the Pearl is the city’s most design-conscious district: a place of gallery-lined cobblestone streets, sculptural public spaces, and an unhurried pace that makes it genuinely pleasurable to explore on foot. For visitors arriving from downtown, it begins quite literally a few blocks away. The district sits at the edge of downtown and opens northward from the south end of the Pearl, where the neighborhood’s older masonry gives way to wide residential avenues, the North Park Blocks running along one side and a rectilinear grid of streets pressing toward the river on the other.

FIRST THURSDAY: A NEIGHBORHOOD RITUAL

On the first Thursday of every month, the Pearl District transforms. Since 1986, this beloved neighborhood tradition has turned NW 13th Avenue and its surrounding streets into a living gallery; hundreds of artists setting up alongside permanent spaces, galleries opening new exhibitions, restaurants extending their hours, and the kind of easy, convivial energy that makes Portland’s creative culture so distinctive.

More than 150 artists participate on any given First Thursday, ranging from established painters and photographers to emerging makers showcasing their work for the first time. The format is deliberately inclusive: visitors move freely between commercial galleries, artist lofts, and the open-air street exhibition, talking directly with creators and discovering pieces that couldn’t be found anywhere else. Because the roster rotates monthly, no two First Thursdays are exactly the same, making it an event that rewards repeat visits across a stay of even just a few nights.

The Pearl’s permanent gallery scene is worth exploring regardless of the day. The area has long attracted serious collectors and art lovers, drawn by the concentration of spaces showing work from across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The Park Blocks, public green spaces threading through the district, also incorporate permanent sculpture installations, outdoor works that make even an aimless walk feel curated.

THE LANGUAGE OF FINE JEWELRY

For those seeking something more personal to take home from Portland, the city’s jewelry scene offers a compelling alternative to conventional retail. The Pacific Northwest has a distinct tradition of artisan metalwork, influenced by the region’s geology, its Native craft heritage, and the broader culture of making that defines contemporary Portland, the tradition finds expression in a number of studios and galleries concentrated in and around the Pearl District.

Portland’s fine jewelers tend to work with intention. Custom design is common, with many studios offering the experience of commissioning a piece from scratch, choosing a stone, working with a craftsperson, and returning home with something genuinely unique. Oregon sunstones, the state gemstone, are a particular regional speciality: found in the high desert of Eastern Oregon, these warm feldspars range from pale champagne to deep copper-red and are unlike any gemstone produced elsewhere in the world. A piece set with an Oregon sunstone is, in the most literal sense, a jewel that could only come from here.

For those drawn to vintage and estate jewelry, Portland also rewards a closer look. The city has a genuine appreciation for objects with history, and several jewelers specialize in pieces from the Art Deco, Edwardian, and Victorian periods - rings, brooches, and pendants that carry with them a sense of another era’s craft and sensibility. Browsing these collections has the quality of a minor adventure, each piece a small mystery to unravel.

A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT REWARDS TIME

The Pearl District functions best when you treat it as a destination rather than a detour. Tanner Springs Park, tucked between two residential blocks, is worth a quiet half-hour: its naturalistic design references the wetland that once occupied the site, and even on a busy afternoon it carries a contemplative quality that the surrounding streets do not. Jamison Square, with its interactive fountain, draws families and dog walkers in the warmer months. The Fields Park, a green stretch to the north, provides open space to rest and reflect.

Returning to your hotel in the evening, you might find yourself arriving with a wrapped canvas under one arm and a handcrafted ring box in a pocket, the particular satisfaction of a day spent not just visiting a city but genuinely engaging with it. Find a rooftop bar or riverside terrace, let the lights of downtown Portland settle around you, and consider what else the city has left to offer. In the Pearl, the answer is always: quite a lot.

EXPERIENCES

Thirty Minutes to Wine Country

THIRTY MINUTES TO WINE COUNTRY

There is a particular pleasure in staying in a city that also happens to be the gateway to one of the world’s greatest wine regions. Portland is that city, and the Willamette Valley, a 150-mile sweep of rolling hills, ancient volcanic soils, and cool Pacific air, begins almost as soon as the downtown skyline recedes in the rear-view mirror. For visitors based in Portland, world-class Pinot Noir is not a trip in itself, it is an afternoon. The valley runs south from Portland toward Eugene, flanked to the east by the Cascade Mountains and to the west by the Oregon Coast Range. That geography is not incidental; it is the reason the wine is so good. The Coast Range shields the valley from Pacific storms while allowing just enough cool marine air to drift through, creating the long, slow growing season that Pinot Noir demands. Summers are warm and dry. Harvest windows, by Oregon standards, tend to be generous. The result is fruit that ripens with unhurried precision, retaining the acidity and aromatic detail that distinguishes great Burgundy, and that the Willamette Valley, increasingly, shares.

OREGON’S UNLIKELY PIONEER STORY

A VALLEY OF DISTINCT CHARACTERS

The Willamette Valley’s reputation was not handed to it. In the mid-1960s, a small group of winemakers made a bet that seemed, to many observers, reckless: that Oregon’s cool, rain-shadowed valleys could produce world-class Pinot Noir. California was the American wine country of record. France had Burgundy. Oregon had ambition and cheap land.

The vindication came in 1979, when an Oregon Pinot Noir placed in the top ten at a prestigious blind tasting in Paris, going up against some of France’s finest Burgundies. The result was seismic in wine circles and set in motion a wave of investment, planting, and artisan winemaking that has never really stopped. Today the valley is home to more than 700 wineries, its landscape shaped by decades of growers who chose craft over volume and terroir over trend.

One of the more rewarding aspects of exploring the Willamette Valley is the variety within it. The region has been carved into eleven sub-appellations, each with its own soil type, elevation, and microclimate, and each producing wines with genuinely distinct characters.

The Dundee Hills, where the valley’s first commercial Pinot Noir vines were planted in the 1960s, sit on ancient Jory soil, iron-rich, volcanic, and remarkably well-drained. The wines here tend toward red fruit, earthiness, and spice: structured and age-worthy, the kind of bottles that reward patience. To the north, the Chehalem Mountains produce bolder, more concentrated expressions, with cherry, black tea, and cinnamon notes that make them immediately appealing.

The Eola-Amity Hills, cooled by gaps in the Coast Range that funnel cold Pacific air across the vines, deliver some of the valley’s most precise and elegant Pinot Noirs - wines with a transparency of fruit and a fineboned structure that draws inevitable comparisons to the great villages of Burgundy’s Cote de Nuits.

Beyond Pinot Noir, the valley produces Chardonnay of increasing distinction, along with Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Gamay that reflect the same cool-climate sensibility. A day among the tasting rooms will reveal just how varied and ambitious the winemaking here has become.

An Exceptional Oregon Wine Experience Told Through Variety Explore Our Offerings and Plan Your Visit balsallcreek.com | (503) 687-1888

THE VALLEY COMES TO THE CITY

For those who prefer to keep their feet in Portland, the city has developed a wine culture that does full justice to its proximity to the valley. Urban tasting rooms, many of them pouring estate wines from vineyards just down the road, have become a fixture of the Pearl District and the broader downtown area. The format is convivial and unpretentious: a glass at a marble bar, a conversation with someone who actually made the wine, a flight that covers the valley’s range in an hour rather than a day.

The Willamette Valley’s wines also appear prominently across Portland’s restaurant scene, where sommeliers have embraced the region with the kind of local pride that translates, at the table, into confident and enthusiastic recommendations. Ordering an Oregon Pinot Noir at dinner in Portland is not a safe, conventional choice - it is almost always the right one.

MAKING A DAY OF IT

The drive south from downtown Portland takes visitors through the Tualatin Valley and into the northern reaches of wine country within 30 minutes. Most tasting rooms open mid-morning and welcome visitors without advance booking, though calling ahead for smaller producers is always advisable and often rewards you with more time and more personal attention than a walk-in visit.

A well-paced day might take in two or three tasting rooms, with lunch at one of the valley’s vineyard restaurants, meals that tend to be straightforward and seasonal, designed to complement rather than compete with what’s in the glass. The landscape itself is reason enough to make the journey: vine rows running up hillsides, views across the valley floor to the white peak of Mount Hood, the particular stillness of a working agricultural landscape at its best.

Return to Portland in the early evening and the city will feel, as it often does after a day in the valley, like the ideal place to conclude the experience — a glass of something familiar at a downtown bar, the day’s discoveries still fresh, and the quiet satisfaction of knowing that one of the world’s great wine regions begins, essentially, on the city’s southern doorstep.

AN INTIMATE, CANDLELIT CAVE TASTING of estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, warmly hosted in the heart of the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. By reservation. 11011 NE Bayliss Rd, Carlton, OR 97111, USA | (503) 687-3839 | [email protected] ABBOTTCLAIM.COM

WE’RE PROUD OF OUR RICH AND DIVERSE HISTORY AT THE NINES.