A Day in Maryhill, WA
East of Hood River, the Columbia Gorge changes quickly from dense pine forests to rocky bluffs and rolling grassy hills. Beginning in spring and lasting into summer, wildflowers bloom across the hills, and the bright orange of California poppies, yellow of balsamroot, and purple of lupines stand out long after the grasses dry out. Nestled in these hills is the sleepy town of Maryhill, Washington, which offers many sources of delight to those who love wine, fresh produce, and vistas we much as we do.
No, not that Stonehenge. Perched above Maryhill, railroad tycoon Sam Hill’s full-scale Stonehenge replica commemorates soldiers from Klickitat County killed in WWI. Designed with the help of astronomers and engineers, Hill intended Maryhill’s Stonehenge to recreate its English original as closely as possible, albeit with modern building material. The monument offers phenomenal views of the valley below, including the Columbia River and Mount Hood.
Make the short drive down the hill from Stonehenge to the picturesque town of Maryhill, where the quiet streets are lined with orchards. We visited at the height of cherry season and saw these beauties hanging in fat bunches from the trees. Want to bring some home? No problem, so did we. Gunkel Orchards farm stand offers fresh picked fruit from the nearby orchards, and we can attest that they make for great car snacks.
The Maryhill region has some excellent wineries. One of our favorites is Jacob Williams, which sits cozily between a cherry orchard and the Columbia River. Best of all, there is a friendly cat, Rosé, who may join your table if luck is on your side. On our last visit, we came during cherry season and received a sample of the winery’s harvest along with our wine tasting. Spring is also a great time to visit, when the fruit trees are blooming along the North side of the winery. Their wines are great, and you can’t go wrong with a tasting. For glasses or bottles, consider the Sadie Red imho. There is good outdoor seating as well as some indoor seating. Bring a jacket if you’ll be outside; the wind can be stiff off the river.
A little further down the road is Maryhill Winery, which has a large tasting room and patio that overlook the vineyard below and distant Columbia River. They offer a wide selection of wines for sale at a good variety of price points.
