Escape to Oregon Wine Country at The Allison Inn and Spa

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Read on to discover the charm of The Allison Inn for an unforgettable Oregon wine country getaway filled with wine and relaxation.

One of my favorite places in Oregon’s Willamette Valley is the town of Newberg, located about 30 miles southwest of Portland. Newberg is a charming town in the heart of Oregon wine country. While in Newberg, the perfect place to call home is The Allison Inn & Spa. The Allison offers quiet, reserved elegance without feeling stuffy. The hotel sits on 35 acres, and I think it’s best in fall when the muted earthy tones reflect the colors outside. Read on for why I believe The Allison Inn provides the perfect Oregon wine country escape.

History of The Allison Inn and Spa

Newberg locals Ken and Joan Austin founded a dental equipment manufacturer, A-dec, in Newberg. After building a successful business, they opened an alcohol and drug treatment center called Springbrook Northwest. However, Joan was concerned about the lack of hotel space for friends and family visiting Springbrook clients.

In 1989, they planned to build a small inn, but when another hotel came into the area, they put the idea on hold. Over the following years, they purchased 450 acres in the Springbrook area and decided to build their inn on 50 acres. Construction on the “small country inn” began, and The Allison Inn & Spa opened as the first luxury inn in the Willamette Valley in 2009.

The Allison Inn is named after Dr. Ira Allison, who documented non-native glacial erratic boulders in the Willamette Valley. Researchers discovered that approximately 15,000 years ago, the Glacial Lake Missoula ice dam burst, sending hundreds of cubic miles of water surging across Idaho and Eastern Washington, stripping the topsoil as it went. Those soils were deposited in the Willamette Valley around a temporary lake stretching from Portland to Eugene. That foundation is what makes the Willamette Valley terroir so unique.

The Allison Inn began as a family affair. Daughter Loni Parrish, a local gallery owner, curates the art collection of more than 500 pieces that her mother brought into the new hotel. All of the artwork is from local Oregon artists. Son Ken Austin, Jr., is a woodworker who created many exquisite furnishings in the inn today. Check out the trestle-style private dining tables Austin crafted. They are exquisite.

Joan passed away in 2013, and her husband in 2019. Their children—Loni Parrish, Ken Austin, and his wife Celia—continue their parents’ legacy today. I found it inspiring how the inn is so connected to the local community, using local products and encouraging guests to visit businesses that supply everything from bread to wine.

Arriving in Style at The Allison Inn and Spa

Walking into the lobby at The Allison Inn is a treat. You pass stunning sculptures and paintings throughout the grounds, and everywhere you turn inside the building. Be sure to take time during your visit to wander through the various hallways and meeting rooms to see the artwork. Stop by the concierge desk; they can offer insights into the art pieces. You can also look through the book in your room, showcasing the inn’s artwork. Every room has at least three pieces of original art.

As I made my way to the front door, this work, Ring Toss, by Don MacLane, greeted me.

I’ve enjoyed staying at Allison Inn twice and always feel relaxed the moment I step through the door. Since I was visiting in the fall, the fireplaces were lit, and the lovely smell of burning wood greeted me. I knew I would return to the Living Room for a pre-dinner glass of wine, so I quickly went to my room and fought the urge to linger.

The rooms at The Allison are large and welcoming. There are 77 guest rooms and eight suites, each with stunning property views. I always head straight for the window seat and throw open the curtains to see the vine-covered hillsides and carefully manicured gardens.

Even on chilly days, I love to open the patio door, step outside on my private patio, and breathe in the fresh air that has a subtle earthiness from the surrounding fields.

I adore the fireplace in the room and the big tub with the window that opens onto the sleeping and sitting areas.

The Spa Experience

The Spa at The Allison Inn is a tranquil retreat that embodies the best of wine country. As you pass from the hotel into the spa, you’re surrounded by water features, beautiful wood, and rock accents. Then, you enter a haven that embraces the best of the Pacific Northwest, using those natural ingredients to enhance treatments.

Take time before and after your massage to enjoy the relaxation room. I’m a sucker for a lovely relaxation room. Somehow, it sets the tone for the entire experience. The one at the Allison Inn & Spa is exceptional. It opens to a private patio in good weather, ideal for sipping a cup of tea and embracing the calm. I took one of the loungers in the corner, sipped a cup of tea, and felt myself relaxing.

The spa offers a variety of body treatments, massage, facials, and hydrotherapy. I only had time for the 60-minute essential massage, but it was pure delight. Someday, I hope to return and try one of these treatments:

Zen Den Garden Massage in a private garden
Mimosa Massage using champagne oil and featuring a before- or after-massage mimosa
Deep Forest Escape that brings the Pacific Northwest to you with pine, juniper, and bergamot oils

You can also add a 30-minute tranquil bath soak to any treatment. The Calming Botanical is a milk bath with warm essential oils, while the Northwest Infusion brings you the aromas of an Oregon forest.

Even if you don’t opt for a spa treatment, you can relax in the indoor pool and hot tub. In warmer months, the doors open to give you a feeling of being outside, but you can swim year-round. It’s a lovely space that has its own commissioned artwork.

Wining and Dining at JORY

JORY is the Allison Inn’s signature restaurant and a favorite with hotel guests and locals alike. This Forbes 4-star restaurant is the perfect start to a Willamette Valley wine weekend. JORY, true to its wine-country roots, has an incredible wine list.

Before dinner, I stopped in the Living Room behind the lobby and in front of JORY for the evening’s wine tasting. They pour local wines almost every evening. I sipped my wine and sat by the crackling fireplace while waiting for dinner. I honestly could have sat there for hours, just enjoying the ambiance. I had a bit of time one afternoon between activities, so I took my laptop back down and did some work there. It has to be one of my favorite gathering spaces in any hotel.

The menus change seasonally but always feature the native flavors of the Willamette Valley and its rich agricultural heritage. Executive Chef Jack Strong and his team prepare delicious meals, and they can customize wine pairings for your meal.

I have detailed more about my meals at JORY in this article about Willamette Valley foods.

The Grounds at Allison Inn

While the inn is exquisite—and you might be tempted never to leave your room—the grounds are equally enchanting. You can wander along the pathways checking out the artwork that dots the grounds.

The grounds take on beautiful colors as you explore, no matter which season you visit, but I believe fall is the most breathtaking time to be at the inn. Of course, I can imagine the appeal of that fireplace and luxuriating in the spa on a cold winter day.

You can also wander up to the nearby vineyard or ask about visiting the chef’s garden across the street. Chef Strong uses produce grown in the 1.5-acre garden and greenhouse. The garden is under the direct care of Master Gardener Anna Ashby, who grows everything and tends the bee hives. She collects the honey, and Chef Strong also uses it in the kitchen. You can see what’s currently growing in the garden in the weekly State of the Garden report.

When I visited in October, microgreens were growing in the greenhouse. They had just harvested squash and sweet potatoes and were preparing to harvest cauliflower. We also had a chance to sample honey collected in the early spring and late summer.

What to Do Near the Allison Inn

I recommend spending a couple of days wine-tasting in the Willamette Valley. Read about my favorite Willamette Valley wines and wineries here. When not wine-tasting in the area, I recommend heading into downtown Newberg. It’s a charming small town that offers a great art scene and shopping.

Newberg First Friday

If you’re in town on the first Friday of the month, wander downtown for the First Friday Artwalk. This monthly art celebration celebrates everything Newberg: art, local businesses, wine tastings, music, and local vendors. Be sure to wander to the Chehalem Cultural Center, a 1935 school built during the Depression as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project that houses a fine art gallery. The cultural center also includes classrooms, a music studio, and a ballroom that hosts special events. The new Performing Arts Wing, which includes the LaJoie Theatre, has just opened. The theatre showcases a variety of movies, presentations, and performances.

Shopping in Downtown Newberg

I am not a big shopper, but I love exploring little shops and boutiques, and Newberg has some charming stops along its main street.

Here are a few of my recommendations:

Art Elements is the Newberg art gallery owned by Loni Parrish, who curates the art collection at The Allison Inn. Along with the work of Oregon artists, you can find jewelry, ceramics, woodwork, and sculptures.
Chapters is a delightful independent bookstore and coffee shop. You can find delightful products to take home, such as local Caravan Coffee, local truffle oil, and handcrafted cutting boards.
Good Company Cheese Bar & Bistro is a gourmet food shop and café with local wines, cheese, and charcuterie.
Lineage features women’s clothing and delightful items for your home.
Little Bird Boutique stocks women’s clothing and home décor, including jewelry, candles, and shoes.
Little Lavender Shop is a tiny boutique that sells everything related to lavender, including personal care products, dried bouquets, gifts, and more. The lavender comes from the owner’s farm.
Pulp & Circumstance is a charming shop; I could have explored it more. It’s filled with fun gifts from local craftspeople. Jewelry, ceramics, and art cover every inch of the converted Victorian house.
Velour is a vintage shop with great finds. It also stocks hats and bags created from vintage fabrics.

Articles Related to Visiting the Willamette Valley

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Oregon’s Great Oaks Food Trail
Five Wow Reasons Why You Must Visit Eugene, Oregon
The Best Willamette Valley Wines
Discover the Best Willamette Valley Food Experiences

Your Escape to Oregon Wine Country

With its quaint charm and proximity to Oregon’s renowned vineyards, Newberg embodies the essence of wine country. The Allison Inn & Spa stands out as the ideal retreat, blending serene elegance with a welcoming atmosphere that invites relaxation and indulgence. Whether exploring local wineries or simply unwinding in the lush surroundings, The Allison provides a perfect home base for your adventures. As you plan your journey to this enchanting region, let your curiosity lead you to discover even more about the treasures of the Willamette Valley. Read more about what to do in the Willamette Valley on Wander With Wonder, and let your adventure begin.