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Willamette Valley restaurant, destinations awarded with 2024 Sunset Travel Awards

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Willamette Valley restaurant, destinations awarded with 2024 Sunset Travel Awards

The Willamette Valley continues to rank among the top of national lists as a top destination for its wine country, restaurants and extended visits.

The 2024 Sunset Travel Awards recently awarded four awards to establishments in Oregon, three of which are located in the Willamette Valley. The Sunset Travel Awards “celebrates the best in travel in the West,” recognizing submissions in three categories: where to stay, where to go and where to eat.

McMinnville listed as ‘wine country escape,’ ōkta listed under ‘where to eat’

The city of McMinnville was listed in the “where to go: wine country escapes and destinations” category. Sunset described it as “the heart of one of the Pacific Northwest’s most notable wine regions,” citing its pinot noir, farm-to-table restaurants and climate as rivaling Portland.

McMinnville’s ōkta made it into the “where to eat: restaurants” category, to no surprise. Chef Matthew Lightner’s restaurant inside the Tributary Hotel harnesses the bounty produced by the regenerative farm on the property and surrounding area. Lightner and the restaurant have received local and national acclaim since its opening, including as a 2024 James Beard Foundation Award semifinalist. The menu is continually changing to keep up with the “micro-seasons” of the Willamette Valley, providing guests with a “culinary adventure” through each dish, according to the restaurant site.

Carlton’s Inn the Ground makes ‘nature lovers lodging’ list

Carlton’s Inn the Ground is spotlighted in the “where to stay: nature lovers lodging” category. The inn has a restaurant and a regenerative farm that supports cattle, hogs and hens and has fruit and vegetable gardens. The luxurious bed and breakfast also serves an elevated farm fresh breakfast, featuring seasonal crops. Those interested can tour the farm and permaculture projects.

Bend’s High Desert Museum featured on adventures and explorations list

The only award winner outside of the valley is Bend’s High Desert Museum, featured in the “what to do: adventures and explorations” category. The 135-acre property features galleries, exhibitions and habitats, offering guests a glimpse into the area’s nature, culture, and history. The museum opened in 1982 and is also a nonprofit. This isn’t the first award the museum has received, as it was also the 2019 recipient of the Western Museums Association’s Charles Redd Award for Exhibition Excellence and a 2021 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service.

For the rest of the 2024 Sunset Travel Award winners, check them out at sunset.com/travel/sunset-travel-awards-2024-winners.

Em Chan covers food and dining at the Statesman Journal. You can reach her at echan@gannett.com and follow her on X @catchuptoemily. 

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