Jason Hanson, co-founder of Hanson Vineyards, grew up on his family’s farm between Woodburn and Silverton—not far from Mt. Angel. When he turned 18, he knew that he wanted to experience a different part of the country, so he attended college on the East Coast, enrolled in graduate school in Washington, D.C., and launched his professional life in the nation’s capital.

After spending a few years on East Coast, Jason thought at length about how to make his way back to the Pacific Northwest. He’d usually spend at least one or two days wine tasting while visiting family in the area and, with Oregon in the midst of a wine boom, saw an opportunity. “There was a deep pull toward wine,” says Jason.

Jason and his father, Clark, started Hanson Vineyards in 2005; three years later, Jason moved home for good and took over as winemaker. These days, you’re likely to find Clark tending to the vineyard while Jason crafts the winery’s inventive output and pours for curious customers.

Today, Hanson Vineyards is part of the Cascade Foothills Winegrowers collective, which numbers 14 wineries between the Salem area and the foothills of Mount Hood. The group has established the eastern Willamette Valley as an area teeming with creative winemakers, rarely seen varietals, and a laid-back atmosphere that welcomes budding and seasoned oenophiles alike.

In addition to Hanson Vineyards, you’ll find the likes of Wooden Shoe Vineyards (which pours estate-grown wines just outside Woodburn), Pudding River Wine Cellars (which prides itself on sustainable practices and hosts a tasting room along the banks of the Pudding River), and Pheasant Run Winery (which offers Pinot noir and several white wines from 30-year-old vineyards).

So if you’re looking to get off the beaten path and explore some less-traveled wineries in the Mid-Willamette Valley, here are three compelling reasons to make the Cascade Foothills your favorite wine destination.

Jason – past president of the Cascade Foothills Winegrowers - is the first to point out that winemakers in the Cascade Foothills don’t have the notoriety of some of the bigger names found elsewhere in the region – but that’s just fine. He believes that his region’s under-the-radar vibe gives winemakers the chance to delight and surprise in a myriad of ways.

For starters, you’ll find a relaxed atmosphere that welcomes all, even those who couldn’t tell a pinot noir from a Pinot gris. “It’s a much chiller vibe over here,” Jason says. Rather than elegant tasting rooms, for instance, visitors might enjoy tastes in converted bank vaults (such as at Pheasant Run Winery) or in Instagram-worthy barns (such as at Pudding River Wine Cellars—which also boasts an outdoor fire pit and green space for a cozy, yet relaxed atmosphere).

And if you’re one of those folks who genuinely can’t tell a Pinot noir from a Pinot gris, you’re in luck: Your servers and tasting room managers are happy to answer any and all questions you have—because they probably know the wine better than anybody. “More likely than not, it’s going to be the winemaker behind the bar,” says Jason. “You can fire away all the questions you’ve ever wanted to ask about making, drinking, or pairing wine…more often than not, you’re going to meet the winemaker.”

Which grape do you most closely associate with Willamette Valley wine? Chances are good Jason can guess your answer: “You think about Oregon wine, and the big blinking neon sign is Pinot noir,” says Jason. “But over here, we have the ability to experiment and look beyond Pinot noir—and work with an amazing variety of grapes.”

The 14 vintners in the Cascade Foothills currently make wines with more than 40 grape varietals, leading to some of the most diverse wine selections anywhere in Oregon. (Vitis Ridge, just outside Silverton, currently grows seven types of grape and offers 30 varietals. Hanson Vineyards, meanwhile, grows 11 wine grape varieties. “We’ll have weekends where we don’t have a single pinot noir on the flight,” adds Jason.) That wide range means visitors can try new wines all weekend long and sip flavors not commonly found elsewhere around the Willamette Valley.

Maybe the best thing about the Cascade Foothills is that there’s always more to explore—so try to spend a night or two in nearby communities for a fuller, richer experience.

Silverton's Oregon Garden Resort is an iconic destination, sitting next to the 80-acre Oregon Garden—itself home to more than 20 specialty gardens. The pet-friendly resort keeps comfort in mind with its many amenities, which include a seasonal outdoor swimming pool and hot tub, an on-site spa, a gas fireplace in every room, and more.

You’ll also find plenty of rooms in Salem, which makes a fine gateway to the quiet communities nearby. Home2 Suites by Hilton Salem, for instance, offers stylish rooms with comfortable beds, large televisions, kitchen features, and cozy microfiber sheets—all just a five-minute drive from downtown Salem.

For a quiet experience in a historic home, consider a night or two in the Century House Bed & Breakfast; amenities include full breakfasts, a crackling fireplace in the common room, a shaded backyard, gated parking, a bicycle garage (complete with tools), and more. And if you're looking for down-home comfort with plenty of space to stretch out, the Residence Inn Salem offers only suite rooms with full kitchens and a quiet courtyard (which includes a fire pit and grill).