Farm to Fork Announces 2011 Schedule

Farm to Fork has announced their ambitious 2011 schedule with seven Southern Oregon, one Hood River, and four Willamette Valley dinners plus a four-day rafting excursion planned. Abacela, Cowhorn, Weisinger's, Troon, RoxyAnn, Crater Lake Cellars and Trium Wines will be the featured wineries of the season.

If you are unfamiliar with the Farm to Fork phenomena, read my experience of attending the inaugural dinner here.

What better holiday gift than attending a celebratory dinner of farms, wineries and food artisans? The 2010 season was a success with nearly every dinner selling out, so be sure to purchase tickets soon so you don't miss your opportunity.

Thanksgiving Weekend Update

A visitor you may pass along the way (Fiasco Winery)

Wineries of the Upper Rogue will be hosting their annual Roam the Rogue Fall Passport Tour on Saturday from 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. For $25 you can taste at eight wineries- Agate Ridge Winery, Cliff Creek Cellars, Crater Lake Cellars, Diasy Creek Vineyard, Del Rio Vineyards, Folin Cellars, Madrone Mountain Vineyard and RoxyAnn Winery. Tickets are limited, so visit www.RoamtheRogue.com to purchase. The wineries will also be open Friday and Sunday with individual specials and tastings. I've heard all Agate Ridge red wines are 30% off).

Wineries of the Applegate Valley will be collecting two non-perishable food items in exchange for tasting fees this holiday weekend. Many of the wineries will be showcasing new releases, library favorites and food pairings.

Wineries of the Umpqua Valley are ready to entertain. Join Abacela for wine tasting, Spanish-style tapas, winery tours and view the construction of their new visitors' center. Henry Estate Winery will have complimentary wine tasting, live music and food pairings each day. Delfino Vineyard has the tractor started up with hay rides through the vineyard, live music daily, wine tasting with holiday appetizers and gifts under the tree with each purchase. Misty Oaks Vineyard will have holiday treats, wine tasting and 15% off case discounts.

Wineries of the Illinois Valley will be hosting Open Houses this weekend. Foris Winery will be offering tours of the facility, barrel tasting, food pairing and purchase specials. Deer Creek Vineyards has complimentary wine tasting.

Jacksonville Community Tree Lighting is this Saturday, November 27th on the McCully House lawn. Mrs. Claus will be visiting from 2-4 p.m. and at 4:30 the 26 ft. tall tree will be lit signaling the beginning of holiday festivities.

Mark your calendars for the 24th annual Jacksonville Victorian Christmas Parade that will make its way down California Street on December 3rd at 6 p.m.

Six Stops on the Applegate Valley Fall UnCorked Wine Trail

Fourteen Applegate Valley wineries opened their barrel rooms to the public for their annual Fall UnCorked Event yesterday. It was a beautiful day, with snow-covered mountain views, to explore the region and stock up on wines for the holidays. Here is a recap of my stops:

Stop #1: Chris Martin of Troon Vineyard shared barrel samples of the 2009 Cabernet Franc in the cellar. The 2009 showed great potential on the palate. 

Troon Vineyard was featuring their 2008 Limited Reserve I (66% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon) paired with Stuffed Baby Portobello Mushrooms. Great pairing.

Stop #2: Greg hosts an intimate conversation and barrel tasting of the Wooldridge Creek Winery 2009 Pinot Noir scheduled to be bottled this February. Afterwards he ushered us into the Tasting Room where the 2007 Warrick Red Reserve and Oso de Oro Sherry were poured. The sherry was a highlight of my day with caramelized flavors of nuts and apricots. I am regretting not picking up a few more bottles, but that just means I need to plan another visit soon! 

Stop #3: Schmidt Family Vineyards held a vertical tasting of their 2009 and 2010 Tempranillo. The 2009 was a rich and spicy wine. In contrast, the 2010 hadn't gone through malolactic fermentation yet, so it was tart and green. Showing these two wines was a great educational lesson to tasters to see the journey of a wine. 

Schmidt Family Vineyards was dishing up a tasty Italian sausage creation paired with their 2007 Zinfandel. The spiciness of the sausage went great with the bold, jammy Zin.

Stop #4: Soloro Vineyards, specializing in Rhone varietals, sampled seven different wines and served up chili and cheesecake (no wonder why their Tasting Room was packed). Their 2009 Grenache barrel sample tasted of ruby red grapefruit.

Stop #5: David Palmer of Fiasco Winery sampled Zinfandel from barrel. Fiasco Winery was also pouring their 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon paired with a decadent chocolate torte.

Stop #6: Cowhorn Winery paired organic beef with French cheese with their 2007 Syrah. They were also pouring their 2009 Grenache Rose with an organic yam spread, proving rosé isn't just for the summer, it is a great food wine year-round. 

If you weren't able to attend yesterday's UnCorked Barrel Tasting Event, the Spring edition will be held in late May. However, don't wait until then to make a trip out to the Applegate Valley, many of these wineries will be hosting open houses this Thanksgiving Weekend. Wine tasting is such a fun activity to enjoy with your friends and family.

Misty Oaks Pinot Blanc Impresses Northwest Wine Writer

Beyond the Bottle discovers the Misty Oaks Vineyard 2008 Pinot Blanc in his latest post:

I continue to be intrigued and delighted by Pinot blanc from Oregon. Unfortunately, I think it remains an undiscovered, if not underrated, wine.

Over the last several years, I have really enjoyed drinking a variety of Pinot blancs from around the Willamette Valley. Little did I know that the Umpqua Valley was producing a terrific wine from this variety in the Misty Oaks 2008 "Constitution Ridge" Pinot Blanc (13.8%).

In the glass, this estate grown Pinot blanc was a clear, light straw color offering notes of lemon peel and melon, all wrapped in this pleasing minerality. In the mouth, this wine was very well balanced between light, crisp acidity and a full roundness that delivered a nice finish. All due to half of the Misty Oaks Vineyard fruit being barrel fermented with the other portion in stainless steel.

Click here to read the whole article. To taste this wine, along with the other award-winning wines produced by Misty Oaks, visit their Tasting Room in the Umpqua Valley. They will be hosting their Thanksgiving Open House this weekend 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Jefferson Public Radio Wine Tasting

Jefferson Public Radio's 30th Annual Wine Tasting takes place on Thursday, December 9, 2010 from 6-9 p.m. at the Ashland Springs Hotel.  This State of Jefferson holiday tradition features over 30 Oregon wineries pouring premium vintages as well as fine restaurants and caterers serving delectable hors d'oeuvres and confections.

This year's event is again generously sponsored by the Ashland Food Co-op and will also feature a "Not So Silent" Auction hosted by Colleen Pyke and Geoffrey Riley and live music by Pachanga and The Flat Five String Band. Ticket prices are $45 for members and $50 for non-members. Tickets can be purchased at the Ashland Co-Op and at Adam's Deli & Catering in Medford, or right now by clicking here. Admission includes a souvenir wine glass. Advanced ticket purchase is highly recommended!

The Oregon Wine Blogs visits Folin Cellars

In the words of Josh Gana of The Oregon Wine Blog, "In true blogger style, I promptly emailed Christine from The Southern Oregon Wine Blog and asked, "If there is one winery I have time to visit on my way home, where should I go? "Christine responded, "Don't be stupid, I've been telling you to hit up Folin Cellars for months." Folin Cellars it was." 


... So I might be a tad bossy :)

One of Josh's top picks from the lineup.

Read Josh's full article and review here. And while your there, be sure to read more of The Oregon Wine Blog's posts, they are great. That's me being bossy again. 

The Oregonian's Holiday Wine Guide Expands to Southern Oregon

The Oregonian's Holiday Wine Guide came out yesterday with an expanded reach beyond the Willamette Valley. The guide details out Thanksgiving Weekend Open Houses, tips about where to taste, and food and wine pairings for your holiday meals.

Check out the articles about visiting the Rogue and Applegate Valleys and Umpqua Valley and Red Hills Douglas County.

On the Seasonal Selections list, Abacela 2008 Granacha was suggested as a perfect choice for pork, Giradet 2007 14 Vines for prime rib and Misty Oaks Vineyard 2008 Cab Franc for vegetables. View the complete list here.

Earl Jones, owner of Abacela Winery in Roseburg. Jamie Francis

I just had to include this awesome picture of Earl Jones. 

Oregon Bounty Wanderfest

What do Oregon chefs and culinary artisans do when they have a day off? It's very likely epicurean, like wine tasting, foraging the forests for edibles, brewing beer, or fishing our wild and scenic rivers. Travel Oregon has been exposing it all on a ten week virtual culinary trek across Oregon as ten of the state's top chefs show what they do when they're not cooking. The latest installment features Southern Oregon's own Tim Keller, chef at Nunan Estate, as he wanders to RoxyAnn Winery during grape harvest.




It's a ten-week culinary adventure (check out the other installments of Oregon Bounty here), all culminating with four people winning a trip to Oregon to explore and enjoy their own perfect Oregon Bounty feast. Enter to win.

The barrels have been identified for the Applegate Fall UnCorked Barrel Tour!

As I mentioned last week, the annual Applegate Valley Fall UnCorked Barrel Tour is on November 21st from 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Fourteen of the Applegate Valley wineries will be opening their doors for barrel tasting and delicious food and wine pairings.

The wine thieves (the tool used to extract wine from the barrel) will be ready as each winery will be barrel tasting an unreleased wine giving guests a chance to experience wine as it tastes during its aging process. And now, the contents of the barrels (and food and wine pairing) have been named!

Academy of Wine

Barrel Tasting: 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon

Featuring: 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon paired with Beef and Brie Crostini

Bridgeview Tasting Room

Barrel Tasting: 2009 Pinot Noir

Featuring: 2009 Semi-Sparkling Muscat paired with Wine Poached Pears & Créme Fraiche

Cowhorn Vineyard & Garden

Barrel Tasting: 2007 Syrah

Featuring: 2009 Grenache Rosé paired with Organic Thanksgiving Yams

Cricket Hill Winery

Barrel Tasting: 2008 Merlot

Featuring: Vin Enchanté NV Blend paired with Thai Spiced Holiday Soup

Devitt Winery

Barrel Tasting: 2006 Cabernet Franc

Featuring: 2005 Merlot paired with Burger Sliders

Fiasco Winery

Barrel Tasting: 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

Featuring: 2008 Zinfandel paired with Torta DiCioccolato

John Michael Champagne Cellars

Barrel Tasting: 2009 Rosé

Featuring: 2007 Claret paired with Baked Holiday Delights

LongSword Vineyard

Barrel Tasting: 2009 Syrah

Featuring: Fly High Vineyard 2009 Viognier paired with Salmon Cakes

Rosella's Vineyard

Barrel Tasting: 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon

Featuring: Ula Waina paired with Roasted Turkey with Ula Waina Chutney

Schmidt Family Vineyards

Barrel Tasting: 2009 Tempranillo

Featuring: 2007 Zinfandel paired with Italian Sausage with Anise & Red Pepper Sauce

Soloro Vineyards

Barrel Tasting: 2009 Grenache

Featuring: 2007 Grenache paired with Gourmet Chili & Pumpkin Cornbread

Troon Vineyard

Barrel Tasting: 2009 Cabernet Franc

Featuring: 2008 Limited Reserve I Cabernet Franc paired with Stuffed Baby Portobello Mushrooms

Valley View Winery

Barrel Tasting: 2009 Anna Maria Pinot Noir

Featuring: 2008 Anna Maria Chardonnay paired with Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Wooldridge Creek Winery

Barrel Tasting: 2009 Pinot Noir

Featuring: 2008 Zinfandel paired with Grass-Fed Beef White Bean and Winter Squash Stew

Click here to enlarge map

Tickets are $39 per person and will include a commemorative glass and tasting at all 14 wineries. Designated drivers are welcome to a complimentary sampling of the foods at each winery. Tickets can be purchased at the Applegate Wine Trail website.

A great point was brought to my attention yesterday, the wineries in the Applegate Valley are very close in proximity, meaning you could actually make it to most/all of them in a day (unlike a lot of other wine regions or trails). But, plan on spitting or have a designated driver if you take on the task. :)

Plan the Perfect Thanksgiving: Course by Course

Over the past week I have picked out hundreds of wines for people's Thanksgiving meals. In the chance that you weren't one of them, here are my suggestions for perfect Southern Oregon wines to pair with your Thanksgiving entertaining: 

Start with bubbles. Sparkling wine always adds an element of celebration to any occasion and it's the perfect aperitif. But, what many forget is it's also a very versatile wine to pair with food. Both white and rosé goes well with starters like appetizers, soup or salad. Recommendation: Wooldridge Creek Winery 2007 Brut

Turkey, unlike most poultry, is dry in texture. So you'll need a mouth-watering wine to compliment it. Great options are crisp whites like Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Rhone blends. Recommendations: Del Rio Vineyard 2008 Pinot Gris, Cowhorn Spiral 36 (Viognier, Marsanne, Rousanne), Brandborg Winery Riesling

Yes, you can drink red wine with turkey. Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Malbec and Grenache all have juicy, bright berry flavors that go well. Avoid tannic reds, because the bird won't lessen their astringency. Recommendations: Cowhorn 2008 Grenache, Troon 2008 Kubli Bench Zinfandel, Crater Lake Cellars 2008 Grenache, Misty Oaks 2008 Viper Trail Malbec

But, turkey is only one aspect of the meal, the range of side dishes gives you a lot of freedom. Syrah can possess both fruity and savory flavors or try a lush Petite Sirah. Recommendations: Folin Cellars 2007 Syrah, Quady North 2007 Sam's Valley Syrah, Carpenter Hill 2006 Petite Sirah, Spangler 2008 Petite Sirah

If you have any room left, end on a sweet note. For pumpkin or pecan pies (or cheesecakes) pair with port like Abacela 2007 Port or Madrone Mountain Vineyard Vintage 2004. For fruit pies pick a late-harvest dessert wine like Slagle Creek Vineyard Late-Harvest Gewurztraminer or RoxyAnn Winery 2008 Night Harvest Viognier

But, most importantly, drink what you like!

Varietal Scales

In Harvey Steiman's recent article, "Putting Pinot Gris on the Scale," he discusses how the Australian Wine Research Institute, which is funded by the wine industry and government, created a Pinot Gris/Grigio Style Spectrum, which features a sliding scale graphic that vintners can use on their labels. "It is meant to indicate where the wine fits along nine stops from "crisp, lean and racy" to "luscious, opulent, and luxurious,"" he writes.

The Australian's developed a number of tests, instead of relying on imprecise subjective tasting or the winery's tasting notes to classify the wines.

The International Riesling Alliance has also developed a scale for producers to add to their packaging. The scale ranges from dry to sweet. I know a handful of Oregon riesling producers who are incorporating this onto their 2009 releases.

What are your feelings about adding this to other varietals? Would it help you as a consumer? A Syrah scale with savory vs. jammy? A Chardonnay scale with buttery and oaky vs. crisp and acidic? Join the conversation.

Oregon's Mark on the Wine Industry?

This morning I woke up and read my WineBusiness.com daily email alert of the top news in the industry. One of the headlines was New Director for Oregon Wine Board, so I eagerly opened the article hoping to learn more about how Jeanette Morgan planned to transform the Oregon Wine Board.

At the end of the Wines & Vines article there was a quote by David Beck, OWB director and proprietor of Crawford Beck Vineyard saying,

“In a situation where Oregon is not one of the largest producers -- it’s behind California and certainly other places in the world -- we want to grow the organization with someone who has the insight to expand and make Oregon Pinot Noir and Oregon Chardonnay household names,” Beck said. “That’s something we expect to do in the next handful of years, and we expect Jeanette to be the leader.”

Reading this was disheartening and I hope it is not the true goal of of the Oregon Wine Board's initiatives. Being from the Willamette Valley I love their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but Oregon's mark on the wine industry can be so much larger and I sincerely hope the influencers realize that.

 

Read the article here. 

11/10/10 addition: In response to this blog post, I received an email from the Oregon Wine Board with Jeanette's official perspective, "“The Oregon Wine Board mission is to raise awareness of all 16 unique growing regions throughout the state.  We seek a common lens from which to share the story of our industry and its people, and this does not include a varietal story.  As the organization’s new Executive Director, I look forward to the challenge of promoting the growth of the industry, showcasing both the economic importance and highlighting the passionate, artisan and innovative people that comprise it – from all corners of Oregon.” – Jeanette Morgan, Executive Director."

Roam the Rogue - Thanksgiving Weekend

Thanksgiving is about gathering with friends and family, enjoying a home cooked meal and offering thanks for all our fortunes. To a wine enthusiast, Thanksgiving has become a weekend synonymous with wine tasting. 

Many wineries will open their doors this Thanksgiving weekend offering great deals to stock up on your favorite wines to pair with your holiday entertaining (plus what better activity to do with visiting guests?).  Planning your itinerary can be overwhelming, but no one is making it easier than the Upper Rogue Valley Wineries with their Roam the Rogue event on Saturday, November 27th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The following eight wineries are teaming up for a day of new wine releases and delicious appetizers: 

• Agate Ridge Winery
• Cliff Creek Cellars
• Crater Lake Cellars
• Daisy Creek Vineyard
• Del Rio Vineyard
• Folin Cellars
• Madrone Mountain Vineyard
• RoxyAnn Winery

Tickets are $25/person and include a commemorative Reidel glass, appetizers and wine tasting at each of the participating wineries. Last year's event sold out quickly, so make sure to purchase your tickets soon.

Sold-out Crowd at Southern Oregon Tasting in Portland

We have a sold-out crowd at the Celebrate Southern Oregon Wine in Portland Grand Tasting tonight at the Gerding Theater in the Pearl District! Glad to see so many Northerners embrace our wines! 

Courtesy of Michael Donovan

The Wine Thieves are Ready! Applegate Valley Hosts Fall UnCorked Barrel Tour

Make a special effort to join 14 of the Applegate Valley wineries on November 21st from 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. for their annual Fall UnCorked Barrel Tour when they open their doors for barrel tasting and delicious food and wine pairings.

The wine thieves (the tool used to extract wine from the barrel) will be ready as each winery will be barrel tasting an unreleased wine giving guests a chance to experience wine as it tastes during its aging period and get a glimpse of what's to come in the future.

Tickets are $39 per person and will include a commemorative glass and tasting at all 14 participating wineries. Designated drivers are welcome to a complimentary sampling of the foods at each winery. Tickets can be purchased at the Applegate Wine Trail website.

There is no better time of the year to taste all of the award-winning wines of the Applegate Valley and stock up on your favorites to pair with your holiday entertaining.

And Where Is Umpqua Valley?

This question was the title of a recent article by Memphis wine writer, Fredric Koeppel of Bigger Than Your Head featuring two wines from Misty Oaks Vineyard. And by his favorable reviews of the 2008 Pinot Blanc and 2008 Cabernet Franc, hopefully more people will know the answer.

His words:

Steve and Christy Simmons, owners of Misty Oaks, came to Umpqua — which means “thunder water” or “across the waters” — from Alaska. They have 15 acres of vines that range from 300 to 1,000 feet elevation. The red grapes are pinot noir, cabernet franc and malbac, the whites cool climate pinot blanc, pinot gris and gewurztraminer. I recently tried the Pinot Blanc 2008 and Cabernet Franc 2008.

The Misty Oaks Constitution Ridge Pinot Blanc 2008, Umqua Valley, is about as pretty as pinot blanc gets. The color is radiantmedium straw-gold. Aromas of lemon balm and lemon curd, delicate peach and pear and a hint of petrol entice the nose, while in the mouth, the wine, which ferments and aged half-and-half in stainless steel and wood, is suave and svelte and displays gratifying balance between soft, almost pillowy ripe lushness and clean, spare elegance. Flavors of lemon and pear with a hint of melon and lightly buttered toast turn smokier and spicier in the glass, and the finish brings in a tinge of lime peel and shale-like minerality. The wine could use a slight jolt of acidity to lend more liveliness, but mainly this is a terrifically appealing pinot blanc. Production was 220 cases. 13.8 percent alcohol. Very Good+. About $16.


The Misty Oaks Jones Road Cabernet Franc 2008, Umqua Valley, captures the dark, spicy, tarry side of the grape. This is very intense, very concentrated, and you have to give a glass of the stuff a little patience to elicit what turn out to be pretty damned heavenly strains of black currants, blackberries and blueberries set against a beguiling background of rhubarb and black olive, bacon fat, dried thyme and a touch of bell pepper. I mean, this is spot-on for an Anjou cabernet franc. In the mouth, you run into some dusty truculent tannins and brooding granite-laced earthiness that a year or two should bring to bay, though the wine’s slowly unfurling black and blue fruit flavors, etched with filigrees of bitter chocolate and potpourri, hold immense promise through 2015 to ’18. Production was 75 cases. 13.9 percent alcohol. May I just say that this is one of the purest examples of a 100 percent cabernet franc wine I have tasted from the West Coast. Excellent. About $28, and I’m sorry, I wish more were available.


Read the full post here. If you're dying to get your hands on these small production wines, visit their Tasting Room in Oakland, Oregon or the Harry & David Country Village Wine Cellar in Medford.

Oregon Wine Board Names New Director

Yesterday the Board of Directors of the Oregon Wine Board (OWB), Oregon Winegrowers Association (OWA) and the Trust for Oregon Wine Education and Research (TOWER), announced that Jeanette Morgan will become the Executive Director of the Oregon Wine Board.

Ms. Morgan will be responsible for strategic planning and administration of the Board of Directors and its committees and constituencies. Morgan’s leadership will help establish consensus and encourage collaboration amongst the various sectors of Oregon’s grape and wine industry. In addition, she will serve as a liaison with other partners on promotions, advocacy, research and educational organizations.

“The scope of our organizational mission demands someone who can bring to this industry a broad-based, strategic approach rather than a single discipline focus to help drive us forward and encourage us to continue as an innovative and collaborative wine industry,” said Sam Tannahill, Board Chairman and Director of Viticulture & Winemaking for A to Z Wineworks/REX HILL. “We’re excited to have Jeanette join as our strategic leader and administrator for all three organizations, which are responsible collectively for marketing, research, education and advocacy for the state’s nearly 400 wineries and 800 vineyards.”

Ms. Morgan brings robust experience in strategic leadership and government affairs, most recently as Vice President of Global Government Affairs of National Semiconductor Corporation in Santa Clara, CA. In her most recent executive position, Ms. Morgan developed and led global, federal, state and local public policy strategy in support of semiconductors, green technology, and renewable energy and efficiency. In addition to her extensive background in government and public affairs, she possesses expertise and commitment to consensus communications and practices.

“I am honored to join the Oregon growers and vintners to further promote the growth of the Oregon wine industry,” Morgan said. “In conjunction with the Board, staff, and wine community, my goal will be to showcase the economic importance and the innovative and unique spirit of the Oregon wine regions.”

The selection and following appointment of the Executive Director is the result of an extensive search process involving a six-member Search Committee of industry representatives appointed by the OWB, in addition to an outside recruiting firm.

“Jeanette is an individual of exceptional achievement in a field which has faced pressures and challenges similar to our own. Her magnetic personality will open many new doors and build bridges around the state to further strengthen our organization. She is an administrator whose personal sensitivity will draw the best out of her staff and her board members,” said David Beck, Oregon Wine Board Director and Proprietor of Crawford Beck Vineyard.

Reported by WineBusiness.com

New Owner of Deer Creek Vineyards celebrates 1st Harvest

New owner of Deer Creek Vineyards in Selma, Katherine Bryan survived her first Harvest and she is ready to celebrate. She will be hosting a Harvest Party on Saturday, November 6th from 2-6 p.m. in their new Tasting Room and Wine Bar with live music and complimentary appetizers and wine tasting.

Since purchasing the vineyard last summer, Katherine has added a Tasting Room and Wine Bar to the premises featuring Deer Creek wines along with other estate-grown wines of Southern Oregon. Deer Creek has also named Linda Donovan of Pallet Wine Company as their new winemaker. Projects on the horizon for Deer Creek include the construction of a new amphitheater located in a nearby meadow to host concerts and events. Deer Creek hopes to hold 25-30 concerts next Summer and Fall in the space as well as a local growers and crafters market prior to each concert.