Harry & David Country Village Hosts Children's Advocacy Center Benefit

Join Harry & David Country Village to celebrate and bring awareness to the wonderful workings of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County.

Friday, April 1st   4-6 p.m.

Saturday, April 2nd   11-5 p.m.

The weekend will be loaded with FUN activities for children and adults:

·      Harry & David serving delicious small bites.

·      Del Rio, Longsword, Madrone Mountain, RoxyAnn and other local wineries pouring both new and signature offerings.

·      Pictures with Jack, the therapy dog, from 12-2PM

·      A variety of products featuring children’s artwork

·      Raffles: a Harry & David signature basket, certificate for a winery tour, and other interesting items will be raffled. Proceeds to benefit Children’s Advocacy Center.

Healing Children at the Speed of Love

Children’s Advocacy Center is dedicated to meeting the needs of children and families in our community by providing a center with a compassionate, multidisciplinary approach to the prevention, treatment, identification, investigation and prosecution of child abuse.

A Look Inside Abacela's Vine & Wine Center

Wine Press Northwest gives us a detailed look at the Abacela Vine & Wine Center set to open this May.



What a great addition this will be to the Umpqua Valley and Southern Oregon. I love the educational signs and design of the new facility (bravo Hanna!). I can't wait to be on those decks with a glass of Albariño overlooking the vineyards.

Southern Oregon World of Wine Festival Announces 2011 Changes

The Southern Oregon World of Wine announced that it will be moving to Jacksonville and expanding from a single day event into a multiday festival. “Jacksonville offers a more centralized location and the ability to expand, as well as being a gateway to the area’s wonderful wine regions,” said Chairman Lee Mankin. “The historically rich setting also offers numerous unique shops and restaurants that will enrich the festival, while at the same time providing much needed meeting facilities and convenient lodging.” The festival will be held the week of August 22nd, culminating in the Grand Tasting on the evening of Saturday, August 27th.

In addition to the Grand Tasting, the expanded festival will include sensory wine tasting and wine pairing seminars, educational programs and a gala dinner and live auction. These events, planned throughout the week, are aimed at educating and engaging every wine lover. Additional details regarding these events will be announced in the coming weeks. 


The Southern Oregon World of Wine Festival has been the Rogue Valley’s premier wine festival for the past eight years. The event, which always sells out, showcases some 40-plus wineries annually, with more than 750 attendees at the Grand Tasting. The wine competition portion of the festival brings in notable judges from outside the area, increasing attention on this burgeoning wine region. The festival seeks to promote not just the Southern Oregon wine industry, but all of Southern Oregon by creating an exciting and unique event that ties together local businesses and the community, while benefiting charities.

2011 Upper Rogue Second Saturday Schedule Announced

The Upper Rogue Wine Tour is excited to announce the start to another great season of Second Saturdays. From April to November, the six wineries of the Upper Rogue come together to plan fun-filled wine tasting events each month. With the themes for 2011 selected the wineries are thrilled to extend the invitation to visit the Upper Rogue for these complimentary events.

The Upper Rogue Wineries include: Agate Ridge Vineyard, Crater Lake Cellars, Cliff Creek Cellars, Del Rio Vineyards, Folin Cellars and LaBrasseur Vineyard.

2011 Second Saturday Schedule:

• April: Case Sales- case discounts ranging from 10-50% off
• May: Varietal Education- each winery will feature educational information on a grape varietal
• June: Perfect Pairing "Gone Cheesy"- cheese and wine are a perfect combination
• July: Firecracker Red- enjoy the new red wine releases
• August: What's my Wine- put your tasting to the test and guess the mystery wine
• September: Women who Wine- celebrating the women behind the wine and those that love to drink it
• October: Harvest Celebration- experience the fruit of the harvest with fun and educational experiences
• November: Grape to Glass- learn about the intricate art of winemaking, packaging, marketing, and enjoy a great glass of wine

Harry & David Friends & Family Coupon

The Friends & Family Coupon runs this Thursday-Monday, March 24-28th, at the Harry & David Country Village. Save 25% off your entire purchase including wine and beer. There is a limited supply on some of the great local closeouts like Troon Vineyard 2007 Trifecta Pinot Noir, Abiqua Wind Winery Mueller Thurgau and Agate Ridge Vineyard 2007 Viognier. They also have a dwindling supply of Cowhown Spiral 36... the only one's in the state with any left!

Go ahead, print it and save! 

Troon 08 Reserve Zinfandel named Best of Show at Astoria Wine Festival Competition

Congratulations to Troon Vineyard for being named one of three Best of Show wines in the Astoria Seafood & Wine Festival Competition for their 2008 Reserve Zinfandel.

What a year it has been for Southern Oregon wines and seafood festivals. First, Slagle Creek Vineyards 2007 Claret won Best of Show at the Newport Seafood & Wine Festival Competition and now Troon takes top honors.

Best of Show
Troon Vineyard 2008 Reserve Zinfandel

Gold
Spangler Vineyards 2008 Petit Verdot, Umpqua Valley


Silver
Crater Lake Cellars 2009 Grenache, Rogue Valley
Misty Oaks Vineyards 2008 Pinot Noir, Umpqua Valley
Palotai Winery 2009 Zinfandel, Southern Oregon
Pyrenees Vineyards 2009 Chardonnay, Umpqua Valley
Pyrenees Vineyards 2009 Merlot, Umpqua Valley
Troon Vineyard 2009 Cryo Cabernet Sauvignon Dessert Wine
Troon Vineyard 2009 Druid's Fluid Red Blend
Troon Vineyard 2009 Estate Chardonnay, Applegate Valley

Bronze
Palotai Winery 2009 Merlot, Southern Oregon
Spangler Vineyards 2008 Cabernet Franc

For a complete list of results click here.

Taste a fine selection of wines from nearly 60 Oregon wineries along with a spread of Northwest cuisine, arts and crafts, a beer garden, and musical entertainment at this years festival located at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds April 29, 30 & May 1.

Festival Hours/Admission:

Friday: 4-9 p.m. $8

Saturday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. $10

Sunday: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. $5

Southern Oregon wineries pouring: Crater Lake Cellars, Druid's Fluid, Eliana Wines, Girardet Wine Cellars, Henry Estate Winery, Hillcrest Vineyard, MarshAnne Landing Vineyard, Melrose Vineyards, Misty Oak Vineyard, Palotai Winery, Pyrenees Vineyard & Cellars, Spangler Vineyards, Troon Vineyard

For a complete list of vendors click here. 

This Week's Harry and David Wine Savings and Tastings

Say CHEEEEEESE!

7th Annual Oregon Cheese Festival Dishes up Delicious Events

Oregon-inspired culinary events, including a farmer’s market-style artisan food and wine festival, will kick off with the Meet the Cheesemakers and Winemakers Dinner at the Oregon Cheese Festival in Central Point, Ore., on March 18.

Starting March 19, thousands of visitors will sample cow, sheep and goat cheese from Oregon creameries, including Fraga Farm, Juniper Grove Farm, Pholia Farm, La Mariposa Creamery, Mama Terra Microcreamery, Ochoa Creamery, Tumalo Farms, Tillamook County Creamery, Willamette Valley Cheese Co., Fern’s Edge Goat Dairy, Rivers Edge Chevre, Ancient Heritage Dairy, Fairview Farm Goat Dairy, Goldin Artisan Goat Cheese, Briar Rose Creamery, Oak Leaf Creamery and Rogue Creamery.

Held under three tents at Rogue Creamery's Central Point, Ore., facility, the seventh annual festival will invite guests to shake hands with cheesemakers and other artisans. Activities will be provided for children including games, activity sheets and giveaways (limited quantities).

"The farmer's market format will present an interactive experience between makers and visitors, giving everyone an opportunity to talk about the product, the process and learn each individual cheesemaker's story," says David Gremmels, owner with Cary Bryant of Rogue Creamery. "It's a way to truly be connected with the source of the cheese being presented."

Southern Oregon and other local culinary artisans and beverage providers that are expected to participate include: Lillie Belle Farms, Rogue BBQ, Oregon Crepes, 34 Degrees Crackers, Gary West Meats, Rising Sun Farms, Applegate Valley Artisan Breads, Butte Creek Mill, Slagle Creek Vineyards, Paschal Winery & Vineyard, Madrone Mountain Vineyard, Troon Vineyard ,Valley View Winery, Daisy Creek Vineyard, Rosellas Vineyard, Quady North, Longsword Vineyard, Devitt Winery, Dry Soda, Hot Lips Soda, Oakshire Brewing and Rogue Ales. Samples and sales will be offered at each booth.

Limited seating is available at a dinner introducing guests to participating artisans at the Ashland Springs Hotel in Ashland March 18 from 6:15 p.m. to 9 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the nonprofit 501-c6 Oregon Cheesemaker Guild. Each course will spotlight a cheese made by one of the festival's artisans paired with a local wine. Throughout the meal, noted cheese expert Janet Fletcher will act as emcee and join the winemakers and cheesemakers in discussing the showcase dishes. The author of seven books about food and cheese, Fletcher will lead festival-goers through Oregon cheese and wine sensory experiences. Laura Werlin, award-winning author of 5 books on cheese, will conduct a class on grilled cheese during March 19 event.

The Oregon Cheese Festival will be open to the public on March 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Rogue Creamery, 311 North Front St., Central Point. A $15 entry fee includes tastings and demonstrations. A $5 wine tasting fee includes a commemorative wine glass with the Oregon Cheese Guild logo. Tickets to the dinner are $85 per person and are available by calling 866 -396-4704.

Rogue Valley Wine book - Coming March 28th

Winemaking in Oregon began more than 150 years ago when Peter Britt of Jacksonville brought grapevine cuttings from California to create his Valley View Vineyard. By 1890, the Southern Oregon State Board of Agriculture forecast a vineyard-dotted Rogue Valley to rival "the castled Rhine... the classical vales of Italy and the sunny slopes of France." But, prohibition, which became law in Oregon four years before the rest of the country, killed the nascent industry. Not until the 1970s, when American discovered a passion for wine, was winegrowing in Southern Oregon's Rogue Valley reestablished. Pear orchards were converted to vineyards, and winemaking - not on a California scale, but rather in boutique wineries tucked away along scenic country roads - began anew and thrived.

Author Eric Weisinger grew up in the Rogue Valley wine business and now splits his time between winemaking in New Zealand and consulting for wineries in Oregon. Freelance writer MJ Daspit resides in Ashland, Oregon and pens articles on its past and present periodicals. This volume's photographs come from the Southern Oregon Historical Society and the people of the Southern Oregon wine industry.

The book will be released on Amazon on March 28, 2011. You can preview the book and pre-order now!

What a Summer FARM to FORK has in store...

12 Farm Dinners.

12 Host Farms.

4 Fertile Valleys.

1 Local Food Community. 

FARM to FORK has been very busy this Winer and as Spring quickly approaches, their vision of this Summer's Farm Dinner season inches closer to reality. What a Summer they have in store...

This year FARM to FORK Events is hitting the road as Oregon's first 'statewide' Farm Dinner experience. They will be traveling from the Southern Cascades to the shadow of Mount Hood, from Talent to Troutdale, and from Yamhill to Central Point. 

They'll be dabbling in biodynamics and permaculture, feature organic produce and pastured pork (among other things), and work with historic farms and young farmers... from Portlandia to the Mythical State of Jefferson. 

They'll also introduce you to the brains behind the bottles of Abacela Vineyard & Winery, Cowhorn Vineyard & Garden, Teutonic Wine Company, Weisinger's Winery, Troon Vineyard, RoxyAnn Winery, Boedecker Cellars, Big Table Farm Wines, Roots Wine Company, Viento Wines, Crater Lake Cellars and Trium Wines. 

And to top it all off, they've enlisted the help of some talented and passionate people. Chef David Padberg (Park Kitchen), Chef Troy MacLarty (formerly of Lovely Hula Hands & Ned Ludd), Chef Neil Clooney (Smithfields of Ashland), Chef Braden Hitt (Smithfields of Ashland), and several others to be announced, have joined the FARM to FORK Team to help honor and celebrate Oregon's farmers and winemakers.

Stay tuned for more detailed updates and for an upcoming video series featuring the 2011 host farms, featured wineries, and community partners.

Tickets to all 12 Farm Dinners can be purchased at www.farmtoforkevents.com. 

Harry and David Wine Savings and Tastings

In New Food Culture, a Young Generation of Farmers Emerges.

The New York Times is highlighting Oregon's emerging young farmers in an article titled, "In New Food Culture, a Young Generation of Farmers Emerges."

Oregon has the youngest average age of farmers as the average age of farmers nationwide creeps toward 60 years old. We need this movement.

Tune in Tonight! Southern Oregon Wine on TV

Tune in to Rogue Valley Community TV (Charter Channel 15) this evening from 6-7 p.m. to listen to Chanda Miller speak about the Southern Oregon wine region. Chanda is an exceptional source of winemaking and viticulture knowledge and I look forward to learning a lot about Southern Oregon's uniqueness.

The show will be live and seeking audience calls. To ask a question call 541.552.6079.

Oregon Wine License Plates continued...

Update: As I have dug deeper into this issue, it seems clear that the money generated from the license plates should be in the control of the Oregon Wine Board, the governing body of the industry. While having a license plate would be great positioning for the state, the bill should be reworked.  

SB 442 

WINE COUNTRY PLATE 

Fact Sheet 

This is a tourism bill, not a wineries bill. Tourism as part of an overall economic development strategy, supports both directly and indirectly the health and vibrancy of Oregon’s agricultural industry as well as all other corners of the economy. The goal is to galvanize the travel & tourism industry and provide a funding mechanism to give lift to the entire industry, not one specific category. 

Cultivating Communities is a 501c3 corporation dedicated to the travel & tourism industry, with an education-based mission to support product development, education & outreach initiatives, marketing & promotion, scholarships, workforce development and grants. 

This is a budget neutral bill. Cultivating Communities stepped up to develop the Wine Country Plate concept and initiate legislation, bears all financial burden, and can carry forward the administration of legislation at no cost to the state. This is a clean concept from start to finish. 

The revenue split (35/50) is fair and balanced based on the concentration of wineries in Oregon, and that more than 50% are in the mid-Willamette Valley. At least 35% of revenues will be dedicated to communities across the state through grants to support travel & tourism industry projects that bolster economic growth and job creation. 

The mid-Willamette Valley iconic tourism asset is agri-tourism and wine country. When developing the Wine Country Plate concept, Cultivating Communities recognized that other regions of the state also have wine assets, and that there was great potential for a project like this to have broad statewide impact for the tourism industry, while still benefitting this underfunded region. 

All regions of the state will benefit from this entrepreneurial initiative, regardless of connection to wine country. Cultivating Communities will establish a Statewide Grants Council to oversee the statewide grants process for the 35% funding allocation. The Statewide Grants Council will include representatives from all 7 regions of the state plus Travel Oregon. 

The Wine Country Plate is unique and distinctive from current plate options, and would appeal to a different consumer preference. California doesn’t have a wine plate. The Wine Country Plate would have a significant and powerful impact on tourism marketing for Oregon as the plates would serve as a moving “billboard” promoting Oregon’s status 

as an agri-tourism hot spot. 

For more information, please contact: 

Angie Morris, President & CEO 

Cultivating Communities 

181 High Street NE, Salem, OR 97301 

503-581-4325 

Oregon may add wine country license plates- excludes Southern Oregon

KTVL News Channel 10 reports that Oregon may add wine country license plates benefitting Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties. Of course, Oregon has many more counties with contributing wine countries- Linn, Lane, Douglas, Hood River, Benton, Washington, Umatilla, Wallowa, Josephine, and Jackson, so why are these counties left out?

Krystle Henderson / KTVL.com

MEDFORD, Ore. -- There may be a new addition to the choices you get for Oregon license plates. Lawmakers may add a wine country plate to the list.

Many winemakers are pretty excited about that. In the Rogue Valley, workers at EdenVale Winery are calling the plates moving billboards.

The hitch: the plates would carry an extra fee.

That money would go to tourism projects in Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties, not to local wineries.

"Southern Oregon has really grown, we're certainly a large contender in terms of Oregon's wine country," said Anne Root with EdenVale. "We should get equal access to the state money that's collected on behalf of these license plates."

Root said that's always been an issue for them -- getting the word out that great wine is down here in Southern Oregon too.

Wine Legal Issues Seminar, March 15th

The Rogue Valley Winegrowers Association will present a "Wine Legal Issues" seminar on Tuesday, March 15th from 2-5 p.m. at the Oregon State University Southern Oregon Extension Service Auditorium. The free event is open to all RVWA members and other interested people.

A panel of three prominent Oregon attorneys- Chris Hermann of Stoel Rives, Martha Pagel with Schwabe Williamson Wyatt, and Mike Gelardi with Davis Wright Tremaine- will discuss wine and grape contracts, compliance and regulatory issues, land use, water law and other current topics.

Pre-registration is not required, but seating is limited to 100 attendees. For more information on the seminar, contact RVWA Programs Committee Chair, Scott Folin at 541.944.1702 or scott[at]folincellars [dot]com.

RVWA has more than 125 members in the Rogue Valley, representing commercial growers and wineries of all sizes and some wine hobbyists, plus business and professionals who support the regional wine industry.