I hope...

... to see a lot of you at tomorrow's UnWine'd event that kicks off Oregon Wine Month!

Left Bank Annex, Portland
3-6 pm

www.unwined.oregonwine.org/

Recap to follow.

Hitting the Sand to Spread the Southern Oregon Story

Cooperatively spreading the word about the Southern Oregon wine region, eight Southern Oregon wineries traveled down to Dana Point, California to participate in the two-day California Wine Festival.

Abacela

Bridgeview Vineyards

Cliff Creek Cellars

Melrose Vineyards

Pyrenees Vineyard & Cellar

RoxyAnn Winery

Troon Vineyard

Valley View Winery

With a Friday evening "Sunset Rare and Reserve Wine Tasting," wineries were asked to pour 2-3 library or exclusive offerings to an intimate crowd of wine aficionados at the Dana Point Yacht Club. Wines included Abacela's 2005 Paramour Gran Reserva and Troon Vineyard's 2008 Zinfandel Reserve.

The following afternoon 2,000-3,000 guests flocked to the grassy, palm-lined "Beachside Wine Festival" for unlimited tasting of Californian fine wines with Southern Oregon being the highlighted guest region. RoxyAnn Winery showcased their 92-point Viognier and signature Pinot Gris and Claret while Cliff Creek Cellars displayed a variety of big reds.

"The event was made by Oregon being there. People came back again and again saying we had the best wines as a collective group," describes Chris Martin, Vintner of Troon Vineyard.

Earl Jones of Abacela, relayed the same sentiments.

Mark Wisnovsky of Valley View Winery was pleasantly surprised with how open attendees were to trying new regions and varietals, even if they couldn't pronounce the Viognier (vee-own-yay) and Tempranillo (tem-prah-nee-yoh) he poured. Plus, he said not one person was surprised that in Oregon we produce Cabernet Sauvignon, too. He said consumers didn't know a lot about Oregon wine, but they knew it had a good reputation.

Mark further explains, "We wouldn't have poured at this festival alone. It is too difficult to stand out. It took a group effort, not just a single producer."

Many of these wineries have secured California distribution and are working to gain recognition of  their wines in this huge market.

Mark Wisnovsky, Valley View Winery & Chris Martin, Troon Vineyard

Michael Donovan, RoxyAnn Winery 

Line up of guests at the Abacela tent

Earth Day Recycling at Del Rio

Friday, April 20th - Sunday, April 22nd

You are invited to stop by the tasting room and participate in Del Rio's glass recycling program. They welcome any empty wine bottles. For customers who bring in their empty bottles this weekend they will offer a 15% discount on any wine purchases. This is also a stackable discount for current wine club members. Discount applies to wine only. 

Roam the Rogue Spring Passport Tour

The wineries of the Upper Rogue invite you to their biannual Roam the Rogue Passport Tour. The spring event will be held 10 am - 5 pm on May 26th, the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend, the weekend that kicks off the peak season.

This year nine wineries will be participating - Agate Ridge Vineyard, Cliff Creek Cellars, Crater Lake Cellars, Daisy Creek Vineyards, Del Rio Vineyards, Folin Cellars, LaBrasseur Vineyard, Ledger David Cellars and RoxyAnn Winery.

The Roam the Rogue tour is a self-guided exploration of the Upper Rogue, from the hills of Shady Cove, along the Rogue River, to the peak of RoxyAnn in Medford. Each winery will be highlighting two of their wines as well as food pairings.

Tickets are $29 per person and include a commemorative Riedel glass along with tour map and passport. All tickets must be purchased prior to the event through their website www.roamtherogue.com.

Backyard Golf with Pyrenees Sauvignon Blanc

On a sunny April afternoon it is nice to enjoy a crisp white wine and some relaxing backyard golf. 

The wine of choice was the 2010 Pyrenees Sauvignon Blanc. A wine that I noticed had been winning its fair share of gold medals at statewide competitions and that I was very curious to try since Sauvignon Blanc is one of my favorite white varietals (and you don't find a lot of it in Southern Oregon right now). 

The wine has a vibrant citrus (tangerine) nose that opens up to the slightest bit of gooseberry after a few minutes. A light-medium bodied white with impeccably balanced acidity that keeps your palate wanting more (oh, I needed to share this bottle?).  This is a very good example of the varietal and I continue to be impressed by Terry Brandborg's (who makes the Pyrenees wines) white wines. 

A versatile wine for food pairing as I could see it complimenting sushi, thai or indian cuisine very well. This would also be a wine that would be very pleasant with goat cheese. 

$20

Let's help FARM to FORK win the Global Vision Award

Travel + Leisure is accepting nominations for Travel Companies and Organizations that are changing the world for the better:

- by preserving cultural heritage
- by saving environments
- by giving back to the communities they travel through.

 The standouts will be given their Annual GLOBAL VISION AWARD for 2012.

FARM to FORK Founders, Matthew Domingo and Erin Daughtery believe the timing is right, and that their form of farmer-centric, community-focused agri-tourism needs and deserves some national and international attention.

Please nominate Farm to Fork Event Co. by sending an email TODAY to: tlglobalvision@aexp.com

They will appreciate your support!

Celebrating 50 Years - Britt Festival Announces 2012 Season

Celebrating its 50th season, the Britt Festivals announced its 2012 season tonight with a summer of musical diversity. Located in the historic 1850s gold rush town of Jacksonville, Britt presents dozens of summer concerts, featuring world-class artists in classical music, jazz, blues, folk, bluegrass, world, pop and country music. Britt's performance venue is a naturally formed amphitheater set among majestic ponderosa pines and native madrones on the beautiful hillside estate of 19th century photographer Peter Britt. 

With many acts returning to the hill like Bill Cosby (July 21st), Earth, Wind and Fire (July 23rd), Michael Franti (August 21st), The Avett Brothers (August 24th), and Slightly Stoopid (Sept 6th), the festival boasts 62% new performers like pop-rock "We Are Young" makers fun. and Kris Kristofferson (July 13th). Touring in support of a new album, "Green Naugahyde," rockers Bush will livening the neighborhood on June 22nd. 


The festival also landed acts that have been in their "wanted" category for years. Donna Briggs, the festival director, states, "Ben Harper (July 3rd) we've been trying to get for a decade." Melissa Etheridge (June 15th) has been in that category, too.


Unexpected genres like electronic duo The Crystal Method (June 29th) and Beats Antique (July 29th) will be premiering. 


The season debuts on june 11th with alternative rockers Primus and concludes on September 14th with Huey Lewis and the News. Two additional performances in October have been promised. 


Six local wineries - Edenvale, Quady North, Troon Vineyard, Wooldridge Creek, Rosella's, and Folin Cellars- will be featuring their wines in kegs, but bottle sales have been eliminated for upcoming season. The reusable plastic bottle will be for sale and refillable throughout the season for a discounted price. The Britt Festival is one of the last concert venues in the country that allows guests to bring in their own beer or wine. 


Tickets go on sale for Britt members starting April 12th and open up to the public on May 17th. 


For the complete schedule, visit www.brittfest.org.