So I’ve had some time to fully digest what was presented at the Virtual Wine Media Conference. I had a few key takeaways that I’m going to summarize here. I need to up my photo game. From lighting to composition, I need to up my game. Period. I spent a fair amount of money on […]
In My Backyard
Quarantine Diaries Days 3, 4, 5, and 6: Thinking Outside the Box and Stay Home!!
So days 3, 4, 5, and 6 of quarantine were spent thinking. On Day 3, Saturday, my Mom and I went to Stoller Family Estate and picked up my wine club shipment. If you’ve ever visited Stoller, you know that the drive in is STUNNING. You also know that they’ve got a lot of buildings […]
Dining Al Fresco: A Night at a Classic Steakhouse
**Disclaimer: I was invited to this dinner as a guest of Husum Riverside Bed and Breakfast. As always, my opinions are my own.** When you think steakhouse, what do you think? I often think of a formal atmosphere with blindingly white tablecloths, perfectly set tables, and a rich, dark interior. Well, take that thinking and […]
Travel Tuesday Destination: Vancouver, WA
“Where are you from?” “Vancouver, Washington.” “Oh. Canada, huh? What’s it like there?” “I wouldn’t know. I’m from Vancouver, Washington. You know, in the state of Washington?” “Huh?” “*insert heavy sigh here* I live just north of Portland, Oregon.” “Oh, so you’re in Oregon, then?” *facepalm* That is a common conversation that happens in my […]
The Figure 8: Analemma Wines
According to Merriam Webster, an analemma is defined as, “a plot or graph of the position of the sun in the sky at a certain time of day (as noon) at one locale measured throughout the year that has the shape of a figure 8; also : a scale (as on a globe or sundial) […]
Summer of Rosé: 2014 Rodney Strong Rosé of Pinot Noir
“Summer of what?” You ask. Rosé. Duh. My goal is to provide you, my dear readers, with a new rosé to seek out and try. Hence, the title…Summer of Rosé. I will forewarn you, some of the wines are only available through the tasting rooms. I will do my best to provide you with the […]
Kudos Wines – An affordable and great introduction to Oregon Wines
According to Merriam Webster, the word “kudos” means “praise or respect that you get because of something you have done or achieved”. For Laurent Montalieu, this word takes a new meaning. Providing quality wine at affordable prices is always a key way to introduce folks to new wines and regions. With nothing over $35 a […]
A Day in the Willamette Valley Part III: Lenné
Part I here Part II here When you talk to Steve Lutz about Lenné, you will hear him say two things. First, he will tell you, like a proud father, that his grapes grow in the worst soil in Yamhill County. Why is it the worst? The soil at Lenné is peavine, and according to […]
A Day in the Willamette Valley Part II: J Wrigley
Part I is here. After enjoying the views and the wines at Youngberg Hill, our next stop was J Wrigley. Owned by John and Jody Wrigley, the winery is located on 200 acres outside of Sheridan, OR. While a majority of that 200 acres isn’t currently suitable for vineyard land, it is certainly in the […]
A Day In the Willamette Valley: Youngberg Hill
I live within an hour of the Willamette Valley. Being so close, you’d think I would spend plenty of time down there, exploring wineries, meeting the producers and consuming plenty of delicious Pinot Noir. And I do…but I, like everyone else, get stuck in a rut. I don’t take the time to truly explore the […]