I just returned from a weekend at the always entertaining, yet still educational, Wine Media Conference. This conference was put on the backburner in 2020 because of Covid restrictions. This year, we saw a smaller conference, but it wasn’t scaled down in terms of quality content. I *loved* the slower pace of this conference. After […]
In My Backyard
Invading the Southern Willamette Valley: Wine Media Conference 2021
*Disclaimer* In exchange for a discounted registration fee, I agreed to write a set number of posts in regards to WMC content. Hear ye, hear ye! Wine Media “Summer Camp” is back! This year, members of the wine trade and media will take over the Southern Willamette Valley and the city of Eugene, OR. I […]
Takeaways from the Wine Media Conference
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 […]
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 […]