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 […]
Willamette Valley
Coming out of hiding.
Well, real life has certainly applied since I last posted. After a crazy summer, there’s a lot to report. But I’ll start with what I’ve been drinking … 2017 Shallow Seas Rosé This stunning rosé from Real Nice Winemakers is a Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Riesling blend. The nose is full of nectarine and wild […]
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The Universal Language of Wine: Fullerton Wines
“Great wine speaks profoundly, a universal language transcending any one culture.” ~The Fullerton Family Have you ever heard of Fullerton Wines? If you haven’t, they are a small producer of elegantly crafted Pinot Noir and Chardonny based out of Beaverton, OR. The story of Fullerton Wines goes back to 1969. When 14 year old Eric […]
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My Personal Playground: Oregon Wine Country
During my incarceration, I was often asked, “What do you do for a living?” When I said I was a wine writer and educator, people often started picking my brain, or go “Oh, that’s cool!” (see this post for my reply to people who say that) One of the gentlemen (yes, there are gentlemen in […]
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Travel Tuesday: Argyle Winery
Note: Well this has been fun. Technical difficulties have sidelined me, and for that, I profusely apologize. When one thinks Oregon, they immediately think Pinot Noir, and only Pinot Noir. Speaking as a quasi-Oregonian (as the crow flies, I live 5 miles from Oregon, but to drive to Oregon, it’s 22 miles…yep, I live on […]
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FareStart Dinner in Pictures #IFBC15
In the months leading up to IFBC, the Facebook group for attendees and alumni was buzzing with excitement. And who wouldn’t be excited? IFBC is one of the best conferences there is! One of the topics of conversation was a dinner at FareStart. The idea behind FareStart is really awesome. They train adults who are […]
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Summer of Rosé: 2014 Blakeslee 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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
