When a bunch of winemakers travel from their vineyards so close to crush, they must have good reason. For more than five dozen Oregon winemakers traveling to Seattle on September 11, that reason is to spread the Burgundian-grape gospel at Pinot in the City. Read full article
The most fun I have had in a vineyard was while riding a horse named Rave. About 40 miles southwest of Portland I found the joys of the “sip, saddle and ride” experience offered by Equestrian Wine Tours. When I signed up for the excursion, I thought it was for the unique experience of horseback riding between the vineyard rows of the gorgeous Dundee Hills AVA. Read full article
The plan: To explore as many of the wineries — and as many of the quirky small-town spots that make this region unique — as possible in a four-day trip. The route: Portland to Eugene, avoiding the highway (in this case, I-5) in favor of picturesque byways. Read full article
It’s fashionable today to argue that vintages don’t matter, because winemaking has improved around the world to the point that wines can be consistently good from year to year. But then we might as well drink beer — not that there’s anything wrong with that. Read full article
Earth Day is a perfect moment to toast the history of Oregon and its winemaking tradition, as well as the entrepreneurial spirit and sustainable lifestyle that continues to draw people there. There’s an idea, articulated to me a few weeks ago in Oregon wine country, about the trajectory of the sustainability movement in the state of Oregon. Read full article
All great wines reflect their time and place, so now may be the biggest change in the range of wines produced. Due to the effects of global warming, many ‘cool climate’ growing regions of the world — which typically struggle to ripen some grape varieties — are becoming major wine producers. Read full article
If you’re a fan of smoky and smooth pinot noirs, then Oregon is a must-stop on your world wine tour. Located about an hour’s drive outside of Portland, the Willamette Valley produces some of the best wines in a state that’s recently become quite the stateside destination. Read full article
The back roads of Oregon’s fertile valley reveal lush scenery, small-town appeal, and sophisticated pleasures. For 25 years I’ve been traversing the Willamette Valley from my home in southern Oregon to Eugene or Portland. I usually take the freeway, blasting up I-5 “without seeing a single thing,” as John Steinbeck wrote about interstate system users in Travels with Charley. Read full article
