You have a great opportunity to taste some fine Oregon wine, be entertained and take a look at the largest collection of aviation "stuff" west of the Smithsonian.
The McMinnville Wine & Food Classic is celebrating it's 15th year. This event has always been one that is a "must do" and now that it is at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum it is a double "must do".
It is a three day event, starting Friday the 7th and running to Sunday the 9th. The cost of admission is $15 a day or $30 for a three day pass. Your ticket price includes:
*Admission to Evergreen Aviation Museum, home to the Spruce Goose and SR-71 Blackbird
*Live musical entertainment
*Guest Chef Demonstrations
*Wine Tasting Classes
*Tented Cigar Lounge with Concierge
*Access to 130 of the area’s premier Wine, Food and Art vendors
You may want to go for the three day pass as it is a very LARGE building.
Have a great time and enjoy the wine but use a designated driver, PLEASE!
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
Next Generation 2 head up Sokol-Blosser Winery
I ran across a bit of good news for all Oregon wine lovers, especially for all you Pinot Noir fans.
Sokol Blosser Winery announced recently the retirement of founder Susan Sokol Blosser as president and the appointment of her children Alex and Alison Sokol Blosser as co-presidents, culminating a three-year transition process.
In their new roles, Alex and Alison will oversee operations and implement the strategic vision for the pioneering Oregon winery, which was founded in 1971 by Susan and her then-husband, Bill Blosser. Nik Blosser, eldest son of Susan and Bill, will continue in his role as chairman of the winery’s board of directors, assisting his siblings with the direction and oversight of the business.
“Our goal is to build on the amazing foundation our mother and everyone at the winery created over the past decades,” Alison said. “Making great wines, conducting our business with integrity, respecting our employees and the earth, not being afraid of innovation and remaining family owned and operated—these are goals and values that will inspire and guide us.”
Susan added that she will serve with pride as an “ambassador” for Sokol Blosser Winery and will provide strategic counsel to the co-presidents. Author of the memoir “At Home in the Vineyard” (University of California Press, 2006), she looks forward to having more time for writing projects and a deeper involvement in environmental issues.
You have a opportunity to meet Susan Sokol-Blosser and taste there wine on March 5th. She will be there as well doing a book signing and reading. 5pm til 8ish
Location is the Cork & Barrel Wine Shop 2004 Main Street Forest Grove
http://www.thecellaron10th.com
Sokol Blosser Winery announced recently the retirement of founder Susan Sokol Blosser as president and the appointment of her children Alex and Alison Sokol Blosser as co-presidents, culminating a three-year transition process.
In their new roles, Alex and Alison will oversee operations and implement the strategic vision for the pioneering Oregon winery, which was founded in 1971 by Susan and her then-husband, Bill Blosser. Nik Blosser, eldest son of Susan and Bill, will continue in his role as chairman of the winery’s board of directors, assisting his siblings with the direction and oversight of the business.
“Our goal is to build on the amazing foundation our mother and everyone at the winery created over the past decades,” Alison said. “Making great wines, conducting our business with integrity, respecting our employees and the earth, not being afraid of innovation and remaining family owned and operated—these are goals and values that will inspire and guide us.”
Susan added that she will serve with pride as an “ambassador” for Sokol Blosser Winery and will provide strategic counsel to the co-presidents. Author of the memoir “At Home in the Vineyard” (University of California Press, 2006), she looks forward to having more time for writing projects and a deeper involvement in environmental issues.
You have a opportunity to meet Susan Sokol-Blosser and taste there wine on March 5th. She will be there as well doing a book signing and reading. 5pm til 8ish
Location is the Cork & Barrel Wine Shop 2004 Main Street Forest Grove
http://www.thecellaron10th.com
Monday, February 4, 2008
Valentine Day tour early...this weekend Sat. Sun.
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the wineries of Washington County will be rolling out the red carpet to sweethearts with numerous events. In addition, proceeds from the weekend’s wine sales will be donated to the victims of December’s devastating floods in Vernonia, OR to assist the city with its rebuilding efforts. Most of the participating wineries will be donating 15 percent of their total wine sales.
Just minutes from downtown Portland this area is home to 17 wineries, including the only American-owned saké brewery in the world. The wineries offer warm, friendly and intimate settings that make Washington County, a perfect destination for a romantic pre-Valentine’s Day getaway.
I have located ten wineries and two others that are tasting with their friends (total of 12) in Washington County. All of these folks have stepped up to offer you a fine example of wine and specialty foods available in the area.
In Forest Grove;
APOLLONI VINEYARDS with J. ALBIN WINERY, MONTINORE ESTATE with GYPSY DANCER ESTATES, PURPLE COW VINEYARDS, and SAKÉONE
In Hillsboro;
BERAN VINEYARDS, HELVETIA VINEYARDS AND WINERY and OAK KNOLL WINERY
In Beaverton;
COOPER MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS and PONZI VINEYARDS
In Gaston;
ELK COVE VINEYARDS
All are in close proximity of each other and our map will get you there in short order. Take this link for more information http://www.oregonwine.com/oregonwine/?wSectionID=1017
Have a good time, let me know what you think of the tour and what "tripped you fancy".
Just minutes from downtown Portland this area is home to 17 wineries, including the only American-owned saké brewery in the world. The wineries offer warm, friendly and intimate settings that make Washington County, a perfect destination for a romantic pre-Valentine’s Day getaway.
I have located ten wineries and two others that are tasting with their friends (total of 12) in Washington County. All of these folks have stepped up to offer you a fine example of wine and specialty foods available in the area.
In Forest Grove;
APOLLONI VINEYARDS with J. ALBIN WINERY, MONTINORE ESTATE with GYPSY DANCER ESTATES, PURPLE COW VINEYARDS, and SAKÉONE
In Hillsboro;
BERAN VINEYARDS, HELVETIA VINEYARDS AND WINERY and OAK KNOLL WINERY
In Beaverton;
COOPER MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS and PONZI VINEYARDS
In Gaston;
ELK COVE VINEYARDS
All are in close proximity of each other and our map will get you there in short order. Take this link for more information http://www.oregonwine.com/oregonwine/?wSectionID=1017
Have a good time, let me know what you think of the tour and what "tripped you fancy".
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Oregon Wine and Seafood Festival - follow up report
I didn't make it to Portland this weekend to taste the goodies at the Oregon Wine and Seafood Festival but one of my "wine lovers" did and she sent me her report.
Thanks a ton Suzette for a great report.
"What a great way to taste wine and not have to drive all over thecountry.
Most of the wineries charged $1 for a taste. Some were $1.50 and $2.00. I'm a red wine drinker, so I don't have any reviews of the white wines (except the dessert wines)
By far our absolute favorite wine was the 2005 Baco Noir from Girardet Wine Cellars (http://www.girardetwine.com) in Southern Oregon. Maybe it was the extra treat of talking to Philippe Girardet about his "baby", but we ended up buying a case. As Phillipe stated this wine is incredibly drinkable with any food. Phillipe is a French speaking native of Switzerland and taught his son Marc the family tradition of winemaking. I also enjoyed their 2005 Gewurztraminer Frostbite dessertwine - liquid candy is the only way to describe it.
Other favorite dessert wines were from the Harris Bridge Vineyard - my favorites were 10 Roses and Shortline.
But the one that brought out my wallet was Hood River Vineyards Oregon Marionberry wine - pie in a bottle. I also spent some time at Honeywood Winery tasting their many fruit wines - my favorite was the Cranberry Raspberry, but raspberries are my favorite by far.
Another outstanding "taste" was the 2005 Civita Di Bagnoregio Red from Paschal Winery.
Also a 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon from Maryhill Winery was worth buying a bottle. And finally I have to mention the Dobbes Family Estate 2006 PinotNoir. What caught my attention was the labels - "Wines by Joe". My father-in-law passed away a month ago and he loved making his blackberry wine. His name was Joe as is my husband's, so the giveawaypins of "Wines by Joe" were special to us.
We also spent some time talking to Oregon Wine Cottage (oregonwinecottage.com) from McMinnville. You've got to include thesefolks in a tour as the place to stay when touring that area.
The food is worth mentioning, although I only went for the fresh crab. One crab cocktail and a delicious crab and cheese open faced grilledon sourdough - yum".
Great report, I should have made the time. It sounds like it was a "tasting" good time.
Thanks a ton Suzette for a great report.
"What a great way to taste wine and not have to drive all over thecountry.
Most of the wineries charged $1 for a taste. Some were $1.50 and $2.00. I'm a red wine drinker, so I don't have any reviews of the white wines (except the dessert wines)
By far our absolute favorite wine was the 2005 Baco Noir from Girardet Wine Cellars (http://www.girardetwine.com) in Southern Oregon. Maybe it was the extra treat of talking to Philippe Girardet about his "baby", but we ended up buying a case. As Phillipe stated this wine is incredibly drinkable with any food. Phillipe is a French speaking native of Switzerland and taught his son Marc the family tradition of winemaking. I also enjoyed their 2005 Gewurztraminer Frostbite dessertwine - liquid candy is the only way to describe it.
Other favorite dessert wines were from the Harris Bridge Vineyard - my favorites were 10 Roses and Shortline.
But the one that brought out my wallet was Hood River Vineyards Oregon Marionberry wine - pie in a bottle. I also spent some time at Honeywood Winery tasting their many fruit wines - my favorite was the Cranberry Raspberry, but raspberries are my favorite by far.
Another outstanding "taste" was the 2005 Civita Di Bagnoregio Red from Paschal Winery.
Also a 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon from Maryhill Winery was worth buying a bottle. And finally I have to mention the Dobbes Family Estate 2006 PinotNoir. What caught my attention was the labels - "Wines by Joe". My father-in-law passed away a month ago and he loved making his blackberry wine. His name was Joe as is my husband's, so the giveawaypins of "Wines by Joe" were special to us.
We also spent some time talking to Oregon Wine Cottage (oregonwinecottage.com) from McMinnville. You've got to include thesefolks in a tour as the place to stay when touring that area.
The food is worth mentioning, although I only went for the fresh crab. One crab cocktail and a delicious crab and cheese open faced grilledon sourdough - yum".
Great report, I should have made the time. It sounds like it was a "tasting" good time.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Ideas for VALENTINE'S DAY, dinner at Mavericks
Just around the corner is "lover’s day" and if you want your sweetie to be happy you had better get yourself together.
Many of us take the easy road and take our sweetie to dinner for Valentine Day. We all have to eat and a good restaurant, fine food and warm hospitality make for a good gift that is usually in the budget. I know the gals would prefer diamonds and the guys....who knows?
I will give you some ideas over the next few days but today I want to tell you about one of our favorites in South Salem, Mavericks Bar and Grill. On the evenings of the 14th 15th and 16th They will present you a five course "romance" dinner that will include your choice of an appetizer, deep fried prawns, grilled shrimp skewers or stuffed mushrooms. The house salad or soup, creamy tomato basil. The entrees are your choice, Bourbon-BBQ rib-eye or Chicken Atlantis (grilled chicken breast with bay shrimp & lemon/dill hollandaise). Of course you need your veggies, a Normandy blend (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots) and house bread. No "romance" dinner is complete with out dessert, your choice of Nutty Chocolate Torte or New York Cheesecake.
Now my favorite (I always have to be wine related here) your choice of one bottle of Champagne or Wine. The total cost is $80 per couple and the live music is tossed in too.
If you are from out of town or just want to get away from the house try a great "Romance Package" at the Phoenix Inn just up the street. The have special rates tied to Mavericks so give them a call for a reservation. 503-588-9220
The Maverick Bar & Grill is worth a call, 503-581-2500 and reservations are a must as space is limited. You might get lucky and get a table if you walk in, but don't blame me if you are "out in the cold". (like Ellen will be, if she doesn’t get a invite to Splash's a seafood place in Des Moines)
So you don't get lost, check out this map that took me hours to build... well maybe a few minutes.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=116677646383254103135.0004452f9a20833b1a145&ll=44.900693,-123.041382&spn=0.006809,0.018625&t=h&z=15&om=0
Many of us take the easy road and take our sweetie to dinner for Valentine Day. We all have to eat and a good restaurant, fine food and warm hospitality make for a good gift that is usually in the budget. I know the gals would prefer diamonds and the guys....who knows?
I will give you some ideas over the next few days but today I want to tell you about one of our favorites in South Salem, Mavericks Bar and Grill. On the evenings of the 14th 15th and 16th They will present you a five course "romance" dinner that will include your choice of an appetizer, deep fried prawns, grilled shrimp skewers or stuffed mushrooms. The house salad or soup, creamy tomato basil. The entrees are your choice, Bourbon-BBQ rib-eye or Chicken Atlantis (grilled chicken breast with bay shrimp & lemon/dill hollandaise). Of course you need your veggies, a Normandy blend (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots) and house bread. No "romance" dinner is complete with out dessert, your choice of Nutty Chocolate Torte or New York Cheesecake.
Now my favorite (I always have to be wine related here) your choice of one bottle of Champagne or Wine. The total cost is $80 per couple and the live music is tossed in too.
If you are from out of town or just want to get away from the house try a great "Romance Package" at the Phoenix Inn just up the street. The have special rates tied to Mavericks so give them a call for a reservation. 503-588-9220
The Maverick Bar & Grill is worth a call, 503-581-2500 and reservations are a must as space is limited. You might get lucky and get a table if you walk in, but don't blame me if you are "out in the cold". (like Ellen will be, if she doesn’t get a invite to Splash's a seafood place in Des Moines)
So you don't get lost, check out this map that took me hours to build... well maybe a few minutes.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=116677646383254103135.0004452f9a20833b1a145&ll=44.900693,-123.041382&spn=0.006809,0.018625&t=h&z=15&om=0
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
No Super Bowl 4 U?... get $2 off tickets 4 Friday/Satuday Festival
The Oregon Seafood & Wine Festival held in Portland is around the corner so get on the ball.
It is a two day party starting on Friday 2/1/08 at 2:00 pm - 10:00 pm. Saturday it will open at noon and run until 9:00 pm. 50+ Oregon wineries and 15 seafood restaurants, along with dozens of other exhibitors inside 130,000 square feet of climate controlled space. Plenty of parking.
You can get a $2 off the regular admission price ($12) by going to http://www.oregonseafoodfestival.com and printing your own coupon.
Wine and food cooking demonstrations. Get there early either day and get a free wine glass (first 500). It will keep you busy with 60 wineries, last I counted on their web site, and even more food and other "stuff" to visit.
For more information contact, Sean Guard sean@eventsnw.net
It is at the Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE MLK Jr. Blvd. in Portland, phone 360-210-5275.
It is a two day party starting on Friday 2/1/08 at 2:00 pm - 10:00 pm. Saturday it will open at noon and run until 9:00 pm. 50+ Oregon wineries and 15 seafood restaurants, along with dozens of other exhibitors inside 130,000 square feet of climate controlled space. Plenty of parking.
You can get a $2 off the regular admission price ($12) by going to http://www.oregonseafoodfestival.com and printing your own coupon.
Wine and food cooking demonstrations. Get there early either day and get a free wine glass (first 500). It will keep you busy with 60 wineries, last I counted on their web site, and even more food and other "stuff" to visit.
For more information contact, Sean Guard sean@eventsnw.net
It is at the Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE MLK Jr. Blvd. in Portland, phone 360-210-5275.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Hats off to Francie, Norman & a great server Amy
Shirley and I were hungry after running around Salem yesterday and the thought of seafood became the main topic of conversation. Several locations were discussed and we struck on one restaurant out by the Airport.
The Maui Grill is small little secret that is held close by all their friends. When we arrived it was about a hour and a half before closing and we were lucky to get a booth. We knew that seafood was the mission and they have a "to die for" Mahi Mahi (a fish from Hawaii) that is served several ways. For lunch, grilled with all the goodies but go for the pineapple coleslaw. It also comes in a sandwich and is on the dinner menu.
Shirley and I both like to go through the entire menu (well, what we like) at least once before a repeat order so tonight it will be the Shrimp Scampi. This was an excellent choice, jumbo shrimp sauteed in garlic, butter, fine herbs and wine. Now you see the wine tie-in, thin but there. Add to the plate there bow tie pasta and house veggies. You don't need to have a soup but don't pass up the house "special recipe" Portuguese Bean soup. I never knew that a bean soup could be so tasty and served with fresh baked mango bread.
Being the WINE guy that I am we needed a good white to wash this all down. Heaven forbid I had to choose "foreign" import (not that far away WA) a Columbia Crest 2004 Chardonnay. I know I'm the Oregon wine guy, but it was tasty. It may go away and Francie or Norman may find a Oregon replacement. Heaven knows that we have a bunch. I have always been an advocate that when operating a food establishment in Oregon make the "house" wines local. If you have a large "wine list" then sell what you like.
I can assume that you have surmised that we had a delicious meal and we did just that. Our thanks to the owners Francine and Norman Williams, our server a cute little strawberry blond Amy Van Wormer and the boys in the backroom that I didn't get to meet. If in Salem look this one up.
The Maui Grill -- Hawaiian style with a touch of Portuguese, high on personal service...
2535 25th Street SE (25th Street is on the west side of the Airport - Salem -- 503-364-2094
The Maui Grill is small little secret that is held close by all their friends. When we arrived it was about a hour and a half before closing and we were lucky to get a booth. We knew that seafood was the mission and they have a "to die for" Mahi Mahi (a fish from Hawaii) that is served several ways. For lunch, grilled with all the goodies but go for the pineapple coleslaw. It also comes in a sandwich and is on the dinner menu.
Shirley and I both like to go through the entire menu (well, what we like) at least once before a repeat order so tonight it will be the Shrimp Scampi. This was an excellent choice, jumbo shrimp sauteed in garlic, butter, fine herbs and wine. Now you see the wine tie-in, thin but there. Add to the plate there bow tie pasta and house veggies. You don't need to have a soup but don't pass up the house "special recipe" Portuguese Bean soup. I never knew that a bean soup could be so tasty and served with fresh baked mango bread.
Being the WINE guy that I am we needed a good white to wash this all down. Heaven forbid I had to choose "foreign" import (not that far away WA) a Columbia Crest 2004 Chardonnay. I know I'm the Oregon wine guy, but it was tasty. It may go away and Francie or Norman may find a Oregon replacement. Heaven knows that we have a bunch. I have always been an advocate that when operating a food establishment in Oregon make the "house" wines local. If you have a large "wine list" then sell what you like.
I can assume that you have surmised that we had a delicious meal and we did just that. Our thanks to the owners Francine and Norman Williams, our server a cute little strawberry blond Amy Van Wormer and the boys in the backroom that I didn't get to meet. If in Salem look this one up.
The Maui Grill -- Hawaiian style with a touch of Portuguese, high on personal service...
2535 25th Street SE (25th Street is on the west side of the Airport - Salem -- 503-364-2094
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