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".
Monday, February 4, 2008
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
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