November 25th, 2009 by Angie Marsh
I set out to sample just what some of the wines and spirits of Washington County taste like, and got sips galore.
One weekend ahead of the Thanksgiving crowd, I began my Saturday jaunt at SakéOne, which a road sign identifies as a “sakéry.” I knew it as the premiere saké brewer in this country, but had never been there. My group was welcomed warmly by several staff members, and soon the warmth of the saké itself seemed to be coursing through my veins. The Momokawa Ruby had the crisp mouthfeel I associate with quality saké, and the Premium Oregon Genshu, or “G Joy” as it’s termed, tasted so good to my group of six that we purchased two bottles. I was then told it is 18 percent alcohol by volume. Phew! That didn’t stop me from sampling a flight of “sakétinis”—the G Nut, Hot White and Blue Diamond—which combined the sake with delicious ingredients such as fresh blueberries and white chocolate syrup. I love my dessert in drink form.
At this point I was grateful for two things: a designated driver and maps plotting the next destinations.
From there we headed to nearby Montinore Estate—driving only briefly on the Vineyard and Valley Scenic Tour Route, which I made a note to explore in its entirety through Washington County. Perched on a hill, Montinore has a regal feel with its estate gardens and views stretching across the valley. The tasting room was pleasant, and my group’s consensus was that the best, boldest wine we tried there was the 2007 Graham’s Block 7 Pinot Noir.
Next up was nearby Plum Hill Vineyards, which is new as of February 2009. We were greeted by a friendly dog, who escorted us to the tasting area, where his even friendlier owner gave us generous pours. Turns out that the planting and harvesting of grapes is full of trials and tribulations, and we learned about future plans to space the grapes further apart, which will yield different distinctions in the wines–particularly the aftertaste. We agreed that the Barrel Select Pinot Noir we sampled was just right.
Onward and upward–up a steep climb to Gaston’s nearby Patton Valley Vineyard. The quaint tasting room gave way to wines that are segmented based on their slope on the property—and are anything but quaint. Though the 2007 Patton Valley Pinot Noir is described as a nose of ‘damp forest floor’, it tasted exquisite to me, as did the black cherry-like 2007 West Block Pinot Noir. All hail Oregon Pinot.
Then it was on to our last stop, the bustling Elk Cove Vineyards in Gaston. Truth be told, I have no (legible) notes from Elk Cove. I did take a photo and was told the property is teeming with flowers in the warmer months. I was also able to discern the aroma and flavor of crisp green apple in the 2006 Estate Riesling—my favorite.
Sustainability was also a common theme in my jaunt: Montinore is producing Oregon Certified Sustainable Wine, Patton Valley’s operation was fully certified as sustainable in the 2006 vintage by the organization Low Input Viticulture and Eneology (LIVE), Plum Hill uses sustainable vineyard practices that emphasize flavor over production volume, and Elk Cove uses sustainable agricultural practices on all its vineyards such as hand-harvesting.
There are so many well-crafted sips to savor in the local wine country, I suggest always having a designated driver when you thirst for a wine adventure.
Thanksgiving Wine Weekend is Friday, Nov. 27 through Sunday, Nov. 29, with these and participating wineries offering special hours and tastings.
Tags: Elk Cove Vineyards, Montinore Estate, Patton Valley Vineyard, Plum Hill, SakeOne, sustainable winery, Thanksgiving wine weekend, washington county oregon, wine tasting
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November 24th, 2009 by Birgitte
After living in Hawaii for the past three years, I looked forward to having a real Oregon fall. While I enjoyed warm weather and fresh papaya, banana and pineapple, I did miss my fall favorites; the squash, pears, carrots and potatoes so readily available in Oregon.
To fulfill my fall needs I went to the Beaverton Farmer’s Holiday Market this past Saturday. The majority of the vendors were the summer regulars, with a few vendors selling holiday products. Smelling fresh pine greens from the vendor who sold holiday wreaths put me in the holiday spirit. Last Saturday was the final day for this year’s Beaverton Farmers Market, but the Hillsboro Winter Market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. through December 12th and is located on Main Street between the Civic Center Plaza and the Courthouse.
There were so many varieties of squash available: Spaghetti, Carnival, Heart of Gold, Sweet Dumpling, Buttercup and Delicata–but I couldn’t bypass the butternut squash I needed to make my new favorite soup. This soup has great anti-inflammatory benefits and tastes great! Try it for yourself:
Curried Butternut Squash Soup
This recipe can be altered; the smaller amounts will yield a more mild soup.
1 T. olive oil
2 T-1/2 C onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
2 med. carrots, peeled and diced
2 t-1 T fresh ginger, peeled and minced
1 -3 t yellow curry powder
1 Large Butternut squash, peeled and cubed (3 large yams or sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed, can be substituted)
1 t salt or to taste
1 qt. chicken broth
1 can lite coconut milk
Put the olive oil in a large pot and add the onions, garlic, carrots and ginger. Cover and cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes or until the onions become translucent and the carrots are softened. Stir occasionally.
Add the cubed butternut squash, salt, curry powder and chicken broth, adding water if necessary to cover the squash. Bring to a moderate boil, then reduce and simmer over low heat. Continue to simmer, covered, until squash is tender, about 15-25 minutes.
Remove the soup from the heat and stir in the coconut milk. Puree the soup with a hand-held immersion blender, or ladle the soup into a blender and puree in small batches. Use caution when pureeing hot soup—cover the blender lid with a towel, and push firmly on the lid.
Leftovers freeze well in Ziplock bags.
Tags: beaverton, farmers markets, recipe, squash
Posted in Holiday, Seasonal Fun | No Comments »
November 10th, 2009 by Sylke Neal-Finnegan
Apolloni Vineyards
Spend a weekend in Oregon wine country, and taste why Oregon has earned a reputation as North America’s most revered handcrafted Pinot Noir. Vintners and wineries of northern Willamette Valley in Washington County, Ore., open their doors for tastings, hors d’oeuvres and conversation during the annual Wine Country Thanksgiving.
The weekend marks the release of new vintages at many of Washington County’s wineries, giving oenophiles a chance to be among the first to taste new wine releases, as well as a chance to visit wineries that are not regularly open to the public.
Participating wineries include:
- A Blooming Hill Vineyard & Winery
5195 SW Hergert Rd., Cornelius; (503) 992-1196
www.abloominghillvineyard.com
Fri-Sun, 12-5pm
$5 tasting fee (applied toward purchase of one bottle)
New release: Pinot Noir
Douglas Fir Noble Christmas trees available for purchase
Fee includes: Chocolate cake tastings
- Alloro Vineyards
22075 SW Lebeau Rd., Sherwood; (503) 625-1978
www.allorovineyard.com
Fri-Sun, 11am-4:30pm
$10 tasting fee
New releases: 2008 Estate Pinot Noir, Riesling & Chardonnay, 2007 Pinot Noir & late-harvest dessert wine
- Anam Cara Cellars
22222 SW Nicholas View Drive Sherwood; (503)537-9150
www.anamcaracellars.com
Fri-Sun, 11am-5pm
$10 tasting fee
Fee includes: Selection of Oregon cheeses
Purchase two bottles of wine, get the third bottle for $1 (must be same varietal/vintage)
- Apolloni Vineyards
14135 NW Timmerman Rd., Forest Grove, (503) 359-3606
www.apolloni.com
Fri-Sun, 11am-5pm
$5 tasting fee (refundable with wine purchase)
New releases: 2007 Sangiovese and 2007 Merlot (available in tasting room only)
- Árdíri Winery and Cellars
35040 SW Unger Rd., Cornelius; (503) 628-6060
www.ardiriwine.com
Fri-Sun, 11am-5pm
$10 tasting fee
New releases: 2007 Pinot Noir
Special tastings: 2008 Pinot Noir, barrel tastings
Fee includes: Logo glass, light food and chocolates made with Árdíri’s Pinot Noir
- Barron-Wahl Vineyards
27015 SW Ladd Hill Rd., Sherwood; (503) 625-7938
www.barronwahl.com
Fri-Sun, 11am-4pm
Light hors d’oeuvres
- Beran Vineyards
30088 SW Egger Road, Hillsboro; (503) 628-1298
www.beranvineyards.com
Fri-Sun, 11am-5pm
$5 tasting fee (proceeds to benefit Community Action programs)
Holiday discount, 20% off per case
Cooper Mountain Vineyards
9480 SW Grabhorn Rd., Beaverton; (503) 649-0027
www.coopermountainwine.com
Fri-Sun, 11am-5pm
$10-20 tasting fee
Fee includes: Logo glass, live music, cheese and wine pairings
Organic and Biodynamic Vineyard Treks at 11am, 2pm and 4pm
25% off purchases of cases- David Hill Vineyard & Winery
46350 NW David Hill Rd., Forest Grove; (503) 992-8545
www.davidhillwinery.com
Fri-Sun, 11am-5pm
$5 tasting fee
Fee includes: Logo glass and light food
- Elk Cove Vineyards
27751 NW Olson Rd., Gaston; (503) 985-7760; 1-877-ELK-COVE
www.elkcove.com
Fri-Sun, 10am-5pm
$5 tasting fee
New release: 2008 Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris
- Freja Cellars
16691 SW McFee Place, Hillsboro; (503) 628-7843
www.frejacellars.com
Fri-Sun, 11am-5pm
$10 tasting fee (applied toward wine purchase of half-case or larger)
New release: 2006 Reserve Pinot Noir
Fee includes: Logo glass, assortment of fruit, cheeses, chocolates & bread
- Garden Vineyards
12960 NW Dick Rd., Hillsboro; (503) 547-9046
www.gardenvineyards.com
Fri-Sun, 11am-5pm
$10 tasting fee (applied toward wine purchase)
Fee includes: Light snacks
- Helvetia Vineyards
23269 NW Yungen Rd., Hillsboro; (503) 647-7596
www.helvetiawinery.com
Fri-Sun, 11am-5pm
$2 tasting fee (refundable with purchase)
New releases: 2007 Chardonnay, 2008 Gewürztraminer Barrel tastings
Indian-caught smoked salmon
Gifts and Christmas trees available for purchase
- J. Albin Winery
19495 Vista Hill Dr., Hillsboro; (503) 628-2986
Fri-Sun, 11am-5pm
$5 tasting fee
Handcrafted Pinot Noir, Saignee Rosé, sparkling wines, dessert wine and Pinot Gris
- Montinore Estate
3663 SW Dilley Rd., Forest Grove; (503) 359-5012
www.montinore.com
Fri-Sun, 11am-5pm
$10-15 tasting fee
$10 fee includes: Logo glass
$15 fee includes: Culinary pairing classes, logo glass
- Oak Knoll Winery
29700 SW Burkhalter Rd., Hillsboro; (503) 648-8198
www.oakknollwinery.com
Fri-Sun, 11am-5pm
$5 tasting fee
Fee includes: Live music and light food
Special case discounts (20-50% off), pick an ornament from the holiday tree and open it to reveal percentage-off discount on purchase of a case
- Patton Valley Vineyard
9449 SW Old Highway 47, Gaston; (503) 985-3445
www.pattonvalley.com
Fri-Sun, 11am-5pm
$15 tasting fee
New releases: 2007 Lorna-Marie Reserve Pinot Noir, 2007 Syrah
Fee includes: Glass, food
- Plum Hill Vineyards
6505 SW Old Hwy. 47, Gaston; (503) 359-4706
www.PlumHillWine.com
Fri-Sun, 11am-5pm
$5 tasting fee
Fee includes: Glass, music, snacks
- Ponzi Vineyards
14665 SW Winery Ln., Beaverton; (503) 628-1227
www.ponziwines.com
Fri-Sun, 10am-5pm
$15 tasting fee
“The Ponzi Vineyards Cookbook” book signing with author/founder Nancy Ponzi (Sunday only)
New release: 2008 Tavola Pinot Noir
Fee includes: Riedel Pinot Noir Glass
- Purple Cow Vineyards
52720 NW Wilson School Rd., Forest Grove; (503) 330-0991; www.purplecowvineyards.com
Fri-Sun, 11am-5pm
$5 tasting fee
New releases: 2006 Tempranillo Reserve, 2007 Gabriela
- Quailhurst Vineyard Estate
15031 SW Pleasant Hill Rd., Sherwood; (509) 427-5132
www.QuailhurstWines.com
Saturday, November 28, 9am-5pm
$20 tasting fee
Fee includes: Logo glass, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, entertainment
Specials on selected wines
- Shafer Vineyard Cellars
6200 NW Gales Creek Rd., Forest Grove; (503) 357-6604
www.shafervineyardcellars.com
Fri-Mon, 11am-5pm
$5 tasting fee
Fee includes: Hors d’oeuvres, hot apple cider and coffee
36th Anniversary Special: Purchase one case, get the second case free (excludes Pinot Noir)
- SakéOne
820 Elm St., Forest Grove; (503) 357-7056
www.sakeone.com
Fri-Sun, 11am-5pm (Tours: 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm)
$10 tasting fee
“Rice Exposed Tour“: tastings of fresh Oregon koji rice and kasu, rice cake pressed from fermented saké which is commonly used as a pickling agent in Japanese cuisine
Fee includes: Tour, saké pairings, chocolate-dipped fortune cookies
Saké and sakétini holiday gift sets 20% off
- Tualatin Estate Vineyard
10850 NW Seavey Rd., Forest Grove; (503) 357-5005
www.tualatinestate.com
Fri-Sun, 10am-5pm
Complimentary tastings
Most wineries are open Nov. 27-29, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (unless otherwise noted). Each winery may charge a tasting fee, and fees may vary. Event information, fees and participating wineries are subject to change. For additional information about the Thanksgiving holiday weekend tastings, visit the North Willamette Vintners Association’s website.
Tags: North Willamette Valley, North Willamette Vintners, sake, washington county, Washington County wineries, Willamette Valley, wine events, wine tasting, Wineries
Posted in Events, Holiday, Wineries | No Comments »
May 14th, 2009 by Sunyi
Wild about wine? Want to be among one of the first of your friends to try the 2007 vintages of Oregon Pinot Noir? If so, don’t miss out on the Memorial Day festivities at the 19th annual “Memorial Weekend in the Wine Country.”
Spend a weekend in Washington County’s wine country, and taste why Oregon has earned a reputation as North America’s most revered handcrafted Pinot Noir. This three-day weekend wine event offers oenophiles a chance to be among the first to taste new wine releases, as well as a chance to visit wineries that are not regularly open to the public.
Most wineries are open May 23-31 (correction – 5/23 – 25), from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (unless otherwise noted). Each winery may charge a tasting fee, and fees may vary. Participating wineries include:
Need directions to the wineries? Check out the new Vineyard and Valley Scenic Tour Route, a 50-mile driving tour of Washington County’s agricultural – and viticultural – bounty, which leads to many of Washington County’s 23 wineries. Download the tour route map and set out for a wine weekend adventure.
(Note: Because portions include narrow county roads, low bridge overpasses and winding roads, the route is not recommended for tour buses or bicyclists.)
Tags: Events, washington county oregon, wine, wine tasting, Wineries
Posted in Holiday, Seasonal Fun, Wineries | 5 Comments »