Posts Tagged ‘sake’
May 4th, 2012 by Sylke Neal-Finnegan
Oregon Governor, John Kitzhaber, recently declared May 2012 Oregon Wine Month, in celebration of the state’s ever-growing wine industry. With 420 wineries and 850 vineyards, wine is part of Oregon’s identity, and is a delicious accompaniment to a Washington County getaway. Celebrate Oregon Wine Month this May by visiting the nearly 30 wineries in Oregon’s Washington County and taste a flight of locally crafted wine, from Pinot Noir to Pinot Gris, and a number of surprising varietals in between. Or celebrate at one of these fun wine events throughout the May (Mother’s Day weekend events are listed here):
- Derby Day at A Blooming Hill Vineyard, May 5, 12-5 p.m.
- Date Night at Plum Hill Vineyards, May 11, 5-8 p.m.
- Armed Forces Day at Ardiri Winery and Vineyards (Military taste free), May 13, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Third Thursday at Raptor Ridge Winery, May 17, 5-8 p.m.
- Pre-Memorial Day Weekend at Montinore Estate, May 19
- Pre-Memorial Weekend at the Vineyard at Blakeslee Vineyard, May 19-20, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Saketini Saturday at SakeOne, May 19, 11 a.m – 5 p.m.
- Anniversary Weekend Open House at Oak Knoll Winery, May 19-20, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Summer Wine Release Party at Alloro Vineyard, May 19-20
- Evening Music at Garden Vineyards, May 26, 12-10 p.m.
Oregon Wine Month winds down during the annual Memorial Day Weekend in Wine Country (countywide, hours and prices vary per winery). Various wineries throughout Oregon’s Washington County (as well as around the state) are open their doors to the public for a festive open house featuring nibbles, entertainment and tastes of new wine releases.
For more information about Memorial Day Weekend in Wine Country and a listing of participating wineries, visit these industry partners:
Need more inspiration to get into the wine-tasting mood? Check out this video, taken at Ponzi Vineyards, or this video, taken at SakeOne.
FUN FACT: Did you know that Oregon is the 4th largest wine-producing state in the U.S. (behind Washington, New York and California, the largest producer in the U.S.) ?
Tags: May events, Mother's Day events, Oregon wine, Oregon wine country, Oregon Wine Month, sake, sake tastings, wine country, wine events, wine month, wine tasting, Wineries, wineries in oregon
Posted in Events, Wineries | 1 Comment »
April 9th, 2012 by WCVA
This month we go westward for a closer look at Forest Grove, located in northwestern Washington County, a small city that transcends its college-town atmosphere with its exquisite wineries, unique stores, distinctive restaurants and historic lodge.
Forest Grove's iconic Main Street
Forest Grove, Oregon
Located in the foothills of the Coast Range at the base of the Tillamook State Forest, Forest Grove is home to Pacific University, unique restaurants, six wineries, one craft beer brewery and the world’s only American owned-and-operated large-production saké brewery.
Sip
Forest Grove boasts an impressive collection of placed to sip handcrafted beverages at the source–wineries and breweries. In addition to visiting the area’s artisans, two wine shops, both located on downtown’s Main Street, pour wines from around the world. Or relax at one of Forest Grove’s coffee houses or pubs.
Shop
Forest Grove’s collections of boutiques, ranging from antiques to art, provide a rewarding shopping experience, while a seasonal farmers’ market, farm stores and tree farms offer visitors more shopping options.
Dine
Forest Grove has a multiude of restaurants serving cuisine from the four corners of the world. Nosh on American comfort-food dishes, pair a locally produced wine with your favorite Italian dish, explore Middle Eastern cuisine, satisfy a craving for Mexican food, try Pad Thai or other Thai specialty, explore a buffet of your favorite Chinese dishes, or taste yummy baked delights from area bakeries and cafes.
Explore
Finding your way through downtown Forest Grove is now easier, thanks to its new way-finding signs, which connect visitors to the area’s key districts and points of interest.
Play
Forest Grove offers many events throughout the year, appealing to all interests, including these upcoming popular annual events:
Sleep
After a day (or two, or three) of exploration, you can be rest assured that Forest Grove has a selection of places to stay overnight, including
For additional information about Oregon’s Washington County and its amazing cities, visit our website.
Tags: annual events, antiques, art galleries, bed-and-breakfast, breweries, dining, Events, family, Forest Grove, hotels, Lodging, Pacific University, sake, Shopping, university, vacation rental, Wineries
Posted in Attractions, Events, Farmers Markets, Food & Drink, Restaurants, Shopping, Wineries | No Comments »
June 27th, 2011 by WCVA
SakéOne is one of several tasting rooms open during the 4th of July weekend.
Independence Day is best associated with hot dogs and apple pie, and here in Oregon’s Washington County, we like to celebrate with a glass of locally produced wines. Our friends at the North Willamette Vintners Association agree, as they are set to launch their first “Red, White and Celebrate” event, July 2-4. Eighteen wineries, plus SakéOne, Forest Grove’s own saké brewery, will be featuring tastings paired with each stop’s own brand of good ol’ American hospitality.
The following is a list of participating locations and scheduled activities:
Red, White & Celebrate! at ADEA Wine Company (26421 NW Highway 47 Gaston, OR): Open on Saturday or by appointment on Sunday and Monday
Red, White & Blueberry! at Apolloni Vineyards (14135 NW Timmerman Rd. Forest Grove, OR): 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday-Monday; wine tastings, blueberries from Tom’s Berry Patch and blueberry baked goods for sale
Red, White & REV! at Ardiri Winery & Vineyard (35040 SW Unger Rd. Cornelius, OR): 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday-Monday; tastings all weekend “paired” with exotic, high performance cars on display on Saturday, plus traditional barbecue fare available for purchase
Red, White & Strawberry! at Cooper Mountain Vineyards (9480 Grabhorn Rd. Beaverton, OR): 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday-Monday; wine tastings, plus samplings of local strawberries, drizzled with Cooper Mountain’s own balsamic vinegar produced from the winery’s vineyards
Red, White & Fun! at David Hill Vineyard & Winery (46350 NW David Hill Rd. Forest Grove, OR): 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday only; wine tastings, art, music, food and lawn games
Red, White & Rose! at Elk Cove Vineyards (27751 NW Olson Rd. Gaston, OR): 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday-Monday; wine tastings
Red, White & Firelight! at Garden Vineyards (12960 NW Dick Rd. Hillsboro, OR): 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday July 4th; wine tastings, grilled foods, lawn games and viewpoints of fireworks displays throughout the valley
Red, White & Blues! at Helvetia Vineyards (23269 NW Yungen Rd. Hillsboro, OR): 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday-Monday; wine tastings, picnics and salmon snacks all weekend; special blues events on Monday featuring Bob Shoemaker, Delta Blues music master, with Leadbelly, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee and more
Red, White & Barrels! at Kramer Vineyards (26830 NW Olson Rd. Gaston, OR): 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday-Monday; wine flights and barrel tastings
Red, White & Sangria! at Montinore Estate (3663 Dilly Rd. Forest Grove, OR): 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday-Monday; wine tastings all weekend, special sangria tastings and activities, including live music on Saturday
Red, White & Rose Festival! at Oak Knoll Winery (29700 SW Burkhalter Rd. Hillsboro, OR): 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday-Monday; wine tastings and celebration of the winery’s commemorative Rose Festival labels
Red, White & You! at Patton Valley Vineyard (9449 SW Old Hwy 47 Gaston, OR): 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday only; new release and vertical tastings
Red, White & Watermelon! at Plum Hill Vineyards (6505 SW Old Hwy 47 Gaston OR): 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday-Monday; 3rd annual wine and watermelon event with wine tastings and watermelon with (or without) toppings
Red, White & Bocce! at Ponzi Vineyards (14665 SW Winery Lane Beaverton, OR): 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday-Monday; wine tastings and bocce ball
Red, White & Berry Fest! at Smith Berry Barn with Provincial Vineyards (24500 SW Scholls Ferry Road Hillsboro, OR): 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday-Monday; special wine tastings at the annual Berry Festival at Smith Berry Barn, featuring family activities, great food and live entertainment
Red, White & Celebrate! at Purple Cow Vineyards (52720 NW Wilson School Rd. Forest Grove, OR): 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday only
Red, White & Celebrate! at Raptor Ridge Winery (18700 SW Hillsboro Hwy. Newberg, OR): 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday-Monday; wine tastings
Red, White & Sake! at SakéOne (820 Elm Street Forest Grove, OR): 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday-Sunday only, closed Monday; saké tastings
Red, White & Rose! at Tualatin Estate Vineyards (10850 NW Seavey Rd. Forest Grove, OR): 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday-Monday; wine tastings
See a complete list of wineries in Oregon’s Washington County, or learn more about this event.
Interested in planning a weekend getaway to Washington County? See the list of hotels/motels and dining options.
Tags: 4th of July, Events, Independence Day, oregon wines, Oregon's Washington County, sake, summer, wine tasting, Wineries
Posted in Events, Food & Drink, Wineries | No Comments »
March 23rd, 2010 by Sylke Neal-Finnegan
Video Series is First of its Kind to be Used to Promote Tourism
With an innovative, bold new Web video campaign, Washington County, Oregon, is now allowing visitors to create their own vacation adventures with an unprecedented series of videos on the popular video sharing website YouTube.
These “Create Your Adventure” videos allow viewers to discover the many gems of Washington County. Adventurers are given the choice of three tracks, which viewers can tailor to their own interests. Each series ends with a scenic drive along the Vineyard & Valley Scenic Tour Route, which highlights Washington County’s rolling backcountry roads, farm stands and wineries.
Golf is one of several relaxing pursuits on the Create Your Adventure journey.
Each track offers nine adventures, with a total of 27 possible vacation itineraries:
- Relax: highlighting attractions such as shopping, golf, hiking, a day at the spa, and a night out on the town, among other activities
- Escape: highlighting pursuits such as disc golf, hot air balloon rides, a visit to a farmers’ market and saké tasting, among other activities
- Explore: highlighting outdoorsy attractions, such as bird watching, hiking, biking and kayaking, among other activities
“Washington County truly is a hidden gem,” said Ruthie Reinert, president and CEO of the Washington County Visitors Association (WCVA). “As a destination marketing organization, we saw a need to create a tool that provided a sample of all the ways a visitor can have an authentic travel experience in Washington County.”
Birding is one of the adventures explorers can choose
The videos were modeled after the popular “Choose Your Own Adventure” books, which were popular among school-aged children in the 1980s and ‘90s, and allowed readers to choose what happened next in the story.
“Destinations typically tell you what to do and where to go,” said Martin Stoll, CEO of Portland-based GoSeeTell Network, the production company behind the interactive “Create Your Adventure” videos. “Washington County is letting its visitors choose their own destiny. Visitors drive the story and decide where they’ll go and what they’ll do. It’s an exciting breakthrough in the often pre-packaged tourism marketing industry.”
The interactive video project, which was a joint partnership between the WCVA and the GoSeeTell Network, is the first of its kind in the tourism industry. It uses a YouTube technology, which links multiple video clips with an interactivity button that causes the next video to play. This is the first time this Web video technology is being used for tourism.
Tags: Biking, birding, Create your own Adventure, cycling, escape, explore, Golf, hiking, Interactive videos, kayaking, Nature, Oregon, outdoor, relax, sake, sport, videos, vineyard and valley, washington county, washington county oregon, wine tasting, YouTube
Posted in WCVA News | 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 »
June 4th, 2009 by Julia Adam
The North Willamette Vintners are kicking off their Vinology class series, featuring a Wine Lovers track and another for Professionals. The Wine Lovers series is the one for you whether you’re an avid wine lover or just discovering the lifestyle. This is an educational, entertaining and hands-on opportunity to advance your love of wine, with classes including:
- SWIRL, SNIFF, SIP, SPIT:
FUNDAMENTALS OF WINE TASTING; June 13, 2009, 1pm – 3pm at Oak Knoll Winery
- PRECISION VITICULTURE:
FARMING FOR SUSTAINABILITY AND QUALITY; July 18, 2009, 1pm- 3pm at Patton Valley Vineyard
- SPARKLING WINE 101:
EVERY DAY SHOULD BE A CELEBRATION; August 8, 2009. 1pm-3pm at J. Albin Winery
- BARREL MAKING 101:
THE CRAFT WITHIN THE CRAFT; September 12, 2009, 10am – 12pm at Elk Cove Vineyards
- SAKÉ 101: October 10, 2009, 10am – 12pm at SakéOne
For more details on these classes, complete details on the Professional series, and to purchase tickets, visit the North Willamette Vintners website.
Each class is only $30 in advance or $40 during the week of the class – don’t miss this opportunity to get the inside scoop on wine and saké from the pros!
Tags: barrel making, classes, Elk Cove Vineyards, Events, J. Albin Winery, North Willamette Vintners, Oak Knoll Winery, Patton Valley Vineyard, sake, SakeOne, sparkling wine, viticulture, Willamette Valley wineries, wine, wine education, wine tasting
Posted in Arts & Culture, Events, Food & Drink, Wineries | No Comments »
March 27th, 2009 by Rhiannon
Wine lovers are invited to journey to 14 landmark wineries along the North Willamette Wine Trail. Washington County’s wineries, in association with the North Willamette Vintners Association, will be opening their doors April 4-5, for a weekend of wine, food and activities. This first-ever event, the North Willamette Wine Trail, celebrates the diversity of wines found in the northern area of the fertile Willamette Valley.
For one low price, attendees will receive a commemorative wine glass and enjoy a variety of complementary tastings, culinary delights and one-of-a-kind educational activities at each participating winery along the route.
Many of the wineries will be offering new releases, reserve label or barrel tastings, and hands-on activities include “becoming a biodynamic farmer for a day,” dipping wine bottles in wax and demonstrations on how to pair local salmon with your favorite wines.
Participating wineries include:
Event Details:
What: 2009 North Willamette Wine Trail
When: Saturday, April 4 & Sunday, April 5 from 11am – 4pm
Cost: $35 in advance ($40 at the door); “Designated Driver” tickets are $10
For tickets and more information, visit www.NorthWillametteVintners.org.
Tags: Apolloni Vineyards, Beran Vineyards, Cooper Mountain Vineyards, David Hill Vineyard and Winery, Elk Cove Vineyards, Events, Helvetia Vineyards, J. Albin Winery, Montinore Estate, Oak Knoll Winery, Patton Valley, Plum Hill Vineyards, Ponzi Vineyards, sake, SakeOne, Tualatin Estate Vineyards, washington county, washington county oregon, Wineries
Posted in Events, Food & Drink, Wineries | No Comments »
March 26th, 2009 by Sylke Neal-Finnegan
Each spring, SakéOne, located in Forest Grove, Ore., holds a Shinto ritual, or blessing of the kura (brewery). Shinto is a spiritual ceremony, steeped in Japanese tradition, described as a purification rite that celebrates health, prosperity, life and the creative forces of nature.
Saké is an important element in traditional Shinto rituals, and each sakéry has an association with a Shinto shrine. The ceremony at SakéOne was presided by Rev. Koichi Barrish from the traditional Jinja Shinto Shrine, Tsubaki Grand Shrine, located in Granite Falls, Washington.
This year, I was fortunate enough to attend this annual event with writer (and fellow former Las Vegan) Ivy Hover, the Portland-based beverage writer for examiner.com. The ceremony, which included a traditional ritual in Japanese, and a blessing of the four directions – north, south, east, west – of the kura, left me feeling rejuvenated and, well, purified.
After the kura was blessed, the standing-room-only crowd of 200 onlookers toasted in celebration with a saké crafted specifically for the Tsubaki Grand Shrine.
While others were noshing on the delicious spread, Ivy and I went into the tasting room, which was bustling with others who shared in the ritual, to introduce her to SakéOne’s varied selections of premium, organic and herb- and fruit-infused saké. (Read Ivy’s candid review of her tasting experience.)
I eschewed the saké tastings, opting, instead, to try the three sakétinis on the menu for the day (which also happened to be “Saketini Saturday,” which is held at the sakery the third Saturday of each month). Although the names of the drinks escape me, I do remember that were delish, and tasted like liquid candy.
After a couple of hours of saké-inspired spirituality, I had an insatiable craving for sushi. On my way home, I stopped at one of the top sushi spots in the Portland area, Syun Izakaya, located in Hillsboro. Luckily, the lunch crowd was thinning out, and I was able to score a seat at the sushi bar.
I ordered my usual: eel roll (with salmon) and a spicy tuna roll with hot, green tea to wash it down. With saké still on the brain, I perused Syun’s drink
menu, which has one of the most impressive saké lists I’ve ever seen. And, in case you are wondering, yes, Syun does carry a selection of saké from SakéOne (under its various labels).
What a fantastic experience it was for a spring day in Washington County: saké, sushi and sunshine!
Tags: Forest Grove, Hillsboro, sake, SakeOne, shinto, sushi, Syun, syun izakaya, washington county oregon
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Oregon Governor, John Kitzhaber, recently declared May 2012 Oregon Wine Month, in celebration of the state’s ever-growing wine industry. With 420 wineries and 850 vineyards, wine is part of Oregon’s identity, and is a delicious accompaniment to a Washington County getaway. Celebrate Oregon Wine Month this May by visiting the nearly 30 wineries in Oregon’s Washington County and taste a flight of locally crafted wine, from Pinot Noir to Pinot Gris, and a number of surprising varietals in between. Or celebrate at one of these fun wine events throughout the May (Mother’s Day weekend events are listed here):
