Thanksgiving has a special meaning in Oregon. It is a celebration of the harvest, a time to give thanks to another successful year of crops, which will yield an exquisite wine, and to share the bounty with the pre-release of the new varietals.

As is tradition, this Thanksgiving weekend, November 28-30, 2008, the vintners and wineries of the northern Willamette Valley in Washington County will open their doors for tastings, hors d'oeuvres and conversation. Don't miss this chance to check out the new releases that are often premiered at this annual event, as well as to visit some of the wineries that are not regularly open to the public.

Participating Wineries include:

Alloro Vineyard

Alloro Vineyard is one of Oregon's premier wineries specializing in handcrafted estate wines. Alloro will be pouring its 2007 Estate Pinot noir, Winery Block Pinot noir, Church Block Pinot noir, Fattoria Pinot noir, Chardonnay, and Vino Nettare, a late-harvest dessert wine.

Tasting Fee: Information not available

Hours: Friday, November 28, 11am-5pm; Saturday, November 29, 11am-5pm Sunday, November 30, 11am-4pm

Apolloni Vineyards

Apolloni Vineyards specializes in the production of traditional Pinot noir and Italian-style wines. Apolloni will be sampling its new releases: 2006 Reserve Sangiovese and 2006 Reserve Merlot. Both wines are available in very limited quantities and will be available only at the tasting room.

Tasting Fee: $5 per person (refundable with wine purchase)

Hours: Friday, November 28, 12 pm-5pm; Saturday, November 29, 12 pm-5pm Sunday, November 30, 12 pm-5pm

Ardiri Winery and Vineyards (formerly Gypsy Dancer Estates)

Ardiri Winery, from Napa, California, welcomes Thanksgiving with a tasting of its latest wines. Join the new owners of the former Gypsy Dancer Estates as they celebrate a new home for their Chehalem Mountain and estate-grown Napa Valley Carneros Pinot noir. Ardiri also will be pouring its Oregon Pinot noir and Pinot gris, and will offer barrel tastings of the label's 2008 wines.

Tasting Fee: $10 per person, and includes food pairings and a logo glass

Hours: Friday, November 28, 11am-5pm; Saturday, November 29, 11 am-5pm

Beran Vineyards 

Beran Vineyards, makers of limited-production, handcrafted Pinot noir, invite visitors to taste the magic of luscious old-vine Pinot noir as the label releases its 2006 vintage. Enjoy savory hors d'oeuvres and exquisite wine, plus receive a 20-percent discount on a case of wine. A voluntary $5 tasting fee will benefit Community Action Programs.

Tasting Fee: $5 per person (voluntary donation)

Hours: TBD

Cooper Mountain Vineyards

Cooper Mountain Vineyards was the first winery in the Pacific Northwest to earn both organic and biodynamic certifications. This Thanksgiving, Cooper Mountain Vineyards will be pouring its 2007 Pinot gris, Pinot blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot noir. Enjoy music and light appetizers throughout the weekend, and a 25-percent discount on a case (including mixed cases) Thanksgiving weekend only.

Tasting Fee: Nominal tasting fee, includes logo glass

Hours: Friday, November 28, 12 pm-5pm; Saturday, November 29, 12 pm-5pm Sunday, November 30, 12 pm-5pm

Elk Cove Vineyards

Elk Cove Vineyards specializes in the production of single vineyard Pinot noir, Pinot blanc and Pinot gris. Join Elk Cove for the last opportunity to taste and purchase the 2006 Pinot noir Reserve, the 30th Vintage Anniversary, which was awarded 93 points by Wine Spectator magazine, along with the remaining Pinot noir from the outstanding 2006 vintage and the label's 2007 Pinot gris. Elk Cove also will be pouring some highly-rated selections from its library.

Tasting Fee: Information not available

Hours: Friday, November 28, 10 am-5pm; Saturday, November 29, 10 am-5pm Sunday, November 30, 10 am-5pm

Freja Cellars

Freja Cellars, a boutique producer of artisan Pinot noir, welcomes visitors to taste its new releases of the 2007 Estate Pinot noir, 2005 Reserve Pinot noir and 2007 Rosé. Breads, cheeses and chocolates also will be available.

Tasting Fee: $10 per person (refundable with half case or larger wine purchase)

Hours: Friday, November 28, 11 am-4 pm; Saturday, November 29, 11 am-4 pm Sunday, November 30, 11 am-4 pm

J. Albin Winery 

John Albin Winery invites visitors to join them for a rare open-house weekend, where the winery will be popping open the label's new release of sparkling wine. J. Albin also will feature its new Blanc de Noir and premiere release of its dessert wine along with the label's signature Pinot noir and Pinot gris.

Tasting Fee: $5 per person, includes hors d' oeuvres and logo stemware

Hours: Open Friday-Sunday, hours not available

Montinore Estate 

Montinore Estate is nestled on a 230-acre Demeter Certified Biodynamic® vineyard, and produces 100-percent estate-grown wines. During the Thanksgiving weekend, Montinore Estate invites the public to enjoy a day of live music, food and wine.

Tasting Fee: $25 per person, includes food and wine pairing and logo glass $10 per person, includes logo glass

Hours: Friday, November 28, 11 am-5 pm; Saturday, November 29, 11 am-5 pm Sunday, November 30, 11 am-5 pm

Patton Valley Vineyard 

Join Patton Valley Vineyard for the release of the limited-production 2006 Patton Valley Lorna-Marie Reserve Pinot Noir (only 115 cases were made). Patton Valley also will be pouring a number of other wines, and will offer food, fun and conversation.

Tasting Fee: $15 per person, includes glass

Hours: Open Friday-Sunday, hours not available

Plum Hill Vineyards

Discover the newest winery to hit Washington County at Plum Hill Vineyards, a new, small, family-owned winery in a pastoral setting with picnic area and mountain views. Be one of the first to try the label's Pinot noir, Pinot gris, Chardonnay and Rosé.

Tasting Fee: $5 per person, includes glass

Hours: Open Friday-Sunday, hours not available

Ponzi Vineyards 

Kick off the season with a visit to Ponzi Vineyards' historic vineyard and winery. Guests are invited you to sample Ponzi's current releases, including the 2007 Tavola Pinot noir. Taste the special holiday flight and take home an exclusive Riedel Oregon Pinot noir glass.

Tasting Fee: $15 per person

Hours: Friday, November 28, 10 am-5 pm; Saturday, November 29, 10 am-5 pm Sunday, November 30, 10 am-5 pm

Purple Cow Vineyards

Purple Cow Vineyards invites the public to enjoy country hospitality reminiscent of years past when wine was a new and personal experience in Oregon. Purple Cow will be pouring its Pinot noir, dry Muscat and Tempranillo, and will be sampling its new releases: 2005 Tempranillo Reserve and 2007 Kelsey's Edition Pinot noir.

Tasting Fee: $5 per person

Hours: Friday, November 28, 12 pm-5 pm; Saturday, November 29, 12 pm-5 pm Sunday, November 30, 12 pm-5 pm

Quailhurst Vineyard Estate

Quailhurst Vineyard Estate will be opening its doors this Thanksgiving weekend, offering visitors a chance to taste the label's new releases: 2007 Abercrombie Reserve Pinot noir, 2007 Affinity Pinot Port, and a unique opportunity to sample and purchase its 2008 Pinot. Event will include food and a festive atmosphere surrounded by lush gardens and spectacular mountain views.

Tasting Fee: $20 per person, includes glass

Hours: Open Friday-Sunday, Hours not available

Shafer Vineyard Cellars 

Shafer Vineyard Cellars has been producing estate-bottled wines since 1978. Shafer Vineyard Cellars will be pouring a selection of Pinot noir, Pinot gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Sparkling wine, dessert and holiday wine. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres, hot apple cider and coffee also will be served. While there, visit Miki's Gift and Old World Christmas Shop, located at the winery.

Tasting Fee: $5 per person

Hours: Friday, November 28, 11am-5 pm; Saturday, November 29, 11am-5 pm Sunday, November 30, 11am-5 pm

We know we have some special attractions in Washington County - but when other people notice? We get really excited!

The Rachael Ray Show recently visited our very own SakeOne in Forest Grove!

Take a look!

Summer passes far too quickly, especially here in Washington County where there's so much to do when the skies are blue and the sun is shining. That's why my Saturday evening was a touch bittersweet - it was SakeOne's last summer concert for 2008.

 
This was my third concert at the sakery this summer, and my friends and I were not disappointed. The lovely and soulful Stephanie Schneiderman of Dirty Martini and the multi-talented didgeridoo-playing Keith Schreiner of Dahlia were the perfect complement to the balmy evening. We finally came prepared this time with a full picnic spread. The special drink was a Blueberry Lemonade Saketini which was a smashing success judging by the number of recipe cards disappearing and bottles of Diamond sake and Monin Blueberry syrup flying off the shelves. In case you're up for a bit of libation experimentation, SakeOne often lists new drink recipes on their website and in their e-newsletter.

 
As another beautiful summer evening in Forest Grove came to a close, I consoled myself with one thought: At least they have Saketini Saturdays the third weekend of every month!

I was thrilled to find that my favorite Portland band, The Dimes would be playing in Bridgeport Village's Summer Concert Series on July 31st. The weather turned out to be perfect for an outdoor concert that day, so I rallied some friends and off we went. Concerts are held in Bridgeport's Center Court, right next to the play structure. We settled in the wine garden, where our very own Oak Knoll Winery was pouring their delicious wines. We were happy to sip cool Pinot Gris while listening to The Dimes.

The Dimes have been described as, "Reminiscent of groups like Death Cab for Cute..." I just describe them as amazing, and I think you'll agree. The guys are fun to watch and it's clear that they love what they're doing. I was excited to see them play my favorite songs Catch Me Jumping and Stacked Brown Boxes.  

For more information on The Dimes, visit their website. And, more more fun summer events, visit the WCVA's Event Calendar.

I'm still recovering over the fantastic day I had in Washington County. After eating a hearty breakfast at the Reedville Cafe, I head off to my second favorite pastime: wine tasting. (Second to my obvious favorite thing to do, shop!) So, I call my designated driver and a few friends and start making our way through Oregon's wine country.

Our first stop is Cooper Mountain Vineyards, which has a dessert wine that I often dream of. Of course, their Pinot Noir is an excellent choice, as well, and I don't plan on leaving the tasting room empty-handed, as I plan on purchasing several bottles of their biodynamic wines.

Just down the street is Ponzi Vineyards, where I am looking forward to tasting their latest Pinot Noir. If we play our cards right, there just may be a chance for us to join in on a game of Bocce Ball.

Next stop is Oak Knoll Winery, where I already have my sights on buying a couple of bottles of their Raspberry Frambrosia, to sprinkle over vanilla ice cream to create a scrumptious summer dessert.

All of this wine tasting is making us very hungry, so we travel just a few miles down the road to The Vintage Room at The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club. The view is amazing, as is the menu, which offers a vast array of entrees to please almost any craving.

For a little change of pace, we decide to try our luck with sake at SakeOne. Although I'm a wine and beer kind of girl, SakeOne's fruit-infused sakes are a treat. Try the Coconut Lemongrass sake - I have to admit, I had to buy a few bottles for my collection. With a bottle of sake in tow, I will be the hit at this year's Fourth of July barbecue!

All of the wine and sake tasting has really made us restless, so our designated driver takes us to Scoggins Valley Park in Gaston  for a friendly game of Disc Golf - a fun game played with a flying disc (aka Frisbee).

Tuckered out, we decide to call it a day. Unfortunately, the weekend is over. At least we'll have the memories....

My Washington County weekend would ideally happen after the twins are born and while one of the grandmothers are in town babysitting so my husband and I could enjoy the finer things Washington County has to offer. Namely those things you can't do while pregnant, i.e. drink wine and eat sushi. So here goes my "ideal" weekend in the county....

Friday night we'd have dinner at Syun Izakaya where we would be greeted with a bowl of edamame as the server came to take our drink order. We would order a bottle of sake to share, my personal favorite is the Silver Momokawa and Darrell's is the Plum Moonstone so we would have to flip a coin to decide. After hearing the specials, we would order my favorite--yellowtail--and one of the rolls on special because they are always the tastiest. After our meal we'll be brought perfectly-cut oranges for after-dinner dining. Stuffed from dinner and ready to enjoy some peace and quiet away from the kids we would head to Orenco Station Manor to check into our suite.

 
Saturday morning I would awake to Darrell making breakfast (this is my "ideal" weekend and no one ever said it had to be realistic!) in the full kitchen in our suite. We would leisurely enjoy our breakfast and then head outside to finish the rest of our coffee on the deck swing. By the time we'd be done it would be about 10am, almost time for massage treatments at Opulence Spa, right downstairs. As I'd check in, Darrell would head out for a run around Orenco Station as he has started training for the Helvetia Half Marathon. We'd both be done around noon and ready for lunch so we'd head to McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse for some of my favorite hummus and a few beers on their outside patio. The sun is out and the weather couldn't be better so after lunch we'd walk around the six-acre former-pioneer farmstead and just enjoy ourselves. We would order dessert to go so once the walk is complete we'd take our doggie bag and head over to David Hill Winery. We'd join in the merriments around the tasting-room bar, sampling all of their phenomenal wines. We'd take our last samples out to the picnic tables to savor with our dessert. The tawny port is the perfect pairing with our cheesecake. My favorite turned out to be the Sparkling Brut and Darrell likes the Estate Pinot Noir. We decided to buy a couple bottles of each as well as a bottle of Sweet Simplicity since we could not get the menu mention of it poured over ice cream out of our heads! By this time it's 5pm and, unfortunately, the winery is getting ready to shut down for the evening so we would head back to the hotel. Before heading back upstairs we'd pop into the New Seasons market across the street and pick up noshes to enjoy on the deck with one of our recently purchased bottles of wine. We'd relax and enjoy the summer sunset over great conversation and delicious wine until it's time to head out for our evening at the Jester's Comedy Club. We would thoroughly enjoy the show and head back for a good night of sleep, worn out from our long day of activities.

 
Sunday morning we would sleep in and enjoy the fresh-baked cinnamon rolls we picked up last night on our run to New Seasons. We'd lazily enjoy our last few moments of peace and quiet until check-out time at noon. Then we'd load up the car and head home to the twins because as surprised as we are, we have missed them like crazy; that and we don't want to wear the grandmas out yet, as we are going to need a weekend away in Washington County again ... soon!

Note: To celebrate our new blog, our writers will be sharing what a perfect weekend in Washington County would look like for them. Stay tuned! There will be a chance for you to tell us yours, and maybe even win something in the process.

On my Washington County weekend, I'd like to relax. And, it just so happens that I'm excellent at relaxing. I'd start the day out at Black Bear Diner, where you can seriously get a biscuit the size of a dinner plate. Maybe I'm exaggerating a bit. But, the biscuits are huge, and yummy.

After Black Bear, I'd hop on the 26 (sunroof open, because the sun is out on my Washington County weekend) toward Forest Grove. Once in Forest Grove, I'd stop at SakeOne for Saketini Saturday and a tour of the brewery. I've been on a tour before, but it's really a lot of fun to see just how sake is made, so I'd like to do it again. And, I'll surely be picking up some Coconut Lemongrass sake.

When I'm all done at SakeOne, I'd head over to Montinore Estate to pick up some Gewurztraminer. My family and I enjoyed Montinore's Gewurz at Christmas time and I think it's high time that I have it again. And, while I'm there, I might as try a flight. 

All the wine and sake tasting makes for a tired girl, so it's a good thing I booked a room at McMenamin's Grand Lodge. Now, remember, it's a beautiful weekend in Washington County, so I'll be making a trip to the soaking pool. I actually couldn't decide whether I'd rather have a massage at Ruby's Spa or take a soak in the pool. But, this is my perfect weekend, right? So, I am going to do both.

After I'm all relaxed, I'll head back to downtown Forest Grove for a quick bite to eat at the Pacific Avenue Bar and Grill, where they just happen to have the best French dip sandwich I've ever tasted. And, I've tasted a lot of French dip sandwiches in my day.  I'll head back to the Grand Lodge after my lunch for a game of Disc Golf. Now, it's important for me to say here that I am in no way an athlete. But, even I can play Disc Golf. It's that simple. And, that much fun.

The day has gone by so fast, because it's time for dinner and fresh Ruby Ale at the Ironwork Grill, and then a movie in the Grand Lodge's theatre. After the movie, it's off to bed for this tired girl. And, I've got a big day ahead of me tomorrow, so I'd better get my rest!