One of the many parts I enjoy in my position of Oregon Wine Competition Coordinator is visiting many of the wineries thru out Oregon. It is wonderful to share the details of the OWC and the Oregon State Fair with Marketing Directors, Winemakers, Tasting Room Managers and the Owners of the wineries.
Recently I have visited a few in the Columbia Gorge and Willamette Valley. With each visit I learn more about the many varietals that are being crafted by the talented winemakers. As you start planning your Memorial Day tasting please be sure to visit these wineries and taste!
Columbia Gorge - Wy'East Vineyards, Phelps Creek Vineyards, Pheasant Valley Winery, Viento, Marchesi Vineyards, The Pines, Cathedral Ridge and Springhouse Cellar.
Willamette Valley - Stoller Vineyard, Penner-Ash, Natalie's Estate, Ayoub Wines, Daedalus Cellars, Thistle, Dusky Goose and Cooper Mountain Vineyards.
Of course there are many more Oregon Wineries I could recommend in the Willamette Valley, Lane County, Umpqua Valley and Southern Oregon.
What are your Memorial Day suggestions?
Monday, May 24, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
mark your calendars!
2010 Oregon Wine Competition dates are set!
Pre-Competiton
Wine entry(s) forms and fees are due Friday, June 11
Wine delivered or sent to:
Oregon State Fair, Floral Building
Thursday, June 17 & Friday, June 18
Time – 9:00 am -5:00 pm
Competition
Professional Oregon Wine Competition
Wednesday, July 14 & Thursday, July 15
Celebration Oregon! Wine Awards and Tasting
Friday, August 27
VIP Hour 5:00 – 6:00 pm
General Admission 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Pre-Competiton
Wine entry(s) forms and fees are due Friday, June 11
Wine delivered or sent to:
Oregon State Fair, Floral Building
Thursday, June 17 & Friday, June 18
Time – 9:00 am -5:00 pm
Competition
Professional Oregon Wine Competition
Wednesday, July 14 & Thursday, July 15
Celebration Oregon! Wine Awards and Tasting
Friday, August 27
VIP Hour 5:00 – 6:00 pm
General Admission 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Monday, February 22, 2010
2010!
Earlier this year I was discussing the Oregon Wine Competition with a owner of a winery located in the Rogue Valley in Southern Oregon. A question came up that has never been asked...
What is your mission Statement?
For the past 8 years I have had a vision statement instead of a mission statement. A vision is a goal, objective, purpose or an idea. Below is the vision that I have for the Oregon Wine Competition, Celebration Oregon! and the wine events during the Oregon State Fair.
Vision Statement
To be a key participant in the agricultural bounty of Oregon,
by producing a highly judged competition of quality Oregon wines.
To market and promote the Oregon Wine Industry,
that highlights the wineries and reaches consumer interest.
Objectives
To Evolve the Oregon Wine Competition as
“The Premier Wine Competition”
To Promote Oregon Wine Competition thru Marketing Campaign
To Promote Oregon Wines after the Competition
To Extend the visibility of the Oregon Wine Industry
What is your mission Statement?
For the past 8 years I have had a vision statement instead of a mission statement. A vision is a goal, objective, purpose or an idea. Below is the vision that I have for the Oregon Wine Competition, Celebration Oregon! and the wine events during the Oregon State Fair.
Vision Statement
To be a key participant in the agricultural bounty of Oregon,
by producing a highly judged competition of quality Oregon wines.
To market and promote the Oregon Wine Industry,
that highlights the wineries and reaches consumer interest.
Objectives
To Evolve the Oregon Wine Competition as
“The Premier Wine Competition”
To Promote Oregon Wine Competition thru Marketing Campaign
To Promote Oregon Wines after the Competition
To Extend the visibility of the Oregon Wine Industry
Monday, December 14, 2009
Holiday Shopping!
Prior to creating my company Bouquets Northwest, my career was in retail. My experience as a Special Events Coordinator, Buyer and Store Manager with Nordstrom and Williams-Sonoma for over 14 years provided my background for excellent customer service, which is the hallmark for both companies. I must admit that I miss helping people find the perfect Christmas gift for someone special in their life.
So... here is my list of a few of my favorite wines that I know anyone would appreciate opening on Christmas morning!
Airlie Winery, 2008 Riesling, Willamette Valley
Amity Vineyards, 2007 Pinot Blanc, Willamette Valley
Cathedral Ridge Winery, 2007 Merlot, Columbia Valley
Coelho Winery of Amity, 2006 Pinot Noir,Willamette Valley
Honeywood Winery, 2006 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley
Phelps Creek Vineyards, 2008 Dry Gewurztraminer, Columbia Valley
Spangler Vineyards, 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve,
Southern Oregon
Springhouse Cellar, 2008 Viognier, Voulez-Vous
Willamette Valley Vineyards, 2007 Pinot Noir, Elton Vineyards,
Willamette Valley
Winter's Hill, 2008 Pinot Blanc, Dundee Hills
Zerba Cellars, 2007 Viognier, Columbia Valley
Enjoy shopping for wines! Cheers!
(If a vintage is sold out, please try another suggested wine from that winery)
So... here is my list of a few of my favorite wines that I know anyone would appreciate opening on Christmas morning!
Airlie Winery, 2008 Riesling, Willamette Valley
Amity Vineyards, 2007 Pinot Blanc, Willamette Valley
Cathedral Ridge Winery, 2007 Merlot, Columbia Valley
Coelho Winery of Amity, 2006 Pinot Noir,Willamette Valley
Honeywood Winery, 2006 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley
Phelps Creek Vineyards, 2008 Dry Gewurztraminer, Columbia Valley
Spangler Vineyards, 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve,
Southern Oregon
Springhouse Cellar, 2008 Viognier, Voulez-Vous
Willamette Valley Vineyards, 2007 Pinot Noir, Elton Vineyards,
Willamette Valley
Winter's Hill, 2008 Pinot Blanc, Dundee Hills
Zerba Cellars, 2007 Viognier, Columbia Valley
Enjoy shopping for wines! Cheers!
(If a vintage is sold out, please try another suggested wine from that winery)
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Northwest Palate Magazine
It was 7 years ago that I was the Wine Tasting Coordinator at Northwest Palate Magazine. My role was to organize the wines to be tasted and reviewed for the magazine. As I poured each wine I always thought how they would evaluate each wine on the vintage year and varietal characteristics. It was a great learning experience which I use in each Oregon Wine Competition.
Recently I had the pleasure of tasting and reviewing wines at Northwest Palate Magazine with Cole Danehower and Cameron Nagle, Co-Publishers at Northwest Palate.
It was slightly intimidating and a test for myself. I wanted to see how my palate has grown and matured. The ability to distinguish the scents, taste the characteristics of each varietal and to find flaws. We tasted and reviewed over 35 wines- Riesling, Chardonnay, Gewurtzaminer, Pinot Noir and Red Blends. I found that my palate was able to decipher the wines!
Many of the wines will be recommend, highly recommend and one wine may receive a Exceptional award! You will have to pick up a copy of the Jan/Feb Northwest Palate to find out the results! Until then my lips are sealed.
Recently I had the pleasure of tasting and reviewing wines at Northwest Palate Magazine with Cole Danehower and Cameron Nagle, Co-Publishers at Northwest Palate.
It was slightly intimidating and a test for myself. I wanted to see how my palate has grown and matured. The ability to distinguish the scents, taste the characteristics of each varietal and to find flaws. We tasted and reviewed over 35 wines- Riesling, Chardonnay, Gewurtzaminer, Pinot Noir and Red Blends. I found that my palate was able to decipher the wines!
Many of the wines will be recommend, highly recommend and one wine may receive a Exceptional award! You will have to pick up a copy of the Jan/Feb Northwest Palate to find out the results! Until then my lips are sealed.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Color, Bouquet, Palate
What is the value in a Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals? That is a question quite often asked of me.
First, it takes a panel of judges from various parts of the wine industry that understand the characteristics and nuances of the wine varietals crafted from all of the Oregon AVA’s.
Each judge must be able to taste and judge the wine individually based on the following requirements:
• Ability to value the color
• Decipher the scents or bouquet
• Distinguish what they are tasting in the palate
• The ability to taste 75-80 wines in one day
• Skill to be able to award a Gold, Silver and Bronze medal
Prior to the beginning of tasting the panel discusses the meaning of a
Gold, Silver and Bronze Medal using the instructions below:
Gold – Exceptional Example of its type and style
Silver – Outstanding Example of its type and style
Bronze - Very Good Example of it type and style, with out any flaws
Recently a member of our panel for 2009, Dixie Huey of Trellis Wine Consulting wrote on her blog her favorite wines. In reviewing the list it reminded me how each person's palate is unique.
Please visit www.trelliswineconsulting.com for the complete list.
I would be interested to hear how you taste and evaluate the wines that you are enjoying!
First, it takes a panel of judges from various parts of the wine industry that understand the characteristics and nuances of the wine varietals crafted from all of the Oregon AVA’s.
Each judge must be able to taste and judge the wine individually based on the following requirements:
• Ability to value the color
• Decipher the scents or bouquet
• Distinguish what they are tasting in the palate
• The ability to taste 75-80 wines in one day
• Skill to be able to award a Gold, Silver and Bronze medal
Prior to the beginning of tasting the panel discusses the meaning of a
Gold, Silver and Bronze Medal using the instructions below:
Gold – Exceptional Example of its type and style
Silver – Outstanding Example of its type and style
Bronze - Very Good Example of it type and style, with out any flaws
Recently a member of our panel for 2009, Dixie Huey of Trellis Wine Consulting wrote on her blog her favorite wines. In reviewing the list it reminded me how each person's palate is unique.
Please visit www.trelliswineconsulting.com for the complete list.
I would be interested to hear how you taste and evaluate the wines that you are enjoying!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Oregon Garden
On a beautiful autumn day I had the pleasure of enjoying the Oregon Garden located in Silverton, Oregon. The leaves on the trees were brilliant in color; rich burgundies and dazzling golds. Plants rich in greens and the sky color a deep azure blue.
That evening we celebrated our Birthdays - five very special people that are my family. We had two excellent wines crafted by Chateau Lorane who have participated in the Oregon Wine Competition. A very bright White Blend and a very fruit forward Merlot!
Chateau Lorane had been awarded over 24 Medals in the past 6 years of the Oregon WC! Enjoy tasting the wines crafted by Linde and Sharon Kester in the tasting room located in Lorane, Oregon.www.chateaulorane.com
My sister Lori grows a beautiful
cutting garden and a specialty Chocolate Garden.
Each summer we enjoy cutting flowers for
arrangements, perhaps Anemone.
My other passion is floral... hand tied bouquets.
bouquets northwest
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