Happy Birthday Oregon!

Together one evening at the Oregon State Fair

Friday August 28th

For the first 500 guests that purchase a ticket to

Celebration Oregon! Wine Awards and Tasting

a complimentary general seating ticket for the

Pink Martini present Oregon! Oregon! 2009!

concert will be your gift from the Oregon State Fair!

Celebration Oregon! Wine Awards and Tasting

Best of Show

Best of White and Red Varietal

Awarded from the Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals

to the talented Winemakers from Oregon that entered the

30th Oregon Wine Competiton

Taste and Discover Award Winning Wines

Paired with hors d' oeuvres from Oregon Chefs

5:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Hart of the Gardens, Oregon State Fairgrounds

Pink Martini present Oregon! Oregon! 2009

Featuring the 234th Army Band-Oregon National Guard

A Sesquicentennial Event

8:00 p.m.

L.B. Day Comcast Amphitheater, Oregon State Fairgrounds

Ticket: $45.00

Includes Admission to Celebration Oregon! and the Oregon State Fair

plus... Complimentary General Seating Ticket for Pink Martini

(first 500 tickets sold)

Commemorative Glass and Awards Program

Wine enthusiasts 21+

Celebration Oregon! and Pink Martini Concert Tickets

www.Ticketswest.com

or at the Fairgrounds box office

Please visit: www.oregonwinecomp.org and www.pinkmartini.com

Meeting Jan and Mia!

How does someone highlight a wonderful weekend on a blog? Perhaps by listing those moments:

A quite evening with my husband – enjoyed two wines 

   Eden Vale 2003 Tempranillo, Rouge Valley- Dark Berry Fruits

Dalla Vina 2005 Semillon, Late Harvest Columbia Valley - Peaches 

Both Excellent Wines!

Rose Parade with a bit of drizzle, a chance to visit with my sister while waiting for the parade – 5 hours! My favorite part are the Floats in the Parade – I have a passion for Flowers!

Saturday night dinner out at Laurelhurst Market! Excellent new restaurant in NE Portland - Great Service, Great Dinner and a wonderful wine! 

   Januik 2006 Red Wine -Rasperries, Currants and Balanced

The chance to see two young girls dance in Peter Pan and a few Jazz songs. I felt very proud for their parents and of the girls!

The most important moment this weekend was the opportunity to meet a wonderfully spirited woman, Jan. She sat next to us at the Rose Parade and we had the chance to learn a little about her. Jan shared with us that in 2008 she was not at the Rose Parade due to having Lung Cancer and the aftermath of dealing with that illness.  I shared how sorry I was that she had that to experience cancer. Her comment was that “not to feel sorry for her and that she was through with that crap”. Jan brought her little dog Mia who she is training to be a therapy dog at Dornbecker Childrens Hospital!

Sharing 6 hours with this woman reminded me how important your spirit really is! I am already looking forward to seeing her next year in the same parade spot!

Cowhorn Wine - Southern Oregon

Last Saturday I spent in my garden preparing the soil for floral planting, which is one of my passions. As I was digging in the soil I thought about Bill and Barbara Steele who own Cowhorn Vineyard and Winery. They both have a great respect for the land they have in Jacksonville, Oregon. In 2002 they purchased the property, which took them 2 years to prepare the land for the vineyards and gardens they now have.

Bill explained to me the each step they take is based upon ecological sustainable principles that create a certified biodynamic and organic farm.Which is shown in the care of the vineyards, gardens, recycling program and the people that they are working with.

Based upon the location of the farm and where the vineyards are close to the river, the wine varietals they choose are Syrah, Grenache, Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne.

I encourage everyone to stop, tour, taste, learn and be enlightened by the commitment to the balance between land and human nature. I know that I did!

Enjoy their wines!