Memorial Day Weekend

As this is the first day of the Memorial Day Weekend, I hope that you get a chance to visit the Oregon Wine Country. The wineries have planned special tastings and a great day for you!

Plus, the weather is beautiful to drive thru the wine country whether it is in the Willamette Valley, Southern Oregon, Columbia Gorge or possibly the Eugene area.

Enjoy!

2008 Gold Medal Awards!

The evening prior to judging and tasting the wines entered in the Oregon Wine Competition the panel of judges are invited to a Gold Medal Dinner. The Gold Medal dinner are wines from the previous years Gold Medal awards paired with a wonderful cuisine by Chef Derek Ridgeway from Bentley's Grill located in Salem, Oregon.  Last years wine paired dinner was incredible! 

The Gold Medal Dinner gives the panel of judges the opportunity to taste the level of excellence in all of the wines. Also, a chance to meet each other and discuss the competition.

This level of excellence is in each of the Gold Medal awarded wines!

2008 Gold Medal Wines

Cardwell Hill Cellars

2006 Pinot Noir, Estate

Johan Vineyards

2006 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley

LaVelle Vineyards

2007 Pinot Gris, Vintage Select

Pudding River Wine Cellars

2007 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley

Willamette Valley Vineyards

2006 Pinot Noir, Tualatin Estate

Zerba Cellars

2007 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley

I hope you get to enjoy a glass of the award winning wines!

Vineyards in the Columbia Gorge

I had the pleasure of being invited to join Robb Bell, owner of Cathedral Ridge Winery and his team to visit vineyards located in the Columbia Gorge. From visiting Bangsund vineyard in The Dallas, Huber Vineyard in Underwood Mountain, a vineyard tour from Lonnie Wright and being shown his old zinfandel vineyard and a newly planted zinfandel vineyard on the top of a hill (that I am not sure how we made it up) gave me a greater understanding of the micro-climates that provide the varietal qualities in wines made from the grapes grown in the Columbia Gorge. After tasting and touring many wineries during Passport Weekend my palate appreciated the nuances of the wines.

A few of my favorite wines made by winemaker Michael Sebastian for Cathedral Ridge Winery located in Hood River are: 2006 Dry Riesling,2006 Rock Star Red and 2007 Necessity Red. 

Future Travel Stories

I have had the privilege of traveling a few weeks in the Columbia Gorge and Southern Oregon visiting wineries. It gave me the opportunity to speak with owners, winemakers, marketing managers and tasting room staff to learn more about their wineries and the Oregon wine industry. Also, it gave me a chance to listen to their viewpoints concerning competitions and the importance of the Oregon Wine Competition.

Over the next few weeks I will blog about the adventures and experiences that I had.

Come travel with me!