Pinot in the Pearl

Wineries large and small from the Chehalem Mountains and Ribbon Ridge AVAs will bring their wines “en masse” to Portland for a Pinot in the Pearl event from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 6. The tasting is at Venue Pearl, at 13th and Flanders.

“We are excited to partner with the Pearl District Association’s First Thursday Art Walk tradition, as well as many great restaurants,” says event chair, Barbara Gross of Cooper Mountain winery. “It’s hard to imagine a better way to introduce our winemakers and our wines!”

Winery representatives will share benchmark Pinot Noirs, as well as Chardonnays, Pinot Gris, Syrahs and Rieslings, among other varieties grown in one of Oregon’s most diverse AVAs. The various soil types, climates and terrain that cover this wine-growing region’s mountains and hillsides create expressive wines for every palate and cuisine, according to  Gross. “No one will be disappointed.”

Participating restaurants include The Painted Lady (Newberg), The Heathman Restaurant, 50-plates, Aquariva Italian Grill, Sweet Masterpiece Chocolates and others. 

The all-inclusive ticket price to the event is $25 in advance, or $30 at the door.

Participating wineries include: Adelsheim Vineyard, Alloro Vineyard, Anam Cara Cellars, Anne Amie Vineyards, Arborbrook, Archery Summit, Artisanal Wine Cellars, Barking Frog, Blakeslee Vineyard Estate, Carabella, CHEHALEM, Colene Clemens, Cooper Mountain, deLancellotti Family Vineyards, Elk Cove, Et Fille, Hawks View Cellars, J.K. Carriere, K&M Wines, Lachini Vineyards, Laura Volkman Vineyards, Le Cadeau, Longplay Wine, Raptor Ridge, ROCO Winery, Terra Vina Wines, Trisaetum, Utopia, Vidon Vineyard, Rex Hill Vineyards. Other participants include: A Nose for Wine Tours, Fannucchi Oils and Perfect Picnics.

The Chehalem Mountains Winegrowers formally organized in 2008 to educate wine consumers and promote the region’s wines from the Chehalem Mountains, an American Viticultural Area close to Portland and at the western edge of Willamette Valley’s wine country. The area includes more than 1,400 acres of vineyards and more than 50 established wineries and boutique wine producers. Three distinct soil types reflect millions of years of soil accumulation, deposits and uplift, creating a rich terroir in an area only 20 miles long and 5 miles wide. Ribbon Ridge lies within the boundaries of the Chehalem Mountains AVA. Ribbon Ridge includes 335 vineyard acres, 275 of which are planted to Pinot Noir. For more information on the Chehalem Mountains Winegrowers, or for tickets, visit: www.chehalemmountains.org, www.praviawines.com or email info@chehalemmountains.org.