Saluting the Sesquicentennial
By Karl Klooster
In case you just emerged from hibernation, it’s the new year, and that means Oregon’s 150th birthday is almost upon us. Any duck or beaver worth his or her water wings knows the 33rd state entered the union on Feb. 14, 1859.
Valentine’s Day may not have been quite as big a deal then, but it’s certainly made the date easier to remember for Oregonians. And that’s even more true in such a milestone year.
The Willamette Valley Winegrowers Association has latched onto this once-in-a-couple-of-lifetimes opportunity in a way that both pays tribute to the state and showcases a product for which it is gaining international attention.
In undertaking its effort, the 181-member association has teamed up with Oregon 150, a volunteer, nonprofit organization created last year by Gov. Ted Kulongoski to coordinate the state’s sesquicentennial celebration. To make the acclamation linger longer, these promotionally minded wine folks decided not to set aside just a single day or weekend, but a symbolic 150-day period stretching from Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, through Labor Day, Sept. 7.
Though this may seem like a tall order, organizers have augmented traditionally big wine country weekends with several new focus weekends to create a continuum of events and activities over the course of the celebration. As Executive Director Sue Horstmann said, “It was a natural fit for our wine association to spearhead ‘150 Days of Wine in the Willamette Valley’ and partner with the smaller winery organizations in the region.”
The celebration kicks off Feb. 14–15 with “I Love Oregon Wines.” Enjoy special tastings, food pairings, and an occasional chocolate treat at wineries and tasting rooms across the Willamette Valley.
I Love Oregon Wines
Amity Vineyards
Chocolate & Pinot Noir: A Perfect Pairing
Feb. 14 • 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Award-winning Pinot Noir and chocolates from Oregon companies, as well as our Amity 56-percent dark chocolate drops, Amity Iris label wine-filled chocolates and the ever-popular chocolate raspberry Pinot Noir sauce. Fee: $5 (waived with wine purchase).
18150 S.E. Amity Vineyards Road • Amity
503-835-2362 • www.amityvineyards.com
Anne Amie Vineyards
I Love Oregon Wine Dinner
Feb. 28 • 7 p.m.
Come celebrate Oregon’s sesquicentennial in the Valentine month at Anne Amie Vineyards with Chef Jason Barwitkowski of Clyde Common and guest wineries Roots Wines and Alloro Vineyard. Fee: $75 per person; $65 (for Vineyard Club members).
6580 N.E. Mineral Springs Rd. • Carlton
503-864-2991 • www.anneamie.com
ArborBrook Vineyards
Hearts on the Vine
Feb. 14, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dave and Mary Hansen invite you to their third annual Hearts on the Vine tasting, celebrating Valentine’s Day! Bring your sweetheart and spend a special day with great wine and wonderful chocolates!
17770 N.E. Calkins Lane • Newberg
503-538-0959 • www.arborbrookwines.com
Árdíri Winery & Vineyards
A Treat for Your Valentine
Feb. 14, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Spend the day with your special someone, and enjoy the ambiance of Árdíri and the sensory experience of chocolates made with our Pinot Noir! Other food pairings also will be served. Fee: $10 per person (includes logo glass).
35040 S.W. Unger Road • Cornelius
503-628-6060 • www.ardiriwine.com
August Cellars
Oregon’s Birthday/Valentine’s Day
Feb. 13–15, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
August Cellars is giving away Majestic Chocolate truffles with every purchase of six or more bottles. Fee: $5 (refundable for large groups).
14000 N.E. Quarry Rd. • Newberg
503-554-6766 • www.augustcellars.com
Bethel Heights Vineyard
“In the Pink” Valentine Weekend
Feb. 14–15, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Shake off the winter doldrums with pink wine and pink food, topped off with Pinot Noir and chocolate! Taste six wines—two white, three red and one pink. Our dry, elegant pink wine (2007 Pinot Noir Rosé) is featured at a special price. Fee: $5; free for Cellar Club members.
6060 Bethel Heights Road N.W. • Salem
503-581-2262 • www.bethelheights.com
Coelho Winery of Amity
Wine + Chocolate = Love
Feb. 14, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Experience food and wine pairings created by Coelho Winemaker Brian Marcy and prepared by Executive Chef Melissa Czerwiec. Join us for a decadent five-course candlelit dinner in the Coelho Winery dining room. Visit our website for a menu. Wine and chocolate flight: $10.
111 Fifth Street • Amity
503-835-9305 • www.coelhowinery.com
Cristom Vineyards
Cupid’s Picnic
Feb. 14–15, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Bring your sweetheart for an intimate picnic. Enjoy a half bottle of our newly released 2007 Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Pinot Noir while sharing a charcuterie platter. Dessert is sublime fudge made by local Brigittine Monks. We’ll also taste through our current vintage. Fee: $25 per couple.
6905 Spring Valley Rd. • Salem
503-375-3068 • www.cristomwines.com
Daedalus Cellars
Perfect Pinot Pairing
Feb. 14–15, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What is the perfect match for Pinot Noir? Salmon is a classic, so are mushrooms, but what about Port, duck or even sushi? Join us to taste through exquisite hor d’oeuvres to discover what you think is the perfect match for Pinot Noir. Fee: $15.
90 N. Highway 99W • Dundee
503-538-4400 • www.daedaluscellars.com
Dobbes Family Estate/Wine By Joe
Fall in Love…with Oregon Wine!
Feb. 14, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Celebrate Oregon’s 150th birthday and Valentine’s Day at our winery by pairing selected aphrodisiacs with our sumptuous wines. Sexy Pinots and enticing Syrahs will heat up your weekend. Cozy up for a book signing with local photographer Andrea Johnson who has just released her new book, “Passion For Pinot.” Fee: $15; complimentary for club members.
240 S.E. Fifth St. • Dundee • 503-538-1411
www.dobbesfamilyestate.com • www.winebyjoe.com
Domaine Drouhin Oregon
Love & Pinot Noir—A Match Made in Heaven
Feb. 14, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Please join us for our favorite day in February, as we celebrate our loved ones (people and wines). As always, we’ll pour Drouhin wines from Oregon and Burgundy—a perfect opportunity to enjoy the family’s personal vision for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Fee: $20 (includes an etched Riedel glass and selection of accompaniments); DDO Direct members receive complimentary entrance for four.
6750 N.E. Breyman Orchards Rd. • Dayton
503-864-2700 • www.domainedrouhin.com
Domaine Serene
Love & Pinot Noir—A Match Made in Heaven
Feb. 14, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
We will be showcasing our exquisite Rockblock Viognier and Syrah with a bounty of chocolate delights. Bring all of your senses. Fee: $25 per person; complimentary to Case Buyers Club members and three guests.
6555 Hilltop Lane • Dayton
503-864-4600 www.domaineserene.com
Emerson Vineyards
Last Hurrah for Emerson Syrah
Feb. 14–15, noon to 5 p.m.
Our 2006 Syrah made us wish we had made more in the following years, but alas, this is the last. And this event is your last chance to purchase Emerson Syrah before we squirrel the rest away. We will feature chocolate from 70-year-old Burst’s Chocolates in Corvallis. Don’t miss this match. Fee: $5 per person; complimentary for Waldo Society members.
11665 Airlie Road • Monmouth
503-838-0944 • www.emersonvineyards.com
The Four Graces
The Four Graces and Extreme Chocolates Valentine’s Day Tasting
Feb. 14, noon to 4 p.m.
Chocolate entrepreneur Chef Carrie Wong of Extreme Chocolates will personally introduce her newest creations at The Four Graces tasting room in Dundee. The special chocolates will be designed to pair sublimely with our wine. Fee: $15; complimentary for club members.
9605 N.E. Fox Farm Rd. • Dundee
503-554-8000 • www.thefourgraces.com
J.K. Carriere
Library Tasting Day
Feb. 14, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In conjunction with our annual library and magnum sale, we’ll be tasting some carefully cellared older vintages, as well as our current 2006 offerings. And yes, there will be chocolate! Fee: $10; complimentary for club members and mailing list. Refundable with purchase.
30295 Hwy. 99W (access via Benjamin Road) • Newberg
503-554-0721 • www.jkcarriere.com
Laura Volkman Vineyards
Valentine’s Day Amore (Italian Style)
Feb. 14, noon to 5 p.m.
The Lady in Red invites you to enjoy a taste of our recent trip to Italia where food and wine are a celebration of life and love. Taste olive oil from the Toscana and Abruzzo regions of Italy and oils from France and Spain paired with our award-winning Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Fee: $15 per couple; complimentary for case club buyers.
14725 N.E. Quarry Road • Newberg
503-806-4047 • www.volkmanvineyards.com
Left Coast Cellars
Valentine’s Wine & Chocolate Event
Feb. 14, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Join us in tasting four wines paired with exquisite truffles crafted by the renowned Extreme Chocolates of Salem. Flavors chosen to both highlight and enhance, this experience will delight the both of you. Fee: $10 (includes logo glass).
4225 N. Pacific Hwy. 99W • Rickreall
503-831-4916 • www.leftcoastcellars.com
Montinore Estate
Tango in Wine Country
Feb. 14–15, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Strap on your dancing shoes for complimentary Tango lessons from instructor Paul Newman. Don’t worry if you don’t have a partner, Paul will step in for one-on-one training. Lessons will begin on the hour at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Come back Feb. 15 to try out your new moves during a concert by Rio Con Brio (1 to 4 p.m.). Admission: Free. Tasting fee: $5.
3663 S.W. Dilley Rd. • Forest Grove
503-359-5012 • www.montinore.com
Plum Hill Vineyards
Grand Opening
Feb. 14–15, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Music by Ron Sabin and LG Burger, hors d’oeuvres by Sundial Specialty Bakery, chocolates, buffalo and goat cheese tasting, and local art. Valentine and wine gifts available in the tasting room gift shop. Free gift to first 200 guests. Fee: $5 (includes logo glass).
6505 S.W. Old Hwy. 47 • Forest Grove
503-359-4706 • www.plumhillwine.com
R. Stuart & Co.
Bubbly & Crab Cakes—The Perfect Date!
Feb. 14, 4 to 7 p.m.
The perfect Valentine wine is our beloved Rosé d’Or, and its perfect partner is the yummy crab cake! Rose d’Or is a rosy-hued sparkler made from Pinot Noir and a little Chardonnay—tres Francais! But in this case we match it with that all-time N.W. favorite, crab cakes. Drop by our Wine Bar for this very special romantic interlude. Crab cakes: $10, Rose d’Or by the glass: $7.
528 N.E. Third St. • McMinnville
503-472-4477 • www.rstuartandco.com
Raptor Ridge Winery
Oregon 150 Celebration
Feb. 14, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Raptor Ridge celebrates the 150th birthday of Oregon at this Valentine’s tasting. We’ll pour several vineyard-designated Pinot Noir selections, as well as a special pairing of our Pinot Blanc dessert wine, “Blanchefleur,” with delectable desserts. Fee: $10; complimentary for club members.
130 West Monroe • Carlton
503-367-4263 • www.raptoridge.com
Rex Hill
The Best Bouquet: A Dozen Reds
Feb. 14–15, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Bring your Valentine to Rex Hill for a special limited-production red wine flight, including winery exclusive Rex Hill, William Hatcher and Francis Tannahill selections. Choose a dozen red wines and we’ll take 20 percent off your case purchase.
30835 N. Hwy. 99W • Newberg
503-538-0666 • www.rexhill.com
Sokol Blosser
Pinot Noir and Chocolate Day
Feb. 14–15, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Try our flight of red wines paired with local artisanal chocolates. We will have guest chocolatiers prepare handmade truffles and chocolate samples to be paired with our Pinot Noir and Meditrina. Fee: $15; complimentary for club members and three guests.
5000 Sokol Blosser Lane • Dundee
503-864-2282 • www.sokolblosser.com
Torii Mor Winery
Pinot, Port, & Truffles
Feb. 13–16, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sample unique, savory chocolate truffles, handmade by Chef Ariana Sherlock, paired with our Pinot and Port. Fee: $10; complimentary for Wine Club members and up to four tastings.
18323 N.E. Fairview Drive • Dundee
503-538-2279 • www.toriimorwinery.com
Vidon Vineyard
Oregon Chocolate, Cheese & Pinot Noir
Feb. 14, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Experience the blending of three single-clone wines that make the very three-dimensional, rich 2007 Chehalem Mountains 3-Clones Pinot Noir. The Key of Dreams Acoustic Latin Jazz Duo will perform from 1 to 4 p.m. Fee: $10; complimentary for Cellar Club members.
17425 N.E. Hillside Drive • Newberg
503-538-4092 • www.vidonvineyard.com
Vista Hills Vineyards
Pinot and Paradise
Feb. 14, noon to 5 p.m.
Enjoy a selection of estate Pinot Noirs served with the only chocolate crafted entirely in the U.S. Treat you and your loved one to this mouth-watering pairing of Dundee Hills wine and Hawaiian chocolate. Fee: $15 (non-refundable).
6475 Hilltop Lane • Dayton
503-864-3200 • www.vistahillsvineyard.com
WillaKenzie Estate
Valentine’s Wine & Chocolate
Feb. 14–15, noon to 5 p.m.
Taste estate-grown wines paired with delicious truffles. Enjoy our regular and Late Harvest Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. Fee: $5; free for club members and guests.
19143 N.E. Laughlin Road • Yamhill
503-662-3280 • www.willakenzie.com
WineWorks Oregon
Honey for Your Honey
Feb. 14, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Featuring a pairing of local Heavenly Honey’s comb with Walnut City WineWork’s Essential Viognier, plus Honest Chocolate’s Ganache made with Walnut City WineWorks 2006 Reserve Pinot. Also taste Bernard~Machado, Robinson Reserve and Z’IVO. Fee: $5.
475 N.E. 17th St. • McMinnville
503-472-3215 • www.wineworksoregon.com
Winter’s Hill Vineyard
Return of the Chocolate Cup
February 14 & 15, noon to 5pm
Enjoy dark chocolate cups filled with Pinot noir or Golden Nectar! Also enjoy Emily’s spicy, glazed nuts, Barb’s chocolate-covered hazelnuts and the Brigitines’ dark chocolate truffles with our dessert wine. Fee: $7 (refunded with purchase); complimentary for Cellar Door Club members.
6451 Hilltop Lane • Dayton
503-864-4538 • www.wintershillwine.com
Witness Tree Vineyard
Special Wine for that Special Day
Feb. 14–16, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sample eight wines, including our tiny-production estate Rosé, and enjoy tasty tidbits to complement the wines. Fee: $5; complimentary for Wine Club and Witness Protection Program members.
7111 Spring Valley Road N.W. • Salem
503-585-7874 • www.witnesstreevineyard.com
Yamhill Valley Vineyards
Pinot Noir & Chocolate!
Feb. 14, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sweets for the Sweet! Pair our Pinot Noir Raspberry Chocolate Sauce with 2007 Pinot Noir or maybe 2006 Pinot Blanc Reserve with Peppermint Bark from Honest Chocolates. Twila’s English Toffee pairs with everything. Fee: $5. (includes six samples).
16250 SW Oldsville Rd. • McMinnville
503-843-3100 • www.yamhill.com
Youngberg Hill Vineyards & Inn
Not Your Momma’s Chocolate
Feb. 14, 1 to 4 p.m.
Enjoy a unique pairing of library (2001–2005) Pinot Noirs with distinct and unusual chocolate treats that you have never experienced. Fee: $10; complimentary for wine club members.
10660 S.W. Youngberg Hill Rd. • McMinnville
503-472-2727 • www.youngberghill.com
