This year instead of a super fun BBQ in the park we decided to take a weekend tour of wine country. On Saturday morning we headed toward Scio, Oregon in our 4 car caravan including the very classy Lincoln Town Car that we rented. With the 99w Ducks football traffic in our rear view mirrors and a lovely view of the Cascades ahead we finally hit Joe and Karen Schuellers farm, not a winery but an organic farm that we have been getting our chicken and eggs from since opening in 2003. www.rainshadowelrancho.com
Joe with crew at Rain Shadow El Rancho
Back up 99w to Newberg to meet leather clad Jeffery for an exclusive Patricia Green tasting. Patty focuses on what she knows and passionately pursues Pinot Noir perfection. We tasted through several vineyard specific pinots and a fresh lively sauvignon blanc. Jeffery explained that Patty and Jim try to tune out trends and make a wine that they can be proud of. These Pinot Noirs are soooo amazing we feel lucky to be there enjoying them on such a beautiful day.
Just around the mountain we joined Steve at Brick House winery. www.brickhousewines.com
baby chickens in their mobile house
We were so happy he could accommodate such a large, and sophisticated group. We got to look through the vineyards and learn about Doug Tunnells vision of biodynamics and land stewardship. They make a small amount of wine every year and do not intend to expand. At the restaurant we ‘get’ a case or two of each variety allocated to us that we sell very quickly. Again, like Patricia Green, Doug wants to stay focused on what he believes is the grape that shows the best in our special climate and soil type. Even though the demand for more is high, he stays within a sustainable small farm program and keeps his prices affordable.
Tiny Brick House cellar
A quick drive to Forest Grove for a night of extreme debauchery at the Grand Lodge, including late night swimming in the underwear, tequila shots and fat cigar smoking.
Sunday, noon, a few minutes to David Hill Winery www.davidhillwinery.com We have been pouring David Hills Farmhouse red as the house red wine at the restaurant for years. The sweet hostess, Michelle was gracious and informative! We tasted through what seemed like 15 different wines which was a nice hair of the dog. The David Hill estate has been planted in grapes since the 1880′s and was breathtakingly beautiful. It was easy to understand why that location was chosen for a homestead right on the edge of a hill overlooking the valley.
morning after, still two wineries to go
Our last stop was Cooper Mountain Winery in Beaverton. www.coopermountainwine.com The navigation through Portland suburbs gave us trepidation but when we found it and met Barbara we fell in love with this special winery. Being the last winery on our tour it was fitting that we would make such a connection with this place. The biodynamic philosophy was evident throughout and not in a pretentious way, the wine maker here (Barbara’s father)was making a conscious effort to be connected to the environment and their wines were amazing. Pictures of Cooper Mountain to follow. . .
What a great trip! My face still hurts from laughing. Everyone was so welcoming and gracious. We really felt the pride from these producers, for their products but especially their land and environments and how they fit in to the community around them. We all came away with a renewed sense of how beautiful Oregon is.
Love at David Hill
