2011 R. Stuart Bigfire Pinot Gris

Crisp, bright and cool, this Oregon white has it going on in all the right places.

R. Stuart’s Bigfire Pinot Gris with its juicy fruit flavors – pear, apple and a little liche – welcomes in spring for your palate like sunshine and showers for the daffodils. Easy to drink and refreshing, this white wine finds perfect balance between acidity and sweetness and leaves the mouth curious for its evolving layers.

R. Stuart is located in Mcminnville about an hour southwest of Portland. Stop by their urban tasting bar to sample this wine this season and then make sure to pick up a few bottles for those upcoming hot summer days.

2010 R. Stuart Vignette Pinot Noir

Rich in color but with a light mouth feel, this Pinot Noir is inspiration on the palate.

If you have writers block, pick up a bottle of R. Stuart’s Vignette Pinot Noir. With its signature calligraphy label, the Pinot Noir will leave your mind raving with its silky body and notes of soft earth, chocolate and dark cherries. Finding equilibrium, the wine paints a big picture in your mouth without being overly complicated or heavy.

Wine Crafts for Spring

1. Wine Barrel Planters

Tiered planter by Knock Off Decor

2. Wine Cork Bird House

3. Wine Bottle Vases

Flower Vases by Simcoe Street

4. Wine Bottle Hanging Flower Planters

Hanging planters by That’s Right

5. Patio chair with wine glass holder

Outdoor chair with wine glass notches by Pin Your Home

6. Wine Cork Cufflinks

Champagne Cork Cufflinks by Kalanka on Etsy

Pink Panda Packs a Punch with Bubbly

Just because this wine is pretty in pink, don’t think it doesn’t bring a sucker punch.

Packed with fruit flavors but without the headache, hangover sweetness, Pink Panda plays and pours for those who are not looking for a serious wine. A demi-sec sparkling Rose made by Naked Rebel Winery in California, Pink Panda features notes of raspberry, strawberry and stone bubble finish that tickles your nose.

This sparkling wine is for party people looking to pre-funk and have a good time – most likely on a Monday night.

Oregon Wine Day Trips Part 3: Mid Willamette Valley

This is the third part of a five part series featuring day trip itineraries in Oregon’s wine country. Each itinerary features 4-5 wineries within driving distance of each other near a city or accommodations hub.

With rural tasting rooms scattering the farm filled valley, the Salem area of the Willamette Valley is filled with delicious wineries pair with quiet and quaint views. If you are looking for an escape from the crowds, try a wine tasting day trip from this area. Hub: Salem

Starting from Salem head west out of town to explore the lush, rolling hills of the area’s wine country. Down a long winding road, stop first at Cubanisimo Vineyards for a blend of Cuba and Pinot noir, Oregon culture. Owned by Cuban native Mauricio Collada, Cubanisimo features small lot Pinot noirs. If you feel like getting your groove on, stop by this winery on on of their salsa lesson and wine tasting nights. Open 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily, April through December and by appointment in the winter.

Then continue to Left Coast Cellars for a taste of this new winery’s sustainable Pinot noir, crisp Pinot gris, Chardonnay and Pinot blanc. Also make sure to grab a taste of their new Settler Cider. Open 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday to Sunday in the winter.

From one small producer to another, head to Johan Vineyards to taste authentic and elegant Pinot noir from the core of the Willamette soil. Also crafting small lot productions of Chardonnay and Pinot gris, this is one winery you don’t want to miss. Open 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily, February – December.

Next stop in Rickreall to sip the offerings from one of the area’s larger producers, Eola Hills Winery. With a wide range of wines and prices and a large tasting room, this winery is great stop for groups. In the summer, this is also a popular winery stop for cyclists. Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily.

Before heading back toward Salem, continue south to Illahe Vineyards and Amalie Roberts - you won’t regret the extra miles to taste their superb wines. At Amalie Roberts make sure to try their Viognier and at Illahe don’t leave without a sip of their dry Riesling and Reserve Pinot noir. Both open by appointment only.

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Other notable Salem wineries:

• Piluso Vineyards
• Silver Falls Vineyard
• Vitis Ridge
• Pudding River Cellars
• Willamette Valley Vineyards

Love and Bubbles at Pairings Portland Wine Shop

Love and tiny bubbles are in the air this season – and both will be floating around on Sunday, February 10th at one of Portland’s newest wine shops, Pairings Portland.

Enjoy six perfect pairings featuring Missionary Chocolates from 4 – 6 pm for $20 and get your taste buds prepped and ready for a romantic Valentine’s Day.

Pairings include:

• Cerdon de Bugey Kermit Lynch with blood orange chocolate
• Cossart Gordon 5 Year Bual Madiera with salted caramel chocolate
• Smith Woodhouse 10 Year Tawny Port with a chocolate covered pretzel
• Pezzi King Zinfandel with chipotle chocolate
• Tintero Moscato Gramella with chinato
• Catherine & Pierre Breton Vouvray Dilettante with a special surprise!

To reserve your space call (541) 531-7653 or email jeff@pairingsportland.com.

Pairings Portland is located at 455 NE 24th Avenue (SW Corner of 24th & Glisan) and will be hosting a grand opening later this spring. The wine shop will feature unique wines including sustainable, organic and conscious wines to wines “too good not to carry.” Also look forward to more events, classes and of course delicious wine and food pairings!

I will be there, so make sure to stop by and say “hi!”

2009 Stafford Hill Tempranillo

Great for any night of the week, this Tempranillo is simply enjoyable for both your palate and pocket.

Crafted by Winemaker Jay Somers, the 2009 Stafford Hill Tempranillo is a deep ruby color with aromas of black fruit, stone and spice. The palate follows the nose with soft leather, black cherry, all spice and sweet pepper without being overbearing. Smooth to sip alone or with food, this wine is rustic, easy and guilt free.

Producing only around 3,000 – 4,000 cases per year, Holloran Vineyard Wines focuses on crafting wine from some of Oregon’s best vineyards. With low yields, they are able to be hands-on through the process and select fruit for their specific vineyard characteristics.

A second label for Holloran, the Stafford Hill wines offer quality at an affordable price point. For only $7.99 on sale at Fred Meyers in NW Portland, this Tempranillo is one that I will definitely buy again.

Wanderlust White in the Wild

Lightweight in both size and flavor, this white blend is easy to drink – and pack – while on the best adventures!

Produced my Naked Winery, the Outdoor Vino Wanderlust White features savory, light notes of summer fruit – melon and honeydew. With a lingering note of minerality on the finish, the off-dry white wine is crisp like high altitude winter air. This is a nice, simple white blend – no over thinking while you enjoy it and the outdoors simultaneously.

Also at one sixth the weight of a traditional wine bottle, the Outdoor Vino bottle is durable, recyclable and easy to carry for a picnic or hike. BPA free, screw cap and only $15, this is a wine that you can easy grab and go!

I took the Wanderlust White snowshoeing up at Crater Lake and it drank – and played- nicely with friends.

Want to know what other wines to take outside? Read my article: “Wiking: Is the Wine Worth it?” and find out more about Naked Winery’s other wines.

Now get outside and explore!

2006 Sarver Winery Cuvee

Deep, dark yet still oh-so-fruity, this blend sparkles with layers of delicious flavors.

A rich purple blend of 66% Malbec, 25% Syrah and 9% Dolcetto, Sarver Winery’s cuvee shows off with notes of blue fruits and an earthy undertone that makes it perfect for post-puddle stomping evenings. For $24, this 2006 is a sweet, sweet deal.

Located in the South Willamette Valley, Sarver Winery produces specialty, small-lot wines. Perched on the top of a hill overlooking the Elhanan Vineyard, planted in 1984, the winery’s tasting room is quaint and relaxing for small groups or couples looking to taste around the Eugene area.

Gingerbread Winery: King Estate Gets a Makeover!

One of the sweetest wineries in the South Willamette Valley just got a little sweeter. Check out this awesome time lapse video of King Estate Winery’s gorgeous tasting room villa turning into a Christmas creation!