It's a Block Party Weekend!

Every so often, ok maybe more than every so often, an event comes across my radar that excites me. This is one of those. What can I say, I love the opportunity to taste the amazing wines coming out of this region. And this tasting provides the opportunity to taste wines that are still relatively undiscovered.

The Taste Dundee Block Party includes tastings from 15 wineries, including several that were recently on Wine Spectator's "Eight New Names to Know" list. With food from all the town's hot spots and you've got an event not to miss. And May is Oregon Wine Month, so figure this is your way to support Oregon wine in the month of May.

Participating wineries include: Angela Estate, Argyle, Aubichon, Cathedral Ridge, Chapter 24 Vineyards, Dobbes Family Estate, Domaine Trouvere, Duck Pond Cellars, Four Graces, Hyland Estates, Le Cadeau, Panther Creek Cellars, Ponzi Vineyards, and Tertulia Cellars.

Participating restaurants include: Babica Hen, Bert’s Chuckwagon, Dundee Bistro, Red Hills Market, Red Hills Provincial Dining and Tina's.

Tickets are $20 at www.tastedundee.eventbrite.com.

See you there?

Your Passport to Northwest Wines

Last Friday night (4/10/2015) brought the Grand Tasting of Columbia Gorge wines to Portland. If your were lucky enough to attend the tasting, you got just a glimpse of what that region has to offer. If you didn't make it, rest assured that the Gorge is just a short drive away and you can still get to know all those wines and more.

And I'm going to make that even easier for you. 

I'm giving away TWO FREE PASSPORTS to one lucky person so they can sip their way through the Northwest wine country and discover the beauty of the region. With over 170 tasting rooms opening their doors to you, you can meander through Oregon, Washington, Idaho and British Columbia to really get to the heart of Northwest Wine Country experience.

These passports are valued at over $1,500 each, but with one simple entry, they can be yours for free.

Your entry is simply to write a haiku in the comments section (read about haiku here). Write about wine, the area, or whatever inspires you about this contest. I'll select one person to receive the two passports and then you can begin planning your adventure (passports are valid through January 31, 2016, but this contest ends April 31st, 2015).

For more information about the passport program and participating wineries, visit www.passport2sip.com.

The Beauty of the Blend

There’s no doubt about it, Oregon takes its winemaking seriously. The state is recognized nationally as a leading pinot noir producer, and is becoming known for putting its own stamp on pinot gris and chardonnay as well. But with all these great single varietal wines on the shelves, the stunning red blends crafted in every Oregon wine region might just be the industry’s best kept secret. Combining artistry and chemistry with quality, value and complexity, Oregon’s red blends come together to produce a tapestry of flavors that will improve your dinner experience. Read more about these great wines at 1859 Magazine.