Love Oregon Wine?

In Oregon, besides daffodils and cherry blossoms, spring is the time when wine events are in full bloom. It seems like there’s one popping up practically every weekend! So, if you’re trying to narrow down your list of events you must attend, I suggest you keep this one at the top.

With the sad (but hopefully temporary) disappearing act of the crowd-pleaser Portland Indie Food and Wine Festival, Unwine’d will making its inaugural debut with a bang at the end of this month. On April 29^th, from 3-6pm, approximately 100 wineries and 14 restaurants will gather together at the Left Bank Annex for a tasting not soon to be forgotten.

The "A" list alone includes recognizable heavy hitters like Adelsheim, Archery Summit, Anne Amie and Anam Cara, or find new loves sipping the goods from boutique wineries such as Angel Vine, Amelie Robert and Andrew Rich, just to name a few. Check out the extensive list of participants and you’ll understand why this is one event you definitely shouldn’t miss!

And if the impressive array of wine isn’t enough reason to attend, notable local restaurants including Allium Bistro, Blue Hour, Davis Street Tavern, Park Kitchen, Terrace Kitchen, Joel Palmer House and many more will be on hand serving culinary creations sure to enhance the flavors of these wines.

If learning’s your thing, visit the wine education stations to increase your wine knowledge. You’ll also take home a souvenir wine glass and can purchase bottles you just can't live without from the event’s wine store.

Thanks to the Oregon Wine Board, I’m offering one of my readers the chance to win 2 tickets to THE Oregon wine event of the year. And I’ll make it really easy for you by providing multiple ways to enter. Increase your chances of winning by entering each way. Do all three and earn yourself three entries into the contest! You have until Friday, April 13th (your lucky day) to enter. The winner will be chosen at random and announced on Saturday, April 14th.

1.  Simply comment on this blog about your favorite producer or the one that interests you the most. Include your name and email address so I can track you down when you win.

2.  Visit the Sip with Me Facebook page, like it while you’re there (you know I like you!), and comment on the post with your favorite Oregon producer or the one you’re just dying to taste.

3.  Tweet all about it. Copy and use this following phrase when Tweeting and BAM!, you’ll be entered to win.

I love #OregonWine! Enter to WIN 2 tickets to @Unwined_ORWine from @sipwithme! http://ow.ly/a69As #wine — Please RT

Win Tickets to Taste Southern Oregon Wineries in Portland

I imagine Southern Oregon wineries often feel much like the Cinderella sister, forgotten to be invited to all the grand tasting events and always overlooked in favor of the Gorge and Willamette Valley stepsisters. This time however, the glass slipper’s on the other foot as the entire Southern Oregon American Viticultural Area (AVA) becomes the Belle of the Ball at the upcoming Southern Oregon Wine Tasting on Sunday, November 13th, from 4-7pm at the Portland Art Museum.

“Go now, before the word gets out!”

One of the fastest growing wine regions in the country, the Southern Oregon AVA has grown from a mere 23 wineries just six years ago to more than 70 wineries today, and on this rare occasion, Portland will enjoy the experience of being able to sample the entire region in one very chic room, conveniently and accessibly located in downtown Portland. Showcasing unusual varietals unique to the region like Albarino, Viognier, Roussane, Tempranillo, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and other exciting blends, this town is in for a real tasting treat, Southern Oregon winery-style.

Participating wineries you can expect to sip include Abacela, Agate Ridge Vineyard, Brandborg Winery, Bridgeview Winery, Cliff Creek Cellars, Deer Creek Vineyards, Del RioVinyeards, Folin Cellars, Foris Winery, Henry Estate Winery, LaBrasseur Vineyard, Melrose Vineyard, Pyranees Vineyard & Cellars, Quady North, RoxyAnn Winery, Slagle Creek Vineyard, Spangler Vineyards, TeSo’Aria, TroonVineyard, Vadai Wines, Valley View Winery and Wooldridge Creek.

WIN, WIN, WINE! 

Let me send you to the ball! I get to be Fairy Godmother for a night…I have a pair of tickets (valued at $78) that I’d like to share with one very lucky reader, the shoe doesn't have to fit and your chances of winning are pretty darn good. Simply leave a comment here on this blogpost about why you’d like to attend the Southern Oregon Wine Tasting by midnight November 10^th, after which time, I’ll randomly select a winner – hopefully it will be you!

Tickets cost $39 per guest and the Portland Art Museum is located at 1219 SW Park Avenue. For more information and to purchase tickets for this comprehensive tasting extravaganza, call (800) 781-9463 or visit sorwa.org.

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** A trade tasting event is scheduled for the following day on Monday, November 14 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Davis Street Tavern, located at 500 NW Davis Street. The event is free to media members, restaurant buyers, wine distributors and other members of the wine industry. For more information, and to RSVP contact regina.vaccari@gmail.com or call (541) 282-3041.