The Oregon Wine Road Less Traveled

In pursuit of Willamette Valley wine, wineries along the Highway 99 corridor tend to get lots of love. And what’s not to love? There is an amazing selection of conveniently located wineries along this stretch of road. Stray a bit off the beaten track though, and you’ll discover an alternative wine route that steers you away from congestion and toward accessible, peaceful and lesser-known experiences instead. Read more about wineries along this route in 1859 Magazine.

Back in Blanc

If you haven’t yet discovered Oregon Pinot blanc, it’s high time you do. Because, in addition to producing some of the best Pinot noir in the world, Oregon makes a damn fine Pinot blanc as well.

Not to be confused at all with Chardonnay, and especially not with Melon, Pinot blanc is actually a genetic mutation of Pinot noir, and quite possibly more like the Cinderella sister—often forgotten about and left without a date for the Ball. Around the world, Pinot blanc may be blended with other grapes to produce more complex flavors, but Oregon tends to be more purist, letting the lovely and distinctive tropical, spicy and floral notes of this wine shine through.

One of my favorite pairings with Pinot blanc is oysters, but a close second is Pasta al Melone (see recipe below). This sweet, savory and rich meal is perfectly balanced by the dry style of Oregon Pinot blanc. So, with an abundance of both warm summer days and juicy melons in high season, what better time than now to give these both a try? The pasta dish is simple to prepare, but impressive enough to serve to company. Serve it with a seasonal green salad and some crusty bread to soak up the sauce. It's like a fairytale food and wine pairing.

Some favorite wines for you to explore:

Spindrift Cellars 2011 Pinot Blanc ($16) – Honeydew melon and lemon curd entertain your palate while zingy acids liven up your meal.

J. Scott Cellars 2011 Pinot Blanc ($15) – Pear, pineapple and sour apple make your mouth water—lingers long after your last swallow.

Bethel Heights 2011 Estate Grown Pinot Blanc ($18) – An array of citrus, creamy lemon curd, tart green apples, pear and nutmeg cookies. Sweet on the nose, but brilliant and racy acidity in the mouth. It's like the Energizer bunny of wine.

Chehalem 2011 Stoller Vineyards Pinot Blanc ($28) – A more floral and traditional Pinot Blanc. Juicy white peaches, Anjou pear and delicate orange blossoms grace the glass. This wine has it all… great minerality, succlent fruit, rich body and snappy acidity.

The Four Graces 2012 Willamette Valley Pinot Blanc ($24) – Tropical flavors of pineapple, papaya and lychee are perfectly complemented by white tea, ginger and creamy custard.

Elk Cove 2012 Pinot Blanc Willamette Valley  ($19) – Clean and crisp with a focus  on the fruit. Aromas of orange peel, pear and white flowers make this divine when paired with salty and rich foods.

With just over 200 acres planted to Pinot blanc in Oregon, Pinot blanc is not the most common wine from this region. Yet a number of Oregon producers are turning out wines that would make even Price Charming take notice. In addition to those listed above, other wineries producing noteworthy Pinot blanc are Ponzi Vineyards, Foris, WillaKenzie Estate, Rex Hill, Amity, Adelshiem and Left Coast Cellars.

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Pasta al Melone (serves 4-6 people)

4 T butter

1 T vegetable oil

3 cups cantelope diced into ¼ inch cubes

1 cup heavy cream

1 T freshly squeezed lemon juice

½ t tomato paste

Salt and ground pepper to taste

Tonnarelli or pasta of your choice (cooked according to directions)

1. Put butter and oil into sauté pan and turn heat to high. When oil is hot, add melon.
2. Cook melon for about 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until melon softens but is not entirely broken down, most of the pieces should still be separate.
3. Add cream, lemon juice and tomato paste and cook until reduced by half.
4. Add salt and pepper, stir gently and remove from heat.
5. Pour sauce over prepared pasta and serve immediately.

Top 10 Favorite Wineries to Chill Out in Summer

This weekend's summer-like weather in Oregon reminded me that the warm season has probably already set in, perhaps even taking a choke hold around much of the country. As I continued my winery trek, with blue skies and a warm glowing sun finally accompanying me, it dawned on me how many people might now be looking for the optimum places to hang out and soak up some of this yummy sunshine while sipping some of the best wine around. Since I've already done so much of the legwork, allow me to share with you the following list of what I think are some of Oregon's best-kept secret winery outdoor spaces:

1. Bethel Heights

2. Adelsheim Vineyard

3. Cana's Feast Winery

4. Winderlea Wine Company

5. Vista Hills Vineyard

6. Elk Cove Vineyards

7. Penner-Ash Wine Cellars

8. Van Duzer Vineyards

9. Stoller

10. Anne Amie Vineyards

Though the season is typically not too long (summer really doesn't take hold until July in Oregon), the state takes its summer sunshine seriously. This list is just a sampling of the many great tasting rooms with lovely patios and decks to absorb scenic vineyard and valley views. Dig into my list of wineries and find out which ones are doing up the season just right, you'll find Bocce, disc golf, luncheons, bruncheons, views, music, hikes and much, much more. Summertime, and the living is easy. Until we sip again…

Cheers!