Grape buyers, sellers wary amid ‘aggressive’ plantings, industry leader says. Read more in this article from the Western Farm Press.
-
-
During the pre-conference excursion to Oregon’s gorgeous Umpqua Valley, Wine Media Conference participants were fortunate enough to visit the Knostman Family Winery. I really enjoyed the hospitality there! This down home, family run winery is casual and friendly, with a terrific back porch and view of the Umpqua River. It’s a great place to hang out and sip a while.
Look at the view from the winery’s “backyard.” The winery, which makes its product in very small lots, was started in 2019 and has a 4 acre vineyard. An average production here ranges from 25 to 125 cases. If you pick up a bottle or two to add to your cellar, you’ll truly have something special that very few will also own. The winery produces a variety of whites and reds, from Pinot Gris to Cabernet Franc.
Terrific tasting lineup. I tasted four of Knostman’s flagship wines: the Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Estate Pinot Gris, Estate Gamay, and Estate Malbec. I found all of the wines in their portfolio to be very light-bodied with a thin structure. This isn’t necessarily a sign of an inferior wine, it’s just that my palate gravitates towards more bold and highly tannic wines. The red wines here are a good choice for wine lovers who don’t want too much weighing down their palate. I found both of the whites to be very tart, and overly so for my taste.
Tasting presentation. The tasting presentation was super cute and clever, with the wines being delivered in a tasting flight of tiny carafes. Tasters are able to control their own pours, which is a welcome safety feature that keeps things sanitary during the pandemic.
Clearly posted pricing. I also liked that the by-the-bottle wine prices are clearly posted in a very visible spot (behind the main tasting bar). You can see these as soon as you walk in, so there are no surprises. Most of the wines are reasonably priced, hovering in the mid-$20 range.
Homey tasting room, but ask for a table on the back porch for the best view! If you’re looking for a terrific view and a laid-back tasting, this is a great stop on your Oregon wine journey.
-
There’s a solid balance going on at Delfino Vineyards: 5 star hospitality, 3 star wine. Sometimes it’s all about the experience, and this endearing little winery delivers that tenfold! If you’re looking for perhaps the friendliest winery in the area, look no further. I was hosted here along with a group of 19 other wine writers at the annual Wine Media Conference, and it was one of the highlights of my visit to Oregon’s Umpqua Valley winegrowing region.
This small, unassuming family winery screams “down home hippie!” from the rooftops. Two adorable dogs welcomed our group, and we were shown to a large outdoor covered seating area on soft grass. The winery holds a plethora of events, and I would love to return and attend one because they sound amazing (for example: a tie dye party with a Janis Joplin lookalike who performed all her classic hits).
Owners Jim and Terri Delfino are the cutest couple you will ever meet. So sweet, and absoutely stellar hosts. You can tell they are very proud of what they’ve done and what they do. Their winery reflects every ounce of their charm.
As it goes with many wineries, Delfino tries to make everything under the sun. Sometimes it’s best when a vineyard focuses on just a couple of varietals that they do well. I tasted 11 of the wines in their extensive portfolio, from the Dolcetto to the Mezzo Mezzo (a Cabernet Savignon and Merlot blend). The two standouts for me were the Tempranillo and the Forza dessert wine. Both had lovely fruit, and would be nice casual sippers and in the case of the Forza, a crowd-pleasing after dinner drink. Most of the wines are priced in the mid-$30 range, which is a bit on the higher side.
While the wines weren’t among my favorites of my trip to the region, the hospitality at Delfino was the best of the best. I highly recommend this winery as a jumping off point if you are in the Roseburg area and want to get your feet wet sampling Oregon wines in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
Oh: and make sure you ask Jim and Terri the origin of their dolphin-themed wine label.
-
I visited Oregon’s Hillcrest Winery with a group of wine writers and we were given a complimentary tasting and tour. There’s so much to love about the experience at this winery, but the wines were just not to my palate at all. I’m not sure if any of these wines would appeal to many people, but they do actually sell them to consumers so that means somebody enjoys them. For me, it was a no-go as far as the wines are concerned.
I should’ve known we were in trouble when our host said that “it’s the flaws that make wine interesting.” I wouldn’t say flaws make wine “interesting,” especially here. The wines I was poured ranged from slightly undrinkable to something I wouldn’t consume if I was dying of thirst. I know that sounds harsh, but it is what it is. It was unanimous among the 20 of us in the group that the rose was horrible. As a wine lover and writer, I hate to use that word, but it fits here.
Hillcrest is known for their Pinot Noir, but the one I was poured was forgettable. I supposed it would be something to purchase to have in your cellar “just because,” but I did not enjoy anything about this wine.
The Malbec fared a bit better, with a beautiful dark, almost purple color. The nose was the best of the bunch, but the extremely high tannins made the wine far too coarse to be enjoyed. Even food wouldn’t calm down this rough around the edges wine.
The historic winery (the oldest estate winery in Oregon) is beautiful for photo ops, they have an adorable winery dog, and the dry farming techniques are to be applauded. All of these things make Hillcrest worth a visit, but lower your expectations for what’s in the bottle. Their wine was the worst I had in the Umpqua Valley.
-
At the Wine Media Conference, my pre-conference group was hosted at Melrose Vineyards for a luncheon and tasting, and I enjoyed everything about this winery. Melrose Vineyards is located near the South Umpqua River in the Central Umpqua Valley and the owner (and all-around down-to-Earth farmer) Wayne Parker is a real gem. He planted the original vineyard here in 1996 and in a few years, began selling his fruit to other wineries. Soon, Wayne decided to start his own boutique winery. Today, that tasting room sits in a photogenic barn that’s a century old.
The 120 year old renovated barn / tasting room. The tasting room is part wine sampling station, part gift shop. If you’re looking for wine-themed chotchkes or a souvenir to carry back home, this is your place. From necklaces to magnets to gourmet food items to t-shirts, the boutique at Melrose has what you’re looking for. I had a ton of fun browsing the various knick-knacks for sale. There’s a large tasting bar and a small outdoor balcony with a couple of tables and stunning views of the landscape. I would recommend trying to snag one of the outdoor tables if you’re here for a tasting but if they are full, at least step outside to snap a few photos.
Funny magnet for sale in the Melrose boutique shop. My group was served a light and bright lunch from the winery’s chef, who also helps cater group events. We were served a portion of vegetable lasagna with a small salad and garlic bread. The food was all vegan (even made with fake “cashew cheese”) and while I was skeptical, it did taste good and was made with farm-fresh ingredients.
Vegan lasagna lunch from the winery’s chef. Due to Wayne’s outrageous hospitality, he literally poured anything any of us wanted. Yes, anything. I finally stopped at a dozen wines, although I wanted to try it all. I kept asking Wayne what I should try next, and he didn’t steer me wrong. Out of the wines I tried, there were a couple that I found to meet or exceed my expectations.
Wayne is one of a kind. The first was the Parker’s Pinot Noir (priced at $45, this was the most expensive wine for sale). This wine had a long finish and slightly harsh tannins that probably need a few more months to a year to calm down. But the structure and flavor of this wine was very good.
Lee (who is wonderful) cheerfully pouring wine. On the opposite spectrum, the $18 Two Dog Red was a fantastic poolside sipper. This blush wine is bright pink with an adorable, eye-catching label that was created by an artist from Hawaii. You may be drawn in by the gimmicky name and cartoon label, but this is a crowd-pleasing wine with crisp, slightly sweet pineapple and cherry fruit notes. This is a wine that even your friend who swears she “doesn’t like wine” will not only be able to drink, but will likely love.
Affordable and easy to sip Two Dog Red ($18). For those seeking a white that’s a little bit different, try the Pinot Gris ($20). With its pale straw color and melon-heavy nose, this wine is also interesting enough to recommend.
It’s worth mentioning that there’s something wine-wise here that will fit into almost everyone’s budget. The wines are very fairly priced, with the most expensive bottle topping out just below $50.
To me, Melrose offers a real Oregon experience. From the extensive porfolio of myriad varietals to the renovated old barn, it doesn’t get much better. And if you get the chance to chat with Wayne, take it.
-
It’s my third time attending the annual Wine Media Conference, but my first time participating in a pre-Conference excursion. Today began my adventure to the Umpqua Valley. A fantastic group of fellow wine writers, podcasters, and bloggers (all of us with huge personalities) met up at the Hampton Inn in Roseburg, Oregon this afternoon. Tonight was the welcome dinner, an informal get together at one of the city’s finest restaurants: True Kitchen + Bar.
On the bus with Swing from the Vines. We were driven to the restaurant in a private van owned by Swing from the Vines, and welcomed with open arms by owners (and guides) Dawn and Rudy. Their company handles all the wine tourism needs that visitors may have, where you can enjoy the wine and not worry about the driving! Learn more about Swing from the Vines here.
True Kitchen + Bar knocked my socks off the second we arrived. The interior is dimly lit with wall-hung candles, and elegant yet casual. It’s an inviting vibe that takes a lot of skill to balance so well. Our group was shown to a private back room that was so chic and comfortable.
Gorgeous private dining room. The menu at the restaurant was very eclectic, with unusual combinations of ingredients. I was drawn to the Southwest Salad and the Miso-Ginger Halibut, so I ordered both. One thing I loved a lot about the menu is that the dishes were presented exactly as described. No missing ingredients, no surprise ingredients. Kudos to the kitchen staff for this.
The Southwest Salad at True Kitchen + Bar. The Southwest Salad ($12) was a knockout. Chopped romaine with a tangy white cheddar cheese, crispy and smoky bacon pieces, a sweet corn salsa, cherry tomatoes, and spicy pepitas made for a magic culinary combination. On top was a large, ripe avocado half as well as crispy onion straws. The dressing was a poblano vinaigrette, and it was so good. I loved this salad.
The halibut at True Kitchen + Bar. My Halibut dinner was one of the more interesting dishes I’ve had in a long, long time. My fish was cooked perfectly, so flaky and delicate. It could’ve used a touch more salt, but the miso-giner buerre blanc and black bean garlic peanut sauce made up for a lack of basic seasoning. It sounds like those sauces wouldn’t mesh well, but they went together perfectly. So unusual, but so, so tasty. The top of the fish had a small garnish of zucchini noodles (I could’ve eaten an entire bowl of those, they were so good). Not watery at all. The snap peas tasted like they were blistered in the garlic sauce, and they were a lovely combination when paired with the jasmine rice. The rice had been “pan fried,” with crunchy, crispy bits. Such a joy to eat. The best treat were the two small shrimp wontons that filled the bowl. All of the flavors and textures came together in an interesting, delicious way. This is a dish I can’t wait to eat again, and I would highly recommend it to adventurous foodies.
I am a big eater, and I found the portion sizes to be quite large. It was welcome after a long day of driving through the Oregon wilderness (and having nothing to eat but snacks from my cooler: cheese and nuts). The prices are in line with the portion sizes.
So many delicious wines. Over the course of the evening, seven different wines were poured, both whites and reds. Some of the highlights were the Spangler Vineyards Sangiovese, The Anonymous red, 35th Leaf Edition Baco Noir (my first time ever trying the varietal, and I think I’m in love), Oregon Territory Pinot Noir, Brandborg Sauvignon Blanc (after a slight mix-up with a corked bottle, this wine showed beautifully when a new one was popped), Cooper Ridge Cuvee, and the overwhelming favorite of the group: the Abacela Albarino (also from Oregon). The wines were most impressive, and I was thrilled to be able to revisit the Abacela with my meal, which proved to be the perfect seafood pairing.
If this was the first night of the pre-Conference, I can’t wait to see what’s in store. This year is starting on the highest of the high notes for sure.
-
Exciting news for wine writers everywhere: the 13th annual Wine Media Conference (WMC) will be going on as scheduled next month in Eugene, Oregon. The Grape Geeks will have writers in attendance, so be sure to check our Twitter feed and this website for up-to-the-minute information.
Each year, the WMC attracts wine bloggers, traditional wine media, social media influencers, and wine industry members who communicate with them. These attendees are key members of the wine industry. They are not only passionate about wine – they are energized by communicating to their audiences about wine, wineries, and the people that make up the wine industry. This communication via blogs, industry magazines, social media, apps, and industry websites produces an ever-growing spiral of viral conversations.
Want to read more? Check out the Wine Media Conference.
-
Torrential rains pelted Northern Europe last week, causing horrible flooding that has devastated parts of Germany. Belgium and the Netherlands also suffered damage from rainstorms. The vast amount of rainwater caused rivers to overflow, sending water surges into small villages in the affected areas. The impact to wine regions in Germany is not yet known, but it appears to be extensive. Read more.
-
As leisure travel is bouncing back to pre-pandemic levels, business travel is not. That means great news for wineries in tourism areas, but not-so-great news for fine wine companies who depend on carte blanche expense accounts for big sales. The North Bay Business Journal explores this topic in their new issue. Read more.
The Grape Geeks 