As some of you may know, I am out in Oregon this week on a press trip. For some crazy reason, I thought I would be able to write and at least publish a few of the articles that have been waiting for a while in the queue.
Wrong.
The week thus far has been jam-packed with events that have kept us busy (and tasting) from sun-up well into the evening. I hope to be back at the keyboard next week catching up on a few dozen articles.
With the risk of going the rest of the week without publishing anything, I decided to throw a few photographs out there from our first few days in the Southern part of the state.
We started just a few miles north of the California border in Ashland with Michael Donovan of Irvine Vineyards giving us an overview of the Southern Oregon, and serving a few tasty wines from the Rogue Valley.
We continued with a bit of stellar Pinot from Weisinger Family Winery.
Southern Oregon is a stunning contrast between the arid, pine dotted hills and the lush vineyards.
Lacking my bike, I have resorted to running, here crossing the Rogue River in Grant’s Pass.
We have been eating well, including fresh pizza at Dancin Vineyards.
Oregon is not only Pinot! Pat Spangler, for instance, makes one of the better Bordeaux Blends I have had in a while.
Abacela Winery produces at least a dozen different Iberian varietal wines, and the property is stunning.
Steve Hall, of Troon Vineyard in Grant’s Pass, brought up a couple of bottles of his Tannat and Malbec/Tannat blend that were simply stellar.
Before we left Southern Oregon for the Willamette Valley, we had dinner with a few more winemakers including Herb Quady of Quady North.
the drunken cyclist 
Foris is one of my favorite Rogue Valley wineries. They specialize in Alsatian-style whites under $20, but also make Pinot Noir and others wines. I haven’t tried any of the others that you tasted. Good to add to my list to try.
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And very nice people to boot! It was great chatting with them….
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Somebody in Oregon grows Tannat? Interesting.
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Indeed we do at Troon Vineyard. We do both a varietal and a co-ferment with Malbec. The naturally soft tannins of the Applegate Valley are perfect with a variety like Tannat.
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Very impressive wines, Craig!
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Yes, and I have to say, the wines are stellar! I was impressed with the 2013s, but the 2014s that we tasted from barrel samples might even be better!
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Did you get to try any wines from Cowhorn?
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Hi Jameson – I too am a fan of Cowhorn. I hope you can soon taste our new wines at Troon Vineyard. Indiginous yeasts and creative co-ferments define our winemaking now. Our vineyard is now LIVE certified and we look forward to taking it to the next level.
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I think you already have Craig!
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Unfortunately, no. They were solidly booked the days we were there.
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I love southern Oregon! Can’t wait to see your write ups Jeff!
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Hopefully, I will be able to get them up soon–a few ahead of them, though!
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Love Oregon and the wine. On my bucket list is a wine tasting tour of Oregon.
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Really beautiful part of the country!
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You’ve been eating well?! Welcome to Oregon 🙂
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I am going to need to take a break from food of any kind for about a year.
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Once again you remind us of why I am such an Oregon wine fan
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There are so many reasons! The trip through Southern Oregon was wonderful!
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It’s a tough life but someone has to do it
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Yeah. The trips are fun, but now I need to write about it!
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Looking forward to your Willamette Valley postings!
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Me too! (Got to get to work…)
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Just gorgeous! Can’t wait to read more!
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Hopefully soon!
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Hi Jeff! Wish you could have visited us at Troon Vineyard in the Applegate Valley. We don’t have those arid hills, but are surrounded by the lush mountains of the Siskiyou Range. Our valley leads to the ocean so we have cooling afternoon breezes and at this altitude have snow still in sight during bud break. The Applegate Valley is quite distinct from the rest of the Rogue Valley.
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Really wanted to as well, but we were pretty strapped for time!
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