In pursuit of Northwest Truffles
No longer just an underground treasure, native Northwest truffles—especially in Oregon—are emerging as a gourmet alternative to more expensive Italian fungi.
Oregon Truffle Festival
Hope you had s great time! Jan. 27 through Jan. 29, 2012, in Eugene, Oregon
Southern Oregon Renaissance
The home of Oregon wine sees new growth and attention… Modern Oregon wine began here. In 1961, on a gently sloping plateau northwest of Roseburg,
Ale Aboard
….wearing helmets and toting bottles of water, we steered our bikes down Bend’s brick-paved road in search of Beervana.
The State of Jefferson
Spend any time in southern Oregon and you can’t escape references to the “State of Jefferson”—even on winery websites. In 1941 there was an abortive, but very real, secession movement (inspired by the lack of good roads in the rural area) that aimed to create what then would have been the 49th state—to be named “Jefferson”—from the counties forming southern Oregon from Douglas County, to northern California’s Mendocino County. A Proclamation of Independence was drafted, Yreka was designated the capital, a governor was elected, and the main road was blockaded. But timing was bad. The nascent rebellion came to an immediate stop on December 7, 1941, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor—participants swore allegiance to…
1976 South Block Reserve – The Eyrie Vineyards
By now it is a well worn tale to Oregon wine aficionados: how in 1979 a pinot noir from The Eyrie Vineyards bested all but one red Burgundy in a GaultMillau tasting in Paris, thereby attracting the interest of Robert Drouhin to Oregon and sparking the legitimation of Willamette Valley pinot. What hasn’t been fully appreciated is that the winning wine, vintage 1975 South Block Reserve, was never sold on the open market. Indeed, The Eyrie South Block Reserve wines were made in vintages from 1970 to 2007—but only two vintages were ever released for sale. “The more Dad liked a wine,” explained son Jason Lett, “the more he wouldn’t sell it!” Winemaker, legend, and…
St. Innocent Winery, Oregon
2008 Pinot Noir, Temperance Hill Vineyard, Eola-Amity Hills
Anam Cara Cellars, Oregon
2008 Pinot Noir, Heather’s Vineyard, Nicholas Estate, Chehalem Mountains
Salem dining now in session
The city of Oregon’s political movers and shakers finally has a food scene worth advocating thanks to a group of seasoned chefs trying new approaches and a handful of talented fresh faces rising in the ranks. One of the most exciting additions is chef David Rosales’s La Capitale. Rosales, the son of prominent Mexican restaurateur Pedro Rosales, of La Margarita Co., honed his techie at various restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area, including Chez Panisse in Berkeley, before bringing his passion for french cuisine to a prime corner seat in the city’s historic Pacific Building. Legislators and lobbyists alike come for French staples such as croque monsieur and grilled-to-order bavette steak. The house-ground burger is…
Van Duzer Vineyards, Oregon
2010 Pinot Gris, Estate, Willamette Valley