Newport Seafood & Wine Fest

Early Saturday morning ,with the sun poking through a layer fog, I was off the Newport to gather wines. I had a list of wineries who had said "yes" to our request and thought one stop shopping would help cut down on hours/days of driving. After slipping my Subaru in to a parking slot 3 inches bigger than the car, I walked to the gate and paid my $20 to get in and get a glass (which I promptly left at the second wine booth). Tastings were $1 and $2 so the cash machine was conveniently out of money. The other one on the other end of the tents had a line of about 40 people so that took 40 minutes. After all that I began my quest for one bottle from them all! It was hard to keep track of all the good wines tasted and most times I just ask them what they liked best and tasted those. Coelho 06 Pinot got a 90 from Wine Spectator and I found out why!
Valley View had their usual great selection and they gave me a 2005 Historic label Merlot signed by the owner, Michael Wisnovsky. I tasted my first Oregon cab there in 1979 and I still remember how surprised I was after living in Germany and drinking European wines for all that time.
I ran in to Heidie and Jack from Joel Palmer House and got to smell Jack's new white truffle oil! Wow! They are donating a dinner and a stay at their new cottage retreat!
Sol et Soleil's 06 Pinot Noir Reserve was rich and subtle with hints of red berry and toasted wheat. Arcane's 07 Pinot Gris was great and I was taken by the intensity of the honey and fruit tastes. Emerson has a 07 Pinot Noir that I called "strange but true". This wine has it all: fruit, toasted oak, earthy richness and floral nose with lots of contradictions that add up to a real treat for the pallet. Springhill 07 Pinot Gris was one of the best Gris I tasted. It has a silky smooth front and back and is as complex as any I tried.
Of the ones I was given Saturday, these won Gold Medals!
Amity Vineyards Willamette Valley 2006 Pinot Noir Estate Single Vyd (left)
Anthony Dell Cellars Rogue Valley 2005 Syrah
Crater Lake Cellars Rogue Valley 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (right)
Emerson Vineyards Willamette Valley 2007 Pinot Noir Avelina
Melrose Vineyards Umpqua Valley 2006 Red Blend "Equinox"
Pheasant Valley Winery Columbia Valley 2005 Syrah
Spindrift Cellars Willamette Valley 2006 Pinot Noir
Volcano Vineyards Rogue Valley 2006 Merlot Fortmiller Vyd

Silver went to
Eola Hills Wine Cellars Oregon 2005 Merlot Reserve (right)
Namaste Vineyards Willamette Valley 2007 Open White "Peace"
Vitis Ridge Willamette Valley 2007 Pinot Gris

Bronze to
Arcane Cellars/Wheatland Winery Willamette Valley 2007 Pinot Gris
Emerson Vineyards Willamette Valley 2007 Chardonnay
Noble Estate Willamette Valley 2008 Muscat RS 4.5
Noble Estate Willamette Valley 2006 Pinot Noir
Seufert Winery Umpqua Valley 2007 Open Red Dolcetto
Viridian Wines Oregon 2006 Pinot Noir

I visited and tasted Arcane Cellars at Wheatland, Emerson Vineyards, River’s Edge Winery,
Paschal Winery and Vineyard, Saginaw Vineyard, Anthony Dell Cellars, Spangler Vineyards, Sol Et Soleil Cellars, David Hill Vineyards, Volcano Vineyards, Pheasant Valley Vineyard & Winery, Misty Oaks Vineyard, LLC, 12 Ranch Wines, Cathedral Ridge Winery, Vitas Ridge – Silverton Cellars, Kristin Hill Winery, Albiqua Wind Vineyard, Cardwell Hill Cellars, LLC, Olsen Family Vineyards/Viridian Wines, Springhill Cellars, Sweet Cheeks Winery, Coleman Vineyards, Amity Vineyards, Eola Hills Wine Cellars, Hauer of the Dauen Inc. Winery, Ribera Vineyards, Coelho Winery of Amity, Trinity Vineyards, Sienna Ridge Wine, Spindrift Cellars, Cooper Mountain Vineyards, Seufert Winery LLC, David Hamilton Winery LLC, Wasson Brothers Winery, Purple Cow Vineyards, Valley View Winery, Silvan Ridge Winery, Noble Estates Vineyard, LLC, Chateau Bianca, Inc., Orchard Heights Winery, Airlie Winery, Chateau Lorane, Crater Lake Cellars, Cliff Creek, Namaste Vineyards, Inc, Melrose Vineyards, Wine by Joe, Nehalem Bay Winery.
After picking up the first 1/2 case I decided I could not haul around a full case in that crowd so I bought this really cool folding basket that fit a case and then some and was strong enough that the handles would stay on. I grabbed the bottle separator out of a case and put in the basket. $25 was well worth it. I went to the car the first time with 14 bottles.

I had stored a few bottles at Palotai and when I stopped back by I was treated to a taste of the 07 Merlot!
I headed out with another case and decided against driving back so soon after $50 dollars of tatse so I stopped at an out of the way Mexican restaurant and had a great meal and plenty of water. I left Newport and after about 30 miles was just too tired to drive. I pulled over and took about 1/2 hour to nap. When I woke up I was greeted with the sight of two cop cars with lights going just down the road and an SUV in the ditch. I think I made the right decision to stop and not take any chances.
I do so love Oregon wines! Every time you get a chance, go out for a taste. It only takes an hour or two to get to any of the wine regions and it is a cheap vacation even if you buy a few bottles at every place you visit.
When we have this auction you will have the chance of getting a LOT of good wine and a few gift certificates so you have to go to the region pick up your wine and taste along the way.