Abbelone 2017 Pinot Gris

I am sipping a Pinot Gris this evening while I paint and think of things to write about. When I am grabbing a bottle to take up to the studio I usually pay a lot of attention to what I grab, but tonight I just reach into the cellar and grabbed what hit my hand. I opened it and poured a sip into my glass. The colour told me it was a Pinot Noir Blanc with to much skin contact, but no! It is a Pinot Gris WITH skin contact! 
Though it was not left on skin long enough to be considered an Orange Wine, it has some of the characteristics. The longer skin contact imparts the slight tannins that give the wine a little more depth and mouthfeel.
 I am working on a 24x48 canvas tonight and trying to stretch myself a bit but this wine is helping me decide what is next.
This is one of my all-time favourites for a Pinot Gris. Abbelone Vineyards 2017 Pinot Gris.

"World Eater" 24x48 oil and wax. First layer

First layers of oil and wax on what MAY become a painting. I set up challenges for myself and this is a challenge.

Good thing I have a lovely pale companion to assist.

MarshAnne Landing Presents Cellist Kathryn Brunhaver in Concert

MarshAnne Landing

Presents

Cellist Kathryn Brunhaver in Concert

Monday, April 29, 2019, 7:00 PM

Cellist Kathryn Brunhaver returns to MarshAnne Landing accompanied by pianist Grant Mack.  Brunhaver received her BA at Peabody and Doctorate in Cello Performance at the University of Oregon.  Her performance resume includes positions with Eugene Symphony, and guest performances with Oregon Bach Festival, Rogue Valley Symphony, Chamber Music Amici, and numerous other regional ensembles.  Grant Mack received a BA in piano performance at the University of Puget Sound, Masters at the University of Hawaii, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Collaborative Piano at the University of Oregon.  Their program will feature the following works:

           

Cello Sonata #2 in G minor, Op. 5                               Ludwig van Beethoven

Cello Sonata in G minor, Op. 19                                  Sergei Rachmaninoff

                                                Intermission

Cello Sonata in D minor                                              Frank Bridge

Introduction and Polonaise in C major, Op. 3             Frederic Chopin

Limited Seating, Admission $50 includes abundant appetizers.  541-459-7998

49th Annual Greatest of the Grape

The Umpqua Valley Winegrowers Association will be hosting the 49th Annual Greatest of the Grape on April 13, 2019 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. This is the oldest wine and food pairing event in Oregon. The event began 49 years ago when Richard Sommers initiated the idea at the Umpqua Hotel in downtown Roseburg.

Now, 49 years later the event has grown to a grand celebration of 28 wineries all from the Umpqua Valley plus tasty samples from local restaurants and caterers alike. It is an opportunity for them to showcase their finest wines and food pairings.

The popular local band Flashback will be present to provide the music for listening pleasure and dancing. There will be a silent auction for browsing, featuring gifts with local wine and so much more.

The Wheel of Wine event is provided to attendees to enter for a chance to win a special bottle of wine by spinning the wheel for $20.00 a spin. All proceeds from the Wheel of Wine goes to the Southern Oregon Wine Institute scholarship program. 

Tickets are on sale on the website www.umpquavalleywineries.org on the event link. You may also purchase tickets locally at Abacela or Melrose tasting room. There is a choice of two entry times: VIP tickets are for early entry at 6:00 p.m. at $125.00 per person. Ticket sales are limited in order to have less number of people for the first hour. The general entry time is at 7:00 p.m. and tickets are $90.00 per person. All attendees will receive a complimentary wine glass. The event concludes at 11:00 p.m.

Bus shuttle service will be offered from three local hotels and Seven Feathers Casino Resort. Check the website for details.

Along with the Professional Wine Judges awards, attendees may also vote for their favorite wine and wine and food pairing. Voting will be provided on the UVWA app, so bring your mobile phone with you to the event. Winners will be announced at 9:30 p.m.

Join us for a festive evening celebrating the Greatest of the Grape! 

Friday the 5th at J.Scott

J. Scott Cellars 520 Commercial St., Unit G Eugene, Oregon 97487 541-357-5279 FRIDAY, April 5, 4-9 pm: Celebrate the end of a work week with Friday WineDown here at J. Scott Cellars urban winery in the WestSide Warehouse District! Bring your friends to enjoy delicious wine from our extensive menu along with pizza from Viking Braggot Company. For tonight's entertainment, a tasting room favourite, Scott Austin (5:30-8:30). SATURDAY, April 6, 1-??: A good day to stop by J. Scott Cellars and relax with friends and a bottle of your favourite wine! (Did you hear that Malbec is back in town?) FRIDAY, April 12, 4-9 pm: Join us for Friday WineDown here at J. Scott Cellars! Bring your friends to enjoy delicious wine from our extensive menu along with pizza from Viking Braggot Company. Tonight's music from John Bauman (5:30-8:30). SATURDAY, April 13, 1-9 pm: It's Crew Wine Club Release night! Jeremy Clark Pruitt will entertain from 5:30-8:30 pm while you enjoy a bottle of your favourite J. Scott Cellars wine. Pair it with some of that gourmet pizza from our WestSide Warehouse District neighbours, Viking Braggot Company. WESTSIDE WAREHOUSE DISTRICT SCAVENGER HUNT Saturday, April 20, 4-9 pm April 20th we are answering the question – Where is the Westside Warehouse District? - with a tap and tasting room adventure/scavenger hunt. The 4th Annual Westside Warehouse District Scavenger Hunt will include clue cards that send guests to all five member locations, Claim 52 Brewing, Crescendo Spirits, J. Scott Cellars, Noble Estate Urban and Viking Braggot Company Brewery & Tap Room. Start the scavenger hunt by picking up a clue card and looking for the first clue at any location. Turn in completed clue cards at your final destination for the chance to win a selection of fun prizes.  Joining the tasting/taprooms will be local food trucks and musicians!  Here at J. Scott Cellars, we have the energetic Indie pop sound of Brendan Curran from 5:30-8:30 pm, and delicious food truck fare from Bacon Nation! Complimentary transportation will be available between the five destinations throughout the event. The Westside Warehouse District was formed in 2014 when local breweries Claim 52 Brewing and Viking Braggot Company partnered with award-winning wineries J Scott Cellars and Noble Estate Vineyard and Winery. The group launched the newest wine and beer district in Eugene in March 2014 with the Westside Wine and Beer Loop. The newest member, Crescendo Spirits, joined in 2015. Celebration of Syrah McMenamins Edgefield Winery Grand Syrah Tasting & Benefit Auction Saturday, April 6 J. Scott Cellars will be pouring wine at this annual event in Portland, and there are still a few tickets available! Visit the site above for details and ticket purchase. J. Scott Cellars | 541-357-5279 | www.jscottcellars.com See what's happening on our social sites:  ‌  ‌

2019 Oregon Winery of the Year: Yamhill Valley Vineyards

Another wonderful Oregon Winery gets some well-deserved attention!

MCMINNVILLE, ORE. — There is a history spanning 35 vintages at Yamhill Valley Vineyards, but no year at Yamhill Valley Vineyards has been filled with as many emotions as 2018.

Head winemaker Ariel Eberle and longtime vineyard manager Carlos Escobar celebrated a string of gold, double gold and Platinum medals for founder/owner Denis Burger and his family.

Alas, 2018 also marked the peaceful passing of Stephen Cary, who spent 25 years as the winemaker at Yamhill Valley Vineyards and mentored Eberle for a decade. More from Wine Press Northwest