On the Road Again!

The life of a wine explorer requires me to take as many wine adventures as possible. Fate has provided such an opportunity and here I am in McMinnville, OR dialed into the wifi at the Hotel Oregon.

So here is a live report from the Umpqua Wineau. The first thing that strikes me is the amount of wine options: more vines, more wineries, more wine bars, and of course more people. Not anywhere near the Napa or Sonoma level, but at the four wineries I've visited so far, the flow was steady.

Back home it's a Catch 22, we want more people but you pay a price. I didn't see hide nor hair of a winemaker in sight. I suppose with harvest around the corner and all, yet it sure is a glorious privilage to have many of our winemakers on hand to talk wine. Most of the tasting room staff were friendly but none had visited the Umpqua Valley! One fellow had been to Steamboat recently for a winemakers dinner. When I asked him which winery, he rattled off a couple Willamette Valley wineries!! Imagine!

Well, you'd be proud of me. I tried their Pinot Noirs with an open mind. I finally found one I think is worth the trip at Torii Mor Vineyard and Winery. Just outside Dundee the setting is remote and peaceful. I'd say the mood was reflected in the wine. A place to linger over a bottle with friends.

There's plenty of pomp and circumstance around here, but with a good map and a gypsy spirit, you will find some little gems off the main road and bus tour stops. I don't think it would take much prodding to get Diane and I to offer an overnight tour to McMinnville and beyond.