In early January of 2005 BrooklynLady and I visited the Willamette Valley in Oregon. We spent a few days visiting wineries and tasting rooms, trying various restaurants, driving around, generally enjoying ourselves in the Pacific Northwest. would be so much more directed in my visits and tastings this time. MORE >>

If you're interested in Oregon wine you probably know by now that Shea 's crop of 2004 wines received high praise and high scores from Wine Spadvocator. Normally those kind of reviews don't particularly interest me (I normally am not aware of them, more to the point), but this time I am quite curious to taste for myself. MORE >>

Some Willamette Valley Oregon Pinots, for example, reflect the low concentration and thin flavor profiles that come with reduced sunlight and heat in August. Following are my recent experiences tasting two Pinots from 2001, both wines from producers I trust, and in one case, from a vineyard I trust. Same thing in Burgundy. MORE >>

He convinced the owner to put Eyrie Willamette Valley Pinot Noir on the wine list, and this was my first experience with Oregon wine. 2004 was a tough year to make wine in the Willamette Valley. Is this specific to 2004? Too soon to tell, but I keep my hopes up until I taste more of the wines from 04. MORE >>

You may already be familiar with St Innocent, wine maker Mark Vlossak's wonderful winery in Salem, Oregon - the Willamette Valley. Anyway, why would I open one of the only bottles I have of the highly touted 2004 St Innocent Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard, at this early date in its life? Completely rocks! MORE >>