Here we are, the first of September. I am on the back deck writing with a hoodie on. Fall is coming pretty darn quickly. Harvest is already in motion for many wineries, especially those making Sparkling. Speaking of Sparkling, do you remember the rumor I started about Hazelfern doing a Sparkling? Well, sometimes rumors come true. I noticed this week that Hazelfern announced they were picking for Sparkling. Now we only wait 3-5 years!

I must admit I have missed not typing some crazy, long, rambling openings the past few weeks. I am still getting used to this whole monthly newsletter process myself. Let’s catch up, shall we?

Wine Enthusiast lists the best Willamette Valley Wineries. There’s even a shout from some A.J. Weinzettel guy talking about Dion Vineyards.

Wine Enthusiast also published its list of Future 40 tastemakers. Dave and Lois Cho of CHO Wines were mentioned along with Michael McNally of Fairsing.

Seven Fifty Daily also highlighted Dave and Lois Cho. They are all over the place and taking the wine world by storm!

The Pinot Noir Auction raised $680,900 at the Seventh Annual Trade Auction.

Wine and Spirits listed their top 100 wineries, and of course, there are some Oregon wineries listed.

PDX Monthly published a great piece showcasing Ron, the SOMM, from okta

Want a lovely story about Joseph Drouhin?

Do you remember me telling you about the Neskowin Farm and Feast event many moons ago? Did you go? I only saw a couple of people I knew, which leads me to think you didn’t go. It’s ok, I forgive you. I am here today to fill you in all the details you missed.

Visiting the coast, one is never 100% confident about the weather. On the first of August, I am beyond committed to wearing shorts and flip-flops, but we are discussing the coast here. I noticed on the IG feed for the festival that it was pretty darn foggy, and people were wearing light jackets. Ok, jeans it is for me!

If you have been to Neskowin, you know it is one of those towns where you blink and miss the town while speeding down 101. I almost missed the turn-off for the road directing us to the festival. Once parked, I was super stoked to visit while feeling antsy about time. The event was from 2-5, and there were a LOT of wineries I wanted to talk with.

Here’s the list of wineries that were there:

• Alumbra Cellars
• ARABILIS
• Audeant Wines
• Botaneity
• Burrton Bittman Wine
• Carlton Winemakers Studio
• Carola Wines
• CHO Wines
• Croft Vineyards
• de la boue
• guerrilla wine co.
• Human Cellers Wine
• Lafayette and White Cellars
• Landmass Wines
• LIBERTINE WINES
• Liska Wine Co.
• Lonesome Rock
• Mendivia Wines
• Rue Cler Wine
• Satyr Fire
• Shiba Wichern Cellars
• Trout Lily Ranch
• Zē Wines

Sadly, I was unable to speak with all of them. There were other attractions outside of wineries as well. Oregon Seaweed, Josi Farms, and Odonta were three farms represented. There was also great food from Durant Vineyards, Fat Head BBQ, Jandy, Not Umami's Cooking, Seasmoked Foods, The Schooner Restaurant & Lounge, and Crumble and Glaze.

If that isn’t enough for you, beer, cider and distilleries also showed up (Barsideous Brewing, Pelican Brewing Company, Stray Cider Company, Ewing Young Distillery, JAZ Spirits, Killdeer Distilling, The Aimsir Distilling Company, Westward Whiskey).

Walking into the event, they gave us our glasses for wine and a cedar plank for food.

Walking back to the tents, I was beyond giddy! Everyone was spaced out, and it wasn’t a pour-and-dump setting. If you don’t know what I mean, it’s ok. I have been to events where you go from one table to the next, barely getting to know the people behind the wine. This was the perfect casual setting where you could spend 10-15 minutes talking to the producers. There’s only one problem, I only have 3 hours.

I am not the biggest cider fan, but I have to say Stray Cider was pretty darn tasty! I couldn’t write down much information, so I am going off memory. His ciders were aged and were blends of cider and wine. I found them to be highly unique and enjoyed!

When I see a gorgeous label, I am apprehensive about the wine. When I tried Bryan’s Gamay from Human Cellars, I was pleasantly surprised! We talked for a little bit and come to find out he was part of the Indie Wine Festival over Memorial Day. I got his card and just interviewed him for the podcast on Thursday. I love his philosophy and story. I also have a bottle of his Gamay and extended skin contact Pinot Blanc. Stay tuned to my IG feed for those wines!

One of the food items incorporated "Caught Here" smoked Albacore Tuna. Please let me know if you know how to get your hands on this tuna. It was delicious!!

Something else that was delicious was the 2022 “ennui” Chardonnay from Guerrilla Wine Co. I am a fan of what Michael and Mariel are doing. When I tasted this Chard, I was impressed and could tell there was little oak influence. When I mentioned this to Mariel, she said I was correct and told me all of the details I have now forgotten. I also got a chance to talk with Michael for a bit. I have a verbal agreement to have them on the podcast. We have to nail down a date, and with Harvest being right here, it will get tough. Luckily, I am good for interviews until the end of October. I learned from last year.

Kenny McMahon, a Winemaker at Arabilis, walked around while his wife operated the booth. We chatted for a bit, and this is a winery I am super excited about. Kenny is one heck of an intelligent person while being incredibly friendly and down to earth. If Arabailis isn’t on your list to watch, you must add them!

At this point in the event, an hour has already passed. I haven’t even covered a quarter of the wineries yet.

I caught up with Travis at de la boue. His 2021s are showing quite nicely.

Paul from Satyr Fire was there showing off his wines. I adore the heck out of Paul and what he does. I have not spent enough time with him, but I learned that he draws his own labels for the wines.

While walking around, someone told me I should try the Sauv Blanc from Croft Vineyards, so I did. I had never heard of Croft Vineyards. They started making wine in 1983 and are now a second-generation winery. I enjoyed the sip of their Sauvignon Blanc and have a bottle to dive deeper into very soon!

The event was starting to wrap up. I still had not consumed oysters and hadn’t visited Andrew from Audeant. I had the opportunity to taste a couple of his wines that I always adore the heck out of. I also have to say I am excited for their Fall release happening here very shortly. I opened the 2019 Luminous Hills Pinot for Bryan, winemaker at Human Cellars, as a blind for the podcast. It is drinking spectacularly right now, and you should see Bryan’s thoughts on the wine when the episode drops in late October.

While I was tasting at Audeant, Danny from Lonesome Rock also tasted Andrew’s wines. You probably don’t know Danny, but you will learn more in next month’s newsletter. He is a great guy, and the wine from the Lonesome Rock vineyard is outstanding. Stay tuned for more next month!

To say I enjoyed myself for this event is an understatement. I wished the event started at 11 or 12 and ended at 5. There were so many wineries to explore and so many people to talk with. I barely got a chance to speak with everyone. You don't want to miss this event next year. Go to their website and sign up for the newsletter.

​

With Heartfelt Gratitude,

A.J.

​

Just in case you missed the latest podcast episodes, here they are 🥂

Uncorking Innovation: A Decade of Coravin with Greg Lambrecht ​ ​YouTube​ ​Apple Podcasts​ ​Spotify​

A Conversation with David Paige of David Paige Wines in Oregon's Willamette Valley ​ ​YouTube​ ​Apple Podcasts​ ​Spotify​​

​

​

​

​