D iscover The taste of the county

From buffalo to barbecue sauce to beer, there are a variety of artisans in Wallowa county to tempt your taste buds

Story and photos by Ann Bloom

Wallowa County is home to more than a dozen artisan food purveyors whose wares range from liquor to cookies, chocolates to beer.

If you are looking for an unusual food item for yourself or a gift for friends and family back home, you need look no further than Wallowa County. Below are just a few of the many artisan food makers located in the county and whose products are available in local stores, at the farmers market or online.

The mother-daughter business known as Rancho Road Bakery, owned by Debi Warnock and Deidre Schreiber, produces cookies, and only cookies, custom-ordered for any occasion you can think of. The cookies come in different sizes and are unique to Wallowa County. Rancho Road Bakery has made cookies for reunions, weddings, baby showers, graduations, and birthday parties. There have also been cookies in the shape of horseshoes, boots, baseballs, shamrocks, pumpkins and hearts.

Warnock says, the business has given her the “opportunity to be part of so many special occasions in the county. It’s neat for them (the people who buy the cookies) to enjoy something that’s unique to our community.” For more information visit the Rancho Road Bakery Facebook page.

If the only choice at Arrowhead Chocolates was between milk or dark chocolate, it would be easy. But there are Habanero lime truffles, peanut butter truffles, espresso truffles, salted caramel truffles, chocolate covered pretzels, and honey lavender truffles, to name just a few. There is even the winner of the 2013 National Good Food Award — the Huckleberry Truffle. Started in 2010, the confectionary, which also sells coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and pastries, is located at 4 S. Matin Street in Joseph. It is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the summer.

Randy Garnett, owner of Randy’s BBQ Sauce, has been making his signature barbecue and mustard sauces since 1988. There is a barbecue sauce for beef and one for chicken and pork. Garnett says he thinks his sauces are special for several reasons. They are all made by hand, and “I think what makes our sauces special is that they are made in small batches,” he said. “You can talk to the person who makes it and has been making it since 1988. We take pride in our sauces and the proof is in the taste.”

The sauces are available at The Dollar Stretcher in Enterprise, and the Sports Corral, Mad Mary’s and Joseph Market Place, all in Joseph. The sauces come with a money-back guarantee.

Stein Distillery, at 604 N. Main St. in Joseph, specializes in aged whiskey. Some of its whiskey is 9 years old. The distillery also makes other spirits, about 16 in all, including bourbon, rum, and vodka. There are also a few cordials to choose from. Assistant distiller Jonny Sanchez said the distillery’s most popular spirit is the 5-year-old straight Bull Bourbon. The bourbon comes in a bottle featuring a bull elk.

He said the distillery has a reputation for “grain to glass.” He explained that most of the grain used in production is grown on a 180-acre parcel of family-owned land on the east moraine outside of Joseph. The water comes from a local aquifer. All the spirits are made on site.

Sanchez said a big attraction of the distillery is that in the tasting room four complementary tastings are offered, and cocktails are made in the summer. The distillery is open seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. He said tours can be arranged, but those interested should call ahead to schedule a tour, usually after 1:30 p.m. Stein’s Distillery’s number is 541432-2009.

Stangel Bison Ranch, with its herd of about 600, offers the Wallowa County community a rare opportunity to try 100% grass-fed bison. Bison is leaner than beef. The ranch offers different cuts including ground, jerky, steaks and roasts, ribs, and bones for stewing. It has been family owned and operated since 1979.

Stangel Bison products are available for purchase at The Dollar Stretcher in Enterprise, Market Place Fresh Foods in Joseph and at the Wallowa County Farmers Market on Saturdays during the market season in Joseph. For more information, call 541-426-4919.

Tammy Jones started Urban Farm Chicks Garden and Cooks with a friend about 13 years ago. The business specializes in granola and spice blends such as mocha java, chili rub and taco seasoning, as well as single herb blends. There is also a cookbook with recipes using the herb and spice blends. She said most of the products are given as gifts to friends and family. The granola and spice blends are made from “good fresh products,” she said. Products can be purchased online through Urban Farm Chicks Garden and Cooks Facebook page.

Terminal Gravity Brewpub and Brewery produces several beers available for purchase locally at Safeway and from the brewpub. It produces hoppy beers such as IPA and pale ales, but also European lagers and American ales. Terminal Gravity beers are distributed across Oregon, Washington, and Western Idaho. It also makes all its salad dressings in-house, two of which —its blue cheese and sesame wasabi ginger — are available for purchase to go.

Terminal Gravity’s brewpub is located at 803 SE School St., Enterprise. It is open for lunch and dinner on Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Hours Monday, Wednesday and Thursday are 2 to 9 p.m. The brewpub is closed Tuesdays.

For more than 25 years it has produced beer with a special connection to Wallowa County. Each can of beer showcases the Wallowa Mountains and proudly proclaims, “Made in Enterprise, Oregon.”