Johan Vineyards
by Jodi Kerr
Dag Johan Sundby came to Oregon from Norway because he wanted to make Oregon Pinot Noir. Now he does, and Thanksgiving weekend is an opportunity to come and taste his attention to detail and his dream. The vineyard is Demeter Certified Biodynamic®, which means it is cared for with old world farming practices. “We use no chemicals; we farm with the stages of the moon and the stages of the vines. Special preparations are made. It is time consuming but we are very involved in the vineyard,” said Stacy McGinnis, direct sales manager. “We punch down with our feet just to keep the gentleness and the quality there. Of course our feet are sterilized, but it helps to keep the gentleness and the quality there. We are keeping those grapes as natural as they can be,” said McGinnis. “We have just had a nice harvest and we are ready to celebrate,” said McGinnis. “We are part of the Mid-Valley Wine Trail, and we want people to realize there are quite a few wineries down here.” If visiting a winery where the harvest and the final product all come together because of one team appeals to you, come Thanksgiving weekend and take a peek. The small winery only produces 2,000 cases per year. “It has its advantages. All of our fruit is estate grown and we are very connected to our product.” From November 25th through 27th taste the new release of 2009 Tasting Room Pinot Noir, 2009 Reserve Chardonnay, as well as a library tasting of 2007 Pinot Noir, Three Barrel. Enjoy light snacks, live music and mulled cider for designated drivers. Fee: $10 includes logo glass; $5 without glass, both fees refunded with bottle purchase. Johan Vineyards johanvineyards.com 4285 N. Pacific Hwy. (99W), Rickreall 866-379-6029
Ankeny Vineyard Nothing says “holiday” like a wood-fired pizza. From November 26th to 28th Ankeny Vineyard will be debuting its first Thanksgiving pie, pizza pie from a wood oven that is. For $10 you can take advantage of a full wine tasting experience, pizza buffet, and peruse around the Thanksgiving-only wine sale. The festivities run 11 a.m – 5p.m. The pizza oven has been a new addition since June, put together with a kit and some custom touches. “We thought it was perfect to get it going for Thanksgiving for people who wanted something different,” says winemaker Andy Thomas. Take a drive out Thanksgiving weekend. Of course the real reason to visit Ankeny is because of the wine. “All of our wines are made here on the premises,” said Thomas. “I like the Pinot Noir, because it is distinctive and delicious.” The weekend will give opportunity to taste about ten different wines on the Ankeny list, including a red, a white, a rosé and a dessert wine. “We have a Maréchal Foch that is a deep rich red. It goes great with pizza,” said Thomas.
Grape sorting during the 2011 harvest at Illahe Vineyards in Dallas.
Salem Arcane Cellars 22350 Magness Road NW, Salem 503-868-7076, arcanecellars.com Award-winning wines and new releases to be tasted, including Pinot Noirs, Pinot Gris, Pinot Gris Rosé. Pinot Noir Rosé, Syrah, Pinot Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla Merlot, and Riesling. Located in a beautiful setting along the Willamette River, just west of the Wheatland Ferry. $10, Sat-Sun, 12-4. Bethel Heights Vineyard 6060 Bethel Heights Road NW, Salem 503-581-2262, bethelheights.com Tasting includes the 2008 Casteel Reserve, grand finale of a great vintage, plus newly released 2009 Pinots and a 94-point Chardonnay. 17-percent case discount on all wines, 10 percent on half cases. $5, Fri-Sun, 11-5. Bryn Mawr VIneyards 5955 Bethel Heights Road NW, Salem 503-581-4286, brynmawrvineyards.com Taste through featured current and prerelease wines, alongside a selection of locally crafted cheeses. $5, Sat-Sun, 11-5. Cristom Vineyards 6905 Spring Valley Road NW, Salem 503-375-3068, cristomwines.com Taste through their lineup of 2008 single-vineyard wines, and see why these wines are consistently rated
Ankeny Vineyard ankenyvineyard.com 2565 Riverside Road S., Salem 503-378-1498
$10 tasting fee refunded with wine purchase of $100. Tasting through our stellar lineup of 2008 wines.
6905 Spring Valley Road NW, Salem 503-375-3068 cristomwines.com
among the very best in Oregon. Library wines will also be available for sale. $10 waived with $100 purchase, Sat-Sun, 10-4. Cubanisimo Vineyards 1754 Best Road NW, Salem 503-588-1763, cubanisimovineyards. com Cubanisimo will be hosting wine tasting, new releases, live music and Cuban-style tapas. $10; club members free, Fri-Sun, 12-5. Evening Land 572 Patterson Street NW, Ste. 101, Salem 503-395-2520, eveninglandvineyards. com A harvest tasting at a brand-new winery in West Salem. Come taste their ‘09 Estate wines from Seven Springs Vineyard and newly released ‘10 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Simple food, bread and some beautiful wines. $10, Sat-Sun, 11-3. Honeywood Winery 1350 Hines Street SE, Salem 503-362-4111, honeywoodwinery.com Oregon’s oldest winery is offering a tasting selected from over 50 different wines, from dry to sweet, along with appetizers., Take a look at holiday gift packs on display or browse gift shop full of Oregon food products and gifts. Fri-Sun, 11-6.
Kathken Vineyards 5739 Orchard Heights Road NW, Salem 503-316-3911, kathkenvineyards.com Thanksgiving Weekend open house with tasting in the yurt at the top of the vineyard if weather allows. $8, Fri-Sat, 11-5; Sun 12-4. Orchard Heights Winery 6057 Orchard Heights Rd. NW, Salem 503-391-7301, ex. 5200, orchardheightswinery.com Annual open house includes awardwinning wines, light appetizers and conversation with friendly and knowledgeable staff. $5, Fri-Sat, 11-5; Sun 9-5. Pudding River Wine Cellars 9374 Sunnyview Road NE, Salem 503-365-0391, puddingriver.com Thanksgiving Weekend Open House includes new release wine tasting and light hors d’oeuvres. Fri-Sun, 11-5. Redhawk Vineyard & Winery 2995 Michigan City Avenue NW, Salem 503-362-1596, redhawkwine.com “Before & After” Thanksgiving Festival features wine tasting, delicious food and live music. New releases include 2010 Redhawk Red and 2010 Syrah. $15 includes logo glass and food, Fri-Sun, 11-5.
Salem Weekly Nov 17-Nov 30, 2011 • page 7
open from 11am until 4pm Saturday and Sunday only
VINE
Thanksgiving