EAT BEAT

DAY TRIPPER

Day Tripper: Wine Country Wonders

It’s possible to squeeze a relaxing vacation into a single day when Oregon’s thriving vineyards are less than an hour away from the city.

Posted by: Allison Jones on May 13, 2011 at 02:00PM 4 Comments

As the days get longer and the sun get a little less shy, we’re entering prime time for day trips throughout Oregon. May is the ideal time to take a weekend drive through Willamette Valley wine country, as last year’s vintages are being bottled and sipped for the first time, winemakers are celebrating Spring’s rebirth of the vines, and the scenic landscapes are coming to life after a long winter. Pop a CD into the car stereo, spend a leisurely day driving and sipping your way through Oregon’s best wine, enjoy a world-class meal, and be home before you can say “Cork it.”

Where to go: The winding highways between Newberg, Carlton, and Dundee are dotted with dozens of vineyards with weekend tasting room hours. Just 45 minutes from Portland, you’ll find yourself amidst rolling hills, classic red barns, and picturesque tasting rooms with views of the valley.

How to get there: From Portland, take 99W to Newberg, or take a few extra minutes for the scenic route. From Newberg, take Highway 240 towards Carlton, a scenic highway that will take you past several fantastic wineries.

Start Your Engines: Once you enter Newberg, fill up for your day of wine tasting with some of the best tacos in Oregon. Pastorcillos Tacos, a family-owned cart in downtown Newberg at the corner of Main and First, serves up sizzling tacos al pastor that will start your mini-vacation on the right foot. With homemade salsas that you’ll want to take home in a Big Gulp cup and just enough spice, Pastorcillos Tacos are as much a draw as the vineyards that surround the city.

Where to sip: After lunch, spend a few hours hopping from winery to winery and taking in the pastoral vistas. While you’re in Newberg, stop into Anam Cara’s tasting room for some truly excellent Riesling, then hit the road towards Carlton. Stop into Adelsheim VIneyards, Anne Amie Vineyards, and ArborBrook Vineyards for great views and serene sips.

In Carlton, check out Scott Paul Wines and Soléna Cellars tasting rooms for a casual lesson in Oregon wine from some true Pinot Noir experts. After an afternoon of wine, head back to Newberg for dinner.

Wind Down in Style: Located in a restored Victorian home in the heart of Newberg, the Painted Lady serves up a winning combination of traditional and modern to cap off a long day of wine tasting. A four-course tasting menu from talented husband-and-wife team Allen Routt and Jessica Bagley is like a spa treatment for your mouth; a relaxing tour through the best of regional produce, meats, and seafood. For a more casual experience, the Painted Lady team will be christening their new outdoor pizza oven and patio with summertime dinner parties throughout the season. The food is top-notch, and, if you’re up for more, the Oregon-heavy wine list can’t be beat.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Wine, Food Find, wine country, Day Tripper

ON THE SCENE

IPNC Walks it Out

The International Pinot Noir Celebration brought the area’s top sips to Portland’s Central Eastside restaurants to kick off the sunny season.

Posted by: Allison Jones on May 02, 2011 at 01:00PM 1 Comments

The good people behind Oregon wine country’s annual International Pinot Noir Celebration sure made the most of yesterday’s glimpse of summer. The IPNC Pinot Walkabout brought out over a hundred Portland wine lovers for a Central Eastside food and drink relay race – fifteen of the area’s top Pinot pourers were paired with nibbles from Beaker & Flask, Noble Rot, and Simpatica Dining Hall. Tasters were encouraged to stroll between the neighborhood restaurants, and some of the area’s big names in wine and food were seen sipping their way through the afternoon. Check out our photos of the fun below!

If you missed the Walkabout, there are still tickets available for Passport to Pinot on Sunday, July 31. All 70 participating IPNC wineries will pour for Oregon’s largest outdoor wine tasting, and fifteen of the northwest’s top chefs will offer up summery pairings. This year’s Passport to Pinot chefs include Genoa’s David Anderson, Bar Avignon’s Jeremy Eckel, Ken’s Artisan Bakery’s Ken Forkish, June’s Greg Perrault, and many more. For ticket information, head over to the IPNC website.

Beaker & Flask’s bar hosted Adelsheim Vineyard, Amity Vineyards, Archery Summit, Bethel Heights Vineyard, and Erath wines. The event was a casual opportunity for wine lovers to get the inside scoop behind their favorite wines.

Beaker & Flask chef Benjamin Bettinger prepared plenty of treats for the afternoon’s revelers – saving time to try the wines for himself. Highlights included the smoked bone marrow and green garlic crostini and crispy pig ear snacks.

As the temperatures climbed and walkers worked up a sweat, Bethel Heights Vineyard’s 2009 Pinot Noir Rosé was a definite hit among the offerings at Beaker & Flask.

Simpatica hosted Rex Hill (that’s Mike Willison and Bill Hatcher of Rex Hill above), Sokol Blosser, Soléna Estate, Stoller Vineyards, and Yamhill Valley Vineyards wines.

Tasters received their own wine glass at every stop and were given 45 minutes to make their way around the room. After chatting and sipping through five wines at every stop, attendees were guided to the next location.

Noble Rot’s wine bar reputation and gorgeous views made it a natural stop on the tour. The rooftop restaurant hosted Elk Cove Vineyards, The Eyrie Vineyards, Lemelson Vineyards, Ponzi Vineyards, and R. Stuart & Co. wines.

Nobel Rot easily made the most of the sunny day, with expansive views of the Willamette River, downtown Portland, and the West Hills adding to the beauty of the afternoon.

PDX Pedicabs were on call to bring wine lovers from Point A to Point B. The Central Eastside tourism board should look into making these free all the time – or at least on gorgeous sunny Sundays!

All Images © Allison E. Jones

Add a Comment »

Tags: Southeast Portland, Southeast Dining, Wine, Eastside Dining, wine country, Food Event

Interview

5 questions for: wine country wizard ERIC BECHARD

Thistle’s dashing defender of local pigs dishes about the upcoming Community Plate and other places to eat good in his neighborhood.

Posted by: Anna Sachse on Jan 14, 2011 at 09:30AM 0 Comments

Eric Bechard, commander-in-chef of wine country’s classy Thistle, will be opening a new establishment in McMinnville this February. Sporting a more casual, everybody-knows-your-name vibe, Community Plate will cater to the area’s indigenous populace—cellar rats, tasting room kids, wine makers, Linfield College students, restaurant industry folk, and neighborhood peeps. Well, and any out-of-towners who want to drive over and appreciate the cornucopia of native food and drink that spilleth over in Oregon’s wine country.

According to the 32-year-old restaurateur, his new venture’s cuisine will be an extension of the philosophies that guide Thistle, namely a fierce passion for cooking with meat, fish, cheese, and produce that is only a hop, skip, or short drive from its origins.

The Morning Menu (8-11:30am) will feature Stumptown coffee and treats like baked eggs and house-made scones, croissants, and breakfast breads. For Lunch (11:30am-4pm), expect seasonal salads, soups, and sandwiches, as well as a Ploughmans plate and small bites such as deviled eggs and spiced filberts. At Dinner (5-10pm) you can select a protein like roast chicken, meatloaf, or rockfish to pair with sides like mashed potatoes, collard greens, and spring peas. And it’s all served in airy, refurbished 120-year-old historic building in Old Town (3rd Street) with antique industrial décor, communal tables, and an open kitchen, natch.

We caught up with the busy Bechard and asked for an insider’s POV on Community Plate and the region he holds so dear.

1) With one successful wine country restaurant already under your belt, why this style of restaurant in this location right now?

Because it doesn’t exist. Made up of many communities, wine country is not just a tourist destination. The locals want something that can offer the quality of a “wine country restaurant” without the price tag—a casual neighborhood eatery that appeals to everyone who calls the Willamette Valley home.

2) You refer to the menu as “Old School Cookery”—what exactly does that mean?

Classic Americana, pork chops and applesauce, the dishes and foods our grandmothers made for us as children. The twists will be in the techniques and ingredients, making these dishes new and exciting while at the same time familiar.

3) If someone was going to eat breakfast, lunch AND dinner at Community Plate in one day, what eats are too awesome to be missed?

Start with an espresso and a bowl of steel-cut oats with buckwheat honey and dried figs. Midday, get the thick-cut bacon and soft-boiled egg sandwich with a cup of green tomato soup. To end the day, have the burger (1/3 pound ground chuck, horseradish mayo, caramelized onions, white cheddar, and arugula) and house-cut fries or roast chicken with baked mac and cheese and vinegary greens. Either way, finish with a slice of huckleberry pie and loose cream.

4) Who do you look to for culinary inspiration?

I am inspired by farmers, winemakers, and chefs who are passionate about their craft. Farm: Kullas (Oakhill Organics), Mike (Gaining Ground Farm), Mckibbons (McK Ranch), and Judy (Slow Food Yamhill County). Wine Industry: Tad (Ransom Wines & Spirits), The Myers (Vinetenders), and Remy (Remy Wines). Chefs: Matt Lightner (Castagna) and Ben Meyer (Grain & Gristle). Individuals who are striving to make their culinary scene and community more interesting and diverse get me excited to be part of this field.

5) What are some other wine country restaurants you’re loving right now?

The Blue Goat in Amity (amazing vegetarian empanadas), El Paraiso Taco Truck (the beef tongue and goat torta is happiness on a bun), and Kame—the udon noodle soup with a poached egg is Japanese comfort food.

Community Plate hours: Tues & Wed, 8am-4pm, Thurs-Mon, 8am-10pm.

Add a Comment »

Tags: Restaurant Openings, Interview, 5 questions, wine country