Wine Tasting in Southern Oregon

Monday, the hubby and I headed down to Southern Oregon for some wine tasting at my parent's recommendation. Unfortunately the one vineyard we were heading down to visit (un-named intentionally) was closed Monday. Instead we visited three other vineyards in the area: Henry's, Melrose Vineyards, and Hillcrest. The local area was home to 18 different wineries all of which shared a multitude marketing endeavors including "Wine Tour" signage, billboards, maps, and matching wine bags for all wine purchases at the various vineyards. The cooperation between these intensely competitive businesses was extraordinary! The vineyards went so far as to call each other when their hours changed as was the case the vineyard we originally sought to visit. They had called around after unexpectedly changing their hours about a week earlier and Henry's tasting room had the info. Anyway . . . on to the wine!

I don't have the luxury of tasting wine for only myself. Every time I taste a new Oregon wine, I am tasting it as a bar manager. On one had I evaluating it by itself: for its own unique qualities and my personal likes and dislikes like every other wine taster. On the other hand, I also have to evaluate it by comparing it to wines already on my list for similarities and price point. If there is nothing outstanding about a wine and its the same price (or more) than a wine already on my wine list, what's the point of adding it unless I have a personal relationship with the vineyard?


HENRY ESTATE WINERY - http://www.henryestate.com/
Expect to see several bottles from Henry's our wine list within the next few weeks. We tried all three Pinot Noirs each with different qualities and tastes and found their lower end Pinot more than comparable to Hinman's Pinot with a similar price point. They also served their own rose blend that - in Marshall's words - we could serve all day. The semi-sweet rose had a bit of a sparkle to it similar to Silvan Ridge's famous Sparkling Muscat. Very easy drinking. Perfect for the summer months.


HILLCREST VINEYARD - www.hillcrestvineyard.com
This small vineyard is Oregon's oldest estate winery and home to many of the states first, including it's first Pinot Noir. It is also the founding member of "Oregon Artisan Family Wineries." These wineries take the boutique winery experience a step further with almost total owner/ family control including the making and harvesting of wine by the family as well as living on site. In this case, it was a husband and wife team. A very small vineyard, they only sell wine out of their tasting room, so we brought back a Pinot Noir and Zinfandel that interested us both. Its quite a boast to say you're drinking a wine from the oldest vines in the state. Loook for these two wines on our wine list with in the next few weeks as well.


MELROSE VINEYARDS - www.melrosevineyards.com

This vineyard was the most picturesque of the three vineyards we visited this day. Behind the renovated barn - now tasting room - you can see fields of vines totaling over 100 acres. They are in the process of planting another 100 acres which will make this one of the largest I have see in Oregon. This vineyard is investing much of its efforts in its wedding facilities including a huge banquet hall, full kitchens, landscaping and arbors. A delightful destination spot. This winery is one of only five vineyards who produce a Baco Noir - a lovely, heavy red wine.


All in all, a wonderful trip despite our initial disappointment. By the third vineyard, we were wined out. How a person could do five, I will never know! All the wines start blending together after three. Done wine tasting, we headed back to Eugene for dinner.

Getting Started

Let me first start by introducing myself and giving you all the 'speal.' (For those of you who already know me, ignore this introduction.) My name is Tabitha Eck (new last name and still feels funny to see it after my name). I am part owner of Our Daily Bread Restaurant located in Veneta, Oregon which I own with my parents. Our restaurant serves all walks of life from the retired folks to wine tasting tourists. Located in a beautifully renovated country church, we have the perfect location in the middle of Southern Willamette Valley wine country as well as the atmosphere, service, and food to become a well-known destination spot for nearby Eugene residents and out-of-town guests as well.

OK! That's enough business for now. I want this blog to be much more than just yet another marketing scheme. This is a way for our guests (and future guests) to get to know us (mostly me) and our business a little bit better - to be a part of the ODB on a new level. The idea first came to me when I was searching out the owner of a local vineyard on the web and was directed to her personal blog. I felt like I got to know her and the vineyard on a more personal level than any profile I could have located. The more I thought about it, the more I saw a way to reach out to our guests.

Though business will always be a large part of the discussions here, family will be equally important. Our restaurant is the definition of a 'family-owned restaurant.' All four of my siblings have worked in the restaurant at one time or another with three of us still working here full-time. Our patriarch, Timothy, if our chef, while our matriarch, Catharine, splits her focus as much as I by taking on the finances and over seeing the bakery as well as the dining room on occassion. It was here that I met my husband, Marshall, whom I married this last December. I married into a ready-made family with a three year old daughter, Harmony, and a five year old son, Shane. These are the first grandkids and we are all enjoying (most of the time) the changes shifts in relationships like these bring to our business.

I think that is a good intro. Hopefully, you know where I am coming from and where I plan on going. I am sure there will times for venting a bit as well as opportunities for an inside look into our small, family business. I'll keep you posted!