[Amanda]

Please add Amanda + 1 as John wants to join in on this one with us, if possible.

Best regards,

Amanda

[kaetum]

Count me in too. The winery crawl sounds awesome. About how much are we planning per person for the trip?

Kaetum

[Kristi]

The wine crawl is about a month away so we should probably be working out the details. We've decided on the date, October 15th, so now we need to decide which wineries we want to visit. Also, we will have a meal there, where should we go? I was thinking we would probably want to bring snacks for lunch and throughout the day and then go to dinner somewhere. What do you all think?

Here's a list of who is interested:
ExtraMSG
Cat
LadyConcierge +1
Amanda +1
Kristi
Calabrese
Jill
Loofahgirl +1
Kaetum

Nick has mentioned that the van hold 12, but it might not hold 12 comfortably so let's make sure everyone still want to go. We may need to see about getting another designated driver.

Let's start making a plan!

[Calabrese]

I'd still be up for this. I'd like to limit my time away to 9 hours or less. My faithful dog needs some attention and to be let out and what not.

[loofahgirl]

We're in. Not sure what wineries, but I can bring some snacks? We've only really been down around Salem area for wineries so I'd like to hit maybe the Dundee area? But I don't know the areas at all so we're open.

[Jill-O]

AAARRRRRGGH...I realized that Kris and I have the Hillsdale Farmers' Market on 10/15. Any way we can do 10/14 or the following weekend...or is it too late to change?

I've been thinking about where to go, though, so I am not a total loser. ;o)

In the Newberg area, a few I've never been to (but I have had their wines) are: Patricia Green, Bergstrom, Adelsheim, Owen-Roe, and Penner-Ash. Of these, Adelsheim is regularly open weekends (with a $10 tasting fee), and I think Penner-Ash might be too - the others will require a reservation.

In Carlton, besides Cuneo and the Carlton Winemakers Studio (which are regularly open weekends, practically next door to each other, and are worth stopping at) there's Lemelson and Belle Pente (both of which would require a reservation).

In Dundee, Domaine Drouhin is definitely worth stopping at, and it is open without a reservation. Sokol Blosser is right off of 99 and is also open regularly. I like their dessert wine and I think their Evolution is a nice inexpensive white (though I prefer reds). Argyle is also off of 99 and they have some decent sparklers to try.

Don't know if we want to go as far as the Salem area, but down there there is Cristom, Bethel Heights, and Brickhouse. I think all three might require an appointment.

These are my thoughts and suggestions. I've been to a bunch of places that are regularly open on weekends, and I am ready to try some of the places that require an appointment. Kristi, if we can change the date, I am more than willing to help out and call some places to try to set up tastings for us.

I agree about munchies - I brought a lot of munchies last time we did this, along with plenty of water. Count us in for a box of crackers, some cheese and some water at least...along with a soft-sided cooler.

[Amanda]

Also just south of Salem is Willamette Vineyards which has my favorite Reisling! I've never been to any of the Salem wineries so that might be interesting.

For sure I cannot do the 14th. The weekend of the 7th & 8th are out for me, as well. I'm not sure what we've got going later in October. I will have to check with da man. We've got a tentative trip planned during some weekend in October, but plans haven't been firmed up with relatives yet. The 15th still works best for us as a "for sure".

It's not necessary for us to be on this tour, though, since we were lucky enough to go on the first one a couple years back. It probably wouldn't be bad for me to lay off drinking and save some $$$, anyway. I'm not sure I'm such a fun drunk anymore.

Best regards,

Amanda

[Sabra]

I've been to La Rambla and it's pretty good . . . Also, Cuvee in Carlton is nice. If you end up there and depending on the time, the chef could probably set up a table together for y'all and you could probably even pre-order if you're not sure how much time you are going to have . . . also, if you end up in the Carlton area, you can take route 240 right to Newberg and avoid all the traffic on 99W through Dundee, etc. That's a drag!

[Kristi]

The only dates that I absolutely can't do are the 7th and the 21st, otherwise my weekends are pretty free. I'm not sure what to do about the date, I could do the 14th. What do some other people think?

[mandm]

I would love to join the winery crawl too! This depends on what day it will be...

[Jill-O]

Welcome to the site mandm...what days are in/out for you?

[loofahgirl]

The weekend of the 29th is out for sure. Sundays are usually better. Can't do the 14th. Can't do the 1st. Not sure about the 8th. The 21st is a possibility but I won't know for sure for another few days.

[Kristi]

Here's another idea, what about the 22nd? Since Sundays seem to work well for a lot of people, that might work.

[hidenseek]

I'll be looking back to see what date you settle on. Sounds like fun. If it's of any help, here are a couple additions to Jill's post:

In the Newberg area, besides Adelsheim & Penner Ash, Bergstrom's also now has regular tasting hours: 11 - 4, I believe. It's about a mile up the hill, on the same road as Adelsheim; we were there yesterday, in fact. Nice stop! Tasting fee: $10. I think Penner Ash is $10, too, but worth it in part just for the view. Brickhouse is also out in this area, but as Jill says, you'd need an appointment to taste there.

Add Scott Paul to the list of possibles in Carlton, where they opened a tasting room earlier this year. He used to be at Winemaker's Studio. The nice thing about this place is that he also imports wines from Burgundy and includes those in tasting room flights. Tasting fee: $5, and well worth it.

If you manage to work Belle Pente into this deal, I'd be tempted to cancel any conflicting plans.

[Jill-O]

Thanks for the news about Bergstrom's regular hours, etc. Thought of Scott Paul too (haven't been there yet) but didn't know if folks wanted to stray from locally made stuff.

I've never made appointments to taste before, but have been to most of the places with regular hours. Any special info. one needs to know when making appts. to taste?

[hidenseek]

Jill-O, on Sep 18 2006, 02:20 PM, said:

I've never made appointments to taste before, but have been to most of the places with regular hours. Any special info. one needs to know when making appts. to taste?

The only time I've been to places for private tastings was several years ago, and I didn't make the arrangements. What I'd be most concerned about though, is winery expectations. Even at places with regular tasting hours, I sometimes feel obliged to buy - e.g. yesterday at Solena when we were the only ones there (thank God, a limo party of 8 bailed me out!). At a private tasting, that feeling would be much more intensified, and maybe intentionally so by the winery. So maybe that's territory you could cover when making the appointment.

[LadyConcierge]

Please count me + 1 out and let the other folks go; the 15th is the night of my 30th birthday party! And then I'm taking 2 weeks off to stay in a cabin on Mercer Lake near Florence on the coast. Have fun, y'all!

PS, If I was going, Penner-Ash would be #1 on my wish list.

[wrong_fork]

I'm new here, and interested, but: have a schedule conflict for September 21st, and will be out of town for Oct. 15th, darn it. Just wanted to say I'll keep checking; I'm in as soon as I can be there. Y'all have fun, now.

[Kristi]

OK people, what are we doing about the date? Are we sticking with the 15th or changing it? Jill? Let's get planning!

[loofahgirl]

The 22nd is a possibility, prefer Sundays, cannot do the 29th. I should know more tonight.