Something Classic, Something Current

In the early 1840s, the Oregon Trail released a flood of European descended immigrants into the territory. In a few years, their numbers overtook those of the indigenous peoples who were already dying from their exposure to European diseases.

The cascading immigrants snatched up any land they thought was farmable. In 1847, Henderson Luelling trudged up the Trail, bringing fruit cuttings with him from Iowa … including grapes. It was only five years later that Swiss immigrant Peter Britt established the Pacific Northwest’s first winery. Oregon winemaking had begun!

Of course, it would be over a century before things really took off. The Pinot Noir Era began in the 1960s. In 1983, Willamette Valley became Oregon’s first AVA. Umpqua, Columbia, and Walla Walla would follow a year later, Rouge Valley not until 1991.

This Wine Wednesday, we taste some Oregon wine with a view to its history. We’ll have some Pinot Gris, a classic Oregon grape, but we’ll also have some Chardonnay, which vintners are all excited about today. (Of course, there will be Pinot Noir. :) )

Please come join us with guest pourer Robert Crum from Roanoke Valley Wine Company. This is a free walk-up tasting from 5:00-6:30 PM that you don’t have to walk the Oregon Trail to get to.