Volume 2 Wine Trail Traveler Issue 4 April 2008 Newsletter

Northwest Wine Country Journey We enjoyed traveling to where we met friends and family, while visiting 15 wineries. In addition, we visited four of Washington’s wineries along the Columbia River. The areas along the Columbia River have outstanding views with the water flowing swiftly, high cliffs and Mount Hood in the distance.

Wineries in the northwest section of the US are as welcoming as other wineries we have visited. Wineries tend to view themselves not so much as large or boutique but for the excellence of their wines. The majority of these wineries emphasized the quality of their wines and their interest in improving their wines. They also emphasized their interest in sustainable vineyards and some are beginning to offer certified organic wines. The glacier capped Mt. Hood in the distance towers over the vineyards at Pheasant Valley Vineyard and Winery The wineries we visited were in the in Hood River, Oregon. Columbia Gorge AVA, Columbia Valley AVA and the Willamette Valley The amount of rainfall varies rainfall in the area decreases by one AVA. We did notice that most of the drastically along the Columbia River inch for every mile east one travels. wineries used Riedel stemware and east of Portland. At Maryhill Winery The forty-mile stretch along the we had the opportunity to use the in Goldendale Washington, we Columbia River offer many different renowned Oregon glass. discovered the area is considered terriors. Most of the grapes grown If you are wondering if it made a desert and only receives about in the world can be grown along difference, we think it did. However, eight inches of rain per year. Farther this 40-mile stretch. there are many other fine pieces of to the west, rainfall measures over stemware on the market. 50 inches. One winery general Continued next page. manager informed us that the

In This Issue

Northwest Wine Country Journey

Sustainability in Wineries and Vineyards

Giving a Little of Yourself

Food and Wine

Partners

Wine Trail Traveler: a Winery and Hillside vineyards and winery at Sokol Blosser in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. Vineyard Virtual Visitor Center Continued from first page. Sustainability in Wineries and Vineyards The Willamette Valley is a V-shaped valley 100 miles long, 60 miles wide With more than 5000 wineries in the and home to over 300 wineries. It United States, it is important that is the coolest grape-growing region environmentally friendly practices in Oregon and known worldwide for are in place in both the vineyards their Pinot Noir. There is abundant and in wineries. Oregon takes this rainfall and cool nights in this area. On six of the eight days of our visits task seriously and leads the way it rained, sleeted or snowed, and with LIVE. We discovered this the sun would appear. We could wonderful program while visiting literally wait a few minutes and the Oregon. The initials LIVE stands weather would change. At Erath for Low Input Viticulture & Enology, Winery I took a photo of stainless Inc. Certification by LIVE means steel wine tanks gleaming in the that the vineyards use sustainable sunshine. We then went into the growing practices, based on a barrel aging room for five minutes comprehensive list of practices and and when we came out there was prohibitions. Detailed records of near blizzard conditions and the vineyard practices must be kept for snow masked a vineyard just a few inspection. yards away. We visited wineries along flat land, off busy highways Once a vineyard has received and on less populated hillsides. Objectives include looking at certification, they must continue Some of the hills reminded us of a vineyard as a whole system, to submit information each year our visit to wineries in the Tuscan creating a viticulture that is viable to maintain their certification. countryside of Italy. economically, creating high quality About every three years, the fruit, using practices to reduce certified wineries will be inspected If you travel to Oregon or use of chemicals and fertilizers, again. Some of the wineries we Washington, it is definitely worth promoting farming practices that visited in the Northwest already your while to visit northwest encourage biological health in the have achieved LIVE certification wineries. entire vineyard and promoting K.S. and T.S. including: Kramer Vineyards, Ponzi stewardship of the land. Vineyards, Sokol Blosser Winery and Willamette Valley Vineyards. For many informed consumers, environmentally safe practices are As we continue our travels to Wine is sunlight, held important to them when buying wineries, we will be looking for together by water. goods and services. LIVE allows more wineries and vineyards that ~ Galileo wineries with certification to use a practice sustainability and those special image to identify its wine that belong to LIVE. bottles. Since participation in LIVE K.S. is voluntary, wineries may be using sustainable methods but not belong For more information about LIVE to LIVE. Giving a Little of Yourself We have three opportunities we away try to donate some of your American Cancer Society can suggest if you have time or a “pocket change.” little extra change in your pocket. Francis House The American Cancer society is 108 St. Michaels Avenue sponsoring a Relay for Life. This Francis House – A Home and a Syracuse, NY 13208 relay will celebrate survivors of Family for the terminally ill Website cancer, remember the people we have lost and support the Francis House in Syracuse, New March of Dimes March for lifesaving mission of the American York is a home away from home Babies Cancer Society. Consider for those suffering from terminal sponsoring a team or Kevin disease with a prognosis of six Having a premature baby can Sullivan at Salisbury University. months or less. Indeed, this is a be an emotional roller coaster. Website home, with a kitchen staffed by We know from experience how volunteers, a great room, chapel stressful it can be. If you want K.S. and individual resident rooms. to support the March for Babies, The goal of Francis House is to consider donating at Website. provide comfort. If you live near Francis House consider donating your time or if you are farther Food and Wine

Wine and Food Pairing Recipes with Wine The old adage regarding pairing food and wine was: Inniskillin Icewine and Thyme Grilled Fig Salad white wines white meat and red wines with red with Gorgonzola and Sherry Dressing meat. Today that is no longer a suggested way to recipe by Izabela Kalabis deal with wine and food pairings. Ingredients: Some believe that more needs to be considered when pairing foods and wines while others think 8 ripe figs that anything goes. However, the simplest rule is to choose a wine that you like. 125g (1/4 lb.) gorgonzola cheese 4 cups mixed greens - watercress, arugula, endive, For anyone who would like to know about pairings: mizuna, red oak, etc. consider the body of the wine, the residual sugar, ½ small fennel, roasted and the taste. A light-bodied wine would be good 2 tbsp. hazelnuts, skin removed and toasted with fish while a full-bodied wine would be excellent Dressing: with beef. Residual sugar can give you an idea of how 1 tbsp. shallots, minced sweet the wine is. Residual sugars can vary greatly. 1 tsp. roasted garlic, (see note below) Fortunately, many wine bottle labels indicate the RS salt, pepper level. If it does not, be sure to ask, whether you 1 tbsp. Inniskillin Icewine (Vidal or ) are at a winery or wine store. Taste is important. 2 tbsp. sherry vinegar Do you want a floral, fruit, vegetable, mineral or a 5 tbsp. olive oil combination for the bouquet and tastes? 1 tbsp. hazelnut oil Keep these ideas in mind. Always use a good quality pinch of thyme wine. Wine does not need to be expensive to be 25g (2 tbsp.) butter good quality. There are many good wines on the 2 tbsp. Inniskillin Icewine market under $15. Remember that the same grape ½ tsp. crushed fennel seeds will provide a different taste depending on 1 tsp. chopped thyme the vineyard and winemaker’s style. Directions Be kind to your guests. Some people cannot drink red wines or may even dislike them. Always have a 1. Combine dressing ingredients. Season to taste. white wine on hand. 2. Slice the cheese into small pieces and set aside. 3. Chop toasted hazelnuts and set aside. Most important enjoy your wine, dinner and 4. Heat the butter together with 1 tbsp. of the Icewine, guests! fennel seeds, and thyme in a small pan. If you would like more definitive pairing information 5. Cut the figs into quarters, leaving base attached. go to the Food and Wine Charts on the website. Brush with the butter, season with salt and pepper, and grill for about 4-5 min. Take off grill and drizzle with remaining 1 tbsp. of Icewine. Have a recipe that uses wine as an ingredient? If 6. Place a piece of gorgonzola in center of each fig. you’d like it published on Wine Trail Traveler send it 7. Toss greens and fennel in dressing and arrange to [email protected]. on plates. Place figs on top and sprinkle with toasted hazelnuts. When you try a recipe, we hope you will take a moment to email us at [email protected] Note: To roast garlic, preheat oven to 350F. Cut and let us know your experience with the recipe. If enough from the top of an entire garlic head in order you would rather, join the Wine Trail Traveler forum to expose the cloves. Drizzle with 1 tsp. olive oil and and comment. sprinkle with pinch of salt and pepper. Wrap in foil and roast in oven for 30-40 minutes or until soft. Use amount needed and rest can be stored in refrigerator for a few weeks.

Can be served with chilled Inniskillin Riesling or Vidal Icewine.

Serves 4 Wine Trail Traveler Partners Our Winery Partners Stop by these wineries that advertise with Wine Trail Traveler. Veritas Vineyard & Winery 145 Saddleback Farm Basignani Winery Afton, Virginia 22920 15722 Falls Road, Sparks, MD 21152 The Winery at La Grange 4970 Antioch Road Black Star Farms Haymarket, Virginia 20169 10844 E. Revold Rd. Suttons Bay, Michigan 49682

Chateau Chantal Our Lodging Partners 15900 Rue de Vin Traverse City, MI 49686 The Inn at Black Star Farms 10844 E. Revold Rd. Chateau O’Brien at Northpoint Suttons Bay, Michigan 49682 3238 Rail Stop Road Markham, VA 22643 Hampton Inn and Suites, Leesburg VA Dove Valley Vineyards and 117 Fort Evans Road N.E. Winery Leesburg, VA 20176 645 Harrington Road Phone (703) 699-8640 Rising Sun, MD 21911 Hilton Garden Inn, Allentown Fiore Winery West 3026 Whiteford Road 230 Sycamore Road Pylesville, MD 21132 Breinigsville, PA 18031 Phone (610) 398-6686 Grove Winery and Vineyard 7360 Brooks Bridge Road Hilton Garden Inn, Kennett Gibsonville, NC 27249 Square 815 E. Baltimore Pike King Ferry Winery Kennett Square, Pennsylvania 19348 658 Lake Road Phone (610) 444-9100 King Ferry, New York 13081

Kluge Estate Winery & Our Artists Partners Vineyards 100 Grand Cru Drive Masten Designs Charlottesville, Virginia 22902 2710 Astoria Blvd. Apt. 2C Astoria NY 11102 Pearmund Cellars 6190 Georgetown Road Want to be listed on Broad Run, VA 20137 this page? Call or send an email to Wine Trail Pickering Winery Traveler. Rt. 187 Between Wysox and Rome Wysox, PA 18854 Phone: 410-997-8138 Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery email: 154 Winery Lane [email protected] Leon, Virginia 22725