Quote:
Originally posted by NotFromHere
So I met a bunch of guys from Portland while I was in Sonoma on Saturday. A friend of mine is trying to convince me to go to Oregon Wine Country over the Thanksgiving weekend.
These guys totally tried to convince me it was the best weekend to go to OWC because they claim it's 40% off everything that weekend. Ollie? Pensk? Is this true?
Also, they suggested Archery Summit, Domaine Serene, Sylvan Ridge and Broadly (Claudia's Choice). Not to mention Drouhin.
Any comments? Any other suggestions? Are they lying?
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They were lying, at least on the 40% off part. Sure, there may be some sales, especially on library wines and stuff available only at the winery, but 40%? Wineries don't like to undercut their retailers.
Thanksgiving weekend is a big deal (as is Memorial Day weekend). Good things: some pretty good food spreads; barrel tastings and tastings of wines that aren't always available; some wineries are only open to the public on these weekends (until recently, Serene and Drounin fell into that category). Bad things: steep tasting fees and big crowds.
The wineries they recommended all make great wines, if perhaps overpriced. Archery Summit is way pretentious, but tastey. Put Beux Frer (sp?) into that category as well. It's partially owned by Robert Parker, and only open on the big weekends. They'll probably charge $20 bucks to taste two or three wines, but you'll get a Riedel glass and some nice snacks.
I like Tori Mor a lot; tasting room has a Japanense Zen feel and they pour a bunch of good single-vineyard stuff. Also: Willakinzie; Patricia Greene; Argyle. There are really lots of good ones these days.
