The weather was simply perfect today for our wine adventure - 55 degrees, bright sun, no rain, no wind. The short drive from our house to Carlton, Oregon is so pretty too. We had a mission: to visit two winemakers who specialize in Italian-style wines and grapes.
Cana's Feast Winery uses grapes grown in Eastern Washington - it just doesn't get hot enough in Oregon for Sangiovese grapes. The winery building is very pretty and they also have an Italian restaurant on-site. Over the Thanksgiving Weekend Oregon Wine Tour, the restaurant was closed, so they supplied a beautiful antipasto buffet complimenting the $15 tasting. Such a deal!
The patio outside Cana's Feast Winery in Carlton, Oregon
The view from the patio at Cana's Feast Winery
The celebration was held in the wine room
Dave really liked their wines. I really liked their cheese selection. The winemakers were very friendly and knowledgeable about their product. We highly recommend the Sangiovese and Nebbiolo from Cana's Feast Winery and can't wait to go back soon to try their restaurant.
Remaining in Carlton, we parked in the two-block long downtown and visited the Barking Frog Winery tasting room.
Outside the Barking Frog tasting room in pretty Carlton, Oregon
Barking Frog uses glass corks
DT enjoys more Italian-style wines at the Barking Frog Winery tasting room in Carlton, Oregon
The grapes used in Barking Frog wine also come from Washington! Dave really liked their Barbera and brought a few bottles home. In two days, after visiting four wine makers, we purchased 26 bottles of wine.
That should hold us for a while.
But these days, there is more than wine to sample in Oregon Wine Country. Would you believe olive oil? Yes, the Oregon Olive Mill is operated at Red Ridge Farms and Durant Vineyards. The facility is awesome - a beautiful herb nursery, garden shop, gift shop and party facilities - with a beautiful view.
The view from Red Ridge Farms
Pretty sky over the garden shop at Red Ridge Farms
Red Ridge Farm has 15 acres planted in olive trees especially bred to withstand cold weather. The fruit is pressed on-site and they offer two varieties, Koroneiki and Arbequina. Both are "eating" oils, and not recommended for cooking. Both are delish! (Recommended by me.)
Oregon Olive Oil
Olive Oil in Oregon? It's a wonderful world! Maybe we should add a few trees to our landscape?
Dave and I were really enjoying a perfect day. What could make our day even better? How about a nice (early) dinner at The Dundee Bistro - one of our favorite restaurants! I mean... we had to drive right past the restaurant to get home...
The Dundee Bistro
Steak Sandwich from The Dundee Bistro
A good day! Beautiful vineyards and fresh-pressed olive oil - who needs Napa?
Until my next update, I remain, your "buy local" correspondent.