Summer's here and the time is right…
… for parties in the vineyards (and IPNC, lots of cold Champagne, and more parties…) With the sun finally shining on a regular basis and the grapes growing strong, we are now in full-on summer mode and enjoying it immensely.
Our party deck is nearing completion at Azana Vineyard. We plan to test-drive it with the family in a couple of weeks, and then start to schedule some events there before harvest this fall. The view over the vines and the valley may be one of the most inspiring around – we can’t wait to have you join us. Watch your email and this space for more info soon…
A belated Bonne Fête Nationale to all – more commonly referred to here as Happy Bastille Day. One of my favorite memories is the annual celebration in the town square in Meursault every July 13th – where the whole village assembles for food & drink, live music, dancing on the plaza, and a great fireworks show over city hall on the night before France’s equivalent of our 4th of July. (Though Martha & I agree – they need much better street food over there. The wine, however, rocks…)
We celebrated Bastille day last night with an excellent meal at Portland’s Olympic Provisions, a new spot that has been drawing crowds and foodie raves for the past few months. I was thrilled with both the braised rabbit dish and the roasted pork belly, and can vouch for the orange-almond cake with orange cream. Big yums all around, and a nice wine program too…
Be sure to check Martha’s blog for an update on her organic garden in Carlton and all the delicious goodness that has been pouring forth. Loved the first beets, and the beet greens with pulled pork and our first potatoes on puff pastry that she made the other night was a big hit…
We are the very thankful beneficiaries of a gorgeous write-up in the Beyond the Bottle Blog, written by Seattle’s Thad Westhusing – check it out here…
I have long admired the wines of Evesham Wood, which Russ & Mary Raney launched 24 years ago. For me their wines have consistently set the standard for elegance and purity, and Russ & Mary have set the standard for integrity and quality on every level. The news just broke yesterday that they have sold the winery, and will be spending a couple of months a year in their new maison in France. Huge congrats to them on a fabulous 24 year run. (And if anyone wants to buy us and send me off packing for France, please contact me directly!)
Our biggest event of the year, the annual pre-IPNC dinner is one week from tonight! Kudos to our chef Vitaly Paley, whose Paley’s Place was just named restaurant of the year, again! - I’m off to find a few treasures from the cellar to share at all the festivities – Cheers!
