Weekend Escape

Labor Day weekend was the last weekend that neither Chad or I will have rehearsal or a show to be working on until Thanksgiving! With that in mind, we had to get out of town while we could. We retreated from the Portland city limits to the hills just southwest of town - wine country!
We stopped first at the Anne Amie winery. If Pinots are their specialty, I don't know why they don't have more of them on their tasting flights. Most of the wine we tasted seemed incomplete, sour even. The Pinot Gris and Noir were much better than the rest of the flight, and truly stood out as the wine on which they focus their energy.
What Anne Amie lacked in taste, they made up for in scenery. Outside their antiquated tasting room, the Coastal Range unfolds in front of you. They have a beautiful garden, and this passion flower bloom begged for a photo.
Our next wine destination was closed for a private event; however, we stumbled upon this gem, the Red Ridge Farms Herb and Plant center. Row after row of carefully labeled immaculately cultivated flora. We both had a good time snapping shots of some of their showier plants.


We took a chance stopping at Sokol Blosser Winery and couldn't have been happier about it. Beautiful setting, very tasty, full, drinkable wines, and organic to boot!
Oh, and did I mention that the wines are affordable? Even their dessert Riesling was perfectly balanced finishing in a bright note of crisp apple. Another bonus, Sokol Blosser is the first winery in North America to receive a LEED rating for their cellar. A scrumptious end to a delicously free Saturday.