Weekend Musings

Happy Saturday to all you oenephiles! Posts have been a little light here recently mostly due to the fact that all the staff have been busy with travel and our paying jobs; we'll try to do a better job. I don't have anything in depth to report, but I have had two excellent bottles of wine recently that are worthy of The Oregon Wine Blog recommendation.

First, the 2004 Griffin Creek Syrah, from Willamette Valley Vineyards. This vintage won the 2007 Oregon State Fair, and I picked up a bottle pre-release and had been hanging on to it for a special moment. I found out my soon to be picked up Oregon Wine Guild shipment includes a bottle, so we cracked open the one I had been saving and certainly was not disappointed. The second bottle that I really enjoyed was a 2006 Bethel Heights Pinot Noir. This bottle has been sitting on the shelf for a while as well, and I've actually been meaning to get out to the winery for a visit. Regardless, some good friends were in town from Utah so we opened this baby up and it was gone in short order. A delicious Pinot!

In other news, I've been drinking a lot more beer recently due to the opening of Block 15 Restaurant and Brewery here in Corvallis about 2 months ago. A number of us here at TOWB have played various roles in the opening process, and the owners are certainly supporters of the blog. Something I'm looking forward to is the pending release of King's Gold -- a golden ale that is slated to undergo secondary fermentation in an old wine barrel from King Estate's pinot. The brewer is expecting the beer to take on some characteristics from the french oak barrel and pinot residue, so expect a review once it is released. Also, if you are looking for something to do in Corvallis tomorrow (4/20/08) check out Block 15's Grand Opening and Earth Day celebration. Food specials, live music, great beer, wine...what more can you ask for?

Holidays and Block 15 Update

Happy holidays to all the readers of The Oregon Wine Blog!

It’s an interesting time here in the Willamette Valley where an infrequent day of sunshine, like today, provides respite from the normal fare of rain, rain, and more rain. Here in Corvallis, the exodus of college students leaving after finals has in an instant provided easy access to restaurants, stores, and other services in town that isn’t possible when school is in session. This time of year is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy all that this blog is about – fellowship, fun, and the culinary bounty of the Pacific Northwest. Last night a group of us went to a Chanukah party, with a traditional serving of latka and kosher Jewish wine. In addition, off of the shelf also came a bottle of Barnard Griffin Syrah, Eola Hills Merlot, and Ste Chapelle Riesling Ice Wine. All the elements came together for a wonderful evening.

As noted back in early November, our staff has been closely monitoring the progress of a new restaurant and brewery in Corvallis – Block 15. Opening the doors in mid-January with a twist of “Independent, Local, and Unique”, Block 15 is going to add a refreshing take to the culinary scene. We have been privy to some menu tastings and have also been in the facility throughout various stages of development, and excitement is abound. The other night I tried a delicious smoked salmon spread that will call for an evening at the brewpub with a bottle of Riesling. The Oregon Wine Blog has assisted in developing the wine list for the restaurant, and while the final list will take shape based on availability of distribution, price point, and the preferences of the founders, our recommendations included wines from the following wineries:

• Airlie
• Bridgeview
• Columbia Crest
• Eola Hills
• Erath
• Firesteed
• King Estate
• Snoqualmie
• Sokol Blosser
• Willamette Valley Vineyards

With that, I’ll bid adieu as we take off for another holiday party this evening. In the coming weeks you can look forward to a feature on pairing wine with a traditional holiday dinner, using wine from Willamette Valley Vineyard’s Wine Guild, in addition to the usual smattering of wine reviews, winery visits, and industry analysis.

Block 15

Tonight the staff of The Oregon Wine Blog got a hard-hat tour of Block 15 -- a new brewpub that will be opening here in Corvallis, OR. Block 15 is located at Third and Jefferson, the location of the original "block 15" of Marysville, before Corvallis was Corvallis. That site was former home to Endzone, Headliners, the Gazette-Times, and the fire department.

We're excited about the opening in January or February. Not only will Block 15 have a wide selection of their own beer and a great, local food menu--but also a nice Oregon/Washington wine list. In fact, Drew and I are working on their wine list...so you know it will have a few gems in it. Most importantly, Block 15 espouses the values that we believe in here. Unique, local product...sustainability...a nice atmosphere...and culinary delights. What more can you ask for?

Stay tuned at The Oregon Wine Blog for details on the grand opening celebration!

11/19/07 UPDATE:

Yesterday I had the pleasure of tasting some menu items the chef was testing for Block 15. Of note was the QUITE delicious Southwest Salad. I recommend highly when they open:

Southwest Salad

Romaine tossed in a spicy tomato ranch and topped with grilled Chicken, black beans, roasted sweet corn, jack cheese, red onion. Garnished with blue corn chips and cilantro.