King Estate & Pfeiffer Vineyards

A day to play

Today was a day to play. Rachel, Chelsea and I drove south to Eugene and visited one of our biggest competitors, King Estate. We had a fabulous winetasting, lunch and tour and frolicked around the grounds. Thanks Ed King III, Sasha Kadey and Josh Massie for being such wonderful hosts to us.

Here's a bit of the King Estate story:

King Estate, celebrating 19 years of Oregon winemaking in 2010, is located southwest of Eugene, Oregon and produces Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and limited amounts of Chardonnay. Founded in 1991 by the King family, King Estate is committed to producing Oregon wines of exceptional quality using organic & sustainable farming methods, meticulous fruit selection, impeccable winemaking practices and judicious blending.

The beautiful estate of 1,033 acres is certified organic and includes 465 acres of organic vineyards, as well as 30 acres of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. The Estate is crowned by the charming, European-style winery, where the winemaking process is also certified organic.

The Restaurant and Wine Bar at King Estate features wine tasting & winery tours as well as fine dining. Our menu incorporates estate and locally grown organic ingredients that fully complement King Estate wines.

Check out the King Estate website: http://www.kingestate.com/

We also stopped by Pfeiffer Vineyards and met Robin Pfeiffer, a wonderful, entertaining man who gave us a Pinot Class.
 
Here's a bit of the Pfeiffer story:
 
After several calls from the French who wanted to purchase their 70 acres of south-facing slopes, Robin learned they wanted the land for wine grapes. The family sold the sheep, and planted grapevines. "The only thing we knew about wine grapes was that we liked wine and dried grapes were called raisins," noted Robin Pfeiffer. However, he learned after careful analysis that their site was ideal for grapes.
 
Owners Robin and Danuta Pfeiffer have always looked to the future of environmental practices and "green" solutions. Pfeiffer Winery is one of the first completely solar operated facilities in the Willamette Valley and the first in Lane County. Roof-lined solar panels enable the winery and the Pfeiffer Villa to produce their own electricity, and sell back to the electrical grid.

The winery produces limited releases of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Rose and Muscat.

Check out Pfeiffer Vineyards: http://www.pfeiffervineyards.com/

I will post a slideshow of pictures from today's trip.

Coffee to go...or maybe not

I think I have hit a wall. Saturday morning I went to my local drive thru coffee shop. I drove up, the girl said medium black with a straw, I shook my head yes, she collected my cash and my punch card, handed the change and punch card back, I commented on her lovely nail polish, she said thanks and I drove off. Five minutes later I realized that I had driven off without my coffee. By then I was on I-5, too far away and too embarrassed to go back.
I will see the coffee crew in the morning and I am pretty darn sure that they will make fun of me. Hey I would too.

Let's just say that I need a day off, and I am looking forward to this weekend. I hope it rains so I don't feel bad laying around all day. That's what I plan to do.

Put the camo on it's time to hunt...

House hunt that is. That's right! I am committing to one place in the world. At least for now. I have begun my search for a place I can call home. No more white walls, leases and throwing my hard earned money away on rent. Next weekend I begin the hunt.

What I am looking for: character vintage with a side of modern, a parking spot or plenty of street parking, cute little coffee shop to hangout, a Thai restaurant within walking distance and a place to run.

Portland here I come. The city keeps me alive.

Opposite sides of the table

Monday night and I, Becky Rochester, was on the other side of the table! You probably are wondering what I am talking about. Well, those of you in the wine industry may know but those of you who are not probably will never understand. I spend a majority of my time pouring wine rather than drinking wine.

Take for instance the Newport Seafood and Wine Festival this weekend. I didn't taste one single wine all weekend long. There were over 80+ wineries at the event. Instead I poured wine and made sure that everyone who visited Willamette Valley Vineyards booth had a good time. How could they not? We had great wine, good entertainment, cowboy hats, handkerchiefs and mustaches.

Tonight I went to the Wine Party! 2010 at Doug Fir in Portland. The room was packed with people. Some were actually interested in the wineries and wines and others were there just to drink. Which one was I? Come on! My boss reads this blog. I was the person in the room with my notebook and hundreds of questions. Probably not the place to ask questions and spit wine, but honestly I didn't care.

Becky's Top 5 Washington Wineries (in no particular order):

1. Goramn Winery
2. Efeste
3. Sparkman
4. Gifford Hirlinger
5. Dunham Cellars

I am excited to roadtrip to Washington and do some serious exploration and education about Washington wines. Are you ready Chelsea and Dawn?

It's a small world afterall

The wine industry continues to amaze me. I have found a career that enables me to meet the most fantastic people from all over the world. I am hoping it is such a small world that someday I will meet Robert Parker, Harvey Steiman, Kevin Zraly. I have been lucky to meet Dr. Richard Smart and Jancis Robinson.

Tonight was another great example. I stopped by the Willamette Valley Wine Center in McMinnville, and there was a couple lounging on the couch enjoying a glass of wine. The concierge told me that they were in town for the Oregon Wine Symposium and the gentleman was with Auckland University.

Right away I wondered if he knew of Delegat's Oyster Bay. I had helped do a yeast wine trial with Delegat's and Auckland University in 2008. So on my way out I stopped to say hello and we began to chat. It turns out his name is Dr. Matthew Goddard (pictured left) of Auckland University. The same man who set up this yeast trial I had helped run in 2008!

Check out this article, "Yeast adds fruity zing to wine" posted online on the New Zealand Herald: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10499550&pnum=0
Here is a tiny preview of the article: "A wild West Auckland yeast that lifts the fruity zing of New Zealand "sav" has been harnessed by researchers - a find that could revolutionise the country's sauvignon blanc industry. The yeast lifts the gooseberry and passionfruit flavours of New Zealand's esteemed sauvignon blancs, lead researcher Dr Matthew Goddard of Auckland University said, and it was commercially viable.

But one wine expert suggested more fruity zing might be like adding more sugar to Coca-Cola. Commercial trials of the yeast will begin within the next two weeks on a handful of Marlborough vineyards, including Saint Clair, Delegat's and Pernod-Ricard New Zealand." Click the link above for the full article.

Did I tell you I love my job?

Willamette Valley Vineyards is headed to the coast for Newport Seafood & Wine Festival 2010

This weekend I will experience first hand what all the buzz and excitement is about the Newport Seafood & Wine Festival. The festivities begin Friday and end on Sunday.

This year's theme: The Grape Wild West. If you are headed to the coast, make sure to stop by the Willamette Valley Vineyards booth, I mean JB's Saloon, and say hello. I will be be pouring our award-winning wines Saturday and Sunday. It should be a hoof kicking, barn dancing good time.

Click here to go to Newport Seafood and Wine Festival website.

My biggest challenge is figuring out which boots to wear. Because you know I love my boots. Maybe instead of Backswing Becky, my nickname should be Becky Boots.

My dear friend Gabb-eh

Happy Birthday Gabb-eh!

Dear Gabb-eh,

Happy Birthday (Wednesday, February 24)! It is 8:00 AM in the morning in Dijon, France and you are probably just waking up. I hope you celebrate your birthday today by drinking a lovely bottle of French Pinot Noir. I will make sure to toast to you tomorrow night.

One of the best things about going to New Zealand was meeting you. Boy we sure had some fun times! I miss laughing with you, reading NZ gossip magazines in the cellar (hidden oh so secretly under our operation notes), cleaning bungs, beers at Woody, the mustache photo project, word finds, riding in Berger's clown car, breakfast parties with no sleep and falling asleep in the cellar during inoculations.

I will never forget our trip on the North island...shearing rabbits, pet pigs, fashion in Auckland, and a crazy bus ride followed by some Wii bowling with a stranger who ended up cooking us dinner. You are a wonderful person inside and out. Remember we promised to live next door to each other so our kids can play while we share a bottle of wine. Wherever that may be, I am looking forward to it.

Study hard. You are going to make a fine winemaker!

Love,

Becky

Willamette Valley Vineyards making noise online and in the headlines

Ultimate wine educator Kevin Zraly shares his best picks (all around $20 or less) for six popular types of wine. You’ll have to click through to slide #3, but check out that awesome nod to renowned Oregon Pinot Noir producer Willamette Valley Vineyards. That steak recipe its paired with doesn’t look bad either.

http://www.delish.com/recipes/wine-guide/personal-wine-list?GT1=47031

Not one, but TWO online tasting videos appeared recently covering Willamette Valley Vineyards wines. The internet is a crazy thing, and its really interesting to hear what amateur wine reviewers think – luckily they like us.

This first video from Drink Nectar reviews both our 2007 WVV Pinot Noir and our 2007 Signature Cuvee Pinot Noir.
http://drinknectar.com/2010/02/10/episode-31-willamette-valley-pinot-noir/

This second video from Wine Expedition is not so much a review as it is a side by side tasting of Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio – (I think he likes our Pinot Gris style better). Check it out!http://www.wineexpedition.com/wine-video/tasting-notes-pinot-gris-vs-pinot-grigio/

A brief interview piece with Jim Bernau that appeared in the January issue of the Natural Foods Merchandiser.
http://naturalfoodsmerchandiser.com/tabId/103/itemId/4344/Q--A-with-Jim-Bernau.aspx

There are lots of fish in the ocean...

There are lots of fish in the ocean, but that doesn't mean that they are easy to catch. Could it be that I am fishing in the wrong ocean? Or maybe I am just using the wrong bait?

I am far beyond the catch of the day and am looking for the big fish. Catching the big fish takes a lot of hardwork, patience and the ability to shake off a few close catches.

I recently signed up for Match.com. Yes I know. Why would I do that, right? Well, mostly because I was curious to see who else was on there and also because I am new to Oregon and have no other way to meet people my age. I have decided to keep this part of my life blog free. At least for now.

So here I am. Almost 30 and single. Does it scare me? Not really, but having someone to share your life with or on a simplier note a good bottle of wine with over dinner makes it that much more enjoyable. I look forward to having that again in the near future. As for now I will continue to cast away.

It gets better...

I looked over my lease agreement and there is nothing about what I can and cannot have on my deck. So I went to the leasing office to make a complaint. Don't they have better things to do then to give me a violation for a dead plant? I asked them where this violation was in my lease agreement. She looked over my lease and said there were a few pages missing. She checked my file and there was nothing in there. It appears they added all of this new rules and restrictions after I had moved in. 

Now there are rules about how many plants you can have, color of furniture, lights, etc. For those of you who know me, I would never live in a place that controls color and style. I never signed off on that, so I put the dead plant back on my deck. Take that!

Dead plant on deck violation?

Today I received a dead plant on deck violation from my apartment complex. All I could do was laugh! Laugh, laugh, laugh and then take pictures of course. Have they seen all the crap other residents keep outside on their decks? This is the only thing that is on my deck and sadly enough I killed it.

The letter states:

"In an effort to maintain the highest level of curb appeal and keeping the appearance of the community brand new, we encourage our residents to follow the patio/deck policy as outlined in your lease.

The following violation has been observed: Dead Plants on deck

There is a $50 fine for patio/deck violations. However, as a courtesy we will waive the fine if corrective action is by Friday, February 19th, 2010 and no other violations occur within 30 days of this notice."

Oh, how nice. What corrective action am I supposed to take? Try to revive the plant? Throw it away? This place kills me. I will stop right here and bite my lip.

I am looking to buy a condo in Portland. If you see anything cute and reasonable, let me know.

Cheers!

I met Baron Davis!

Baron Davis of LA Clippers

I attended the LI-NING ribbon cutting and media event in Portland tonight where I represented and poured Willamette Valley Vineyards wines. I met a lot of wonderful people including Baron Davis, famous LA Clipper, and Sam Adams the mayor of Portland. It was a great event and I hope that everyone I met comes out to the vineyard to visit.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day. I am off to work at Willamette Valley Vineyards for our Pinot, Port & Chocolate event. Yesterday we had over 600 people attend the event. This Valentine's Day is already 100% better than last year's. I still think this is going to be my best year yet.

I met Vida Blue!

Friday night I attended the Keizer Volcano's Winter Banquet. Not only did I sign the world's largest jersey for the world record book, but I also meet Vida Blue, Cy Young and MVP. He played for the Oakland A's, San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals. He is a very motivational and humorous speaker. He took the time to take a picture with me and even signed a couple baseball cards.

 Vida Blue and Me

Monday night I will be pouring Willamette Valley Vineyards wine for a media sports event where Baron Davis from the L.A. Clippers will be in attendance along with other ESPN and sports people. It is my week of athletic superstars.

Here I am signing the World's Largest Jersey.

Gold Medal for 2008 Oyster Bay Pinot Noir

The 2008 Oyster Bay Pinot Noir, which I helped make, took home a gold medal at the most largest and influential wine competition in America, the San Francisco International Wine Competition.

Check out the links for the technical data and for press and reviews. I helped make this wine and will post my own review after I enjoy a bottle of it on Valentine's Day.

Link to technical data: Click here

Link to press reviews: Click here

The 2008 Oyster Bay Pinot Noir

Tonight I was browsing the wine section at Trader Joe's when I stumbled across the 2008 Oyster Bay Pinot Noir. I helped make this wine! There is nothing more satisfying in life then seeing the final product on the shelf, in the bottle and for sale.

I watched these grapes ripen on the vines, the first truck delivery to the crush pad, the wines fermenting, the endless pumpovers and punchdowns, the transfers, the barrelling down, the blending, the tankering. I put in 12 hour nights for 6 straight weeks, ate vintage meals of rice and potatoes with more potatoes and for dessert sweet potatoes, did word finds to keep myself amused and awake. I cannot count the number of bungs I cleaned and the amount of caustic I used.

I miss being a cellar rat!












Gabb-eh and Me digging out a Pinot Noir tank at Oyster Bay Marlborough, New Zealand.












A bunch of interns and me punching down Pinot Noir in a big stainless steel tank with our feet.

What a weekend!

Where to start? Saints win! Rogue Brewery tour! Parents in town! Sunny weather! I heart Oregon! Rachel Stoller engaged!

Full of exclamation marks!!! I am not a fan of exclamation marks. I edit them from all the the winery advertisements. Just ask the direct sales staff.

I had a wonderful weekend with my family. My Mom and Dad went to Willamette Valley Vineyards and met Jim Bernau. Thanks Jim for spending time with my family and educating them about the wine industry. They enjoyed it.

Off to the coast where we went on the Rogue Brewery tour. So much fun. Thanks Chris! You kept it funny and real. The beers were fantastic.

Our Coho Cottage at Beverly Beach was amazing and the relaxing nights went too quick. The weekend was filled with good beer, seafood, wine, ice cream and company. I could get used to this.

My blog posted on Portland Winterhawks Blog - OregonLive.com

I was wondering why my Google Analytics page views were up until I did a little research and found a link to my blog on the Portland Winterhawks Blog on Oregonlive.com. It is crazy how my blog has grown and the number of random people who stumble upon it.

Top 5 Strangest Google keyword searches that have led people to my blog:
1. Vintage high heel rubber boots (Do they make these? I would have worn them.)
2. Coors light headache (my 29th birthday post)
3. Give n' Gobble
4. My hands look like grandmas
5. I am a slob

Here is the link to the Winterhawks Blog with the link to my blog under "Fans writing about their experiences at the game Saturday."
Links, including more Giants-Winterhawks Portland Winterhawks Blog - OregonLive.com