I thoroughly enjoy many aspects of summer, but one, in particular, is a natural alarm clock of birds chirping around 4:45 in my backyard. It used to bug the ever-loving poo out of me, but I have come to treasure the sound of summer waking me up.

Earlier this week, my alarm clock went off a little earlier, around 4:15, with a few hoots of an owl coming from my backyard. I was so happy to hear the big hoots but hit the snooze button to have some crazy dreams for the next hour.

The weather this week has been perfect! I have been sitting on my back deck from 11 in the morning until 9 at night. It's been lovely, but can you believe veraison is already underway in Napa?

Would you like to know more about Oregon Truffles? If you're curious, a Nicholas Cage movie about Oregon Truffles came out last year.

Jancis Robinson gave more Oregon love this week to Analemma.

If you are looking for ideas on what to do this weekend, look no further! Bryn Mawr is doing Drink Pink on Saturday. In addition, the Alt Wine Fest is on Sunday, and if you like wine and chocolate, there is something for you.

Brooks opened a place on NE 17th called Bons Amis (Good Friends). I got the inside scoop when I interviewed Janie for the podcast but was sworn to secrecy. While there, I tried some samples from Woodblock Chocolate, which was fantastic! I am not aware of a wine and chocolate tasting in the Valley. You have to check it out!

Speaking of rare finds. How many wineries are you aware of that make Pinot, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Sparkling? I am aware of two off the top of my head, Brooks and Trisatseum. Technically, Trisateum’s Sparkling is under Pashey, but let’s not get all supercritical. What would you think if I told one of those two added Vodka, Gin, Whiskey, and Bourbon to their lineup?

I was more than a little excited when I heard Trisateum started Brixeur Spirits. I know Willamette Valley Vineyards is dipping their small toe into the space. I have also heard of a high-profile winery on the cusp of releasing spirits as well. Are you aware of any other wineries doing this?

As I write this, I ask myself, “Why am I so excited?” I don’t consume that much whiskey, vodka, or Gin. But, coming from the tech world, I have always appreciated thinking outside the box to tap into another vertical. Plus, I get the ability to geek out on the spirits side of the house!

It was random how I came about the project. A few weeks back, I was scrolling through my IG feed on a Wednesday when I stumbled upon the first post for Brixeur. I looked at my schedule for the upcoming Saturday, and it was easy enough for me to fit in a 12:15 tasting. I was visiting Arlyn at 11:00 and Bledsoe McDaniels at 2:00. Thankfully, Brixeur was about a 7-minute drive from Arlyn.

On this particular Saturday, it was a quintessential Oregon summer day. It was one of those days when you had to be outside to enjoy the sun, but not in the direct sun because if you know, you know. Sitting outside in the shade was the perfect way to enjoy the day. I mention this for a couple of reasons. First, I was supposed to pick up wine from Janis at Arlyn, but she was the best by suggesting it probably wasn’t the greatest of ideas to have wine in the car all day. Secondly, I will tell you about my visit to Bledsoe McDaniels in a couple of weeks. Being outside and the sun is front and center for that experience.

Getting back to Brixeaur, I found a spot to park at Trisaetum, bypassed the tasting room, and followed the brick path to the little building out in the vineyard. I was sure this was where the tastings were, but I wasn’t 100% sure. When I opened the door to a lovely little Speakeasy setting, I knew I was in the right place!

I had the option to sit at a table for two or at the bar. The table spoke loudest to me even though I knew the difficulty of tasting, taking notes, and taking pictures on a small table.

My expectation for a spirits tasting was pretty one-dimensional. I figured there would be one vodka, one Gin, and one whiskey. When I looked at the options for tastings, I had to stop and think for a bit. My options were Clear Spirits, Whiskey, or Mixed Spirits. I wanted to try all of them, but that wasn’t happening. I thought it was incredible having a couple of mixed cocktails with each flight.

As Jackson guided me through the first pour, the Willamette Valley Gin, he told me that Tatum, James Frey's daughter, and himself started with an experiment distill before the fires of 2020. Everything turned out great, and the past 18 months have been a whirlwind of learning about distilling. The last couple of months has been about transforming the vineyard building from a tasting area for wine into a swingin’ Speakeasy. Sidenote, Jackson and Tatum hung the chandelier themselves.

My second and third pours were the Brixeur Bourbon and Rye. I was impressed by all three pours. Unfortunately, I only had one of the mixed cocktails since I ran low on time. So I asked Jackson to decide my destiny for me. He came back with a cocktail called the French 59. It is equal parts Gin and Pashey Blanc de Blanc with Simple Syrup to taste. I am pretty sure Jackson knew I was a fan of Bubbles, but he also wanted to show off the Labyrinth Gin.

It is composed of 59 botanicals! From research, Jackson and Tatum think it is the only Gin in the US comprised of that many botanicals. I admit my eyes glazed over because I know nothing about the Gin making process. I nodded and replied, “Wow, that’s amazing!”

I did a little research to find a German Gin called Black Gin, Distiller’s Cut utilizing 74 different botanicals. In general, the spirit is composed of four main botanicals, with others giving more characteristics. I found other Gins that have 21 botanicals. Now, I have just enough knowledge to be outlandishly dangerous when I buy or order Gin.

Anyway, back to the French 59. When Jackson put a glass on the table and presented a Pashey Blanc de Blancs, my face was frozen in time with a smile reaching from ear to ear. My taste buds weren’t disappointed one bit, but I had to go.

I have to side tangent!

I had to research the French 59. I felt relatively confident this was not a made-up drink. I did not find a French 59, but I found a French 75 instead. It celebrates the firepower of the WWI French 75 millimeter field gun. The recipe for this cocktail is:

• 1/2 oz Freshly squeezed Lemon Juice,
• 1.5 spoons of powdered sugar
• 1.5 oz Dry Gin, and 2.5 oz of Brut

Sounds pretty familiar to me. I enjoy that Brixeur put its spin on it to reflect the 59 botanicals in the Labyrinth Gin.

As I was leaving, Jackson told me about the club membership. It is similar to most wine memberships, but Oregon doesn’t allow discounts on hard liquor. There are two shipments per year consisting of three bottles. With three options for clear, mixed, or a whiskey collection, prices range from $150 to $225 per shipment. There are some killer events, including the Annual Repeal Day Celebration!

If you need a recommendation for a leisurely day in Wine Country, make a reservation at Trisaetum for 1:00, followed up with a Brixeur Speakeasy tasting at 2:15 or 2:30. You will have a ton of fun, and you don’t have to drive in between appointments. Here is the link to make an appointment. Once you click the Reserve Now button for OpenTable, there will be options for the winery and Speakeasy. My only ask is when you see Jackson, Tatum, or anyone else, please let them know, “A.J. sent me!”

With Gratitude,

A.J.