I am starting the newsletter while flying to Monterey for the DTC Wine Symposium. It's hard for me to believe that 6 years ago I started on this deep dive into the wine world, and now the wine world is all around me in so many ways. If you would have told me I would have created an experience platform, aka a reservation and ticketed event system for wineries, I would have laughed. There are so many people I know going to the Symposium from Oregon, California, and Washington. I can't wait to...
7 months ago • 4 min read
Here we are, the last month of 2025. It feels like this year has flown by before me, but looking back there have been some incredible memories I will hold near and dear to my heart. It has also been a bit of a difficult year, but with all of the difficulties come learnings to be a better person. I truly hope the remainder of the year is delightful for you and 2026 brings everything you could possibly want. With that being said, the other day I took a walk in between rainstorms. There was a...
10 months ago • 14 min read
It’s November already, and we all know there’s a lot happening in Wine Country this month. Between Pre-Thanksgiving weekend and Thanksgiving weekend, there are all sorts of special tastings taking place. As for me, I’m seriously considering heading down south to the Eugene area. I’ve never spent a full day down there for wine, and I think it’s time. Outside of Thanksgiving weekend plans, I’m attending one heck of a dinner at Stillwater in McMinnville. It’s a collaboration between Ambar...
12 months ago • 6 min read
I came upon this paragraph from Tim Atkin the other week. As you take that first sip of coffee this morning take a moment to reflect and slow down a bit. I don’t know about you, but my life often feels too rushed. The same goes for the way I taste. I’m aware that there are wines that need more reflection, more minutes to open up in the glass. But such is the busy world we inhabit. I’m determined to slow down when I can. This week, a tube strike and a beautiful painting reiterated an important...
about 1 year ago • 8 min read
Here we are, the first Saturday of September. It doesn’t feel possible, and I have zero clue where 2025 went. Fall is so much in the air. Harvest is kicking off all over the place, and weirdly, for some reason, I’m embracing it more than in previous years. I don’t quite understand the why, and that’s ok. If you’ve been a long-time reader, you know how much I normally kick and scream being brought into Fall. You know I’m always writing about wineries and the people behind those wineries. I...
about 1 year ago • 13 min read
I normally start the newsletter off with me rambling on about something that doesn’t have much significance. I am going to ramble like I always do, but this story has incredible significance. I am not one to dive into the topic of politics at all. I don’t like it one bit. I would much prefer to dive deep into the topic of what is the flavor profile of Oregon Chardonnay. Anyway, there are way too many people getting deported, and if you are not aware, the stewards of the vineyards we very much...
about 1 year ago • 14 min read
The other night I was sitting on my deck enjoying a glass of Pinot Noir, trying to soak up summer before it slips through my fingers. As I swirled the wine across my palate, the complexity of flavors kept catching my attention over and over again. That’s when it hit me, this is the basic foundation of why I enjoy drinking wine. Beer doesn’t give me this kind of complexity. Cocktails can be amazing in their own way. Tequila, scotch, and whiskey have their own layers too, but for me, none of...
over 1 year ago • 12 min read
It’s Sunday night, the day after I was supposed to publish this month’s newsletter. I’ve got a glass of Sparkling Blanc de Blanc in hand, it’s 87 degrees out, and I’m soaking up the fact that it’s summer. Yeah, I’m a little surprised I’m saying that too—usually, I don’t call it “summer” until after July 4th. But yesterday was hot, tomorrow will be too, and the rest of the week looks like a typical Oregon June. As always, I’m curious how this weather will reflect in the glass a few years from...
over 1 year ago • 9 min read
It’s Oregon Wine Month, and—Holy Toledo, Batman!—there’s a lot going on. Not just in terms of events, but across the board. It’s amazing. It’s spectacular. It’s an honor and a privilege to be part of a community I knew nothing about not so long ago. Thank you for reading these newsletters. Truly—I can’t thank you enough. Let's dive into some links! The news about Kimberly Abrahams joining Archery Summit is awesome beyond belief. A little backstory, she is married to Matt Perry who used to be...
over 1 year ago • 5 min read