I'm going to write my blog before the tour this week. This weekend is incredibly cold. Luckily, the van's heater works great. You know that this is an excellent time of year to visit the wineries. I think this weekend will actually be excellent out in wine country because it's so cold. The crowds associated with summer, will be very small. In fact, I'm guessing that the wineries will be darn happy to see us. I wouldn't be surprised to get some barrell tasting in, maybe a tour and certainly some extra pours of wine. That's worth putting on a coat to me!
For anyone who is keeping up on our blog, Cindy and I are thinking of May 20th as a wedding date. If that doesn't follow for you, read the blog from last weekend. The problem we are having is where to hold the reception. Any ideas? A winery you say... Gee, I didn't think of that... Actually very few will allow that and those that do are out of my budget range. I'm trying to keep my prices down so anyone can enjoy a wine tour. That was the reason we started Oregon Wine Tours. We wanted to share our passion and excitement for wine and wine tasting. Some other companies charge just too much money. I don't think thats right. Wine Tasting is not just for the wealthy. At least it shouldn't be. Anyway, I would love our wedding reception to be at a winery, I just need to win the lottery. Then we will do it at a winery in Italy!
I've got to get our itinerary done for tomorrow and Sunday. Every tour includes a nice printed itinerary. We always provide cheese, grapes, crackers and water too. Sometimes Cindy throws in some truffels too. Then we clean the van inside and out very good. You will never go on a tour with us in a dirty van!
You all have a great day. Stay safe. I hope to see you on a tour soon. Be sure to let me know that you read the blog. I'm curious if anyone reads it and what the thoughts and comments on it are.
Cheers,
Ron
Friday, February 17, 2006
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
2/11/06 Wine Tour
Well this tour will go down as one of my most exciting tours! Today was a special tour. One it was our guests 30th birthday. Her husband arranged for the entire day. I have to say I was very impressed with him. He had four of her friends come out to their house where he had breakfast all prepared early in the morning. Then we showed up and the girls were surprised that they were going on a wine tour. The husband stayed home and watched the kids all day so the moms could relax and enjoy a wine tour.
We started the day off at Oregon's Winery of the year for 2005, Cuneo. They specialize in Italian style wines. They make, in my opinion, some of the areas most enjoyable wines. We love bringing groups to Cuneo. The owner, Gino Cuneo is a great guy and the tasting room staff is fantastic too. Our next stop was Panther Creek. Great Pinot there. Several different single vineyard pinot's to choose from.
We had lunch at Golden Valley Brew Pub. I have to say that they make a very good lunch. We have been stopping here more frequently. They have a great variety and the food is very enjoyable.
Our third winery was Adelsheim. I included a link to them on today's Blog. They make some very excellent wine. I always tell people that I feel Adelsheim to be a perfect example of an Oregon winery. The selection of wines, the atmosphere, the style of wines and the location of Adelsheim make them an excellent stop for anyone wanting to sample Oregon wines.
This stop today however had a little extra twist to it. I had arranged with several of our friends and family to meet us there today precisely at 3:00 pm. We arrived at 3:10. When Cindy and I walked in, Cindy looked around the room and started to notice several people. She noticed more and more people. Then she looked at me and asked, "What's going on Ron?" I grabbed her hand and led her to a area of the room where our friends and family were all gathered. I told her that I invited our friends all there because I wanted to share with them this day. I then got down on one knee and asked Cindy to marry me. Her jaw about dropped down on the floor. She, very excitedly responded, "Of course I will!" The whole room started to applaud. In Cindy, I have truely found the perfect person for me. She is my sole mate and I love her with all my heart.
So that added a little excitement to our stop at Adelsheim. It didn't stop there however. I also arranged another person to finish the tour from there. I did take them all to the next winery, along with all our friends to make sure they got taken care of. Afterwords though, while the other driver took everyone home, our group went out to dinner. Our final winery by the way was Lawton. This is a small winery up in the hills. A very romantic stop with some very fine wines.
That was our wine tour for today. Not your average wine tour. A very special tour. I hope you can join us for a tour someday. Many exciting and fun things are possible in Oregon's Wine Country.
We started the day off at Oregon's Winery of the year for 2005, Cuneo. They specialize in Italian style wines. They make, in my opinion, some of the areas most enjoyable wines. We love bringing groups to Cuneo. The owner, Gino Cuneo is a great guy and the tasting room staff is fantastic too. Our next stop was Panther Creek. Great Pinot there. Several different single vineyard pinot's to choose from.
We had lunch at Golden Valley Brew Pub. I have to say that they make a very good lunch. We have been stopping here more frequently. They have a great variety and the food is very enjoyable.
Our third winery was Adelsheim. I included a link to them on today's Blog. They make some very excellent wine. I always tell people that I feel Adelsheim to be a perfect example of an Oregon winery. The selection of wines, the atmosphere, the style of wines and the location of Adelsheim make them an excellent stop for anyone wanting to sample Oregon wines.
This stop today however had a little extra twist to it. I had arranged with several of our friends and family to meet us there today precisely at 3:00 pm. We arrived at 3:10. When Cindy and I walked in, Cindy looked around the room and started to notice several people. She noticed more and more people. Then she looked at me and asked, "What's going on Ron?" I grabbed her hand and led her to a area of the room where our friends and family were all gathered. I told her that I invited our friends all there because I wanted to share with them this day. I then got down on one knee and asked Cindy to marry me. Her jaw about dropped down on the floor. She, very excitedly responded, "Of course I will!" The whole room started to applaud. In Cindy, I have truely found the perfect person for me. She is my sole mate and I love her with all my heart.
So that added a little excitement to our stop at Adelsheim. It didn't stop there however. I also arranged another person to finish the tour from there. I did take them all to the next winery, along with all our friends to make sure they got taken care of. Afterwords though, while the other driver took everyone home, our group went out to dinner. Our final winery by the way was Lawton. This is a small winery up in the hills. A very romantic stop with some very fine wines.
That was our wine tour for today. Not your average wine tour. A very special tour. I hope you can join us for a tour someday. Many exciting and fun things are possible in Oregon's Wine Country.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Yesterdays Wine Tour
On Saturday, Feb. 4th Oregon Wine Tours hosted three gentlemen on a tour. Steve was from the great state of Minnesota while both Chad and Dan were from Washington. We picked them up at 10 am at their hotel in downtown Portland. We then started off the day with a visit to Domain Drouhin on the Red Hills of Dundee. The wine there is spectacular but honestly our guests were much more interested in Amy, the tasting room manager. She is very attractive with a matching personality.
Our next stop was to White Rose winery. This place has personality. The tasting room is like nothing in the area. You are not sure what to think as you approach what you think to be the front door. When you step inside, you step into a whole different time and place. It's worth the visit just for the tasting room. The wines are good too.
The third winery during the day was Panther Creek. This is always one of my favorite spots. The wine is very good and the staff are very friendly and knowledgable. I always enjoy our stop there. The guests love the wines there too.
After Panter Creek, we made the terribly long and tedious one block ride to Golden Valley Brew Pub for a delicious lunch. All of the guests tried various hand crafted beers that they make on site.
The afternoon held to be two of my favorite wineries. The first stop only eight miles away is Solena Cellars. Solena really specializes in big red wines. They have a few Pinot's and a Zin, Merlot, Syrah and Cab's. All of their wines are of excellent quality and priced reasonably. Once again, our guys are loving the wine, the gal in the tasting room. In order to impress the nice lady in the tasting room, all guys buy wine. I'm noticing a pattern here with Steve. ALL the wineries with cute gals in the tasting room, get special attention from Steve. Can't say I blame him.
Our last stop is Cuneo. Cuneo has all red wines. They make italian style wines. It's always a favorite stop with our guests. Rarely do I leave Cuneo without guests buying wine there. The staff is very friendly, the atmosphere is warm and inviting and no matter what time of year I go there, there is alwyas a busy tasting room. It's the only winery I know of that is always buzzing with excitement. Just goes to show that they make good wine at reasonable prices and serve it up in a fun manner. Cuneo is certainly the biggest contributor to our wine rack at home.
After a very enjoyable day in Oregon's beautiful wine country, we head home. It's getting lighter again. It's nice to finish the day in the daylight again. The ride home is mellow. We listen to music, talk and laugh. I like to make sure that everyone is having a good time. That's what it's all about. Enjoying life.
I like to say on my web page; Join us for the day... Remember us for a lifetime. I sure do hope that's true. I really do want to provide our guests with the best day possible.
Our next stop was to White Rose winery. This place has personality. The tasting room is like nothing in the area. You are not sure what to think as you approach what you think to be the front door. When you step inside, you step into a whole different time and place. It's worth the visit just for the tasting room. The wines are good too.
The third winery during the day was Panther Creek. This is always one of my favorite spots. The wine is very good and the staff are very friendly and knowledgable. I always enjoy our stop there. The guests love the wines there too.
After Panter Creek, we made the terribly long and tedious one block ride to Golden Valley Brew Pub for a delicious lunch. All of the guests tried various hand crafted beers that they make on site.
The afternoon held to be two of my favorite wineries. The first stop only eight miles away is Solena Cellars. Solena really specializes in big red wines. They have a few Pinot's and a Zin, Merlot, Syrah and Cab's. All of their wines are of excellent quality and priced reasonably. Once again, our guys are loving the wine, the gal in the tasting room. In order to impress the nice lady in the tasting room, all guys buy wine. I'm noticing a pattern here with Steve. ALL the wineries with cute gals in the tasting room, get special attention from Steve. Can't say I blame him.
Our last stop is Cuneo. Cuneo has all red wines. They make italian style wines. It's always a favorite stop with our guests. Rarely do I leave Cuneo without guests buying wine there. The staff is very friendly, the atmosphere is warm and inviting and no matter what time of year I go there, there is alwyas a busy tasting room. It's the only winery I know of that is always buzzing with excitement. Just goes to show that they make good wine at reasonable prices and serve it up in a fun manner. Cuneo is certainly the biggest contributor to our wine rack at home.
After a very enjoyable day in Oregon's beautiful wine country, we head home. It's getting lighter again. It's nice to finish the day in the daylight again. The ride home is mellow. We listen to music, talk and laugh. I like to make sure that everyone is having a good time. That's what it's all about. Enjoying life.
I like to say on my web page; Join us for the day... Remember us for a lifetime. I sure do hope that's true. I really do want to provide our guests with the best day possible.
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