Five Days in Ashland
Day #2
(Or: Let the wine and food begin)
Following a nicely laid out continental breakfast at our hotel, we had free time this morning for some Ashland wandering. Being a crisp, clear fall morning, I, along with some of our group chose to use this time for a more in-depth exploration of Lithia Park. The park is 93 acres of nature, relaxation and amazement, with water features, gardens, a variety of trees and vibrant fall colors everywhere. On this particular fall morning, there were joggers, families, a children’s art class, dogs and smiles---and the trees with their quintessential fall colors. As one of our group commented: “This is like wandering through a post card,” and indeed, that is what it felt like.
Strolling through Litiha Park
Even coming across some Oregon Ducks
Later that morning our group proceeded to Irvine & Roberts Vineyards. We were welcomed by Dionne and Doug Irvine, owners, Vince Vidrine, winemaker, and Amira Makansi, marketing & Wine Club Coordinator and author! The winery, sitting on a rise, overlooking mountains and vineyards was magical. Following introductions, (while sipping a glass of Rose of Pinot Noir), we were given a history of the owners and the winery. This is a special micro-climate in the Rogue River Valley, and one of the few wineries in the area to produce Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. With a brief description of the vineyards, terroir and farming practices we then began a tasting of the wines from this ultra-premium boutique winery.
Vince, Dionne, Doug, Amira...our hosts A View from the Tasting Room
Wine is experiential, creating and evoking memories; this tasting certainly created memories. Sitting at a long table, with wine glasses laid out before us, we were walked through the lineup of Irvine & Roberts wines by winemaker Vince Vidrine. Being able to experience wines from this region, as compared to California counterparts, was indeed a privilege. Over the next few hours we explored the Chardonnay, a Pinot Meunier (a light and elegant derivative of Pinot Noir, but not so well known), and several refined Pinot Noirs. The last Pinot, the 2017 Wadenswil Block was described as “often a serious, contemplative wine.” Contemplative was definitely the descriptor here: Sitting in the inviting, comfortable tasting room, overlooking what can only be described as a Shangri-La type of view of the mountains and vineyards spread out before us, you could only sip, revel in the surrounding scenery and contemplate being a part of this slice of heaven.
The Wine Tasting Begins
It was then time to indulge in a consummate Wine Country
Lunch. Sitting out on the patio, with
the sun reflecting off the vineyard leaves, the mountains in back, we were
treated to an epicurean adventure in fine country cooking. Served family style, with wine glasses full,
the parade of food began:
On the patio--A Wine Country Lunch Table of Food and Wine
*Pear & Fall Greens Salad (squash, radish, almonds, with a mustard vinaigrette).
*Herb marinated & Grilled Vegetables (zucchini, asparagus, sweet peppers, Portobello mushrooms), you could taste the freshness.
*Coq au Vin (with mushrooms, caramelized pearl onions, and Pinot Noir) served in a casserole dish along with slow roasted Yukon gold potatoes (and yes, I did help myself to seconds and thirds).
As if this wasn’t enough……we then were treated to the piece d resistance---actually two:
*Fall Apple Tart (in an almond crust, with candied kumquats). How many ways can you say yummy? BUT……in addition, for the true chocoholics was the most decadent chocolate dessert-ever! (In my opinion):
*Dark chocolate mousse (lavender sugar, & Chantilly cream), served on a thin, pure chocolate wafer. OMG!!!
The day was filled with fun, laughter, great wine (lots of wine), great food (lots of food), and just the most genuine friendliness and ambience you could imagine. My thought, as we said goodbye to our hosts was “if there is a heaven-this is it.”
Arriving back at our hotel at about 3:00pm we had an opportunity to walk around Ashland, relax, and prepare……for our 7:30 dinner at Harvey’s Place-
This blood orange margarita packed quite a wallop
And, of course, a selection of shareable desserts
Harvey’s was a great place to just sit back and relax in a
casual, fun environment-as we were able to talk about the day, the wines and
people we had been blessed to meet and share time with. Following dinner at Harvey’s, we returned to
the hotel-ready for day #3 in Ashland, Oregon and the Rogue River Valley.
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