Five Days in Ashland, Oregon: Day #3 begins.....

Ashland Day #3

Food, wine, and history for the body and for the Soul

Another perfect fall day in the Rogue River Valley.  We departed our hotel for a stroll (and some bites) at the Rogue Valley Growers & Crafters Market.  Held every Tuesday (March-November) at the Ashland Armory, the market is replete with locally grown, farm fresh organic vegetables, fruits, bakery items, specialty foods, hand crafted gift items and more,  (including the most delectable, melt in your mouth almond croissants I have ever tasted)!  Lots to explore and shop for----and as a picture is worth 1000 words, enjoy the visual explorations:

Warm, delicious, the BEST almond croissants ever!  I can't believe I ate the whole thing

 and some entertainment...strummin' on the ole' banjo!  (No..NOT Deliverence)!

Following the Grower’s Market, we made a stop in historic Jacksonville and the unique, historic Jacksonville Cemetery.  This is one of the oldest cemeteries in Oregon.  Dating from 1859, tranquil and serene, it is the final resting place of many of Jacksonville’s early founders and citizens.  One of the things that makes this cemetery so unique and worthwhile to visit, is the division of grave sites into seven distinct areas, including Catholic, Jewish, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and a Potters field.  Take the time to stroll through historic Jacksonville and Jacksonville Cemetery-and enjoy the 160 year step back in history.

Next up on our agenda for the day was a visit, tasting and lunch at Dancin Vineyards.  Greeted effusively by Dan Marca, and his wife Cindy, the first thing we found out was that, despite the fact that Cindy LOVES dancing, and will dance anytime, anywhere, the name was derived by combining the two names.  It was apropos, as Dan loves music……and as we were soon to experience, the award winning wines danced and sang with every sip.  Sipping a rose, listening to Dan, we drank in the beautiful vista.

Entering the covered patio where a long table was set for our tasting, Dan explained “their” story:  How he met Cindy (it really IS a love story), how they fell in love with the area, and the serendipitous circumstances that led them to this special place-where they produce elegant and highly acclaimed Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Italian varietals.  With Dan’s huge smile that never left his face, and Cindy’s sparkling eyes and personality, we learned their history……as we started sampling a variety of wines, in yet another comfortable and refined setting, overlooking the vineyard property.  After a while it was time for the wine to sing and dance as we were served a perfectly paired lunch:



The beginning was cauliflower soup with toasted cashews, cracked pepper, parsley and shaved grana Padano---accompanied with a 2017 'En Avant’ Chardonnay.

Following the first course, we enjoyed an arugula salad with glazed walnuts and a Pinot Noir-Tarragon Vinaigrette, and the DANCIN 2017 'Septette' Pinot Noir.

The main course featured pan-seared duck breast on wild rice pancakes with mushrooms and cilantro sauce, with both a 2016 ‘Septette’ Pinot Noir and 2017 ‘Ecarte' Pinot Noir.

Finally, the dessert, accompanied with a perfectly paired 2014 ‘Finale’ Port style dessert wine was a cranberry-hazelnut spice cake, and house made vanilla bean ice cream.

As Dan and Cindy explained while we ate, all the wines have a story, and each wine is named after a music and dance theme.

There were several more interesting pieces of information that we learned during our visit, such as the story behind the tasting room, which is a tribute to a specific Sicilian Bar, and that Dancin was the first winery in the valley to offer full time food service. 

Dancin is hospitable, welcoming comfortable, and relaxing – but more than that, we came as visitors, and left as family.

But---we weren’t done yet!   Next up in the midafternoon was a visit to Cowhorn Vineyard & Garden. Cowhorn is a Biodynamic® farm and winery.  Owner/winemakers Barbara and Bill Steele have a deep rooted commitment to not only the land, what they grow and produce, how it is farmed, but to simply make the world a better place through their business philosophy to “educate and inspire.”  They are not only living their dream, they are examples of what dedication and vision can produce.

Perhaps one of the Steele’s most significant achievements has been to be designated as the first small business and tasting room in the world to achieve “living building certification” by the International Living Future Institute  (https://living-future.org).   To Barbara and Bill, being biodynamic and sustainable is a lifestyle they practice every day---and what they do shows in their wines.

 Stompin grapes...but not "Lucy" style

Following a tour of the winery, and extensive over view of Bill’s background and “how” Cowhorn came to be-we were treated to an extensive tasting of the esteemed Cowhorn wine portfolio. 

The location of Cowhorn is conducive to growing Rhone varietals.  As Josh Reynolds (Vinous) commented:  “The quality leader for the (Rhône) category in the state.”  We spent the rest of our afternoon tasting through Cowhorn’s lineup, as Bill continued to “educate and inspire” our group with vignettes of the vineyard and farm, and explaining the challenges, and rewards of their vision and accomplishments.  

Cowhorn is taking a leadership role in demonstrating how farming can be done in an ecologically responsible manner, using-and protecting the earth and nature.

                                                                             

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Following our visit to Cowhorn, we checked into the Litihia Springs Resort for our final two nights.  We had a few hours to relax and wander the grounds before getting ready for our winemaker’s dinner at Alchemy Restaurant & Bar with the wines of Quady North.

DINNER at Alchemy, to follow.......