Orchard Heights Winery
(503) 391-7308
6057 Orchard Heights Rd. NW, Salem
Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $5 fee.
Light appetizers, case discount prizes and two new releases, the 2009 late harvest Gewurztraminer, “spicy with wild honey flavors” and the 2009 Pinot Noir, “silky, well balanced with cherry flavor and a hint of spice,” according to wine marker Carol Wyscaver. Orchard Heights will also be tasting a large selection of other wines such as the estate Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet and Sirah.
Bethel Heights Vineyard
6060 Bethel Heights Rd. NW, Salem
(503) 581-2262
November 26-28 11 a.m.-5p.m.
$5 tasting fee waived with purchase, no charge for children or designated drivers.
Bethel Heights is certified LIVE, Salmon safe, and the estate grown wines carry the Oregon Certified Sustainable Wine logo. The winery is also powered by solar panels.
Bethel Heights will be tasting the 2007 Gewurztraminer. Made from a spicy grape German varietal, Gewurztraminer is a very aromatic white wine similar to Pinot Gris, with a little spiciness. They will also be pouring 2009 Pinot Gris, 2009 Riesling, 2008 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and 2008 Estate grown Pinot Noir. There will be samplings of bread, cheese and other foods to go along with the wine. They will also have the fall harvest special on 2007 Casteel Reserve Pinot noir, a selection of the best barrels of the vintage. “2007 was a good year, the wines are very age worthy wines, have very nice structure for aging for a long period of time, they’re very food friendly wines, very good value Pinot noirs.”
Firesteed Cellars
2200 N Pacific HWY 99 W., Rickreall
(503) 623-8683
Thanksgiving Soiree, Friday and Saturday only, 11a.m.-5p.m.. $5 tasting fee reimbursed with wine purchase.
The event features appetizers and five new releases:
2008 Firesteed Oregon Pinot Gris: “Tropical fruit, citrus, crisp green apple, ripe white peach and Crenshaw melon.”
2006 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir: “Blueberries, cinnamon, Marionberries, blackberries, clove, orange zest and boysenberries.”
2008 Firesteed Oregon Pinot Noir: “Strawberries, cedar and spice, vanilla and cherry tart.”
2008 Citation Chardonnay W3: “Apple, drawn butter and poached pears. Suggests a pairing with shellfish or spicy Thai.”
Citation sparkling Brut: “An aged sparkling wine with mineral tones. Yeasty, nutty characteristics.”
