The weekend following Thanksgiving ushers in the holiday season. Stores are packed on Black Friday with Christmas shoppers and homes are transformed with decorations and trees.

This celebratory time is also one of the largest open house events in Oregon's wine country. Tasting room doors open wide for visitors, and many vinters offer new releases among their samplings.

While some may be a reserve or heritage line of a classic varietal, others are blends and brand new concoctions of local winemakers.

Rickreall's Left Coast Cellars is one such vineyard. In addition to their new 2006 Heritage Pinot Noir which has been aged for 34 months, they are releasing a new pinot/syrah blend and a never before released pinot blanc.

"Our 2008 Left Bank Pinot Blanc is the first time we've released a pinot blanc from our site," Devon McMillian, consumer sales manager said. "This is a white wine that's a little more tropical and fruity, with a little bit of spice."

The truly spicy blend comes in the form of their peppery 2007 Syrah Noir which they've made in limited quantity and may be gone before visitors can sample a sip at their open house event.

"There is only about 30 cases, it may even sell out to our wine club first," McMillian said.

Willamette Valley wine country is a popular destination for many

during this weekend, from club members to newbies.

"Thanksgiving is such a big deal, many people come on Friday or make a weekend of it," Lisa Jenkins, co-owner of Duck Pond Cellars. "It's nice for us to introduce people to our wine, but also see friendly, old faces."

Duck Pond is releasing their 2008 Pinot Noir, 2007 Cabernet

Sauvignon, and a new 2006 red blend.

"It the first blend we've done here, so we're excited," Jenkins

said.

A mix of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, and syrah, the blend carries the flavors of a dark oak spice with blackberry, vanilla and other flavors.

Although most vineyards debut new releases made from their own estate, others unveil varietals made in other parts of the state. Case in point: Arcane Cellars. The northwest Salem establishment is releasing a 2007 Cabernet Franc from Sam's Valley Vineyard in Rogue Valley.

With its roots firmly planted in the Bordeaux region of SW France, this red wine is earthy and aromatic.

"It's like a cabernet sauvignon, but more spicy," Jason Silva, Arcane Cellars winemaker said. "It's leaner, dryer and more tannic."

Like most valley vineyards, Arcane has all of the regular varietals available for sample during their open house event.

With more than 160 participating wineries and tasting rooms, many of which offer hors d'oeuvres, oenophiles and their guests may want go easy on the turkey and stuffing to save room for all the sampling.