I have three recommendations that are sure to satisfy your needs if you’re searching for nice wines, fun times, and a worthy cause.
And let the sentries know that a winery in England just raised its flag on the Willamette River. Don’t fight this invasion, though, unlike in 1776.
Walgate Wines
The greatest English export to reach America since the Beatles is Walgate. Additionally, Portland is the first location in the nation to sell their wines, a testament to the hard work of the staff at E&R Wine Shop. However, if you miss out on Ben Walgate’s wines, it will be a difficult day and night, so don’t put off getting to E&R for too long. He is the winemaking pride of Kent, Sussex, Essex, and possibly even Surrey, and with good reason.
2022 Walgate Pinot Blanc (Essex): Crouch Valley Vineyard in southeast Essex grows the grapes for this crisp white wine on clay soils. Its faint yellow-gold hue is enhanced by the scents of cold Golden Delectable apple chunks, honeycomb, and a hint of peach as the wine warms up to room temperature.
In terms of flavor, it’s mostly lemon zest with hints of browned butter and a hint of fresh oregano. The wine has a pleasantly rich richness that complements its sharp acidity. It’s a tart delight, this pinot blanc.
$47 12% ABV
Like the wine in the bottle, the Walgate label is understated and sophisticated.Alberty Michael
2022 Walgate Reserve Pinot Noir (Essex): The scents of dark cherries, raspberries, and a hint of spice, possibly nutmeg, fill the air as the wine’s pale ruby color catches the eye. East Sussex’s white cliffs are buffeted by a crisp, clear, salty aroma that evokes the English Channel.
Rosehips and acidic red cherries fill the first taste, and then there’s a hint of fennel. A crisp tannic structure combined with bright acidity creates a sophisticated drinking experience.
You can comfort yourself with a bottle of the 2019 Walgate Wines Blanc de Noirs if any of these wines are sold out by the time this article is published. Walgate’s chardonnay and a non-reserve pinot noir are also available at E&R.
$65 with 12% ABV
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.6141 S. Macadam Ave., Suite 104, Portland, Tuesday through Saturday; erwineshop.com [email protected].
Portugal’s John Gourley and Zoe Manville. The Man and Frances, their daughter.Fickle, Daniel
Portugal. The Man embraces fermentation for a great cause
Portugal’s John Gourley and Zoe Manville. In 2021, the Manls discovered that their daughter Frances had a neurological condition called DHDDS, which is caused by an exceptionally uncommon genetic mutation. Frances’ ailment is one of six known cases, according to the Oregon Health & Science University Foundation.
In response to their overwhelming struggle, Manville and Gourley started the Frances Saved My Life campaign to raise money and awareness in order to save their daughter’s life as well as the lives of others.
The commissioning of an official Portugal is the most recent development in their campaign. StormBreaker Brewing’s “The Man” beer and the AVP Wine Collective’s wine. Stormbreaker will hold a special event on February 28 to sell bottles of the wine and four packs of the beer.
Portugal. At the occasion, The Man’s wine, a 2023 Columbia Valley syrah, will be for sale. Later in February, pre-buying will also be accessible on the AVP website. The wine costs $50, and a four-pack of beer costs $14.
All sales proceeds will support Cure DHDDS and the Frances Saved My Life campaign.
832 N. Beech St., Portland, 6–9 p.m., February 28, stormbreakerbrewing.com or 971-703-4516.
An image from 2020’s first The Wild Bunch natural wine fair.Dana Frank
The Wild Bunch rides again
The Wild Bunch, a Portland wine expo honoring the varied realm of natural wine, was established in 2020 by Dana Frank, a co-owner of the vineyard.
The annual March event features international importers and winemakers that embrace
farming that is organic, biodynamic, and regenerative; minimum cellar manipulations; and a dedication to, as Frank stated, letting grapes be grapes without sacrificing their flavor and sense of place.
Along with 17 wine importers, nearly 60 wineries from Oregon, California, Washington, Illinois, Spain, and Austria are expected to attend. Inside the welcoming Premier Gear and Machine Works Building, more than 400 wines will be available.
Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite for $53. The cost of the ticket covers the wine tasting, admission to the fair, and a take-home branded wine glass. For information on the off-fair events that will be available, visit The Wild Bunch website if tickets sell out before you can buy them.
Thewildbunchpdx.com or [email protected], Portland, March 8, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
At Cafe Olli’s Galentine’s Day celebration, winemaker Jessica West of Harper Voit, pictured above with fellow Oregon wineries Anna Matzinger and Paden West, will offer sparkling wine.Alberty Michael
Women Who Sparkle Galentine s Day celebration at Cafe Olli
The celebration honoring female friendship, Galentine’s Day, is rapidly approaching. It’s only the best day of the year, to paraphrase Leslie Knope, my favorite bureaucrat.
This year, Cafe Olli’s event space honors Galentine’s Day by hosting a group of gifted female winemakers who will offer sparkling wines. In addition, visitors can buy flowers from Heather Fields Florals and savor a variety of pastries prepared by Cafe Olli’s pastry chef, Siobhan Speirits.
Parking at the venue is free, and the tasting event is free as well. You can book your space by going to the Eventbrite website, but walk-ins are welcome.
3925 N.E. Martin Luther King Blvd., Portland, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., February 9, cafeolli.com or [email protected].
— Michael Alberty is a wine writer for Wine Enthusiast Magazine and The Oregonian/OregonLive. His email address is [email protected]. Visit tooregonlive.com/wine to read more of his coverage.
