Liz Chambers Opens Winery

Owned by Liz Chambers, a third-generation Oregonian whose family’s winemaking presence dates back to 1991, and founded in 2013, the winery is located in the former Panther Creek building in McMinnville’s Granary District.

“We started Elizabeth Chambers Cellar to make the wines we love and proudly serve at home,” Chambers said. “Our Willamette Valley climate is unique, and I want our Pinot Noir to be balanced with a sense of place. For me that means a more feminine and elegant style of Pinot Noir that respects what nature brings in every vintage.”

Chambers’ passion for Pinot marries well with the expertise of winemaker Michael Stevenson, who has more than 20 years of experience in the Willamette Valley. Chambers and Stevenson employ the micro-négociant approach for Elizabeth Chambers Cellar, sourcing the fruit from top growers such as Freedom Hill and Shea for their single-vineyard program and the winery’s signature blend. Current production totals 3,500 cases.

Together, Chambers and Stevenson believe in working with what nature gives them. “About 90 percent of what’s in the bottle is determined by what’s in the vineyard,” Stevenson said.

The warm days and cool nights of the Willamette Valley lend an important balance between acidity and flavor for Pinot Noir. Elizabeth Chambers Cellar strives for a natural integration of flavors, achieved through restraint in winemaking that respects the distinct character of each vintage without excessive manipulation.

For more information about Elizabeth Chambers Cellar, visit www.elizabethchamberscellar.com or call 503-412-9765.

Chehalem Mountains AVA Trading Cards

In January, the Chehalem Mountains Winegrowers (CMW) rolled out trading cards, introducing the unique characters who make the Willamette Valley sub-AVA what it is today. The CMW, which includes members in Ribbon Ridge, hopes this creative project will encourage wine lovers to discover their unique area.

This first collection of limited-edition trading cards features 28 characters, including respected industry pioneers and many of the most experienced winemakers in Oregon. In addition to winery statistics and interesting information on soils, acreage, grapes and more, card collectors will discover little-known facts about the people behind the wines. Find a former rock band manager, a winery using pedal power, another benefiting from alpacas in the vineyard or the winemaker who plays with insects.

Each winery will hand out limited edition trading cards upon request. Participants are identified by window decals and featured in turn on the CMW Facebook page and website. As a reward for collecting all cards, patrons will receive complimentary wine tastings for two at participating wineries, and be entered into a drawing to win tickets to the CMW annual consumer event and other prizes.

“People are realizing that there is an entire wine region in the mountains of the North Willamette Valley,” said Annedria Beckham, CMW Executive Director and founder of Beckham Estate. “We successfully grow wines for every palate and cuisine, and the trading cards are a fun way to encourage visitors to get to know us and enjoy the wines.”

For more information visit any

participating winery or www.chehalem

mountains.org.

Dundee’s West End

The building housing the Inn at Red Hills has experienced its fair share of turnover through the years. While the Inn has remained steady, the spaces to the east and west have seen tenants come and go.

A small group of wineries hopes to change this. Calling themselves “Dundee’s West End,” wineries Evening Land Vineyards, Le Cadeau, Tertulia and Angela Estate have joined together to make the locale a serious wine tasting stop.

In addition, the space formerly occupied by restaurant Paulée has a new tenant, Babica Hen Café, a second location for owner Joe Buck, who is taking over the restaurant, garden and hotel management. Babica Hen Café in Lake Oswego transformed the former La Provence space, focusing primarily on breakfast and lunch. Buck plans to bring this same expertise to the Dundee location, making the menu and service accessible to community as well as hotel guests.

For more information, please visit www.innatredhills.com.

Wine Walking It

Savor Cannon Beach Wine Walk will feature 40 Northwest wineries on March 8. The tasting tour is the largest event of the four-day festival, March 6–9. Up to 500 participants, who purchase a glass, can make the tour of Cannon Beach galleries, shops, restaurants and hotels, each hosting a winery. The Cannon Beach Community Hall will feature eight boutique wineries in the Willamette Valley Winemakers’ Showcase.

Tickets for the Wine Walk and other Savor Cannon Beach wine tasting events are $30; a pass for $119 is good for all six of the festival’s wine tasting events.

The day of the event, any remaining tickets for the Wine Walk may be purchased beginning at 11 a.m. at the Coaster Theatre Box Office (108 N. Hemlock) in downtown Cannon Beach.

Proceeds from the Wine Walk will go to support nonprofit Cannon Beach Preschool & Children’s Center. Advance tickets can be purchased and a complete schedule of events can be found at www.savorcannonbeach.com.

A Day for Chardonnay

The third annual Oregon Chardonnay Symposium will take place Saturday, March 8, at Stoller Family Estate. This year’s expanded event will feature a technical seminar with domestic and international speakers, and a grand tasting with 40 select Oregon Chardonnay producers.

The technical seminar, “The Future of Oregon Chardonnay,” will be moderated by Cole Danehower, author of “Essential Wines & Wineries of the Pacific Northwest.” The panel includes the Oregon winemakers: Melissa Burr of Stoller Family Estate; David Paige of Adelsheim Vineyard; Josh Bergström of Bergström Wines; Jesse Lange of Lange Estate Winery; Harry Peterson-Nedry of Chehalem Wines; Robert Brittan of Brittan Vineyards; and Doug Tunnell of Brick House Vineyards. Dominique Lafon of Domaine des Comtes and Veronique Drouhin of Joseph Drouhin and Domaine Drouhin Oregon will add an international perspective.

The seminar, 2 to 4 p.m., will be followed by a grand tasting from 4 to 6 p.m. featuring 40 of Oregon’s top selected Chardonnay producers — the state’s largest Chardonnay tasting to date.

“This year’s event will have a dynamic take on the past, present and future of Oregon Chardonnay,” said Paul Durant, co-founder of the event, and co-owner of Durant Vineyards and Red Ridge Farms in Dayton. “As the event grows, we will look to challenge the topic and explore additional facets: from the evolving scene in the state, to production techniques, clonal selection and more.”

Tickets are $100 for the panel and grand tasting, or $60 for the tasting only. Tickets are available online at www.oregonchardonnaysymposium.com.