Unwine’d Kicks Off Oregon Wine Month

By Wine Press Staff

Earlier this year, Gov. John Kitzhaber declared May Oregon Wine Month. Kicking off the 31 days of Oregon wine, the Oregon Wine Board will host the state’s largest statewide consumer wine tasting to date: Unwine’d: Celebrate Oregon Wine. 

Hosted at the Left Bank Annex, April 29, 3 to 6 p.m., the tasting will host 100 wineries from every region in the state.

“Oregon’s wine industry has come a long way since we last celebrated Oregon Wine Month and attempted a statewide tasting like Unwine’d,” said Michael Donovan, OWB chairman. “While showcasing our state’s diversity, the event will allow consumers to meet and talk to Oregon’s artisan winemakers. This is an opportunity for Northwest wine consumers to sample the incredible quality of Oregon wine from every region under one roof.”

In addition to the general tasting, Unwine’d will include two educational components for consumers who want to sharpen their Oregon wine palates. The International Pinot Noir Celebration (IPNC) will host “Oregon on the International Stage,” a chance for wine consumers to compare Oregon Pinot Noir to wines produced by other regions. The Oregon White Wine Tasting Bar will allow consumers to taste and compare numerous white wine varieties from around the state.

A dozen restaurants from Oregon and Southwest Washington — all using locally sourced products — will be featured at the tasting. Eight of the restaurants are current recipients of Superior Cellar Awards, an Oregon Wine Press and OWB program that recognizes restaurants with outstanding selections of Oregon wine on their menus.

During Oregon Wine Month, wine retailers and restaurants throughout the state will be celebrating and promoting the Oregon wine industry, which contributed more than $2.7 billion to the state’s economy in 2010. The month culminates with the annual winery open houses on Memorial Day Weekend when most wineries are open for tastings.

Tickets are $50 and on sale at unwined.oregonwine.org

Unwine’d is a benefit for the Trust for Oregon Wine Education and Research.

In the trade? The tasting will be open to members of the wine industry from 2 to 3 p.m., an hour before the public tasting begins.

EVENT DETAILS

Unwine’d: Celebrate Oregon Wine

Date/Time: April 29, 3 to 6 p.m.
Location: Left Bank Annex
Address: 101 N. Weidler St., Portland
Tickets: $50, available online
Info: unwined.oregonwine.org