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February 07, 2011

The Hands of Harvest

Here's a short video containing several dozen photographs from last Fall's wine harvest in the Willamette Valley...best viewed in full-screen, HD mode...enjoy....

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January 06, 2011

Most Popular/Favorite Posts from 2010

Here's a list of the most viewed (and implied read) posts from last year, along with my favorites published in 2010. One thing is clear about this site: most of those visiting seek wine reviews or tasting notes. Even still, a significant number of visitors read my "Perspective" posts, which focus on relevant topics that go beyond how a wine tastes. A heartfelt thanks to all of you who visited BeyondtheBottle.com in 2010. I hope you enjoyed reading about my experiences with Oregon and Washington wine. I also hope my coverage helped enhance your own enjoyment of a wine,...

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November 15, 2010

Photos: Belle Pente's biodiversity

When it comes to wine, there are tasting rooms, there are wineries, and then there are farms. Belle Pente Vineyard and Winery is a true farm, with a range of biodiversity that might surprise those who visit, including me. I arrived expecting to find rows of grapes, but instead came upon a diverse collection of animals grazing in the pastures surrounding the Belle Pente estate vineyard. Case in point, a small herd of Scottish highland cows with two six month old calves. Their moms were highly attentive to anyone approaching the fence, especially with a camera pointed at them...

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November 09, 2010

Photos: The birds and the bees in the vineyard

A watchful eye and a handy shotgun were some of the approaches taken to keep birds away from ripening fruit at Brick House Vineyards. This year's harvest in the Willamette Valley suffered from a severe bird problem. Up close, you could see the damage from clusters picked clean of fruit. From a far, you could hear the shotguns, canons, and bird calls throughout the day. While birds were being scared away, honeybees didn't seem affected by all of the noise, as was evident by this one enjoying a taste of Brick House chardonnay the day before it was harvested....

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November 07, 2010

Photos: Chardonnay fruit at Belle Pente and Brick House

The fruit at both Belle Pente and Brick House tasted absolutely delicious on the vine. I am looking forward to opening a bottle of each 2010 Chardonnay a year from now. Chardonnay in Belle Pente Vineyard Chardonnay in Brick House Vineyard Related Links More coverage of Belle Pente Vineyard More coverage of Brick House Vineyards...

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November 04, 2010

Photos: Filling the bins with fresh picked fruit

Here are two of my favorite shots from the Belle Pente Vineyards harvest last month. It was amazing seeing how quickly these bins filled with fresh picked fruit. The pace this crew undertook to pick the fruit and load each bin was humbling. Thank goodness there are folks like the ones who worked this vineyard to bring this harvest in and eventually bring the fruit to our tables. Again, I am humbled by their hard work harvesting. Filling the bins with fresh picked fruit Clean clusters of delicious Pinot noir...

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November 03, 2010

Photos: Friends sorting Brick House Pinot noir

For a number of harvests now, several of Doug Tunnell's longstanding friends travel from distant lands to lend a hand picking grapes, sorting fruit, and doing whatever else that is needed. As old friends do, there was a lot of back and forth between Doug and his mates, which made for good fun as they worked a long day from the vineyard's rows to the barn's sorting table, processing bin after bin. I observed that there is more than just fruit that goes into Brick House wines; friendship plays an important part in crafting each bottle. Related Links More coverage...

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November 02, 2010

Photos: An afternoon at Brick House Vineyard

Upon arriving at Brick House Vineyards to shoot one afternoon during harvest, Doug Tunnell and Melissa Mills invited me to first sit down with the rest of their crew to have a glass of wine as they finished up a late lunch. That's what it is all about - taking pause and soaking it all in before getting back to work. I like that approach and appreciated the kind welcome from Doug and Melissa, who were such gracious hosts throughout my stay. Grace is a word that aptly describes Brick House wines, ones that I am a big fan of...

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November 01, 2010

Photos: Picking Pinot at Belle Pente

In yesterday's post and photo, I described how steep this vineyard was to climb and how out of shape I was trying to ascend it. Here are a couple of shots captured as the crews quickly harvested Pinot noir in this section of the Belle Pente estate vineyard. For more photos of harvest and other wine-related scenes, click on any photo or the Flickr module in the right hand column. Hope you are enjoying these images from harvest in the Willamette Valley. B>Related Links More coverage of Belle Pente Vineyards...

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October 31, 2010

Photos: Sunrise on Belle Pente Vineyard

With the sun about to rise over the horizon, I raced past the crew that had started picking Pinot noir at the bottom of the Belle Pente vineyard to find a high point from which to shoot. As I ascended the hillside, it dawned on me how steep this vineyard was and how bad of shape I was in. I instantly gained respect for those picking fruit, a group of men and women, young and old, who would quickly and methodically move up these slopes, without ever seeming to pause for a rest. I arrived to take this shot out...

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October 30, 2010

Photos: Harvest in the Willamette Valley

For three pristine days this month, I had the privilege of visiting several producers in the northern Willamette Valley, who were all at their peak of harvest activities. At each location, crews were hand picking tons of Pinot noir in the vineyard, while teams in the winery were hand sorting countless bins of fruit. It was a truly connective experience each day walking the rows and tasting the fruit at sunrise, following the harvest through early afternoon, and then finally watching clusters being sorted well past sunset. During harvest, the day's work is clearly never done until the last bin...

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August 20, 2010

IPNC 2010: Saturday, July 24 (Day Two)

What an amazing second day this turned out to be. From the morning pairing seminar to the alfresco lunch to the evening salmon bake, it was a day that exceeded expectations on a number of fronts. Here is a summary of my experiences, thoughts, and impressions from Day Two of the International Pinot Noir Celebration 2010. The Grand Seminar Another breakfast of fresh berries...arrive too late for the bacon and sausage...stomach is craving protein...alas, the "Wine is Food" grand seminar offers a mid-morning brunch of lamb and pinot...four wines matched to four preparations...shoulder, loin, leg and shank...winemaker and chef collaborate...Ray...

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August 14, 2010

IPNC 2010: Friday, July 23 (Day One)

What a terrific first day this turned out to be. From the morning's opening ceremonies to the evening's grand dinner event, it was a day that offered a variety of learning experiences, meaningful connections, and outstanding meals. Without further ado, here is a summary of impressions from this amazing Friday at IPNC 2010. Opening Ceremonies Fruit of the rambling vine for breakfast...fresh raspberries, blackberries, marionberries...pastries galore...welcome from Dr. Thomas Hellie, president of Linfield College...quotes winemaker who claimed, "Pinot noir is the tuning fork of the soul"...still resonates with me even now...Ray Isle, MC for IPNC, talks about the "communal bond,...

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August 01, 2010

Photos: IPNC 2010 Vineyard Tour & Winery Lunch

A few shots captured during the IPNC Vineyard Tour and Winery Lunch hosted by Lemelson on Friday, July 23. More details and photos from this terrific day will be shared soon. A view from my seat on the bus A view from my seat at the blending seminar A view from my seat at the outdoor luncheon...

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July 29, 2010

Outstanding in the Field at Oxbow Farm

On Friday, July 16, Kari and I attended an Outstanding in the Field dinner at Oxbow Farm, which is located about twenty miles east of downtown Seattle in the town of Carnation. This event was met with much anticipation for it was not only our first OITF, but also an occasion to celebrate our wedding anniversary. At first glance, the $180 per plate price might seem an extravagance, but considering the outdoor setting at Oxbow Farm, the five course meal prepared by chef Matt Dillon and his team from The Corson Building, the four different wines poured by James...

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June 27, 2010

Row 17 at Domaine Drouhin Oregon

One of my favorite shots from IPNC 2008, captured when I was visiting DDO during the first day of an incredible weekend...IPNC 2010 is just weeks away...can't wait to experience it again....

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