Monthly Archives: August 2016


Wine News from Around the Web

We’ve scoured the corners of the internet so you don’t have to. Squeeze the last out of your summer tomato harvest with recipe ideas from Food52, and get up to speed with the buzz on ice in wine and champagne. Here is your link love from the wine industry this week!

Post Olympic Impact on Brazil’s Wine Industry

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With the closing ceremony under a week ago, the wine industry in Brazil is celebrating the opening of new doors and greater exposure. Read more here.

Bad Weather Takes a Toll on French Wine 

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With heavy spring frosts earlier this year, the French wine industry is expected to produce nearly 25% less than last year according to the International Business Times. Champagne-producing regions were especially hard hit, with harvest in those regions already a week behind their typical harvest calendar. Read more here.

The Be-All-End-All Tomato Sandwich—& 4 Ways We Couldn’t Leave it Alone

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Photo: James Ransom via Food52

Snag the last of your tomatoes from the garden or stock up on fresh heirlooms at the farmer’s market to make these combos. We definitely have the savory french toast version on the menu this weekend. Looking for a wine pairing? Our Chardonnay would pair perfectly, or if you’re looking for a red, our Oregon Roan would also be a lovely addition.

Are You Using an Ice Bucket All Wrong?

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Author Anthony Giglio admits this might be “ the most ridiculous rant you’ve ever read” but he continues, nonetheless, illuminating the correct and incorrect ways to use an ice bucket to chill wine.

It seems that ice and wine seem to be the two buzzwords of the summer, with the New York Times recently exposing the latest (and arguably biggest) summer wine trend, Champagne on ice. Even self-described “wine snobs” are giving wine on ice a try this summer.

With trends like Frozé and increasingly popular wine cocktails, traditionalists seem to continue to broaden their horizons, simply out of pure curiosity. We admit we’re pretty curious to try this Raspberry Limoncello Procecco cocktail before it cools down any further.

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Photo: Chungah Rhee

But even if a wine cocktail does sound refreshing in the summer months, here in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, we’re looking forward to the cooler fall temperatures to enjoy some Oregon Pinot Noir!

Top 5 Things To Do In Oregon Wine Country

Of course your next visit to Oregon Wine Country wouldn’t be complete without visiting some of the best wineries and tasting rooms on the West Coast, but surely you’ll want to sneak in a few yummy meals and outdoor adventures along the way. But to be honest, this post should actually come with the headline “Top 5 Things to do in the Yamhill Carlton AVA in Oregon Wine Country.” With many of the founders of the Oregon Wine Industry in the Yamhill Carlton area, we think our AVA is a pretty great place to hang out for a day.

Being born and raised in the Willamette Valley, these are the stops I (Maija) wouldn’t want my friends to miss if they were visiting me at the winery. Added bonus: all of these stops are family friendly (as is our tasting room, btw)! Load up the kids, grab the dog leash and head on out.

 

1. Eat Breakfast at Carlton Corners

Breakfast at Carlton Corners, Carlton, OR

A favorite of the Teppola Family and Laurel Ridge Staff, Carlton Corners in downtown Carlton, Oregon offers hearty breakfasts and extra bubbly mimosas. You can’t go wrong starting your day touring Oregon Wine Country by filling your tank here! Pro Tip: get there before 8:00am for the early bird special!

 

2. Take a Morning Hike around Miller Woods

Miller Woods, McMinnville, OR

Donated to the City of McMinnville, Oregon in 2003, Miller Woods is a 130 acre preserve offering public hiking trails, native plant walks and other activities the whole family can enjoy! And just 3 miles west of McMinnville, this is the perfect place to hike without taking too much time away from your wine-tasting itinerary. Take your morning coffee or a bottle of wine and a lunch picnic to enjoy when you go!

 

3. Grab Lunch at The Horseradish in Carlton, Oregon

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Food doesn’t get more Pacific Northwest-inspired than The Horseradish. Serving local meats and greens when possible, The Horseradish curates sandwiches, soups, salads, and drinks that pair amazingly with the quaint charm of downtown Carlton and Oregon Wine Country. In fact, you’ll often see Laurel Ridge staff (as well as many other area winery owners and operators) in for lunch or dinner here.

 

4. Walk Around Downtown Newberg, Oregon

Downtown Newberg, Oregon

Newberg has come a long way since my childhood when the only things to do were go to Shari’s for waffle fries or get a coffee at Newberg’s now famous Coffee Cottage on my way to school. No joke, guys, Newberg used to be pretty bleak. But with the hustle and bustle of the Oregon Wine Industry, small towns like Newberg, Dundee, Carlton and McMinnville are bursting with cute shops, amazing restaurants and lots of things to keep you busy. My top spots in Newberg are the adorable gift shop Pulp & CircumstanceVelour Vintage, Newberg BakeryChapter’s Books (fun fact: Chapters is owned by my Middle School Vice Principal!) and, of course, the Coffee Cottage (get the Marionberry scone or else!).

 

5. Eat Pizza at Red Hill’s Market

Red Hills Market, Dundee, Oregon

Now, Red Hill’s isn’t an off the beaten path suggestion. It’s popular and everyone eats there, and I’m suggesting it for a reason. It’s good. Really good. If you’re a pizza fan, their brick oven pizza is a MUST (um hello, they imported the brick oven straight from the motherland), but if you’re not a pizza fan, not to fear, their ever-changing menu is guaranteed to have something to please. Red Hills Market is the perfect stop after a glorious day of wine tasting.

And there you have it! My top 5 family friendly things to do in Oregon Wine Country! Be sure to visit us at the tasting room and let us know what you thought of our suggestions, and, as always, happy wine tasting!

Looking for more? Visit our posts on the History of Laurel Ridge (part 1 & part 2) to learn more about our winery and the people behind the wine. Or keep up with us on Instagram or Facebook!

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