Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Everyone met at the Portland airport without incident. Bob and Mary, Chaz and Gael
and Fred were all on the same flight from Atlanta; Newsom and Beverly flew from
Knoxville and Bill and Leah, who were already in Portland, arrived by transit rail.
We shuttled to the Alamo rental facility and were able to choose our two minivans from
a promised array of choices. There were exactly two to choose from; fortunately our needs fell
into that population. White one for the boys, dark brown for the girls (over the years
we've found that the boy van / girl van split works best.)
With the good old Garmin Street Pilot III in command (we call her the "bitch in the box")
we headed out an hour East toward Hood River and Phelps Creek Winery. It didn't take long to get
separated on I-84 (my error) and, with a mini-hue and cry about "LUNCH?!?", we
hooked back up at a Burger King for a bite. Friend Winston tracked us down there and took this picture:
L to R: Newsom, Beverly, Mary, Bill, Bob, Fran, Fred, Leah, Gael and Chaz
As mentioned on the top page, Fran was recovering from back surgery and her doctors wouldn't let her come along (though she fought like a tiger). We all felt bad that she was going to miss HOB2010 so I made a "Fran on a stick" that we carried with us on our adventure so she could be a part of all the fun. There were actually two "Frans on a stick"; the "indoor" Fran and the "outdoor" Fran. You can see "indoor" Fran in the photo above (between Bob and Fred). You'll see more of her, I promise!
The hour's drive to Hood River became nearly two hours because of highway
construction but we arrived at the Phelps Creek tasting room at 2:45p.
A bit about the Phelps Creek connection: Winston knows the owner, Bob Morus. Bob's day job is as a 777 captain for Delta. Through that connection, Winston
had arranged for us to have a vineyard tour and tasting at the estate, rather than the
tasting room -- and, as you know by now, Winston flew out to join us for the afternoon.
The Phelps Creek Estate
Our host, Bob Morus, owner of Phelps Creek Vineyards. That empty Oregon Pinot Noir glass will soon be filled!
The lovely Natalie:
.. led us the mile or so up the hills to the Phelps Creek estate. What a
fantastic setting -- American Northwest paradise. Vineyards planted in Pinot Noir and
Chardonnay ranged down the hillsides in all directions. It's wonderful when you get to
meet the owner and have the wines served and explained right there where the grapes
are grown.
The view from the deck was awesome!
Though we all tried, Mary took the best picture of Mount Hood for today:
Our host had laid on lovely snacks to go with the wines:
Bob apparently knew all about what "HOB" stands for..
First the Chardonnay, then the Gewurtztraminer, then a pair of Pinot Noirs and finally a Cuvee. All were wonderful. In
Fran's (regrettable) absence, Fred joined the wine club (YES!) and we all purchased
wine to be shipped home in November -- it's just too hot to ship wine until then.
Part of the experience was a hay ride (no kidding):
.. with Bob pulling the wagon with his
tractor, stopping in the vineyards for an explanation of growing and management
techniques found proper for the local soil and climate. There's a LOT of science
enhancing the art of winemaking!
In two months when ripe, the foundation for Phelps Creek Vineyards 2010 Pinot Noir
Fred, Fran and Phelps Creek Vineyards 2008 Pinot Noir
Winston, Fran and Gael weren't the only ones who had a great time at Phelps Creek Vineyards!
L to R: Gael, Chaz, Beverly, Outdoor Fran, Bob Morus, Bob, Leah, Bill, Mary, Fred and Newsom
We had planned another winery for this afternoon, but the wonderful Phelps Creek
experience used up all the time so we headed back to Portland for dinner at the
Portland City Grill.
When we plan the HOB wine tours in places other than the familiar Sonoma region in
California, we don't have the luxury of a reconnaissance trip to test travel details, etc.
So while the GPS took us unerringly to the 30 story building in downtown Portland
where the restaurant is located, we still had to find parking for the vans -- and we got
separated again. We found a close-by lot but lost the girls in the "no left turn" paradise
which is downtown Portland. Cell phones and arm waving finally worked out and the
girls' van was parked in the same lot.
Up to the 30th floor and the Portland City Grill. Thanks to Leah we had found out they
had a 25% off special that was good while we were here and we all took advantage of it
for our delicious meal. The Grill is huge, occupying an entire floor in what is probably
Portland's tallest skyscraper. And, in the fashion of modern restaurants, very, very
noisy. The decor is all rubbed wood, glass and brass typical of upscale steakhouses
and the menu was both large and filled with great choices.
As a surprise, Mary's cousin Susan and her husband Heinz appeared table-side as we
arrived. Lots of smiling and hugging. Since their visit was unplanned we had to
generate table space so they, Bob and Mary took a nearby four-top.
Here's most of us at dinner at the Portland City Grill.
Cool wine decanting gizmo!
Nearly everyone opted for seafood of some kind while Gael embraced (well, not literally
embraced) the duck. Everyone voted dinner a huge success especially at 75% of menu
prices!
Back in the vans for the fifty minute drive down I-5 to Salem. When we got off the
interstate, we thought (foolishly it turns out) that we'd be in Salem. Another fifteen minutes
east we arrived at the Grand Hotel. Lovely building and the rooms were quite nice. We
all checked in and hit the sack promptly.
We'll meet in the lobby at 10:15a to saddle up for our first Wednesday winery.
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