Some good friends of ours bid on a vineyard tour at a recent charity event. The tour was for eight people and Robin and I were lucky enough to be asked to be a part of the experience. K & M Winery sits high above Newberg about half way between highway 99 and the and the Woodburn-Newburg Road. It's a long, winding drive with large sections of gravel. Some might find that off-putting, but I love it. K & M has a tasting room in Carlton, but does some events and tastings at their vineyard. Ken was our host for the day, and he has a wonderful gift of hospitality. Veraison has come to the vineyard! That means the red varietals are starting to change color. According to some winemakers that means that (God willing and the creek don't rise) harvest is about 40 or so days away. This is the second vineyard in a row where they have trellised their vines from the top down.
Ken walked us through the vineyard and then set out a tray of beautiful, local cheeses as well. We started with their Estate Chardonay, (pictured below), then proceeded to a Pinot Noir Rose, an '11 Estate Pinot, an '09 Oregon Pinot, and some bigger red's which they source from Southern Oregon. It's a wonderful tasting of a rich variety of wines all at very reasonable prices.
We had a wonderful time hanging out with good friends and tasting through their flight of wines at K & M. The location is amazing. From a very small parking lot you head down a steep set of stairs to a small tasting area, which opens out onto a patio, which flows down to another patio. Everything just flows from one space to another. I had to ask where the vineyard was located because I couldn't see it past the rich green plantings surrounding the tasting areas. Ken said the the architecture of the buildings is called "Pattern Language Architecture." I've never heard of it, but the feeling is warm and inviting.
That's a photo a the barn above. I want to thank Doug and Linda for the generous invitation to join them in their tasting. Also thanks to Ken for his warm welcome and for giving us a chance to sit with some great friends and enjoy his beautiful wines. It is just the kind of afternoon I love in Oregon Wine country.
