For the last 25 years, Oregon winemakers have been raising funds for the Salud! Program. Established in 1991, the program (a partnership of the winemakers and the physicians of Tuality Healthcare ) has been 100% funded from the proceeds of the annual Oregon Pinot Noir Auction. The goal? To raise money for the seasonal vineyard workers and their families. These workers are some of the most vital and critical to the care of the vineyards. Because of their seasonal status they are unable to qualify for healthcare coverage.
The two night event closed by raising $911,300 to benefit the healthcare of seasonal vineyard workers.
Recently I journeyed to Portland from Napa Valley to learn more about the event, the people involved and the beneficiaries. This two-day event focuses on the tasting debuts of the 2015 vintage of Pinot Noir for Willamette Valley vintners. Night one we journeyed above the fog line to Ponzi Estates on the slopes of the Chehalem Mountains. The winemakers & vintners poured, and the rooms were abuzz about the 2015 Cuvées presented. The Cuvées are truly unique. They are not available in a store, a tasting room or anywhere else. It’s a great opportunity to stock your cellar with rare wine while helping this beneficial fundraiser.
On the night of the Gala we ventured to downtown Portland at the Sentinel Hotel. This black tie optional event features prominent players of the Willamette Valley wine industry. A few notable participants, Annie & Scott Shull of Raptor Ridge, Bill Sweat and Donna Morris of Winderlea, Eugenia Keegan at Gran Moraine & Oregon’s Jackson Family of Wines and David Adelsheim. Adelsheim is the President of Adelsheim Vineyards and arguably one of the most selfless and modest individuals in the championing of Willamette Valley’s wine industry. The two night event closed by raising $911,300 to benefit the healthcare of seasonal vineyard workers.
To see a complete list of participating wineries click here.
Through the alliance of Tuality Health Care and the Salud! Program, Tuality creates access of affordable healthcare to seasonal workers. Providing a mobile healthcare unit with multi-lingual staff enables both medical and dental evaluations on site. The program encourages the workers who are on tight budgets and have limited access to healthcare to get the help they need without concern about lost work time, childcare or transportation.
The Bottom Line. The mobile unit promotes wellness through regular screening of vitals and cholesterol, vision, vaccinations and more. When problems are identified referrals are made to clinics for additional care. By providing access, and early detection the workers can alleviate multiple challenges and get the care when and where they need it. It’s good for the industry and most importantly the people who play such an important role in the success of the industry. Ellen Brittan, ¡Salud! Steering Committee Co-Chair and owner of Brittan Vineyards, states, “This year’s event was especially impactful because we achieved a milestone of 25 years of service through collaboration for this truly unique program. The funds raised will allow our dedicated ¡Salud! Services team to continue providing approximately 5,000 annual medical and dental encounters to workers at 150 vineyards in the northern Willamette Valley.”
Mark Your Calendars! Next year’s do not miss event is Friday November 10 and Saturday November 11, 2017.
Bouchaine Winery is the spot to discover great Burgundian varieties made in Napa Valley’s Carneros region. Modern winery meets social hour. Bouchaine Vineyards tasting room
Somm Foundation Receives $25,000 in Support Pouring of Chateau Montelena’s stunning 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Over 200 people descended on Napa Valley’s Meritage Resort & Spa
Sojourn to the apex of Napa Valley with Theorem Vineyards. Adventuring up to Calistoga offers a wide array of wine riches including some boutique & family-owned small lot wineries.
Savoring every ounce of Porto & Gaia.
These captivating towns! This area is where savvy Europeans chill during holiday. It’s relaxed pace, good natured locals and delicious food and wine grace this region . Their beauty is remarkable. It’s history rich.
This day I ran first to the sea. Yet in the wrong direction. So I never made it there. But I discovered new things. Relived past visits and learned from those I spoke to.
The charm here will draw you in. Hold your heart captive.
Don’t look for crowded streets in the mornings.Life begins in the afternoon here. And then it knows no bounds.
A wedding. An hourly trolly. Buildings that have seen more history than we will ever know.
Dinner. A perfectly cooked tentacle of octopus, beyond generous in portion. Paired with a delectable #Alvarinho. An accommodating chef, and attentive service.
This was a day I’ll remember always.
Do you have a destination that you treasure?
Food by @restaurantebacalhoeiro
Wine by #quintadecidro
Vibe by #Portugal
When jet lag hits Porto and collides with a dirty Grey Goose tini up with Nicoise olive and a twist.
Good night.
Self Portrait: Finally changed my profile pic. Removed the one of me at the Eiffel Tower taken on March 12th just before the borders closed in France and the US.
I think the time after the old pic was taken has truly been a time of self reflection.
Each and everyone of us has been through such a crazy year and a half.
I'm grateful for this time since it's given me time to appreciate and spend more time with my family first. And to focus on the friends who truly are part of my life in ways that matter.
It gave me the opportunity to get in the best shape of my life and focus on the things that really count in this life.
I hope your journey too has been productive, meaningful and takes you where you want to go.
Wishing you a fabulous weekend in moderation, healthy food and great exercise!
To whatever is in your glass! May it be the most delicious sip ever.
Peace✌️And have a fantastic weekend with your loves.
Melka Estates
Precision is the name of the game. And you’ll certainly find the art of it at Melka.
A venture with two incredibly talented and diverse individuals, husband and wife team, Phillipe and Cherie Melka have created an enviable venture at the top of St. Helena’s Silverado Trail.
Precision’s opportunity presents itself in many venues of winemaking and the one wine creators agree upon is what happens in the vineyard is paramount to creating powerful and diverse taste in the glass.
To capitalize on this during harvest, the Melka’s make not one or two passes in the vineyard but several. To capture the spirit of vibrancy, the depth of flavor, the uniqueness of terroir.
It is a tasting that takes every sense and envelopes it completely. The heights of which taste continually excels the more in-depth one gets into the wine. It brings emotion to the forefront. Part of why I got involved in wine in the first place. Those taste that change one’s perception forever. That open the door to possibility and never let it go.
In the wine space it is not difficult to get jaded on occasion my the dearth of decent wine on the market today. There is not shortage of overpriced above average wine.
Here, the senses are in tune with what nature presents, while taking it a step beyond. The memories of this tasting will long be with me. It gave new life to my interest in wine. It gave meaning and dimension to the thought of truly exceptional wine.
This is a start of the story on the Melka’s and what they are doing for their family brand. Can't wait to delve in deeper!
Pictured: The bottle that brought happy tears to my eyes. 2017 Metisse Martinez Vineyards 70% Cabernet Sauvignon 20% Cabernet Franc 10% Petit Verdot
Great time tasting with dear friend @vinifera_collection. Thanks for capturing the puppy pic!
#TheWineSiren
New on TheWineSiren.com
Dreamers. Those who are a little crazy and very driven took to Carneros in the 1880’s. Boon Fly was the first to plant grapes and fruit trees here.
One day that dream would evolve into some of the region’s most celebrated Bordeaux varietals.
Learn how this outstanding venture is sweeping wine lovers off their feet. Winemaker &GM Chris Kijani has made incredible in roads along with her team.
Want more? Check out the link in bio for insight on this stunning one of a kind destination in Carneros.
#TheWineSiren #KellyMitchell #Wine #Carneros #NapaValley #winecountry #winedestinations #wheretogo #winetasting #beautifuldestinations #sustainablefarming
Special evenings call for an experience from The Restaurant at Auberge.
Off the beaten path miles away from the concert traffic rests a regal insular escape.
@aubergedusoleil is the place of gorgeous views, delicious food and all the soul enriching goodness of a home away from home.
We brought our own Napa Valley favorite from @larkmead_vineyards to capture the best memories of the moment. Like a story woven from the vineyards of Larkmead the wine represents a powerful statement of place. Subtle elegance is the profile of this lush expression. From the bright floral notes to the plump black cherries the wine tells its story further. Herbs, mocha, spice, anise and so much more spill forth with boundless beauty. This symphony of well orchestrated taste is mesmerizing. Tuned to perfection. Well played @danpetroski !
The wine complimented each dish. From the sautéed foie gras, and tomato risotto to the Prime beef pavé and potato gnocchi. It was a meal made for savoring each sip and delightful bite.
Life is for moments like this. Intimate. Shared. Celebrated.
#KellyMitchell #TheWineSiren
#wine #finedining #napavalley
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