An Amateur Exploration of the Pacific Northwest Through Wine and Hikes

North Valley Vineyards

August 25, 2018by grapesgravelLeave a Comment

The North Valley Vineyards tasting room is a classic wood cabin ideal for holiday parties and cozy drinks by the fire. However, we visited the winery on a warm 100 degree day and were unable to participate in these cold weather activities. We were greeted upon arrival with a refreshing glass of rosé and made our way into a beautiful entry completed with a large stone fireplace and elegant rustic finishes. The tasting room maintains a cozy, comfortable elegance in every detail one encounters.

North Valley Vineyards is part of the Soter Vineyards Estate but focuses on making pinot noir distinct to each sub-appellation in the Northern Willamette Valley. They strive “to grow and craft certifiably earth-friendly, sustainably-farmed wines that are examples of the northern Willamette Valley at its qualitative best.” The wines are divided into 3 classifications or “classics, origins, and reserves.” The classic series are the winery’s core portfolio, with the Origin series being the small production lots from sub-appellations, and the reserves show the finest wines from each harvest.

Tasting Notes: Tasting fees are $25 per guest. One fee is waived per bottle purchased.

2017 North Valley Rosé of Pinot Noir

This was a wonderful welcome and beginning to the tasting, it had, “a striking salmon color and aromas of watermelon and sour cherry.” YUM!

2015 North Valley Pinot Noir: Origin Ribbon Ridge

This pinot noir had a distinct darkness to it with, “smoke and mineral accents…allspice and mocha notes.”

“The center of the compass icon indicates the center of the Northern Willamette Valley. The directional line points to the location of this AVA in relation to the compass center point.”

2015 North Valley Pinot Noir: Origin Eola-Amity Hills

“Offering black raspberry, cherry cola, lavender and spice cake flavors…” How could one resist a wine with such a description when it tastes as described?

2015 North Valley Reserve Pinot Noir

A beautiful representation of the North Valley, with “black raspberry complemented by lavender and star anise.”

2016 North Valley Reserve Chardonnay

A chardonnay finish with a restorative flavor of, “citrus, golden apple, and summer melon.”

The beautiful exterior of the cabin tasting room.

What did we buy?

Two bottles of the 2017 North Valley Rosé of Pinot Noir and one bottle of the 2015 North Valley Pinot Noir, origin Eola-Amity Hills.

Overall experience

We had a fabulous time spending a relaxing afternoon with our welcoming and informative hostess. North Valley Vineyards is a great place to cool down on a sweltering summer day. Also, we imagine it would be a perfectly cozy pit stop on a grey winter day. We highly recommend a visit to North Valley Vineyards next time you’re in Newberg.

Cheers and Auf Wiedersehen!

Emilie and Elena

Bend, Oregon, Trails

South Sister

August 9, 2018October 23, 2018by grapesgravelLeave a Comment

We both have three things in common: We love wine, we love hikes, and we just finished our first year of the MBA program. A couple months ago, we were stressed about everything and lived each day by the amount of assignments we had to finish. So, we decided to reward ourselves in the summer with a weekend getaway to Bend, Oregon. We packed up two friends, got in the car, and drove down there (and before you ask, we did have a great road trip playlist).

But we didn’t just want to go to Bend for fun, we decided to do the South Sister Hike. Why? Because we thought it would the most challenging but rewarding hike we have done so far. And we were right. Just look at the pictures.

Bend, Oregon, South Sisters — Where it all began.

Let’s start from the beginning.

The South Sister is one of the three volcanic peaks of the ‘Three Sisters’ which are part of the Cascade Range that extends from British Columbia through Washington and Oregon to Northern California. The South Sister, known as ‘Charity’, is the highest and most active volcano of the three and the third tallest mountain in Oregon.

The South Sister Trail is very popular so it is recommended to avoid weekends. We went on a Friday and we found it was fairly well trafficked.

South Sister, Bend, Oregon — Us on the trail.

The hike starts at Devil’s lake campground it’s an ~11.2 mile out-and-back trail. A valid recreation pass is required to park at the campground. We got there at 7:30 am and started the hike. You will enter the ‘Three Sisters Wilderness’ shortly after leaving the Devil’s lake trail head. The hike starts off very steep, bringing you through a hemlock forest to the base of the mountain. From there you’ll walk along the Pacific Crest Trail for a while which is a steady, easy walk. You will have a stunning view over Moraine Lake.

Moraine Lake, Bend, Oregon, South Sister — Moraine Lake (We told you – stunning)

When you reach the ‘mountain’ the hiking trail increasingly becomes a climbing trail requiring your full body to move forward

The trail gives you two options: You can either go up to the Lewis Glacier (Teardrop Lake) at ~9,000 feet or the summit at ~10,300 feet. You reach the glacier after approximately 5.2 miles and around 3,650 feet elevation gain.

We stopped at the lake and decided not to climb up to the summit because one, the terrain becomes treacherous and two, we have 6 bad knees and a couple bad ankles.

Throughout the hike, you will catch some of the most breathtaking views of the Moraine Lake, Broken Top, and Mount Bachelor.

After we finished the hike (~7.5 hours), we drove back to our hotel, changed to swimsuits, and headed back into town for an afternoon floating bash. Our legs were just as happy as our faces.

Bend, Oregon, Floating, Deschutes River — Us on the river.

We recommend you pack:

A lot (!) of water
Protein bars
Hiking Poles
Insect Spray
Sunscreen
Layers of Clothes (The temperature will change from the trailhead to the summit)

Cheers and Auf Wiedersehen!

Emilie and Elena

Newberg, Oregon, Wine

Et Fille Wines

July 21, 2018by grapesgravelLeave a Comment

As daughters with awesome fathers, we were drawn to Et Fille Wines. Et Fille (french for “and daughter”) was founded by a father-daughter duo who started making wine as a diversion from their day jobs. Now the brand is a small scale producer with an estate and 6 vineyards. Founder and winemaker Jessica Mozeico “operates the business, making elegantly complex wine inspired by her late father’s legacy and daughter’s future.”

Caitlin Hoemmen joins the G & G team for a wine adventure.

This brand is about family; an idea that is illustrated in the picturesque label of a father’s hand holding his daughters. The light pink and classic style is also reflected in the tasting room decor. We loved the gentle pink touches, feminine flare, and chalkboard walls. They also had a massive map of the valley, complete with a “you are here” which was appreciated by an amateur group like us.

Tasting Notes: The tasting fee is $15 and is waived with a 2 bottle purchase.

Viognier, Deux Vert Vineyard

This wine was wonderfully refreshing on a hot summer day (like the 90 degree weather we experienced). It’s described as having a “lush aromatic nose tempered by lean acidity and minerality.”

2014 Pinot Noir, Willamette Vineyard

This wine blends most of the Et Fille Vineyards “to allow the complexity of the Willamette Valley to reveal itself in an honest representation of the vintage.

Pinot Noir, Heredity

This reserve blend is made by combining the winemaker’s favorite barrels from a vintage to “combine them in a way that they (we) feel optimizes its aroma and texture.”

Pinot Noir, Maresh

The Maresh vineyard is more than 40 years old and “creates and distinctive complexity that matures nicely over time.”

What did we buy?

Two bottles of the Viognier to enjoy on another hot summer day.

Overall experience

We thoroughly enjoyed our tasting experience at Et Fille. The location is conveniently placed off the 99W and would be a great part of any Newberg wine country expedition. We mostly had the place to ourselves (on a Thursday afternoon) and appreciated hearing about the wines from fellow millennial wine enthusiast Eleanor.

In a word, j’adore :).

Cheers and Auf Wiedersehen!

Emilie and Elena

Mount Hood, Oregon, Trails

Mirror Lake

July 17, 2018by grapesgravelLeave a Comment

Do you like hiking and amazing views? Then we have some great news and the perfect trail.

The 3 mile out-and-back trail is located near Mount Hood Skibowl and is directly accessible from Highway 26, which is a double-edged sword. The good thing is, you can immediately start hiking once you get out of your car. The parking area is essentially the trailhead.

Mirror Lake View 2 — The team: Aubear, Emilie & Elena

The not-so-good thing is that parking is very limited. Unless you show up at 6 am or on a weekday, you might have to park in the overflow area, close to Mount Hood Ski Bowl (approximately 1 mile out).

We did not show up at 6 am and we went there on the 4th of July. You know how this story ends… We walked 2 miles more than we had to (oops).

1/3 of the team: Aubear

Guest Hiker: Kelley

After approximately 1 mile into the woods, we reached the lake. Once we were halfway around the lake, we had the most breathtaking view of Mount Hood and its reflection on the “Mirror Lake” (in case you were wondering where the name comes from). The loop around the lake is less than a mile but it offers some great views and some perfect spots to unwrap and enjoy the sandwich you brought.

Mirror Lake View 4 — 2/3 of the team: Aubear & Emilie

The total length of the trail is a little over 3 miles with approximately 780 feet elevation gain. We say it is a family-friendly, dog-friendly, moderate hike.

Cheers and Auf Wiedersehen!

Emilie and Elena

Columbia Gorge, Newberg, Oregon, Oregon, Trails, Wine

Hazelfern Cellars and Hole-in-the-Wall Falls

July 6, 2018July 17, 2018by grapesgravelLeave a Comment

Hazelfern Cellars Tasting Room

HAZELFERN CELLARS

We were excited to visit Hazelfern Cellars for two reasons: 1- They are a newer brand with small scale production and a very cool origin story. They make wine for, “life’s hardest moments, best moments, or Tuesdays.” 2- We were intrigued by their tasting room style and unique use of social media.

Kentucky Derby Wall — Aubear, Elena, Emilie

Laura, co-founder and ‘head honcho’ greeted us when we arrived and took us through a private tasting (they are by appointment only). The tasting room is housed inside the barn where the wine is made and stored. It is a beautiful unused horse barn turned winery, with a stylistic flare and sweet playlist.

Laura and her husband Bryan originally started as home winemakers, hauling grapes into their garage on Hazelfern Street in North-East Portland (hence the name). Their hobby turned into a profession and they moved to their current location in Newberg where they began their life as a wine-making family.

Tasting Notes: The tasting fee is $20 per person, but is waived with a two bottle purchase; bottles range from $22-$48.

2017 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Stormy Morning Vineyard, Willamette Valley: The quintessential summer rosé. Described as “strawberries and cream, salted watermelon…” basically we loved it.

2016 Pinot Noir, Silvershot Vineyard, Eola-Amity Hills: Grown lower on the vineyard, more meaty and masculine. Described as “aromatically complex with an edgy personality…earth tones, crushed hazelnuts.”

2016 Pinot Noir, La Chenaie Vineyard, Eola-Amity Hills: This is grown on the same vineyard as the wine above, but much higher up. This “wild child and a rebel soul” of a wine boasts, “boysenberry, wild plum, and a raspberry puree… with spiced accents.” LOVED IT!

2016 Chardonnay, Willamette Valley: “Precision and texture. Meyer lemon, brûlée’d pear, pineapple, Hawaiian lei flowers, jasmine, lemon thyme, and crushed oyster shell salinity on the finish.” Neither of us are huge chardonnay fans, but were positively surprised by the flavor of this wine. It had a lot going on.

DSC_0380 (1)

What did we buy?

Between the two of us, we bought 2 bottles of Rosé, a Chardonnay, and a 2016 Pinot Noir, La Chenaie Vineyard.

mason jar lamp

Overall Experience

We had high hopes for Hazelfern Cellars and were not disappointed. The wines were on point, the hospitality was incredible, and the ambiance was outstanding. Laura was welcoming, informative, and a lot of fun to hang out with. It was perfect for two aspiring wine aficionados because she told us all about the wine-making process, but emphasized that there is no wrong answer to wine preference. Overall, we highly recommend Hazelfern Cellars and encourage you to check out their farming and wine making adventures.

HOLE-IN-THE-WALL FALLS

Hole in the Wall Hike

The Columbia River Gorge has the greatest concentration of waterfalls in North America. So why wouldn’t you pick a hiking trail that goes to a waterfall?

When we saw the Hole-In-The-Wall waterfall, we knew where it got its name from. It is quite literally a hole in a wall. After doing some more research, we found that this is a man-made waterfall and exists because someone blasted a hole in this wall of rocks around 80 years ago.

We drove to Starvation Creek State Park, parked the car, and started walking. After a one-hour drive from downtown Portland, we were happy to find a restroom in the parking area. To get to the Hole-In-The-Wall Falls, you follow a paved walkway along the Interstate 84. This makes the waterfall extremely accessible for small children, strollers, or wheelchairs. We walked around 10-15 minutes from the parking lot to the waterfall.

Cabin Creek 2

On the way to the Hole-In-The-Wall Falls, we passed another, smaller waterfall called Cabin Creek Falls (that we initially mistook for the actual Hole-In-The-Wall Falls – oops). Once you get to the bottom of the waterfall, you will find a sweet little picnic area where you can have your homemade or not so much homemade lunch.

The Hole-In-The-Wall Falls lives up to its name – What you see is what you get. There are also many other hikes you can take that start at Starvation Creek State Park, but keep in mind many are still closed due to the Eagle Creek Fire. We enjoyed exploring this area, especially the breeze from the waterfalls on a hot summer day. And, according to Aubear, splashing in the water is very refreshing.

Hole in the wall selfie