Abbey Creek Winery; an Oregon Wine Tasting experience!
Happy 2021! A quick look back at 2020 and then I think it’s time to start enjoying the new year.
So my lock-down lasted til June, then the road and air called my name – travel began again, many typical locations with nothing too crazy to report on…until November!! This past fall I had the opportunity to head to Oregon and Washington for the first time, so new tastes awaited(of course socially distanced… no other way to discover 2020). I have to admit it was just such a small taste of the opportunities in the area, so another trip will be needed. I have to admit, for what I’d expect this trip to be in regards to drinks to taste, I could only get to a small sampling, so another trip will be needed.
After the work part of the trip was over, it was time for a wine tasting – I firmly believe if you go to a wine region it is very important to participate in a wine tasting!!! (Sidenote: definitely missed my regular brunch girls – they would have loved this experience and never wanted to leave!) Met up with a local friend to venture from Portland up to North Plains, OR to taste what Abbey Creek Winery had to offer. I peaked a little ahead to check out the website, and the first thing I learned: the tag line is “Hiphop, Wine & Chill”. Well, OK, I’m curious. Bertony Faustin, a first generation Haitian – American had started the first black owned winery in Oregon.
Walking in you are met with great hip hop music playing, with wine décor, natural wood, plus barrels are a must! The Abbey Creek team has taken the idea of “Hiphop, Wine & Chill” and created this fun welcoming atmosphere perfect for all to come and enjoy. The windows as you enter also share part of the mission: Feed your soul, Love magic moments.
The wines are referred to with Hashtags and instead of a typical tasting menu, we’ll be sampling a Play List of wine!!! So let’s get a taste with hopes to find a winner (or two) to bring some wine home!
First sight, then first sip has me excited for more, then share for others to check out! This was my first wine tasting on the west coast and the tart taste of the well blended #YingYang wine was a perfect start for my palate. (I love dry whites!) This was a blend of Gewurztraminer and Albariño grapes.
As I mentioned – the 1st track (wine) was the #YingYang from 2019, also known as a Melange Blanc. Definitely a white that I enjoyed with its bold green apple tart flavor. Next track up is the 2019 #sunshine – a light, refreshing Pinot Gris. This is a crowd pleaser, very light & easy drink. (Brought this home to share). Fun other fact – these first two wines are On Tap, so for locals you get a chance to bring back your re-useable bottle for a discount on MORE wine! (A little jealous, but glad I could bring some home)
Next we tasted the Blanc de Noir – sparkling wine – and a delicious one at that! Brought home this one too, just to find an excuse to pop open and enjoy. (I sometimes like to share yummy wines I find along my travels). The Pinot Noir was the next taste. As a light, dry, easy drinking red that paired well with the salted chocolate off the charcuterie board that came with the tasting! (Wine + cheese/charcuterie = YES!) I love having a fun spread of options to see what might pair well with a particular wine. Abbey Creeks selection included cheese, cured meats, crackers, fruit, dried fruit, plus olives, nuts and of course chocolate!
Quick remix with the Malbec with it’s tempting fruit aroma, but don’t be fooled, you will not be sipping on sweet juice (if you don’t already know, I am not a fan of too sweet (no sugary sweet), but I do appreciate naturally fruit forward on the palette). Per Bertony (remember the Wine Master) the #BlackerTheBerry the sweeter the juice!
Before getting our own bottle to sip together, we had the unique opportunity for a taste of a Blackberry Port the winery had done – the well rounded different styles the winery has done, I’m excited to get back out west to drink Abbey Creek wine again.
Thanks to the talented and knowledgeable team at Abbey Creek for such a great 1st West Coast winery experience and can’t wait to get some more again soon! If you are ever out in the Portland area, definitely check them out.
Check out Abbey Creek online and in social media:
https://www.abbeycreekvineyard.com/
IG: @AbbeyCreekWine Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbeycreekwine
If you can’t get out to Portland area yet, but can’t wait, ORDER ONLINE!
Meet Abbey Creek: https://youtu.be/j9rWYlSRXuQ
Check out the Red, White and Black journey, begun by Bertony, to help identify and tell the stories of other minority winemakers: https://www.abbeycreekvineyard.com/red-white-and-black.html
