Full On Food, Wine and Fun at Full On Oregon – Part 1
Just because we hadn’t had quite enough wine yet, our next stop was at Ayres Vineyard where we were introduced to some of Oregon’s newer winemakers – Brad McLeroy of Ayres Vineyard, Maggie Harrison of Antica Terra, and Marcus Goodfellow of Matello. I enjoyed all of the wines that day and was very surprised at how dry and crisp some of the white wines were. I know Oregon Pinots very well, but am now a fan of some of their Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and other whites from Oregon.
Ayres Vineyard
Brad McLeroy of Ayres
Harry Peterson-Nedry, Maggie Harrison, Brad McLeroy , Marcus Goodfellow
After much wine and merriment at the vineyards, we had lunch at Thistle. Chef Eric Bechard prepared several dishes for us that were excellent. Everything served at this restaurant is from local farmers and producers. Lunch would not have been complete without wine, of course. We were able to enjoy a few bottles of Chehalem wines, courtesy of Harry Peterson-Nedry. It’s good to know the wine makers in this state. 🙂
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Gwen Pratesi
Gwen Pratesi is a James Beard Foundation Award Finalist in Journalism and an award-winning travel writer. She is the author and owner of PratesiLiving.com with her husband and a regular contributor to the Travel section of U.S. News & World Report. She also freelances for other publications including The Points Guy, USA TODAY, Cruise Critic, Travel + Leisure, Garden & Gun, Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, Reader's Digest, Forbes Travel Guide, Smarter Travel, TripAdvisor, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Magazine and World Travel Magazine. Her work has also been featured on MSN, Yahoo!, Business Insider, and SheKnows.
Gwen chronicles her love of international travel and experience as a professional home cook on PratesiLiving.com, where she shares the stories of some of the world's most sought-after destinations and cruise lines, highly regarded chefs, restaurateurs, farmers, wine and spirits producers and culinary artisans.
She and her husband are enjoying the coastal lifestyle in Florida with their Tibetan Terrier, Rhythm.
Looks like an amazing, awesome trip: well worth taking! WHAT a great thing!!!
Those people in the first picture make it look like MIGHTY serious business!
Hi Susan,
Wine making is serious business. Lots of great wines are out there along with tons of competition. They were all very interesting people with great stories. What a pleasure to be able to meet some of the first wine making families in Oregon.
Gwen
Gwen,
How wonderful! I hope to get to Portland one of these days. But I am enjoying the season so much in Georgia right now, it is too beautiful here at the moment to imagine any other place better on earth. Maybe when that cold hits I will be sorry 😀
Hi Maria,
Yes, the weather is pretty awesome in Georgia. Unfortunately, the chillier temps are coming soon, but we can enjoy the perfect weather while it’s here!
Gwen
Looks like huge fun! Food and pictures look amazing, Gwen!!
Hi Julie,
Yes, it was amazing. I miss it already!
Gwen
Oh, man, I am so glad you finally went – it was so worth it – I am just sad that I couldn’t go with you! Looks absolutely stunning and I so would love to visit the region! What a fabulous place to discover and they really seem to be doing some fabulous things in food and wine in that part of the country. And you look just adorable! Miss you! xo
Hi Jamie,
We would definitely have a great time in Oregon together. How could we not?! You need to come back to the States so we can make that trip! 🙂
Gwen
Looks like an amazing trip!!
Gwen the photos presented here are beyond outstanding!! I especially love looking out the door…. Kinda like my life right now. Fab food and plenty of wine, I know you had a blast!
Thank you, Kathy. It was an incredible experience. I’m so glad I was able to attend and can’t wait to make a trip back to Oregon soon!
I came across Smith Bites poetic video of this trip – you were there, too! What an amazing experience! I’ve only been to Portland once years ago and I’d love to return on a food/wine sojourn such as this – their passion for food, wine, and the land is a wonderful thing.