Sokol Blosser Wine Blog

Did you know that the standard for all of our gardens here at Sokol Blosser Winery are based on two goals?

1. Plants that are native to Oregon / West Coast
2. Plants that attract beneficial insects for a healthy vineyard eco-system

Our Tasting Room is open daily from 10am-4pm, and right now is a great time to come out and explore our native plant gardens (we have many picnic tables so you can fully enjoy the scenery).

Some of that plants, shrubs and trees that are native to Oregon that you can spot in our gardens:

Red Twig Dogwood
Oregon Grape
Oregon Oak
Sword Ferns
Vine Maple
Big Leaf Maple
Yarrow
Lupine
Gaura
Snowberry
Cornflower

Posted by Kitri McGuire, Marketing Communications Manager at 01:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear Vineyard Cats (a.k.a. "The Rodent Patrol"),

Thank you very much for the kind "gift" you left on the office porch this morning for us to find. While we appreciate your generous thoughtfulness in leaving us "presents", at this time we are not in need of any more mouse butts, lone bird wings or tails of mysterious origins.

Keep up the good work in the vineyard catching the voles and other varmints that could attack our Pinot Noir vines. But please, please, don't leave any more pieces of them for us to find in the mornings.

With many treats and ear scratches anytime you want them,
Sokol Blosser Office Staff

Posted by Kitri McGuire, Marketing Communications Manager at 08:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Phew! It has been incredibly hot here in the Dundee Hills these past few days (103 degrees F today!) and it doesn't look like we'll get much relief until the weekend. Our stalwart vineyard crew has been working early in the mornings until noon to finish pulling leaves, spraying sulfur to prevent mildew, and weighing clusters so we can begin early crop estimates for our 2009 vintage.

Luckily, our vines are doing great and growing like... well, vines. Because we are dry farmers, the .6" of rain that we received on July 13 was incredibly helpful for this heat.

Meanwhile, jump in your pool, turn on a sprinkler, get your super-chilled glass of Evolution in hand, and stay cool everyone!

Posted by Kitri McGuire, Marketing Communications Manager at 01:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posted by Kitri McGuire, Marketing Communications Manager at 01:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From now until the end of September, Evolution, Lucky Edition will be featured at Kimpton restaurants nationwide. And we're so excited that we want you to be involved, too!

Send us a picture, video, or short description of yourself enjoying a glass or bottle of Evolution, Lucky Edition at a Kimpton restaurant, and we will post the very best to our blog and feature them on Facebook and Twitter.

Every entry that is emailed in with a snail mail address will receive an Evolution "Lucky You" Pack with a variety of Evolution goodies!

Email entries, along with your email address and snail mail address, to info@sokolblosser.com. Or, if you're so inclined, link your picture to us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sokolblosser, or Tweet about your experience to @sokolblosser at www.twitter.com/sokolblosser.

For a list of Kimpton restaurants near you, visit www.kimptonhotels.com. Lucky You!

Posted by Kitri McGuire, Marketing Communications Manager at 01:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Process Explained
from Sunset Magazine, August 2009

"In wine production, yeasts convert the natural sugar in grapes to carbon dioxide (a gas that blows off) and alcohol. Thus, the amount of alcohol in a wine usual depends on how much sugar is in the grapes when they're harvested - in short, how ripe they are. But underripe grapes may produce vegetal flavors or harsh levels of acidity in wines, and overripe grapes can result in cooked, rainiy flavors and a flabby texture. The grape grower's and winemaker's art (or skill) is in finding the ideal midpoint - something dependent on the grape variety, region, winemaking style and a host of other factors."

Posted by Kitri McGuire, Marketing Communications Manager at 11:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Congratulations to Martin and Janet Bleck, winners of our 2nd Annual Cellar Club BBQ Sauce Competition!

The Bleck's fabulous recipe was an instant favorite with our judges, and their finished sauce will be featured on all dishes at our 2nd Annual Grape & Grill Summer BBQ Event on Saturday, July 18 from 12pm-4pm.

Thank you to all of our Club members who sent in their recipes. We received an outstanding response - we hope to see you in your 10-gallon hat at the Winery on July 18!

Martin & Janet Bleck

The Underground in Newberg, Oregon is locally owned and operated by Martin and Janet Bleck, who moved to Oregon from tropical Miami to fulfill their dream of living in the most beautiful state in the nation and participating in its vibrant and burgeoning food and wine scene. Martin, a chef, and Janet, a caterer, come from the world of high-end, off-premise, full-service event planning, and took on the Underground with the mistaken notion that it might provide a slower pace.

Posted by Kitri McGuire, Marketing Communications Manager at 10:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yep - Sokol Blosser's Tasting Room is open the entire Independence Day holiday weekend, from 10am-4pm daily. Stop in and say hi to our lively Tasting Room crew, beat the heat with a glass of wine and a picnic on our scenic deck overlooking Wine Country, or just take a walk through the vineyard. We'll be here!

Posted by Kitri McGuire, Marketing Communications Manager at 09:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My husband Travis and I love to have people over to our house, especially on warm summer evenings. There's nothing better than throwing something delicious on the grill, grooving to good music and sharing a fun bottle of wine!

A friend recently shared with us a fun serving tip for Evolution that we have continued to use at our own parties. With the abundance of local berries, head to your local berry stand and pick up some fresh, plump blueberries. After pouring a glass of well chilled Evolution or Rosé of Pinot Noir, plop 3-5 blueberries in the glass. It adds great color, and the sweet/tart flavores of the berries pair well with the crisp acidity of those two wines. Best of all, if you can manage to keep from eating the berries until you hit the bottom of your glass, you'll be able to enjoy some delicious wine-soaked berries (jungle juice from college, anyone?).

Enjoy, stay cool and cheers! Don't forget Evolution's Mantra: Chill. Pour. Sip. Chill.

Posted by Kitri McGuire, Marketing Communications Manager at 02:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

When it’s hot in the city, head for the hills - the Dundee Hills! We will see 90 degrees this week and if you need a place to escape and relax come out to the Winery. Our tents are up in the courtyard and Tasting Room Manager Rodolphe Louchart is out there each weekend pouring wine.

Jeff Knapp is in the Club Members' Lounge keeping things cool and our exuberant Tasting Room staff is ready to greet you with a smile and take you on a tour of the estate. Bring a picnic, bring your dog (on a leash), bring a Frisbee but most importantly bring and extra pair of socks! We intend to knock off the pair you will be wearing with our outstanding wines!

Michael Kelly Brown
Direct Sales Manager

Posted by Michael Brown, Direct Sales Manager at 08:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)