Barrel Tour

Yesterday, Jeanette and I helped out with Barrel Tour at River’s Edge Winery here in Elkton. Twice a year in the Spring, Umpqua Valley Wineries put on a Barrel Tour. People are bused to various wineries, where they get to sample the new wine straight from the barrel, and enjoy food paired with the wine.

Mike Landt, owner with his wife Vonnie of River’s Edge Winery, is shown here using a “thief” to extract a sample of 2009 Pinot Noir from an oak barrel. This is the wine made from grapes harvested this last fall. It has been aging in oak barrels this winter and will be bottled this coming fall.

An attendee receives her sample from the “thief”. In addition to the new Pinot Noir, a bottled 2007 Pinot Gris, and 2007 Gewurztraminer were also served. All three wines were paired with special foods.