Macro, Meso and Microclimates

In any given vintage there is talk about the macroclimate but the day-to-day considerations and efforts to farm the best quality fruit deal with the meso and microclimates. The meso and microclimates dictate how each site is farmed, taking into consideration the climactic characteristics that make each site unique. There are three spatial scales that are generally recognized: Macro, Meso and Mircroclimates.  Continue »

Men are routinely stupid: why white wine gets the Heisman

He Said: Men are, most assuredly, pretty ridiculous.... She Said: The evolution of the American palate has much to do with gender.  Continue »

Food & Wine Pairing Is For Jerks, Right?

He Said: Culinary genius is spawned of centuries of trial and error using the simplest ingredients in myriad ways, many of which were pretty lousy, like Spam or Chipped Beef. One need only to look at how many French dishes are basically scrambled eggs gone wrong to realize that the good ones stick around. So try a plump white wine with an arugula salad or black olives with marshmallows and see what comes of it.... She Said: Food and wine pairing isn't for jerks, it's just not something that needs to be so dang complicated.  Continue »

Failure by Committee

Albert Einstein once defined insanity as “doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results.” A marketing organization with which I am familiar recently averred this maxim in its search for a new director.  Continue »

Natural > Greenwashing > Nascar: How your wine made it to Daytona

He Said: Hawthorne recognized the importance of brand recognition all too well.... She Said: The greenwashing of wine continues to be a thorn in my side. As "organic" turns into "sustainable" turns into "biodynamic," I wonder where it all will end.  Continue »

Columbia Gorge

Probably one of my favorite place in Oregon is the Columbia Gorge. The fast flowing rivers, the dramatic cliffs, water falls and the forever blue sky’s never cease to take my breath away. As you drive east from Portland the landscape changes from dense conifer to woodland forest then to semi arid scrubland.  Continue »

Cult and Culture

Every year, The Wall Street Journal features a contest called Winning Workplaces to highlight outstanding small companies. When one reads profiles of the winners, the criteria for selection focus on such things as training, a hands-on work ethic, wellness programs, open book policies and sustainability. Rarely, if ever, is the overall culture addressed.  Continue »

But ours goes to eleven- The tenuous role of alcohol in wine

He Said: LADY BRACKNELL- "The chin a little higher, dear. Style largely depends on the way the chin is worn. They are worn very high, at present."... She Said: Simply because something has always been a certain way doesn't mean that it should be that way.  Continue »

Grape Berry Development

I’m going to give you a brief update on berry development to date here in Oregon.  Continue »

California Pinot Noir is like…

He Said: Largely becoming irrelevant. Don't get me wrong, there are some ground breaking, supremely talented Pinot producers in California that have done a world of good for the grape the world over, but I believe it is overwhelmingly going to their heads.... She Said: Unfortunately, that just isn't the case. On the global scale California Pinot Noir is as relevant today as it has always been. The reasons are simple: marketing, celebrity, and the American palate.  Continue »