Toasting the Willamette Valley's wine culture

 More than 200 wineries are expected to toast Oregon’s 150th birthday during Willamette Valley Wineries Association’s 150 Days of Wine.

So while Oregon celebrated its birthday on Feb. 14, many Willamette Valley wineries kicked off WVWA’s event on Valentine’s Day with a weekend of special tasting and activities appropriately called, I Love Oregon Wines.

“We had a Valentine’s Day special over two days,” said Jeri Moser of Cristom Vineyards. Although only open on Feb. 14-15, the celebration “was part of the 150 Days of Wine celebration.”

Brooks Wines opened on Valentine’s Day, but Janie Brooks Heuck said, “We are also participating in the Eola Amity Hills AVA event at Zenith Vineyard on the 20th of March.” Brooks, Heuck said, plans to host at least one event a month through the 150 Days of Wine celebration.

WVWA joined Oregon 150 as an official partner to honor Oregon’s 150 years of statehood and celebrate the “rich history and bright future of Oregon wines,” said spokesperson Lynnette Anderson.

“With more than 200 wineries and tasting rooms in the Willamette Valley, we have much to celebrate,” Anderson said.

According to Anderson, 150 Days of Wine in the Willamette Valley is a unique opportunity to celebrate “the pioneering spirit, innovation and incredible stories behind the wine industry, which have contributed to the strong communities, diverse economy and original thinking that we call Oregon.”

The festivities will continue throughout Labor Day weekend in September, and Anderson posed, “What better way to toast the occasion than with a glass of locally handcrafted Oregon wine?”

More than 40 wineries have already opened their tasting rooms, and more are expected as the event evolves, Anderson said.

The event provides visitors with a wide variety of opportunities to taste locally hand-crafted wines up and down the Willamette Valley, while presenting them with an opportunity to meet local winemakers, taste from the barrel, or experience carefully cellared older vintages, Anderson said.

“They can explore vineyards or enjoy the perfect food parings for their favorite wines,” she added.

Visitors can welcome spring at “Equinox in the Eola-Amity Hills” with special wine tastings from more than 25 wineries or enjoy “Wines, Vines and Family Time,” one of the first family-friendly wine events in Oregon during the 150 Days event.

“Oregonians will have the opportunity to show their patriotic spirit and spend Fourth of July weekend in wine country at ‘Red, White and True Oregon Wines,’ with special tastings and festivities throughout the weekend,” Anderson said.

For updated special events and news on 150 Days of Wine in the Willamette Valley and a list of participating wineries and tasting rooms, visit www.willamettewines.com.