Food and Drink

Burgundy in Our Backyard: A Weekend in the Willamette Valley

“Pinot needs constant care and attention. You know? And in fact it can only grow in these really specific, little, tucked away corners of the world. And, and only the most patient and nurturing of growers can do it, really. Only somebody who really takes the time to understand Pinot's potential can then coax it into its fullest expression. Then, I mean, oh its flavors, they're just the most haunting and brilliant and thrilling and subtle and... ancient on the planet.”
-- Miles Raymond, Sideways, 2004

Pinot noir wine — you either love it or you just don’t. Because the grape requires such unique growing conditions and care, it isn’t a mainstay here in Washington State. But just 30 miles outside of Portland, OR, tucked into the rolling hills along Hwy 18, pinot noir is king. This is the Willamette Valley, a bucolic land of fields, trees, and gorgeous rows of cool-climate wine grapes. Here is Burgundy in our backyard. I simply love pinot noir.

The Willamette Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) is comprised of seven unique sub-AVAs, and with only 48 hours to explore, I certainly couldn’t visit them all. But if you’re out touring about for a wine weekend, here are a few great spots I can personally recommend.

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If you want to try wine tasting in a tasting room environment, head into the towns like McMinnville, Carlton, or Dundee for quick sips a short walk from your hotel or right off the road. Downtown McMinnville truly is the metropolis of the valley with several notable tasting rooms open nearly every day. We opted to stay there in the historic Hotel Oregon, a McMennamins property that’s close to everything. Rooms are small, often with common bathrooms, but the Rooftop Bar and resident ghosts makeup in charm what the hotel lacks in modern amenities.

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The Eyrie Vineyards tasting room is here, offering classic pinot noir from the library going as far back as 1985. Founded by David Lett (or Papa Pinot, as he’s known here), The Eyrie and Lett pioneered the pinot movement in the valley: both pinot noir and pinot gris do very well in this unique climate.

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Insider Tip: You feel like trying wine but your date wants a cocktail? Pop over to Ransom Wine & Spirits in McMinnville where you can have both! Flights of wine include (surprise) pinot noir, but also a charming dry gewurztraminer. For the spirit-forward traveller, you can try a flight of five liquors ranging from Old Tom Gin to Rye Whisky. There’s even a cocktail option.

If you’re like me, you like to try the wine where it grows. Just eight miles outside of McMinnville are the Dundee Hills, carpeted with vineyards, lavender fields, and views to rival Tuscany. Here are the heavy hitters in the world of pinot: Archery Summit Winery with its beautiful natural wine caves and sweeping vistas, De Ponte Cellars known for classic Burgundian-style winemaking, and Domaine Drouhin, a family affair bringing the best in sustainable French winemaking to its Oregon-grown pinot noir and chardonnay wines.

All three estates are near enough to visit in a single afternoon and the staff will treat you like kings and queens, but especially if you call ahead for a reservation. As you’re driving through the hills, look for the blue and white “tourist attraction” road signs that lead you to the various wineries dotting the hillsides.

Insider Tip: Looking for something outside of pinot? Try the Melon de Bourgogne by De Ponte Cellars. This white grape is rarely found outside the Loire Valley, France, but makes for a delicious and refreshing glass of candied lemon sunshine on a warm summer afternoon. Take it with you out to the porch and enjoy, likely in the company of the cellar’s resident calico cat, Missy.  

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On our final day in the valley, before our pinot palettes were completely exhausted, my husband and I found ourselves back in the Dundee Hills at White Rose Estate Winery & Vineyard. Open seven days a week (but again, reservations recommended), this winery offers a truly “pinot geeky” sensory experience: The tasting room has no windows. Off odors like perfumes and food are discouraged. You are prompted to wash your palate with club soda before you even begin tasting the wines. Tasting Room Manager Dago Guillen takes each guest on a journey through the terroir of the vineyards and deep into the flavors in every enormous glass. He knows these wines by heart (his brother is the winemaker) and will expose the secrets to how each vintage is produced. This spot is not to be missed.

Insider Tip: Looking for the perfect gift for the non-drinker in your life? Pop over to Red Ridge Farm, home to Oregon’s Olive Mill. The grounds alone are very pretty, but you can also taste several olive oils ranging from mild to peppery, as well as unique infused vinegars. Candles, soaps, and pretty terrarium plants are all available to purchase as well.

What I really love about pinot noir is that a perfectly balanced bottle can, and should, sit in a cellar for many years to come. When I do someday open them, these precious and pretty wines will provide several opportunities to revisit my Willamette weekend for years to come. Salud!

Amy L. Dickson is a communications professional, freelance writer, and contributor to Rain or Shine Guides. She’s currently training at the NW Wine Academy for her Level 1 sommelier certification. Follow her at @amyldickson75

Seattle Smoothies: An Investigation

Ah smoothies. Is there anything easier in the morning than dumping a bunch of fruit into a blender with some milk and turning it into a thick concoction of goodness? We love how you can tailor them to your liking and how easy it is to slip in any other healthy thing you want. Spinach? No problem! Weird powders? Sure, why not! If you add enough fruit, you can't taste any of it! But let's also be real, cleaning the blender can be kind of a pain, so sometimes it's just easier to grab a smoothie somewhere else and leave the cleaning to them. Below is our recommendations for the best places to grab a smoothie around town.

Kitanda

Kitanda's Energy Blast Bowl

Kitanda's Energy Blast Bowl

This Brazilian smoothie shop is known for their acai smoothies and bowls (a smoothie bowl is just a smoothie...in a bowl). The bowls come in a variety of combinations, but the main base is banana and acai, which reminds us, doesn't acai sound like the most pretentious fruit? We know it's a superfood and all, but we sound dumb saying it. Luckily, it's delicious! Anyway, one combination includes granola, coconut water, and dried mango (called Rio de Janiero) or there's one with chocolate sprinkles, coconut, and something amazing called a condensed milk drizzle (called the Festa Bowl). The photo above is the Energy Blast Bowl with banana, strawberry, granola, peanuts, and honey. We love this shop because in addition to smoothies, they also sell Brazilian specialties like cheese bread (!) and chicken cones. They also have a small shop full of imported goods, and you can even buy acai in bulk for creating these babies at home (yes, you'll have to clean the blender).

Jujubeet

Jujubeet's Cacao Wow

Jujubeet's Cacao Wow

Jujubeet might mostly be known for their artisanal juices, but it also has a well stocked menu of both healthy foods and smoothies. The extensive menu has everything from sandwiches, soups, crepes, salads, plus coffee and tea. We also love all the wellness shots that are offered such as the Coco Probiotic (kefir, organic coconut water) and the Happy Belly (aloe, pineapple, basil). However, this post is about smoothies not all that other wellness stuff, and Jujubeet makes the list for their Cacao Wow made with almond milk, almond butter, cacao, banana, and protein powder. It tastes just like a chocolate milkshake. But, like, a healthy one.

Verve Bowls

The Beast Mode smoothie bowl from Verve

The Beast Mode smoothie bowl from Verve

Verve Bowls, which is located inside the new Pike Motorworks courtyard in Capitol Hill, has got you covered on all things acai much like Kitanda (above). However, they also have unique pitaya bowls. What is a pitaya, you ask? We had no idea either. Turns out a dragon fruit's real name is pitaya. Whatever you want to call it, it's hot pink, which makes it the best fruit around. Verve Bowls wins all the awards because of the plethora of toppings you can add to any bowl. Matcha, bee pollen, flax, chia, heck, you can even add spinach. We recommend adding peanut butter because duh. Our personal favorite is the Beast Mode pitaya bowl blended with PB, banana, strawberry, house made almond milk, and topped with granola. Walk next door to Stumptown for coffee and you are winning at life.

Sweetgrass Food Co.

Matcha, Matcha, Matcha smoothie

Matcha, Matcha, Matcha smoothie

We find that lots of smoothie places tend to have the same type of ingredients on the menu, which is why we love Sweetgrass. They have unique flavor combinations that we haven't seen many other places. For example, you can get a Good Morning Brew, which is basically a coffee smoothie or a Mexican Morning Avena with oats and pears. Pictured above is the Matcha, Matcha, Matcha smoothie, which comes with, you guessed it, matcha. In addition to the awesome smoothie combinations, you can get smoothie bowls, house made pastries, grain bowls, hot drinks, and bone broth. They also have a tiny shop where you can buy interesting things like brain octane. We aren't exactly sure what this is, but +1 to Sweetgrass for having it.

Healthy Bonez Beverage Co.

HB's Nut Buster Bowl

HB's Nut Buster Bowl

Okay, okay, so Health Bonez isn't actually located in Seattle. You'll have to cross the bridge for this one and head over to the Kirkland/Totem Lake area, but after lusting at their Instagram account for months and months, we knew we had to check it out. And boy did it make the cut! This place, which started as a food truck, now has the cutest, yet simple, brick and mortar. They sell cold pressed juices, which you can get in a growler, and, of course, shakes and smoothies. Their base is "nice-cream" (frozen blended bananas), with a variety of toppings to choose from. We chose the Nut-Buster (peanut butter, banana, pretzels, peanuts, granola) but we also had our eye on the Yam Yam (sweet potato, banana, cashew cream). One thing we know, is that it is 100% worth the trip to the east side at least until they open one in Seattle (please open one in Seattle!). It tasted like a dream, and hard to believe it was good for you.

Insider's Guide to the Free Samples of Pike Place Market

The market is full of free samples from the local makers. Finding them can be tricky, but these are top notch products, so it's worth it. We are talkin' that Walter White level stuff, the best of the best. They know if you get a little taste you won't be able to stop from coming back for more.

We've compiled a comprehensive list of the spots that offer free samples. We just ask that you spend at least a little money when you visit (these are small business owners after all)!

Ellenos Greek Yogurt - Yogurt (usually lemon curd and marionberry)

Ellenos Greek Yogurt

The best free sample in the entire market. We know you're thinking, "Yogurt? What's the big deal?" Well, go get yourself a free sample and you'll be singing a different tune. We are completely hooked and always have Ellenos on hand for granola in the morning or a sweet snack in the afternoon. 

Britt's Pickles - A Variety of Pickles

Britt's has educated us on the power that is natural fermentation. Apparently the pickles you buy at the store are processed in a way to remove all the awesome vitamins and enzymes in the vegetable. Britt's doesn't stand for that crap. Head over and sample some of their options and taste for yourself! 

Beecher's Cheese - Cheese Curds

Beecher's not only has a huge window display where you can watch them make their cheese, but they also always have fresh cheese samples out. Most commonly found is their flagship cheddar, which is almost as good as their No Woman No Cry. 

Pike Place Fish - Smoked Salmon

Pike Place Fish Smoked Salmon

Watch them toss some fish, oogle the beautiful displays of crab and salmon, strike up a conversation with a monger about the sustainable nature of their business, and then grab a taste of their smoked salmon. It's great with bagels and cream cheese in the mornings, but good enough to eat completely plain.

Market Spice - Cinnamon Orange Tea

Market Spice is right next to Pike Place Fish and offers free Dixi Cups of their famous Cinnamon Orange Tea! We love to sip a sample as we peruse all the beautiful loose tea offerings and see what various tea products we need to add to our growing collection. 

Sosio's Produce - Fresh produce

If you wander down the main arcade odds are you'll notice a bright produce stand on the west side. This is Sosio's and they have amazing fresh produce and always offer up samples. From pears and apples to the occasional exotic options, we never turn down the slices of fruit and a smile from the employees. 

Simply the Best - Apple Chips

Simply the Best Apple Chips

A healthy snack option once you start to feel a little weighted down from all your other samples is a bag of dried fruit from Simply the Best. This wonderful stand is piled high with varieties of dried fruit like pineapple, bananas, and mango. You can usually get a few apples to sample if they aren't busy with other customers. 

Mick's - Pepper Jelly

You might not think of jelly as a big draw, but Mick's friendly staff and unique recipes keeps locals coming back for more. We love their famous pepper jelly, which you can pair with crackers and cream cheese for a yummy snack. 

Pappardelle's Pasta - Chocolate Pasta and various olive oils

Alright, we aren't going to lie, we don't really hit this place up for samples of the pasta... the chocolate pasta isn't thatttt great. It's uncooked and kinda dry, but this stand has been peddling that pasta for a longggg time, so we see it as something you have to check off your list, even if it's just once. The real joy comes from their olive oil stand. Stab some bread, spin the wheel, and get yourself as many of those flavors as possible! Yum.

Chukar Cherries - Chocolate Covered Cherries

This Seattle institution is a great stop for people with a sweet tooth! They take local Washington cherries and other berries and cover them in delicious chocolate. The combinations are almost endless between all the different types of chocolate and fruit. Our favorite are the white chocolate covered blueberries and the milk chocolate truffle cherries! 

La Buona Tavola - Truffle oil

This little shop in on the main street (same as Beecher's) and is always good for some delicious and rich truffle product samples. They always have their olive oils with bread to sample and sometimes if you are lucky you can catch them on a day when they have some of their potato soup with truffle oil on top! 

What are your favorite samples in Pike Place Market? We would love to hear!

White Center: Seattle's Mexican Food Mecca

White Center is the home of Seattle's most authentic (and cheap) Mexican food. If you are a lover of food from our southern neighbor then you MUST plan a visit for lunch/dinner and bring a big appetite. Oh, and cash, don't forget cash either. 

All the best food is sold to-go, so follow along and we will get you everything you need for a great, big, Mexican meal and a picnic table to eat it at (or you could take it home, but we doubt you'll want to wait).

Tamales at Carniceria El Paisano 

Your first stop needs to be this little grocery store/butcher shop. It's next door to another Mexican food place and at first glance it might look like you're in the wrong place since it's a grocery store, but trust us, you're not! Head to the register in the back and you'll see a large silver pot. The goodies are inside!

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They offer three kinds of tamales, rajas (cheese and jalapeño), and two pork options, mild and spicy. Our favorites are the rajas and spicy pork. They also have fresh salsa and pan leche, along with tons of other great sundries. Feel free to stock up! 

Roasted Corn @ Roasted Corn Stand

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Alright, now walk half a block down to the Roasted Corn Stand. This is going to be the highlight of your trip. This roasted corn is amazing. Seriously. They serve it a variety of ways, but obviously if you want to keep with your dinner theme you should get the Mexican (#2). They basically take your corn, cover it in mayo, and then douse it in cojita cheese and chili powder. Mmmmm! You can get it on the cob or cut off into a cup if you prefer the clean way of eating it (the messy corn on the cob is so much more fun though). This place only accepts cash, so plan accordingly -- each cob runs $3. 

Tacos @ Taqueria La Fondita

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Alright, now for your final stop. Walk about 10 feet to your right and order your main course. The taco plates from this little taco truck are to die for. We can't recommend anything other than the carnitas. They are so juicy and flavorful you'll be begging for their recipe. How do they make the pork taste so tender and delicious?! We don't know, but we're hooked, that's for sure. Obviously you should top off this amazing meal with a sugary Jarritos (why not at this point, right?). 

And now you have your full meal.

There are several picnic tables under an enclosure for customers to hang out and enjoy their food right next to Taqueria La Fondita. Spread out your goods and chow down!