Breaking wine news: Winderlea Vineyard & Winery sold to Ricci family.

In the pursuit of "the next big thing" and other bright, shiny sparkling wine objects, we can lose track of the people that made us fall in love the first time.

The Willamette Valley wine industry lost a true legend last week.

I don't care if you own a vineyard or maintain a small garden in your backyard, you will find something meaningful in the Holistic Farming Substack. It is written by a retired (temporarily?) sparkling winemaker based in Canada.

This red wine vinegar made at Troon Vineyard in S.OR is quite simply the best I have ever tasted. You can order bottles on the winery website, but this batch isn't going to last long. It is a perfect host/holiday gift for hard to please wine lovers. @TroonVineyard

Eugene, Oregon, has a great jazz kissa-inspired wine bar. Go check out Nero.

"Uncool" by @CameronCrowe Is an amazing read. Like with "Almost Famous" and "Fast Times," I felt like I was living my own adolescent soundtrack. And I wish everyone could have an Alice in their life. I'm putting this on my office wall today. #uncool #inspirational

Hagueseth cocktail. Floral aromas, bitter note on the not-so-long-finish.

It breaks my heart that the family of one of the finest people I know had to endure this abuse. I hope Jeremy gets a meeting with the Chick Fil-a perpetrators, as it could possibly change their lives for the better. He is that kind of guy.

I had the opportunity to hang out with Stephanie Pao and Ted and Alicia Gerber for a day at Foris Vineyards in southern Oregon's Illinois Valley. Foris produces excellent wines for great prices. They will proudly have a place on my holiday table.

Even though it is almost Halloween, I did not bury this lede. "Boo" from wine country. Joined by ace reporter Samantha Swindler, it is my annual ghost story @Oregonian.

My financial advisor is a dead ringer for @JoshMalina. I'm not sure if this is good or bad, but during Zoom meetings, I pretend that Pres. Bartlet is going to interrupt us at any moment.

No matter what, Andrew will always be a royal wanker to me.

My wine writing worlds collide. I wonder if ol' Lena Imus is still restless over at @ArgyleWinery?

I did feel war-ravaged this morning. But one tall latte, and I'm feeling great. Just another lovely sunny morning in Portland.

Heck, Johnny Carson used to take longer breaks than that twice a month. Welcome back, @jimmykimmel.

In these times of darkness and hate, I seek out the glimmers of light and hope. Cristina Gonzales is one of the brightest of those lights.

Looking for an excellent Willamette Valley producer that you likely don't know about yet? One with fantastic wines, winemakers and a prime estate vineyard? One that is but a short drive from downtown Portland?

Queer Wine Fest in Dayton, OR is the most fun you can have at a wine event without spending a night in jail.

Great reporting by @YeseniaAmaro. It is getting ugly out in the Willamette Valley.