1859 Sept | Oct 2012_opt

At Sokol Blosser Winery, an old saying speaks of a time-honored tradition. “It
takes a lot of beer to make good wine,” says Alison Sokol Blosser. Sometimes the
beer is a favorite Oregon IPA, sometimes it’s not. Makers of Oregon’s finest wines
can also be found at McMinnville’s Deluxe Billiard Parlor (locally, “The D”) during
crush, knocking back the latest vintage of Coors, PBR or Budweiser.
Back at Adelsheim, crush traditions are more experimental. A couple of years
ago, they challenged the Ponzi Vineyards crew to a crab derby on the coast. The
Ponzi crab trappers proved too skilled for the Adelsheim team. Last year, however,
the Adelsheim crew changed tactics and found a vulnerable opponent. This began
the first annual trampoline dodgeball tournament against the Domaine Serene
harvest crew. Gina Hennen, the assistant winemaker at Adelsheim, had the homecourt
advantage, having taken trampoline aerobics classes at this Tigard venue. Domaine
Serene countered with a sure-handed soccer goalie, a “ringer,” Adelsheim's
Paige contested. The losing team would do the honors at the local bar. In the end,
Adelsheim overwhelmed Serene and drank in the spoils.
ALL OVER BUT THE VINTAGE
After the last grapes are processed, winemakers are happy to put the anxiety of
2011 behind them. What must have been one of the most challenging years in their
careers could further enhance their global reputation as formidable winemakers
when the vintage is bottled.
“I doubt they’ll set the world on fire, but they will be softer,” says Petterson. “I hope
that people will stop panicking in cool years and realize that Oregon can make good
wines in cool years and warm years.”
For Adelsheim’s Paige, the lesson of 2011 had its seeds in the prior year, which also
was a late harvest. “Everyone is saying that 2010 is really good," he says. "We only
have to look back that far. It was hailed as a miracle. It wasn’t a miracle. If you have a
great site and you know how to do your job and do it well, you’re going to have good
wine. The French have been telling us this for years.”
4 1859 oregon's mAgAzine SEPT OCT 2012