An hour outside of Portland the hills become greener and the population thins out. Out here, you can almost smell the sunshine on Oregon's warm summer breeze. There was a peaceful lull to the Oregon countryside Monday morning as our shuttle bus scooted down the highway towards the small town of Dundee. Soon the hills were rolling with rows of grape vines below blue skies and large white clouds.
Sokol Blosser Winery broke ground 40 years ago on the lush red volcanic soil of Oregon by Bill and Susan Sokol Blosser. Certified organic in farming and wine production, Sokol Blosser has believed from the start in sustainable farming practices. By using solar panels, recycling, organically farming (USDA certified), and maintaining their naturally cooled underground wine cellar -- Sokol Blosser Winery has not only become an Oregon leader in creating beautiful wines but also in spreading the word about sustainability.
"Our devotion to world class quality is paralleled by a desire to achieve it sustainably," they say. Their belief in maintaining the "good to the earth" theory, or in other words, if it came from the ground it can go back to the ground, is the strong base of their sustainability practices.
The group of us from Papa Haydn West had the great privilege of being led on a walking tour around the winery by Sokol Blosser's Western Brand Ambassador, Lee Medina and second generation wine grower and Co-President Alex Sokol Blosser. They filled our glasses with vintage wines, our stomachs with delicious food, and our heads with an abundance of wine knowledge.
Oregon, in the past thirty years, has become one of the front runners in Pinot Noir production. More recently though, international wine connoisseurs have been flocking to our beautiful state to see what the commotion is all about. Perhaps it is the beautiful rich volcanic soil that is perfect for Pinot growth. Maybe it is the mild summers and the crisp clean air of the country side. But more than likely, it is a combination of those things paired with Oregonian's strong desire and commitment to treat the earth with respect and love.
Sokol Blosser, our hat is off to you and your commitment to creating amazing wines and treating the earth with the respect it deserves. It is an honor to be friends and business partners. See you again soon!
For more information about how you can go and visit Sokol Blosser Winery yourself, visit their website at: Sokol Blosser Winery.
Photography © 2011 Jesse Mojica Photography
No comments:
Post a Comment