Five Years of Weinnotes, and a Lot of Rambling

Summer, I know, isn't supposed to start until July 5th, but I get way too excited for this time of year. My summer album this year is "Townie" by X-Ambassadors. All the songs have an authentic vibe. During my 30-mile bike rides, I listen to a podcast or audiobook for the first part, and then I switch over to this album for the back half.

I remember when I first moved here from Tennessee and took bike rides in the mornings during summer, I was surprised by how cold it was, which made no sense to me at the time. Now, I relish that crisp, cool morning air—I absolutely adore it!

During my bike rides, there's a lot of time to think. Warning: there's going to be quite a bit of rambling this month, and I'm not focusing on any one winery. I understand if you want to delete this email at this point, but I think it might be worth your while. Let's see where this goes, but before that, let's line up some links!

Were you aware Dolly has her own wine? I wonder what Dollywood pairings are available?

If you know Scott Henry, you probably already know this sad news.

Are you aware wine bottles are starting to get nutrition labels?

We always talk about the French investing in Oregon as part of the our Wine Community story. Looks like Virginia is also catching their attention.

A couple years ago I met Alex Kanzler at IPNC, had Alex and his wife Bre on the podcast. They are celebrating the opening of their tasting room!

Have you heard of an event called Blood of Gods? Neither had I and wow sounds like a great event!

Who would have thought BBQ Sauce from 2020 wine would be a thing. It is and I need to make ribs now!

Every year the Silicon Valley Bank puts out a report. Check it out and here is the PDF slide deck​

If pouring Cameron in the movie Pig didn’t get the word out I am sure this feature from Jancis Robinson will!

The Robb Report knows about Oregon Chardonnay and more importantly Granville!

Have you heard of Prince Hill? Well, now there is a tasting room!

The other night, right before going to bed, I received a text message about someone placing a reservation on Block 55. It was from the test account I had set up, and I wasn't too worried about it, but I sent a text back to make sure they were aware this was a test account. The following morning, I got a reply saying, "I knew it was a test account and was catching up on old emails." The newsletter I sent out announcing Block 55 was in February. I am so glad people hold onto my emails for months to catch up!

Speaking of Block 55, I mentioned last month that a couple of new wineries had signed up. One of the wineries is Bethel Heights, and I am happy to say that after a month of using Block 55, everything is going nice and smooth. Another winery that signed up is Jacob Williams Winery. They have tasting rooms in the Gorge and McMinnville. When you visit the McMinnville location, please tell Shantel, "Hi, and A.J. sent me!"

I appreciate all the referrals from last month, and if you know anyone else who could use a simple and affordable reservation system, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

As some of you might remember, July 2024 marks the fifth anniversary of this newsletter. When I launched it, my goal was straightforward: to serve as your guide to Wine Country. Finding reliable recommendations was tough, and I wanted to simplify that journey for everyone. Stepping into a winery for the first time can be daunting. There’s always the uncertainty—Is it open? Do I need a reservation? Will I like the wine?

I hope my efforts have made these explorations a bit less intimidating, especially through the wineries I’ve featured. Take Audeant, for example. Recently, it received high praise from Decanter, ranking as one of the top wines among over 18,000 tasted at the Decanter World Wine Awards. The 2017 Luminous Hills Pinot Noir scored an impressive 97 points. Judges raved about its “ripe crushed cherries and perfumed red flowers,” noting the wine’s “silky smooth tannins and squeaky clean acidity.” This acclaim also earned it a feature on Forbes.

I first visited Audeant in January 2020, and it’s thrilling to see the recognition Andrew, Teal, and Dan have garnered. If you haven’t visited—or it’s been a while—I highly recommend you make a reservation. Be sure to try the 2021 Foothills Pinot Noir and say “A.J. sent me!”

Reflecting on such milestones and achievements reminds me just how far we’ve come together. Five years ago, if you had told me I’d still be writing this newsletter, hosting a podcast, and launching a reservation system, I’d have been at a loss for words. Back then, I couldn’t have imagined any of this. Even more surprising are the connections I’ve made with so many of you. These relationships are incredibly special to me, and I am profoundly grateful for each one.

Over the years, you’ve heard numerous stories from me and the guests on my podcast. Now, it’s your turn—I want to hear your stories! Tell me about your experiences in wine country and why these moments stand out for you.

When I first started the newsletter, I toyed with the idea of sending a journal around for people to share their stories, but it never materialized. During the pandemic, a friend proposed a similar concept for sharing tales from these unprecedented times, but that too didn’t take off. Now, I’m ready to hear about your wine adventures and the community that thrives around it.

So, how can you participate? First, I need 50 volunteers to share their tales. Just sign up with your name, address, Instagram handle, and phone number—rest assured, your personal details will remain confidential. I’ll compile a list of participants and send out two journals to these 50 storytellers. Once you receive a journal, post an Instagram story with the hashtag #block55app, jot down your story, and let me know when it’s ready to be passed on. We’ll continue this cycle until all 50 stories are penned. Afterwards, I’ll share highlights from the journals on the Block55 Instagram account. If you haven’t yet followed Block 55, now’s the perfect time!

Are you ready to share your story? Sign up here!

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With Gratitude,

A.J.