Oregon and California Wineries Visits Archives

Seven Small Family Wineries to Visit in the Umpqua Valley of Oregon

The small family winery is alive and well in the fairytale Umpqua Valley. Often overlooked with the mad rush to the Willamette Valley just one hour north, or the warmer Rogue and Applegate Valleys of Southern Oregon, the Umpqua wine region is located in the center of Oregon where two rivers converge into one of the most picturesque mountain valleys in the West. The word “Umpqua” is based on the Native Americans who lived in the area, and is thought to mean “thundering waters." The Umpqua Valley of Oregon - View from Cooper's Ridge Winery The main town [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:23:01-08:00July 19, 2019|

Enchanting Rogue Valley: A Visit to Weisinger and Irvine Roberts Wineries

(February 2018) Recently I was honored to receive an invitation to speak at the Southern Oregon Wineries Association Annual Meeting in Ashland, Oregon. When they asked me if I wanted to arrive a day early so I could visit some wineries, my answer was - naturally – yes! Though I have visited many wineries in this region in the past, because my relatives live in Medford, Oregon, this area is booming right now, and I wanted to take advantage of the chance to visit a couple new wineries. Therefore, I was pleased to visit Weisinger Family Winery and Irvine Roberts [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:38:42-08:00April 2, 2018|

Russian Dancers, Ballerinas and Caviar Enrapture Guests at Jordan Winery’s Holiday Party

I always enjoy receiving an invitation to visit Jordan Winery in the Alexander Valley AVA of Sonoma County. Not only is it one of the oldest wineries in the region, with an impressive gate and curving driveway which leads to a golden ivy-covered building designed in the French chateau style, but they are known for their very innovative events. Ballerina Dancers at Jordan Winery in Sonoma County This time it was an invitation to attend their Tchaikovsky Christmas Party tasting to highlight their new Jordan Cuvée Champagne made in partnership with AR Lenoble in France. This is a [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:39:07-08:00December 10, 2017|

How Warren Winarski and Marketta Formeaux Inspired the Creation of Mi Sueño Winery: A Mexican-American Dream Come True in Napa Valley

(July 2017) Last Saturday evening my husband and I were invited to the 20 Year Anniversary Dinner Celebration of Mi Sueño Winery. Given that I knew the wines of Mi Sueno were very delicious and that the dinner was being held at Michelin star restaurant L’Auberge de Soleil, we were very pleased to be on the guest list. However, I didn’t expect to be brought to tears by the speakers, and completely awestruck by the support and mentorship of Warren Winarski and Marketta Formeaux in helping Rolando and Lorena Herrera to start Mi Sueño Winery. The Herrera Family, Owners [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-22T22:39:28-08:00August 1, 2017|