Discover some of Oregon’s best small wineries right here in Eugene’s backyard

From the largest mass-producing winery in Oregon to some of the smallest boutique, single-batch vineyards, the southern Willamette Valley around Eugene features a pouring of amazing, award-winning wines seeped in variety. Yet even with dozens of unique wineries to sample, it’s easy to get into a habit sticking with familiar favorites. Here are five local wineries that are among the Eugene area’s best kept secrets. Perhaps it’s time to liven up your sipping palate and venture into new wine territory!

Abbelone

A new, small-lot wine that is so popular that it is already sold out of its most recent vintage, Abbelone Wine is a family run vineyard located along the southern slopes of Spencer’s Butt just south of Eugene. Producing only estate grown Pinot Noir, that is a rich, ruby red color with deep cheery notes and a vibrate, fragrant nose, Abbelone’s wine showcases its unique location as one of the only vineyards in this small cove of the Willamette Valley and its earthy Burundian style crafting.

Owned by Chris and Angela Ferry, Abbelone’s first vintage was in 2009. A family-run vineyard in all aspects from helping to plant their 5000 vines, to carefully picking the grapes and monitoring its creation, the Ferry’s take hands-on to heart. Currently Abbelone does not have a tasting room, but their wine can be sampled at various events around the region or once the new vintage returns to shelves, it can be purchased at select wine stores around Eugene as well as at the Eugene, Cascades & Coast Adventure Center and the Fern Ridge Chamber of Commerce.

info@abbelonewine.com

Rainsong

A small production winery bottling less than 1,500 cases each year, Rainsong Vineyard is a hidden gem in the southern Willamette Valley. Featuring wines that are truly hand crafted starting in the vineyard where the vines are maintained and carefully picked and pruned by hand to the deliberate and selective creation of the wine, Rainsong reflects the patience and passion of its owners, the Fix family. With nine acres of vineyards, Rainsong grows Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier.

Serving up a unique experience for visitors, Rainsong additionally offers a Barrel Bottling program where groups can come out and purchase a barrel and then enjoy hands-on experience bottling the wine – you can even create your own label! With the assistance and supplies of on-site staff, work in wine for the day and then enjoy a picnic lunch outside with a fresh glass of your hard work.

Open for wine tasting twice annually over Memorial Day weekend (Saturday-Monday) and Thanksgiving weekend (Friday-Sunday). To reserve a barrel and group bottling experience call for appointments.

92989 Templeton Rd, Cheshire, OR 97419
541.998.1786
info@rainsongvineyard.com

Brigadoon

Taking a very natural approach to wine production, Brigadoon Wine Company tucked in a forested grove just northeast of Eugene strikes an earthy balance to take their vines to wine. Located on a 66 acre farm with 15 acres of vineyards, Brigadoon Winery – run by father and son duo Matt and Chris Shown- creates excellent Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc that won’t break the bank or harm the land. Tending their vineyards with sustainable practices such as using cover crops and hand pruning, Brigadoon nurtures its land with respect to allow the wine to reflect the site’s soil.

Producing an affordable and fruit-forward Pinot Noir for only $19 that Chris describes as a wine to pair with Tuesday meatloaf, Brigadoon values its customers taste for high quality, clean wine – one that doesn’t overselling their taste buds. With a new tasting room – it opened just in time for the 2011 Thanksgiving wine weekend – visit Brigadoon April through November and taste their handcrafted wines Friday to Sunday, noon-5 p.m. or by appointment.

25166 Ferguson Road
Junction City, Oregon 97448
541.998.8708

Capitello Wines

Crafting wine balanced between two worlds, Capitello produces wine infused by both its Oregon environs and the winemaker’s New Zealand background. With nearly 20 years’ experience in the Oregon wine industry, Capitello’s winemaker Ray Walsh creates wines that exhibit exquisite structure and quality while also showcasing his creativity and joy for the craft. Formerly the winemaker for King Estate, Walsh started his own label in 2003 to be able to spend more time with his son Desmond. Between family life in Oregon and adventurous summers in New Zealand scuba diving and surfing, Walsh produces improvisational Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and a Gewurztraminer “Dolcino” Dessert Wine.

Instead of using a family name to brand his wine, Walsh chose the name to symbolize his hopes to bring a new forward approach and refreshing style to the craft. Capitello, traditionally refers to an Italian shire of Mary that is positioned in the vineyards to bless the vines and people. Capitello doesn’t have a formal tasting room, but its wines can be found at local grocery and wine stores or order online.

541.520.3092
ray@capitellowines.com

B2

Made by Eugene Wine Cellars, one of southern Willamette Valley’s urban wine producers, B2 (pronounced BEE-squared) focuses on Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris created with grapes selected from independent vineyards throughout the Willamette Valley. Founded by Bruce Biehl, who has been assisting vineyards throughout the valley with village management and growing practices since the early 1970s, Eugene Wine Cellar not only creates crisp and citrusy Pinot Gris and a velvety Pinot Noir but also manages bulk wine production for third-party labels.

Savor B2’s excellent wines either by picking up a bottle at your local grocery store or by visiting their wine bar at Crescent Village in Eugene. Serving delicious food and a variety of wines from around Oregon and beyond, B2 Wine Bar is open Monday-Thursday, noon-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, noon to midnight and Sunday, 3-9 p.m. Additionally, swing by during happy hour Monday-Friday, from 4-6 p.m. and 9-10 p.m. for great discounts on food and wine.

2794 Shadow View
Eugene, Oregon 97408
541.505.8909

Learn more about today’s featured wineries in the GoLocal Eugene Business Directory.

Kelsey Ivey is a freelance wine and travel writer, who loves to explore the bountiful Pacific Northwest and share its beauty. She works at Travel Lane County in Eugene as the Tourism and PR Coordinator and pours wine at Noble Estate Winery. Follow her adventures on The Joyful Shoehorn and Oregon Winette or @KelseyIvey.

Photo Credit: All photos credit Kelsey Ivey (except for Brigadoon)

Police seek more input from public, Provide advice on what to do if you have a suspicious encounter during a traffic stop

Eugene police say they’ve received 20-30 leads since they arrested Daniel Scott Alloway on Thursday, January 26, on charges of Criminal Impersonation of a police officer. Details in the fake-cop investigation are disconcerting, say police, who are still asking members of the public to share their stories about and interactions with “Officer Dan Baker.”

“We’re still trying to get a grasp on how extensive his actions were,” said Sergeant Scott McKee of the EPD’s Special Investigations Unit. “It’s conceivable that he could have gone outside the Eugene area as well.”

Calls are coming in that reference a variety of interactions with the fake cop, including traffic stops (see below to learn how to protect yourself in the event of a “suspicious” traffic stop).

One tip, the details of which are outside the criminal statute of limitations, involves former Springfield resident Brandy Hood, who worked as a dancer in a local adults-only entertainment club. She reported an incident that took place back in 2007 (when she was in her 20s) in which she felt compelled to provide free favors due to Alloway’s portrayal of himself as an officer.  KVAL reports that Alloway threatened to “make sure that I get one of my buddies to pull you over on the way home, bust your tail light,” if he didn’t get a free dance. Hood also reported that Alloway conducted traffic stops in the club’s parking lot.

Alloway has also been charged with Coercion and Menacing related to two incidents with an 18-year-old Whiteaker neighborhood female, who claims he responded to her residence during a domestic dispute and acted as a police officer. Alloway lived in the same neighborhood at 1053 W. 4th Ave.

Sgt. McKee said that the two initially met at Hosea Youth Services, where the young lady said she was having problems with her boyfriend. “Officer Dan Baker” gave the young lady his number and said she should call him the next time there was trouble.

When the young lady called Alloway about a domestic dispute, he showed up and represented himself as “Officer Dan Baker” of the Eugene Police Department, while displaying a police badge and firearm. Alloway is alleged to have displayed his firearm in a threatening manner while ordering the male half of the dispute to leave the premises.

In another development, detectives conducted a search of Alloway’s vehicle, which had specially-mounted emergency lights on the front windshield, and  found a large box of stuffed teddy bears. Investigators believe Alloway was giving the toys away to children while he was representing himself as “Officer Dan Baker.”

“[Alloway] is a very strange guy,” said Sgt. McKee. “And it’s equally concerning that he had those teddy bears.”

It is unknown at this time if Alloway currently has a wife or significant other. McKee indicated that there’s a “young boy in his 20s who may be his stepson [from a prior marriage].”

Sgt. McKee said that, prior to the arrest, Alloway was “authorized” to participate in “police ride-alongs” and that Alloway did participate. In order to join a police ride along, the EPD runs a criminal check.

“There was no prior criminal history to raise our eyebrows about Dan Alloway,” said Sgt. McKee, who also commented about Alloway’s long service in the military. “He may have seen himself as a sort of ‘helper’ of the police.”

McKee pointed out that, as of yesterday (Feb. 1), Alloway was supposed to be deployed to Thailand with his National Guard unit.

Detectives are interested in talking to the parents of any children who received teddy bears or any such gifts from him, or anyone else who may have had contact with Alloway when he was posing as “Officer Dan Baker.” The tip line number is 541.682.8888.

Sgt. Scott McKee Offers Tips on How Members of the Public Can Manage a “Suspicious” Traffic Stop

Although there is really no way to tell if the flashing lights on a “police vehicle” belong to a real officer, there are ways you can take precautions in the event of a “suspicious” traffic stop.

Continue to drive (within a reasonable distance), maintaining a slow and steady speed, and yield when you are in an area that feels safe and/or one that is more populated. If you want, in the meantime, you can wave your arm outside the window to show the officer that you acknowledge the pull-over. You can also put on your hazard lights.

As another option, you can call 9-11, and explain your exact location and that you’re being pulled over. They will be able to tell you right away if it’s a legitimate stop.

Ask to see the officer’s credentials and make sure they match the uniform.

Ask the officer to call his partner or a fellow colleague on the police radio – in front of you – to verify that he or she is a legitimate authority.

Annual citizen recruitment now under way; All applications due March 30, 2012

The city of Eugene is seeking motivated citizens who embody the diverse backgrounds and interests of the community to voluntarily serve on city advisory boards, commissions, and committees.

All applications are due on March 30; interviews will take place in May; the City Council will make the appointments in June; and terms officially begin on July1, 2012.

The annual recruitment began January 17 and will conclude on March 30. Opportunities are available on a variety of groups including advisory committees to the City Council, departmental advisory committees and intergovernmental committees.

“Community members who serve on Eugene’s boards and commissions provide an invaluable service by assisting the City Council and City staff on a wide variety of subjects and developing recommendations on important policy matters,” said Jan Bohman, community relations director for the city of Eugene. “Participation on a City advisory body is not only an excellent way to get involved in local government, but is an interesting and challenging experience that can truly make a difference.”

The city is recruiting to fill the following vacancies. For some groups, current members whose terms are expiring may apply to be reappointed.

• Budget Committee 3 vacancies
• Civilian Review Board – 3 vacancies
• Human Rights Commission -3 vacancies
• Planning Commission – 1 vacancy
• Police Commission – 4 vacancies
• Sustainability Commission – 4 vacancies
• Toxics Board – 2 vacancies
• Lane Regional Air Protection Agency – 1 vacancy
• Library Board – 2 vacancies
• Neighborhood Matching Grant Advisory Committee – 1 vacancy
• Whilamut Citizen Planning Committee – 6 vacancies

Interested persons must submit a complete application including supplemental questions if required. Eligibility and representation requirements vary for each advisory group. For example, one of the vacancies on the Library Board is designated for a youth position.

Application Timeline

All application materials must be received by 5:00 p.m., Friday, March 30. Applications should be submitted online at www.eugene-or.gov/bcc; however, paper applications and related materials are available, if necessary, at the City Manager’s Office, 777 Pearl Street, Room 105.

On First Friday, Feb. 3, at 6 p.m., the downtown Eugene Public Library will host a free concert by the Alder Street Woodwind Quintet.

“The quintet is the oldest established permanent floating woodwind quintet in Eugene, having been formed in the late 60s when I lived on Alder Street,” says Charles Wright, bassoon player for the group.

According to the city of Eugene, this classical ensemble “with a light touch has changed players many times, but its name and charm have endured.”

Members are Pamela Ferree, flute; Kitty Steetle, oboe; Dan Cathey, clarinet; Marian Sparks, horn, and Charles Wright, bassoon.

The downtown library stays open until 8 p.m. on First Fridays. For more information, contact the Eugene Public Library at 541.682.8316 or www.eugene-or.gov/library.

Photo Credit: Phil Borycens

The city of Eugene and the School Garden Project teamed up at Adams Elementary last week to give local teachers and parents of local students a crash course on composting.

The workshop was held in support of the city’s recent announcement to build and implement five new school gardens and cafeteria composting programs in the 2011-2012 school year.

“Most food waste in Eugene ends up in the landfill, which squanders a resource with valuable economic properties. Landfilling also generates methane, which is a potent climate-damaging gas. Even if the gas is used to generate power at the County’s landfill, some of it still escapes into the atmosphere,” writes Bob Doppelt in a recent Statesman-Journal story.

The school compost workshop was kicked off by Rachel Sanders of the School Garden Project. Teachers, parents and other community members learned what makes composting a sustainable practice and why school cafeteria composting is important.

The group then moved outside where Adams Elementary parent, Matt Rasmussen, discussed his involvement in the program and how the composting actually works. This provided teachers at other schools an opportunity to ask questions about their own compost program and procedures.

The mulch created by the Adams Elementary composting program will be used in the school’s garden. Students will have a hands-on role in the composting process.

“The best thing about this program, is watching the kids get excited,” said Anne Donahue, a compost specialist with the city of Eugene. “They are so young and small that to watch them get excited about helping the environment, it makes it all worth it.”

Photo Credit: Kylie Keppler