foodwineclick

Last week (May 15), I had the opportunity to take a walk in the Idiot’s Grace Vineyard in Mosier, OR.  Memaloose Wines has two properties: Mistral Ranch and Idiot’s Grace.  All their wines come from one of these two estate vineyards,  both located in the tiny Columbia Gorge AVA.  I love the opportunity to see the place the grapes are grown, to meet the growers and the winemakers. We’re members of their wine club and always look forward to our shipments.  Their wines are made with food in mind.  To that end, they always include a recipe for each of the wines in the shipment, which I enjoy trying.  Thanks to Memaloose Wines and specifically to Brian McCormick for letting me wander freely for an hour in the vineyard.  What a treat!

Click on any of the photos below to start the slide show

Idiot’s Grace Vineyard sits next to the Columbia River on the Oregon side in Mosier, OR.

Brian McCormick farms the vineyard organically.

In addition to grapes, Idiot’s grace produces cherries.

Idiot’s Grace also produces pears.

If you look closely, you can see the clear pear shape of the fruit. Cool!

View looking north towards the Columbia River.

Rows of grapevines in May.

Joyous growth in the spring

These grapes are grown “gobelet” style, no trellis.

Flower buds have formed.

Beautiful tiny buds, these will eventually form into grapes.

Organic vineyards encourage helpful flowers between the rows.

Pretty wildflowers at the edge of the vineyard.

Lots to see if you get down low and look.

So cool to see the history of each vine.

Here’s what is underneath all that new growth.

What’s this?

I didn’t scare away Momma. I’m afraid this one had already been abandoned.

More wildflowers on the edge of the vineyard

The Memaloose winery and Mistral Ranch vineyard are across the Columbia.

Lots of weather in the Columbia Gorge.

Memaloose Wines Idiot’s Grace Sauvignon Blanc – we love it!