Sunday July 10:
I’m sitting here in the wine tasting room contemplating rare summer weather: rain and clouds! More typical of March than July, we had a weather front travel through overnight and perhaps we had the good part of an inch of rain. Maybe good for the grapevines, but we’ll have to keep an eye out for mildew-related problems that can be associated with wet weather. So far, everything looks great out in the vineyard, and hard to believe how great our young vines look right now!! We’re seeing a forecast that will bring back the constant sunny weather that we enjoy all summer in the Willamette Valley..... After our first-ever harvest of Bluebird Hill estate grapes in 2015, we are perhaps hoping to bring in one ton of estate fruit this year. With the exception of this cool and wet weekend, harvest has been looking like it might happen somewhere around mid-September.
We’re grateful for all of you folks who have visited the winery, tasted, and brought home bottles or cases of Bluebird Hill wine. For those of you who have made the commitment and joined our wine club, we have the first of our wine club parties on the horizon: On Sunday, August 7th, we’re hosting the first-ever Bluebird Hill Wine Club Members’ Party!! This will be an exclusive event, your perk for being part of the Bluebird Hill family. After the tasting room closes for public hours, we’ll get together from 5:00 to 8:00 pm for wine, food from the grill, and live entertainment, singer-songwriter Jesse Meade from Eugene.
Jesse will be playing his music for us out on the patio while everyone chills out and enjoys good friends, good wine, and good times. Wine club members are welcome, and invited to bring friends and family with them as our guests. We just ask that when you RSVP, let us know approximately how many people you plan to bring. Wine will be available by the glass or bottle, and Neil will be offering something special from the barbecue.
Further down the road, save the date and join us for our first annual “Pinot on the Patio”, 5 - 8 pm Sunday September 4th. We hope that POTP will become our flagship summer party event with food by our favorite caterer, Forks & Corks, and music by Cardboard Caravan. We'll have outdoor games & contests plus wine & food trivia. $25/person - Advanced tickets required, call Sue at (541) 424-2478 or email us to purchase your tickets.
In the meantime, we’d like to remind all that although our regular hours are Fri – Sun, noon to 5:00, we are open by appointment and the patio is available by reservation for small private wine tasting for weekday lunches, and evening get-togethers (~5:00 – ~8:00) seven days a week. During regular hours, remember that picnicking at Bluebird Hill is not only allowed, but encouraged, so put a picnic basket in your plans when you come out to visit us next time here in Alpine!
Enjoy the summer and we plan to see you here sometime soon!
Cheers,
Neil & Sue