A Portland Green House

Or Quite possibly the greenest house in town? My friend Darcie sent me this invite and I am not sure if I will be around this weekend. Maybe I can go Tuesday... Can someone go in my honor? Visit the new & exciting Ash Creek House! This home integrates modern design, sustainable building practices, nature scaping and rainwater filtration to create a healthy habitat for people, fish & wildlife. We will be hosting a series of open houses and would love to see you at any or all of these events: Saturday, April 4th from 6-9pm ~ Come and meet the developer, designer and other key players in the construction of this amazing sustainable home. With tasty treats provided by Phresh Organic Catering and wonderful wines provided by Willamette Valley Vineyards. Sunday, April 5th from 12-5pm ~ Neighborhood Open House, this low-impact home has made a big impact on the surrounding neighborhood and the sustainable housing industry. Tuesday, April 7th from 11am-2pm ~ Broker’s Tour, a chance for education in buying and selling green homes. ~8020 SW Elmwood Street Portland, OR 97223 xoxo, Darcie

Those Wine Storytellers, Latenight

Beth sent me this and I was so confused. When I opened it on my iphone I was drinking some Crazy Cuvee Pinot Poir a wine pirate friend gave me. The email:

"Last night I received a rather rude awakening. It was 11:50PM and there was a voice on the other end of the phone. “Is this Michael?” At that time of night on a Sunday I wasn’t quite sure how to answer that. Eventually I was able to confirm that yes, it was indeed me on the phone. The voice was rough like sandpaper. It was coming from a throat that had seen a few shots of whiskey and a continuous stream of blue smoke. “Remember that time I posted bail for you in Aurora?” OK, that got my attention. But I couldn’t remember if it had been Colorado or Illinois. It’s easy to get in trouble anywhere a place is called Aurora. Then it all came rushing back to me. “Charles?” I asked. “That’s right, Mr. Smith to you. And I need to call in my chit.” I knew this moment would come. A night in Chicago that started harmlessly enough with straight bourbon and Motorhead on the jukebox at the Twisted Spoke eventually ended up with a doughnut fight in Aurora. A doughnut fight where a few well placed crullers actually managed to draw blood from the forehead of a well-meaning security guard. But that’s another newsletter. I asked Charles what he wanted. Which leads me to this particular newsletter offering."

This was sent by Storyteller Wine is great. They have some nice event and tastings, often. Sign up for their newsletter and offer to give me a ride there sometime!

I saw you buying 6 for $66

Beth, was that you last night picking up your wine and tasting? I was caught up talking to Steve about his new cheese shipment. So, yes- 6 bottles for $66! This is open to the public. But if it sounds good you might want to become a Member and bring me to all your Member only events!

Square Deal Wine Company has a brand new "Six for $66" offer for February that gives every bit the quality, with another big, fat dose of value. They went back to the southern Rhone again, for half the wines—a big juicy Rasteau, a succulent Sablet, and a "baby" Chateauneuf-du-Pape simply labeled as Cotes-du-Rhone. Then they throw in a rich, powerful Cahors (Malbec), a stunningly complex Bordeaux, and my new favorite quaffer, a Gamay from the Savoie that quite simply has vin soif written all over it. (A quaffer in other words.)
These are six bottles that are ready to drink now and have a retail value of $82.
And, if that's not enough, they are also going to throw in a "sweet" little gift certificate for you. I'm sure you by now, Elizabeth started Two Tarts a few years ago but just opened a nice little retail bakery a few blocks up the street on Kearney this past October. She's killing it there and if you haven't paid a visit, well, here's your stimulus plan. With each 6-pack purchase of the above, SquareDeal will throw in a $5 gift certificate to use as you wish at Two Tarts. Now I don't know about you but if someone wanted to bring me some wine and cookies for V-Day I wouldn't be too bummed.
If you're wishing them to ship your wine, don't worry. Instead of the Two Tarts Gift Card they will just a pack a little carton of cookies in there along with your bottles.
The packages will be available for pick up starting this morning and they only have a limited number of these. Call 503.226.9463 or take an executive lunch today and meet me at Square Deal Wine Company, 2321 NW Thurman St, Portland 97210

Wine Dinner Memories

Beth, my best wine advisor and very good friend told me she was opening a bottle of Archery Summit tonight in celebration of the life of Gary Andrus. He was the original winemaker at Archery Summit and just passed away. I love all types of wines but there is something very fancy about this one in all of the Willamette Valley Wineries. Gary was a pioneer here in Oregon in 1993 with wine and did a wonderful job. So a toast to Mr. Andrus. This picture is me with some friends finishing a tour at Archery Summit like three years ago.