May is Oregon Wine Month and 15 Dundee wineries and six local restaurants got together to showcase their food and drink on May 2. The Taste Dundee Block Party had perfect weather as everyone gathered in the parking lot of Chapter 24 Vineyards, just off Hwy 99W in Dundee (at the corner with the only stoplight in town).
The event was a great deal, $20 general admission and only $10 for people who belonged to a wine club of any of the participating wineries. The food was enough for a meal and you could taste over 30 wines. You could also take home wine with 15% off a half case and 20% off a full case.
It was fun to meet the winemakers, especially smaller producers we hadn’t yet visited. I was impressed with Aubichon Cellars 2012 Vista Hills Pinot Noir. This is a second brand for Le Cadeau, another we hadn’t tasted before despite them producing since 2002.
As my husband was driving, I screened wines for him to sip so he would only taste the best. Luckily, we have the same taste in wine. We only sampled reds, while most winemakers were also offering a white for tasting.
He agreed that Angela Estate‘s pinot noirs are excellent. They have a deep, complex flavor and should cellar well. I first tasted them at the Truffle Market Place this winter.
Likewise, the Panther Creek Cellars Winemaker’s Cuvee Pinot Noir is very pleasing. I went straight to the Chapter 24 Vineyards Fire Pinot Noir. I prefer it over their Flood pinot.
It wasn’t all pinot noir, there were several vineyards pouring syrah and other varietals. I loved the Cathedral Ridge Bordheauxd Red, it would be a crowd-pleaser at any party.
The food bites were great and a nice introduction to where to eat when visiting Dundee.
Red Hills Market had a wood-fired oven truck and served up a killer Morel, spring onion and lardon mac and cheese.
Bert’s Chuckwagon offered pork sliders that were delicious.
Tina’s had the first bite I grabbed, a tostada with bay shrimp and green salsa, blue a boccone dolce (meringue with passion fruit puree and strawberries).
Red Hills Provincial Dining went elegant with a mushroom pate and pork.
Babica Hen Cafe had a great bite that I believe is their crispy chicken and dumpling bite with sweet pea sauce. They also had very tall sandwiches and great cookies.
Dundee Bistro served up bites bites that didn’t list ingredients but were excellent, plus a dish of olive oil and great bread for dipping.
The event is definitely worth enjoying in coming years. One drawback is that there were no tables or places to sit. That may serve to keep the crowd moving, but it makes it harder to juggle food, wine and cell phone/camera. Porta johns were provided and there was parking nearby in the neighborhood.
