When I received the
email from Antica
Terra that they were hosting their very first picnic in the
vineyards I quickly called and reserved our spot. The limit was 40
people. I have always wanted to try wines from Antica Terra, but they
were a little out of my budget. The cost per person for the picnic was
$35.00. Affordable and finally I would get to sip on wines that many buzz about
on Twitter.
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| Antica Terra |
The day started off
slightly cloudy which wasn't a concern as Oregonians still do fun things in the
rain. As they say, you can tell who is not local by the people that carry
umbrellas. Bear had arrived home early from the Gulf of Mexico so this was a
great date event. Our wonderful friend Roberta joined us as she originally
was my date and was willing to have Bear take back that role. Nate greeted us and poured a
2010 Phantasi Roussane which took us to the gates of heaven.
The table was set up
in front of the vines and our chairs were hay bales. Lights were twinkling in
the trees and a violinist and guitarist were playing great music.
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| Tables in the vineyards and hay bales for chairs. |
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| Our musical entertainment for the evening. |
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| Antica Terra Pinot Noir - 2006, 2008, 2010 |
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| Fresh Mozzarella |
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| My creative shot, pre-wine. |
We met a wonderful
couple, Gannt and Alison. Gannt is an Assistant Professor at University
of Oregon teaching German and Scandinavian folklore, narratology, fairy tales
and Iclandic Saga. How cool is that! Alison is a masseuse, AG Massage in
Portland, Oregon and I am going to treat myself one day to her magic
fingers.
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| Gannt and Alison |
Dinner was German
brats and sausages, heirloom tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and fresh basil.
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| Grilling the goodies. |
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| My plate of yumminess |
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| Heirloom tomatoes from Gathering Together farm. |
While we were eating
our delicious brats, Nate and Maggie poured our wines. We had 2006, 2008
and 2010 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Okay 2006 blew our mind. Of
course you cannot buy these wines as there are no more. We savored every
single drop. 2008 and 2010 were wonderful. Smooth, silky and fruit
forward. (<-- that one was for Mitchell).
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| Yes please. |
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| Nate |
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| Maggie - winemaker extraordinaire |
Maggie had organized
a Pinata for the little ones and while we ate our wonderful dessert, which I
don't have a picture of, we watched the children destroy the beach ball.
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| Even the kids got to have fun. |
After dessert Nate
took a few of us for a walk in the vineyard. It was the perfect end to an
incredible evening.
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| Antica Terra |
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| Nate explaining about the soil. |
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| Grapes getting plumpy. (Nubian wine terms) |
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| Pommard grapes. |
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| Perfect. |
I now understand why there are so many Antica Terra groupies on Twitter. Their wine is mind blowing. Choirs of angels singing. You want to break out into a rendition of 'The Circle of Life' song from the Lion King and hold your glass up high. That good.
A few days later I received a hand written note thanking us for attending their event.
My Mother would approve.
