McMinnville Wine & Food Classic – Sip!

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McMinnville Wine & Food ClassicIf you’re looking for a unique Oregon wine event that supports a great cause, look no further than the 27th annual McMinnville Wine & Food Classic – Sip on March 13-15.

Held at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, this weekend wine and food festival is a fundraiser for programs to benefit students at McMinnville’s St. James School. Founded in 1906, the school received approximately 15-20% of its operating budget from proceeds raised at last year’s festival.

“Everything about the event is centered upon having fun, and the venue is what really sets the Classic apart,” says event Chair Jon Johnson. Approximately 160 vendors will set up among the artifacts of the space age – jets, missiles, and displays from outer space missions.

Here are the details.

Event Information

First of all, more than 70 Oregon-area wineries will be pouring at the festival including some of our longtime favorites: K & M Wines, Troon Cellars, Carlton Cellars, Lady Hill Winery, Dobbes Family Estate and Willamette Valley Vineyards. We’re also looking forward to pours from some new-to-us wineries such as Alloro Vineyard and Lenné Estate.

And  how cool is this? You can also purchase the wine you taste, and pick it up at a valet counter, with transportation assistance to your vehicle.

Furthermore, you’ll find more than 25 food vendors, 18 artisans of jewelry, art and woodwork, and six distillers at the festival. Food vendors include Pacific Crab Company, Ribslayer BBQ, Asiatico Waterfront Fusion Sushi and Lajitama Greek Cuisine. In other words, you can try fresh oysters, crab and shrimp melts, barbecue, German grilled specialties, authentic tamales and more.

And live music will be playing all weekend.

One-day or three-day tickets are available, as well as a “decide later” one-day ticket if you’re not sure yet what day you can attend. Ticket prices: $24 for Friday, $28 for Saturday, $16 for Sunday and $28 for the “any day” ticket. You can purchase tickets online.

A limited number of free stemmed crystal Pinot Noir glasses will also be handed out, while supplies last.

Wine Competition

In January, the McMinnville Wine & Food Classic held its 27th annual wine competition, to introduce Oregon wines to consumers. Here are some of the winners:

  • August Cellars 2018 Gamay Noir: Best in Show Red
  • Awen Winecraft 2018 Grenache Blanc: Best in Show White
  • Cardwell Hill Cellars 2015 Estate Pinot Noir Monet Block: Best Pinot Noir
  • Phelps Creek 2016 Lynette Chard: Best Chardonnay
  • Coria Estate 2018 Rosé of Pinot Noir: Best Rosé
  • Willamette Valley Vineyards 2016 Methode Champenoise Brut: Best Sparkling Wine
  • Apolloni Vineyard’s 2015 Dolce Vino Viognier: Best Dessert Wine

The full list, including gold and silver award winners, can be found on the event’s website.

Summary

This sounds like such a fun event, and above all, for such a good cause. Furthermore, you can taste some excellent Oregon wine and snack on delicious bites. We hope to see you there!

Cheers!
Margot and Dave