A Serious Sweet Red Wine? Are you Serious?

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Christine

A Serious Sweet Red Wine? Are you Serious? Druid’s Fluid Red is featured as this week’s Friday Find on Northwest Wine Anthem!

Each Friday we highlight a wine from the Northwest that we think is a real “find.” By find we might mean that it’s a steal, as all of these wines we’ll feature weekly are under $20. We might also mean “Hey, you really need to go find this” and it might be a wine that we feel not enough people know about. In any case, with the weekend pending we’re hoping to help you “find” a wine to kickoff the weekend right. We’ll tell you a little bit about the wine and try to help you track it down here in the Northwest.

People are going to start to worry about us at this rate.  Last week’s Friday Find was a nod to the ancient practices of Alchemy and the red blend Script & Seal, and here we are this week talking about Druids.   Here’s the weird thing about the Druids, we don’t really know anything about them.  I mean, at least Wikipedia doesn’t and if Wikipedia doesn’t well then, that knowledge doesn’t exist.  What we do know about the Druids is that they were fairly frightening and mysterious. They were a priestly group in the British Isles and they killed people.

Click here to read the full review. 

Posted in Applegate Valley Wine, Applegate Valley Wineries, Dick Troon, Druid's Fluid, News, Press, Southern Oregon Wine, Troon Wines | Leave a comment

Spring Release Weekend!

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Christine

Join us to welcome the white wines of the season!

May 4th-6th, 11 am – 5 pm
For ONE WEEKEND ONLY both our Applegate Valley Estate and Carlton Tasting Rooms will be featuring new white wine releases at introductory savings. You can also save online or by calling 541.846.9900. Wine Club members will receive their discounts on top of the savings (please call or visit to order).

2011 Foundation ’72 Vermentino
In 2006 we grafted old vines, originally planted in 1972, to this varietal, making us the first vineyard in Oregon to grow it.  Flinty, mineral-driven qualities are first and foremost, with the typical lemon and white peach notes following. Medium bodied, finishes dry, with crisp acid. A great aperitif wine, this would go well with shellfish, oysters, steamed clams or bruschetta. 675 cases produced. Regularly $18.00 per bottle, special introductory pricing of $16.00 per bottle or $172.80 per case. SHOP NOW

What people are saying:
What a refreshing white! – Tim Schultz, WineGuy40
Love that wine! – Lisa Shara Hall, Wine Writer & Educator
It was very memorable and very well done! – Oregon Wine

2011 Semi-Sparkling Vermentino
Our first vintage of what will surely be a very popular wine. Technically tricky, it was modeled after Moscato d’Asti, but meant to be drier. The wine was fermented slowly and kept very cold in order to retain the natural CO2 to give it spritz. The wine has lots of body, with a rich, viscous quality. The Malvasia Bianca gives it a high-toned, citrus quality. Great chilled, and served with oysters or fresh crab. 200 cases produced. Regularly $18.00 per bottle, special introductory pricing of $16.00 per bottle or $172.80 per case. SHOP NOW

2011 ‘The River Guide’ Dry Riesling
Named in honor of our founder, Dick Troon, who plied the rivers of Southern Oregon as a guide for many years, this wine has explosive aromatics, including citrus and nectarine. There is great body in the mid-palate, which is juxtaposed against a very racy acidity. Ideal for Asian cuisine, or a day spent on the river. This is our best Riesling yet.  Regularly $16.00 per bottle, special introductory pricing of $14.00 per bottle or $151.20 per case. SHOP NOW


Posted in Applegate Valley Wine, Applegate Valley Wineries, Dry Riesling, Events, Southern Oregon Wine, Troon Wines, Wine and Food Pairing, Wine Tasting | Leave a comment

Hello, VA & DC!

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Christine

We are experiencing a Troon Vineyard first this week! You can now find our wines in Virginia and Washington DC thanks to our new distributor, Metro Cellars. Our Vintner, Chris Martin has been busy introducing restaurant and retail wine buyers to our wines. So far, Jeanie in the Bottle and Vermentino have been favorites.

We look forward to spreading the word about our wonderful region and getting Southern Oregon wines in the glasses of many!

Posted in News, Troon Wines | Leave a comment

May is Oregon Wine Month!

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Christine

It’s official! May has been declared by Governor John Kitzhaber as Oregon Wine Month. Why does Oregon wine need its own month?

The Oregon wine industry is a major economic driver, according to the governor, contributing $2.7 billion annually to the state’s economy and clocking in as the state’s leading value-added agricultural segment. Oregon ranks third in theUnited States for wine production behind California and Washington. This should be celebrated!

It is also a great avenue to introduce more people to Oregon wines. Major retailers like Safeway, Albertsons, Fred Meyer, New Seasons and Whole Foods are on board with in-store displays and promotions nationwide. Independently-owned wine and specialty shops are hosting Oregon wine focused tastings and educational events.

In addition, it is getting the word out to residents to “Drink Local.” The Oregon Wine Press and Oregon Wine Board have partnered up to help consumers find restaurants that strongly advocateOregonwine. They created a “Superior Cellar Award” for restaurants that feature diverse and broad selections ofOregonwines. Here are the award winners in our backyard:

38 Central, Medford
Amuse, Ashland
Chateaulin, Ashland
Elements Tapas, Medford
Jacksonville Inn, Jacksonville
Lark’s, Ashland
Madrone Kitchen, Shady Cove
Pomodori, Medford
Steamboat Inn, Idleyld Park
The Winchester Inn, Ashland

There is no excuse not to join in on the celebration! Order Oregon next time you are dining out, introduce your friends to your favorite Oregon bottle or take an afternoon to visit your Oregon wineries.

We also have a full calendar of events this May that we would love to see you at! For a complete list click here for our May Newsletter.

Posted in Southern Oregon Wine, Troon Wines, Wine Tasting | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

2007 Old Vine Meritage Featured on Snooth.com

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Christine

Gregory Dal-Piaz of Snooth.com features the 2007 Old Vine Meritage on his ‘Daily Rant’ video tasting. Listen to all the nice things he says about our wine. Frankly, I think he was surprised about how much he enjoyed it :)

Snooth ‘Daily Rant’ : http://www.snooth.com/articles/the-daily-rant-2012-4/#slide=13

 

Posted in Applegate Valley Wine, Applegate Valley Wineries, Awards, News, Old Vine Meritage, Press, Southern Oregon Wine, Troon Wines | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Is that a screw cap on the 2010 Druid’s Fluid Red?

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Christine

We have received a few questions and concerns over our decision to convert the 2010 vintage of Druid’s Fluid Red from a cork closure to a screw cap. Here is a response our Winemaker, Herb Quady, wrote regarding the issue:

My name is Herb Quady, I am the winemaker at Troon Vineyard and have been making the Druid’s Fluid since 2004.  First of all, thank you very much for your email, it means a lot to me that the consumers feel strongly enough about the wine that they would take the time to contact us and express their likes and dislikes.  It means that we are making a connection with people like yourself, and that is what this is all about for me.

I wanted to give a quick response so you would know why we bottle the Druid’s Fluid with a screw cap instead of a cork finish.  It’s not about cost.  Caps and corks cost about the same amount of money.  We chose a screw cap for the Druid’s Fluid because our research found that the cap did a better job of preserving the naturally fruity qualities of the Druid’s Fluid.  Corks tend to slowly expose the wine to oxygen over a period of time, changing the qualities of the wine, making it softer, but also diminishing the fruit and replacing it with more savory qualities.  This process works well in big, dry, reserve wines like our Cabernet Sauvignon and Meritage.  However, with the Druid’s, we’ve found that people really enjoy that black fruit aroma and brightness.  The screw cap does a better job of preserving those qualities than the cork.

There is a big shift in usage within the industry.  Some of the most expensive, prestigious wineries are using screwcaps for the same reasons as I described above, especially on delicate wines like Pinot Noir and early release reds, whites, and roses.  With this shift, I would say that the old concept of screwcaps for cheap wines is largely outdated.  As winemakers, we are trying to choose the packaging based on what we want the wine to taste like upon enjoyment, with the goal of a happy consumer first and foremost in our minds.

Thanks again,

Herb Quady
Winemaker
Troon Vineyard

Posted in Applegate Valley Wine, Applegate Valley Wineries, Druid's Fluid, Herb Quady, Troon Wines | Tagged , | Leave a comment

FARM to FORK Wild & Scenic Rafting Trip! June 20-23

Posted on March 13, 2012 by Christine

A unique experience for Adventure-Minded Gastronomes and Gastronomically-Inclined Adventurers.

FARM to FORK Wild & Scenic! 4-Day Raft Trip. June 20-23.

Experience the world famous “Wild & Scenic” stretch of the Rogue River, while supporting the local food movement. Farm to Fork Event Company, Troon Vineyard & Momentum River Expeditions team up for the 2nd Annual 4-day FARM to FORK Rafting Trip, featuring 4-course locally-sourced dinners prepared by: Chef David Padberg of Park Kitchen Restaurant & Chef Matthew Domingo of Farm to Fork Event Company.

The Rogue River is an iconic American classic; one of the world’s great summer wilderness trips, a founding member of the National Wild and Scenic River System, and a river with such a grand reputation that in some circles it is simply known as “the Canyon.” It flows through an area rich with pioneer history and lore – some of it surviving to this day. The canyon itself is a stunning wilderness playground that is home to a staggering amount of wildlife and abundant whitewater.

Troon Vineyard: Founder, Richard Troon, plied the Rogue River as a guide for over 12 years making Troon Vineyard wines a natural partnership for the trip. “Mr. Troon also hosted several of the congressional representatives in the 1980s that lead to the Wild & Scenic legislation,” recalls Vintner, Chris Martin. Martin, who will be presenting the wines to guests, produces wines grown from LIVE (Low Input Viticulture & Enolog) Certified grapes.

Farm to Fork Event Company: A traveling farm-to-table restaurant, local food fundraiser, and community celebration rolled into one. Farm to Fork Events are designed to reconnect people to the source of their food, and to honor the talented farmers, food artisans, winemakers, and chefs that contribute to the growing culinary reputations and local food communities of Southern Oregon. They began in 2010 to rave reviews by Sunset Magazine, and have since expanded into hosting private events , music festivals, underground speakeasy dinners and outdoor adventures. Matthew Domingo, Farm to Fork Director & Chef, will host the trip. The dinners will be served under the stars in the “wilderness dining room.”

Momentum River Expeditions: A small guide-owned and operating outfitting company based out of Ashland, Oregon specializing in unparalleled service, organic meals and guides with 8+ years of experience. Momentum leads carbon neutral rafting expeditions in Southern Oregon and Northern California.

 

Rapids: Class III & IV
Date: June 20-23
Cost: $1125 – All inclusive
Total Spots Available: 20 guests

Costs include:

  • All river equipment & all camping gear (including ultra-comfortable 3′ sleeping pads)
  • Return transportation back to Galice, Oregon
  • All meals beginning with lunch on day one and ending with lunch on day 4, including 4-course dinners prepared by the Chefs
  • Wine pairings from Troon Vineyard, poured by Vintner, Chris Martin
  • World-class guides with a minimum of 8 years experience leading trips around the globe
  •  An unforgettable trip down one of the world’s great summer wilderness rivers
Posted in Applegate Valley Wine, Events, Southern Oregon Wine, Sustainability, Troon Wines, Wine and Food Pairing | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Blue Sky Renewable Energy Support

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Christine

We are proud to announce that in 2011 our support of 37,200 kilowatt-hours of renewable energy avoided the release of 44,580 pounds of carbon dioxide – this is equal to not driving a car 45,326 miles or planting 524 trees.

Pacific Power’s Blue Sky program gives customers an option to support renewable energy, which has measurable environmental benefits, helps bring more renewable energy on-line and promotes development beyond Pacific Power’s own investments.

Posted in News, Sustainability | Leave a comment

SNEAK PEAK of our new labels

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Christine

Today was the “press proof” of our new labels with our packaging and printing company. Here is a sneak peak at the new look of Troon Vineyard:

A new product for the 2011 vintage is the Foundation ’72 Vermentino. Inspired by our founder, Dick Troon’s pioneering tradition, we continue the legacy by being the first to grow Vermentino in Oregon. Grafted from old vines, planted in 1972, the label illustrates the past and future of the vineyard.

River Guide Red will be making a comeback with a nice facelift, as well as some favorites like Jeanie in the Bottle and Dry Riesling. The new use of copper in the packaging was pulled from our facility’s copper details that we wanted to pull into the labels.

And last, but not least, our Reserve wines will be making a statement with the use of black and copper.

What do you think of the recent changes?

Posted in Applegate Valley Wine, Applegate Valley Wineries, Dick Troon, Dry Riesling, News, Southern Oregon Wine, Troon Wines, Zinfandel | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Newport Seafood & Wine Festival

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Christine

GOLD MEDAL – 2009 Old Vine Meritage
GOLD MEDAL – 2008 Syrah Reserve

It wouldn’t be winter on the coast without the Newport Seafood & Wine Festival! Team Troon will be there in full force with two booths, Troon Vineyard and Druid’s Fluid. At the Troon Vineyard booth we will be pouring our two Gold Medal winning wines along with our Viognier, Kubli Zinfandel (new release!) and Kubli Cabernet Sauvignon. The Druid’s Fluid booth will be featuring the smooth and easy-drinking trio along with the always popular Wine Wheel.

New to the festival this year, to celebrate the festival’s 35th anniversary, is the Thursday evening tasting from 6-10 pm. For all festival information and hours visit http://www.newportchamber.org/sw_general.htm.

We hope to see you at the coast! 

Posted in Applegate Valley Wine, Awards, Druid's Fluid, Events, News, Southern Oregon Wine | Tagged , , | Leave a comment