03.01.2024

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Forecast

47º | 70% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:47 a.m. | Sunset 5:58 p.m.
Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

Remember way back wine...

Raise a glass to 40 years of the Willamette Valley AVA at its ‘Throwback Weekend’ event

Susan Sokol Blosser poors a glass of wine in a tasting room. Three Sokol Blosser bottles sit on the counter in front of her.

Susan Sokol (pictured) and husband Bill Blosser planted their first vines in 1971. See more historic photos. | Photo via the Oregon Wine History Archive

Alright stop, vino time.

Throw on your hammer pants and get ready for a party at Willamette Valley Wineries Association’s “1983 Throwback Weekend,” this Friday, March 1-Sunday, March 3.

What’s the reason for the occasion — and why do we have our fists in the air?

Well, way back in December 1983, the federal government granted the Willamette Valley official status as an American viticultural area (AVA), thanks to efforts by local winemakers led by David Adelsheim. When the appellation went into effect in January 1984, the region became the first in Oregon to earn such a designation — today the state has 23 AVAs.

Veronique tastes fermentation foam from her father Robert's hand, as they stand atop a giant vat of wine. Wine barrels and an unfinished wall can be seen in the background. — Véronique tastes fermentation foam with her father Robert Drouhin of Domaine Drouhin.
|
Photo via the Oregon Wine History Archive

It’s been 40 years since that milestone, with plenty of awards and world-class wines in between, so a celebration is in order. Here’s a sample of the ‘80s-themed festivities:

Wear your gaudiest suit or dress for Pinot Prom at Brooks Winery; there will be a photo booth, disco lights, and people who come dressed to impress (or embarrass) will be entered to win a $100 gift card.
Inflation is a thing of the past at Violet Vines Winery, which is offering glass pours at 1983 prices.
Sokol Blosser Winery will live it up all weekend with the decade’s best tunes and a costume contest.
Complimentary wine tastings are on offer at Knudsen Vineyards, Coehlo Winery, Stoller Family Estate, Chehalem Winery, and others — like it used to be.
Tastings straight from the barrel at Lachini Vineyards.

That’s only a sip of all the things to do, special vintages, and tasting rooms to enjoy.

See the full schedule

Events

Friday, March 1

Portland Seafood & Wine Festival | Friday, March 1-Sunday, March 3 | Times vary | Portland Expo Center, 2060 Marine Dr. W., Portland | $13-$150 | Embrace the briny bounty of the sea during peak Dungeness crab season at this festival featuring fresh Oregon seafood, breweries and wineries, and local craftspeople.
Christina Mata & Isaiah Walker | Friday, March 1 | 6:30 p.m. | Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 147 NW 19th Ave., Portland | $5 | Support two local musicians in their duo recital featuring art songs and arias, with works from Mozart, Brahms, Strauss, and more.
Swiped Out! | Friday, March 1 | 7 p.m. | Kickstand Comedy, 1006 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland | $10-$15 | It’s the comedy show where your dating profile is the joke; hilarious improvisers will do their best to help your love life.
Monster Jam | Friday, March 1-Sunday, March 3 | Times vary | Moda Center, 1 N. Center Court St., Portland | $25+ | Big trucks and even bigger thrills come to the arena for a three-night, four-show stop in the City of Roses.

Saturday, March 2

Portland Timbers vs. DC United | Saturday, March 2 | 7:30 p.m. | Providence Park, 1844 SW Morrison St., Portland | $27+ | Be in the crowd to see the on-field debut of the new “Nature Unites” jerseys and help the hometown squad keep their hot start to the season going.

Sunday, March 3

Hina Matsuri, Doll’s Day | Sunday, March 3 | 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Portland Japanese Garden, 611 SW Kingston Ave., Portland | $15.95-$21.95 | Intricately crafted dolls will be on display in honor of the Japanese holiday that celebrates “the happiness, growth, and good health of girls.”

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Concert

The show will go on. Happy Valley’s planning commission has OK’d a 10-year conditional-use permit to music festival Pickathon, which can remain in its current location and expand “some of the ancillary sites to allow for off-site parking, camping, dining and other supporting activities.” Tickets are now on sale for the Aug. 1-4 event. (OPB)

Today Is

The first day of Women’s History Month, which honors their contributions to events in history, science, and society. “Nevertheless, They Persisted” is an online exhibit from the Oregon Historical Society that tells the stories of local 19th-century voting rights activists like Mary Beatty and Abigail Scott Duniway.

Eat

Do food pop-ups rev you up? Well, Legion Motorcycle Company is now home to Grey Horse Saloon, and although it’s still waiting on a liquor license, you can enjoy Third Coast Hot Dogs, and Picco Pizza on Sundays. The incubator will also host Sushi Closet when it fully opens in late March. (Eater Portland)

Coming Soon

When it comes to getting an In-N-Out, Portland is still missin’ out — but you can’t say the same about Ridgefield, WA. The burger chain submitted an application to open a location — the state’s first — at the Union Ridge Town Center currently under construction off of I-5. The opening date is TBD. (The Columbian)

Traffic

Commuters who use the Hall Boulevard overpass to cross Highway 217 (between Highway 99W and Pfaffle Street in Tigard) will soon have to find an alternate route. Starting Monday, March 4, the road will be closed for an estimated nine months. (Portland Tribune)

Biz

Portland-based vacation rental company Vacasa will lay off 320 employees, or 5% of its workforce, as its financial outlook continues to deteriorate. Chief Operating Officer John Banczak will also leave his role at the end of March. The decline has been swift since going public in 2021. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Sports

Patience may be a virtue, but when it comes to rebuilding a team in the NBA, it can also be fool’s gold. As Rip City builds toward the future, Locked On Blazers explored the league’s history books for how other success stories can guide Portland’s path forward.

Shop

It’s not every day that you find free, award-winning legal cannabis products. Cult favorite cannabis brand Indacloud is here with 30% off and free gummies with code “6AM” on any purchase. Get edibles, joints, and vapes for as low as $20 (and free gummies, of course) delivered to your door.*†

*† Please note: Legalities in your state may vary. Indacloud advises consumers to read the company’s terms and conditions, consult a physician before trying products, start only with small amounts, and to not consume products before driving or before a drug test. The information about providers and services contained in this newsletter does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by PDXtoday.

Try This

🍻 Brew anything you set your mind to

4 beers we can’t wait to try at SheBrew

Baerlic Brewing's Cason Wolcott poses with large green gloves on beside brewing stills.

Baerlic Brewing’s Cason Wolcott will make Just Beach! a Mexican-style lager with fresh lime zest and salt. It’s our bonus pick. | Photo by @gracecoffmanphoto

Suds are in the forecast for Sunday, March 10, when SheBrew returns to The Redd on Salmon for a ninth year.

From 12-7 p.m., embark on a pursuit of hoppiness and sample classic and creative craft beverages from more than 40 female-identified professional beer and cider makers, plus 10 amateur homebrewers, all from the PNW.

The nonprofit event is organized by Oregon Brew Crew and the Human Rights Campaign, with all proceeds benefiting the two organizations.

Here are four pours we can’t wait to try, and the people + breweries behind them.

Swarm Buzzies Honey Kolsch | Old Town Brewing | Celia Nappi
“Honey Kolsch with rosemary and grapefruit with Freeland gin”

Twist and Stout! | Steeplejack Brewing Co. | Pauline Lohr
“Oatmeal stout with Bergamot hops”

Mother Pucker | Portland Cider Co. | PCC Ladies
“Prickly pear and fresh lime combine for a mouth-puckering cider sensation.”

Snap Crackle | Threshold Brewing | Sara Szymanski
“Rice Lager with a crackle of peppercorn”

The Buy

The Buy 3.01.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

A massaging foam roller, perfect for relieving tension after working out and boosting circulation to legs, back, and glutes.

Share PDXtoday

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

Facebook

Twitter

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_20}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.

Claim your rewards

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Ben

From the editor

This week has been very dark and gray, but there’s a light (and a delightful floral aroma) at the end of the tunnel.

It’s almost cherry blossom season, that tantalizing time of year when the weather starts to round the corner toward sunshine and short sleeves. Expect the waterfront to bloom around mid-March, with the Portland Japanese Garden slightly later.

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY