Wining in Quarantine
At this point in quarantine all the snacks have been eaten, the gravity of the situation has sunk in, as well as the complete boredom. You try to find ways to entertain yourself, read a book, binge Tiger King, or try out that YouTube tutorial you’ve had saved for months, but alas cabin fever is still so real.
We get it. It’s also hard not to be able to share a glass of wine with friends, but we’ve looked around the internet to find some fun ways to both support local wineries as well as your drinking habits. Enjoy!
Support Small Wineries in Oregon
Cellar 503 has created 4 and 6 pack bottles of wine all from a variety of small Oregon wineries. Choose between all red, all white, all rosé, or a mixed pack! If you purchase a 6 pack a donation will be made to the Virginia Garcia Memorial Foundation which, “provides culturally specific health care for migrant workers regardless of their ability to pay. The staff at the Virginia Garcia health clinics are working hard to keep the folks who pick the grapes and their families healthy during this scary time.”
Let’s Get Digital
Clos Du Val may have had to close their tasting room, but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying their wine. To fill the gap in the meantime they are offering Virtual Wine Tasting Packages. Select either the “Reds” or “Mixed” package, after purchasing their team will be in touch to schedule a live, personal tasting. A real deal wine tasting in the comfort of your own house, that sounds like the best of both worlds.
St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery will be hosting virtual wine tastings every Thursday afternoon through April 23, 2020. Wine lovers will be able to connect with winemakers via Zoom and Facebook Live, plus don’t worry if you can’t make it, recordings will be posted afterward. Tastings will be held at 3:00pm and 5:30pm PDT. Make sure to check out their Facebook, they’ve created an Event for each virtual tasting. St. Supéry is trying their best to make lemonade out of lemons, to complete the virtual wine tasting experience they are offering a 6-pack Injoy @ Home Tasting Kit, of the wines that will be discussed. They also have recipe suggestions to pair with each wine, truly the perfect date night in. If you are interested in the Zoom call email divinecab@stsupery.com for the link.
April 2: 2018 Napa Valley Estate Virtú 90 Points, Wine & Spirits Magazine
April 9: 2016 Napa Valley Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 92 Points, James Suckling
April 16: 2018 Napa Valley Estate Oak Free Chardonnay *Final Vintage - Very Limited*
April 23: 2014 Dollarhide Elevation 93 Points, James Suckling
Comstock Wines is hosting virtual wine tastings, SIP Comstock, via Facebook Live on Friday, Saturday, and Sundays at 4pm PDT. Purchase the corresponding three bottles on their website. Delivery is available for locals, just email them at info@comstockwines.com.
Join Kerry at Côte Bonneville every week for a virtual happy hour. Tune in Wednesdays at 5 pm PST as we taste and talk through the new releases.
4/1: Cab Franc Rosé
4/8: Syrah
4/15: Carriage House
We'll not only talk about the wine but also food pairings and do Q&A. Feel free to send any questions you want to be answered ahead of time, or we'll just see where the conversation takes us. If you'd like a bottle to taste along, we are shipping online orders.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/158970309?pwd=MkdDZGJqZHplSXJvQXYzTHNkeXczUT09
Meeting ID: 158 970 309
Password: 230930
Cellar Rat Wine Merchants is hosting a variety of online events, head over to their Facebook for more information. On April 4 at 5pm CDT they will be hosting the Crossroads food and wine pairing. Watch the Facebook Live on Cellar Rat Wine Merchant page.
This only scratches the surface. There are so many more virtual tastings happening across the internet. Comment below and let us know which ones you are excited to attend.
My Kind of Library
For a limited time while the wineries are closed Napa Valley Vintner has decided to open their wine library. Take this opportunity to support wine country and snag a rare bottle. Shop wines from over 150 NVV members. This special is available on March 30 & 31, 2020
Enjoy The Flavors of Italy From Your Own Kitchen
Virtually spend time with Nonna Nerina or her granddaughter Chiara and learn how to create a delicious, authentic Italian meal. Head over to their website, select your preferred date, and check out. Then you will be sent a confirmation email with the info about how to live stream, as well as an ingredient and material list, plus wine pairing and Spotify music suggestions! Can you even think of a better way to spend a night in?
Join The Club
Join a wine club! Take this opportunity to try new wines. We both have signed up for Firstleaf, but there are other options out there like Winc, Bright Cellars, Ninety + Cellars, WineSociety and so many more. We will be sharing our thoughts on our Firstleaf wines shortly.
Happy Hour at Home
Last but not least, host a virtual happy hour with your friends. This is totally obvious and you may have even done so already. I, Madi, used to do this BC (before Coronavirus) with my best friend. We lived over three hours apart so we’d each grab a bottle of wine, hop on Google Hangouts, and get a little tipsy. It was fun getting to drink and chat with her even if we were still 195 miles apart.