A Drinking Guide to Feast Portland 2014

Happy Wine Wednesday!

Last week, I wrote about tips for attending Feast Portland, the most amazing food festival in all of the universe ever. While food may certainly be at the heart of the four-day food and beverage event, Feast Portland is also an excellent chance to check out some of the best wineries, breweries, cideries, distillieries throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Jump to:

• Breweries
• Distilleries
• Wineries

Here's a just small sip of some of the sumptuous beverage companies who will be pouring their products at Feast Portland 2014.

Breweries

Widmer Brothers Brewing

Widmer Brothers Brewing is a returning event title sponsor of Feast Portland, bringing forth the fun and festive Sandwich Invitational event on Thursday September 18th,  from 6-9pm in Director Park. Last year, they developed and poured Krystal Pear, the official beer of Feast Portland, an absolutely delightful, bright, unfiltered wheat beer. Offering dozens of types of beers, from Hefeweizens to IPAs to Stouts, to an always exciting selection of seasonal beers, you're sure to find a beer that you love at Widmer.

You can find Widmer Brothers Brewing at these Feast Portland 2014 events:

• Charles Phan and Andy Ricker at Sen Yai with Widmer Brothers Brewing
• Friday Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Presented by Alaska Airlines
• Oregonian Media Group High Comfort at The Nines
• Saturday Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Presented by Alaska Airlines
• Tillamook Brunch Village
• USA Pears Night Market at Zidell Yards
• Widmer Brothers Brewing Sandwich Invitational Presented by Dave's Killer Bread

Fort George Brewery

Recently, I had the chance to visit Fort George Brewery in Astoria, Oregon, after attending a Beer Pairings Dinner at Whole Foods Market. Fort George offers a nice selection of brews, from approachable Belgian wheat beer like its Quick Wit to the rich Polish's Walnut Stout.

Fort George Brewery will be featured in the following Feast Portland 2014 events:

• Friday Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Presented by Alaska Airlines
• Saturday Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Presented by Alaska Airlines
• Tillamook Brunch Village

Distilleries

Big Bottom Whiskey

Big Bottom Whiskeys are bold and spicy with a smooth finish. All are proofed at 90° and consist of 36% rye bourbon. The American Straight Bourbon Whiskey is fabulous served neat, on the rocks, or as the base for your favorite whiskey cocktail. You can read about Big Bottom Whiskey in my post about Oregon Craft Beverages.

Big Bottom Whiskey will be featured at the USA Pears Night Market at Zidell Yards this year.

Bull Run Distillery

Bull Run Distillery has been offering small batch spirits in Portland, Oregon since 2010. Their portfolio includes an impressive lineup: Temperance Trader Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Medoyeff Vodka, Aria Portland Gin, and Pacific Rum. If you only had a small home bar and just stocked it with Bull Run Distillery spirits, you'd be all set for any occasion.

Bull Run Distillery will be featured at the USA Pears Night Market at Zidell Yards this year.

Wineries

Union Wine Company

Union Wine Company likes to think of itself as the wine company that dares to be different. For starters, it serves wine in a can. A smooth Pinot Noir in a can, at that. And at Feast Portland last year, it served wine in a can out of a vintage 1972 French Citroën H Van. 

Union Wine is the umbrella company for three different wine series: Underwood, King's Ridge, and Alchemist.

You'll find Union Wine Company at the following Feast Portland 2014 events:

• Friday Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Presented by Alaska Airlines
• Oregonian Media Group High Comfort at The Nines
• Saturday Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Presented by Alaska Airlines
• Tillamook Brunch Village
• USA Pears Night Market at Zidell Yards
• Widmer Brothers Brewing Sandwich Invitational Presented by Dave's Killer Bread

Hawks View Cellars

It was at Feast Portland 2013 that I first tasted a unicorn: the 2012 White Pinot Noir (AKA The Unicorn).

I've been in love with this wine -- and Hawks View Cellars -- ever since.

Hawks View Cellars isn't afraid to combine the best grapes from Oregon, Washington, and California to match the quality its wines are known for. The estate produces my husband's favorite Syrah, my favorite White Pinot Noir, and the amazing La Baleine.

Hawks View Cellars will be at the following Feast Portland 2014 events:

• Friday Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Presented by Alaska Airlines
• Oregonian Media Group High Comfort at The Nines
• Paul Kahan and Jason French at Ned Ludd with Hawks View Cellars
• Saturday Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Presented by Alaska Airlines
• Tillamook Brunch Village
• Widmer Brothers Brewing Sandwich Invitational Presented by Dave's Killer Bread

Adelsheim Vineyards

For more than 40 years, Adelsheim Vineyards has been an innovative leader in the Oregon wine industry. It truly has an outstanding reputation that matches the wines. My favorite is their Elizabeth's Reserve Pinot Noir, which is a great special occasion wine.

Adelsheim Vineyards will be featured at the following Feast Portland 2014 events:

• Friday Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Presented by Alaska Airlines
• Oregonian Media Group High Comfort at The Nines
• Saturday Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Presented by Alaska Airlines
• State of the Art with Adelsheim Vineyard and Willamette Valley Vineyards

Ponzi Vineyards

Since 1970, the Ponzi family has been sharing their commitment and love of viticulture with the world in their renowned Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and fun, playful, rare Italian varietals: Arneis and Dolcetto. Last year, they expanded operations into a stunning new production and wine tasting facility in Sherwood, Oregon. You can read all about their new facility and check out photos on this blog post: Ponzi Winery's New Tasting Room.

The Ponzi Pinot Blanc is still one of my favorite white wines to enjoy on hot summer days.

Ponzi Vineyards wines will be featured at the following Feast Portland 2014 events:

• Friday Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Presented by Alaska Airlines
• Oregonian Media Group High Comfort at The Nines
• Pop Stars with Elk Cove Vineyards and Ponzi Vineyards
• Saturday Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Presented by Alaska Airlines