As I entered the Willamette Valley outside of Portland - I felt the stress of the city, the job and past obligations leaving my body and mind. The sky was clear, the air was clean and the trees were lush and green. This was just what the doctor ordered: a refreshing change from the hot August heat of my Austin home.
Ponzi Vineyards sits nestled in a calm and beautiful valley in Beaverton, Oregon about 15 miles southwest of Portland. The family vineyard is well kept, well respected and has a great story. While Ponzi's pinot noirs are world reknown, the real reason I was there was to visit a dear old friend whom I had not seen in many years.
Jeff and I had both escaped the chaotic, stressful, overpriced and overhyped world of Southern California in recent years. His journey took him north to Portland, while I ventured to Austin in the great state of Texas. Both cities carry a similar creative class vibe, which I found comforting. Music, art, food, hippies, technology, trees and wine thrive alike in Austin and Portland.
Jeff and I shared a great evening at his home preparing a wonderful meal of cheeses, vegetables, steak, shrimp, and a delicious grilled pineapple desert. We caught up on each other's lives, reminisced about college and laughed about things everyone took so seriously back in the day. Tonight was just the way life should be: good food, good friends and good wine.
Speaking of wine, I want to thank Jeff for sharing a few great bottles from his cellar including a delightful 2007 Ponzi Arneis and the oustandingly epic 2005 Archery Summit Red Hills Estate Pinot Noir. This was definately the best pinot noir I have ever tasted.
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