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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (April 21, 2016)
WINE B Y L A N C E S PA R K S RUNNING RACES FOR WINE Playful new ways of bringing wine consciousness to the masses hen I first began to write about Oregon wine 20-some years ago (in millennia of wine, hardly a flash), there were only a couple hands-full of labels to track. Now we have more than 400, increasing almost daily. And the wines are often very good. This poses many challenges, not only for wine writers but particularly for the wineries themselves — their owners, their staff, retailers, et al. Competition has become quite fierce, requiring innovative, creative responses to stir the market pot. Options abound for wineries: improve labels and/or packaging, improve distribution, sharpen marketing and brand recognition, remodel tasting rooms, bring in food trucks, improve picnicking facilities and so on. First, make ever-better wines, no easy task, especially in the face of rapid climate changes, increasing sophistication in winemaking, expansion of global markets and a hundred other such variables. Of course, use of the internet and social media in marketing have radically altered the sales game. One obvious strategy: Encourage visits to tasting sites. Games: There’s an idea. Everybody likes games, right? Even supermarkets ‘n’ fast-food joints use games to engage customers. Who doesn’t like the chance to win free stuff ‘n’ moolah? So: a wine game, a bingo, in partnership, say, with a travel business — a game that could promote travel to local wineries where punters could taste the wares (maybe buy some?) and get their bingo cards stamped, building toward the Big Prize … Travel Lane County and participating wineries (and others) thus concocted Pinot Bingo, a yearlong game that formally launches May 4 to open Oregon Wine Month. Rules are simple and “play” is not exactly onerous. Anyone who wants to play can visit any wine site (21 wineries, plus “pairings”— some breweries, restaurants, retailers) in the South Willamette Valley, pick up a bingo card (including map and “How to Play”), get a number stamped (e.g., G3/Pfeiffer, G8/LaVelle), start filling in rows and columns and such, until W CLASSIFIEDS To place a classified ad: CALL 541.484.0519 EMAIL classy@eugeneweekly.com WEB classifieds.eugeneweekly.com WRITE 1251 Lincoln St. Eugene, OR 97401 VISIT our office Monday-Friday 9am-5pm EVENTS AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSIC HERITAGE SHOWCASE: In Celebration of African- American Gospel Music, A Musical Journey, presented by Inspirational Sounds, a non-profit Gospel Choir with the Lane County NAACP. Sunday May 1st, 3pm, Soreng Theater in the Hult Center. Some featured artists: John Gainer and the Portland/Vancouver GMWA choir, praise dancer, Shekela Fortson, Stone Cold Jazz, African dancers Habib and friends, God In Charge, a Portland children's group, Montrell Goss, Stanley Coleman as Bayard Rustin, early civil rights activist. Emceed by Eric Richardson, pres. of the Lane NAACP. Tix at Hult Center box office. This program paid for in part by a grant from Lane County Arts Council of Eugene, cultural services divi- sion. FOR SALE Clothing ASSISTANCE LEAGUE® THRIFT SHOP BULLETIN BOARD Announcements available. No experience, can train. Excellent tips! 541-852-8625 or 541-517- 7196 THE HOTTEST CLUB IN LANE COUNTY! 15, 5 pm. Campbell Ctr parking lot. Pls return my phone & ID’s, no questions asked! EPD has been notified, can return to them or the Campbell Ctr or call Phil at (541) 521-0427. dance teachers with own music. $ compen- sation, (541) 232-1038 WE ARE SEEKING an addition to our sales ble but any blood type is ok. All medical expenses paid. Contact 541-255-5257 Pets Volunteer Opportunities Wanted SEEKING KIDNEY DONOR Type O is preferra- GREENHILL HUMANE SOCIETY Everybody REMIX APPAREL EXCHANGE located at 1449 Mohawk Blvd in Springfield, men’s and women’s resale clothing store meets art studio. While you search through our con- stantly changing name brand inventory, enjoy all the local artist’s work on the walls and coming through the speakers. S.A.R.A.’s Treasures Gift & Thrift Shop. Volunteer, Donate, Shop, ADOPT! 871 River Road, Open Daily 10am-6pm. 541-607-8892 sarastreasures.org LOOK FOR THIS WEEK’S RESCUED CAT . antique, furniture, electronics, tools & col- lectibles. New estates arriving daily. We are also buying! 939 River Road, 689-4554, riverroad2ndhand.com CHECK US OUT!! SEEKING MULTICULTURAL/INTERNATIONAL team. Previous experience working in media sales or a related field is preferred. An upbeat, professional, outgoing, positive attitude is a must. Compensation includes base plus commission with a potential for a bonus as well as a benefit package. Please submit a cover letter and resume to office@ eugeneweekly.com or mail to 1251 Lincoln St. Eugene, OR 97401. Deserves a Good Home. Fr-Tu 11a-6p. Closed Wed/Th 88530 Greenhill Rd 541-689- 1503 green-hill.org See our Pet of the Week! QUALITY FURNITURE Clean, modern & Help Wanted Full Moon: Thurs. April 21, 10:24 pm PDT share-international.org AGELESS WISDOM LOST BROWN IPHONE/WALLET Friday April CALENDAR HELP WA NTED $DANCERS$ Tired of your current club! SWEET ILLUSIONS has day & night shifts COME THRIFT WITH US! 1149 Willamette St. Tu-Sa 10-4 Furnishings EVENTS LINE ADS: $11/3 LINES ADDITIONAL LINES: $4 MOST POTENT SPIRITUAL MOMENT OF THE YEAR ON OUR PLANET: Lost & Found BINGO! Winner! There are three ways to win: “flight,” in which you complete a row, horizontal, vertical, diagonal (you know how bingo is played); “bottle,” in which you complete three rows (15 visits), take your prize, keep your card, play on to next level; and “fill cellar,” in which you complete the whole card, get entered for the grand prize (drawing May 2017). Brochure sez: “Bring your completed card to the Eugene, Cascades, & Coast Adventure Center in Springfield” (Gateway, neighboring Michaels and Best Buy) to collect prizes (plus advice on further adventuring). Realistically, there can’t be losers in this process. Players can start, say, with the urban wineries, then roll out to the beautiful rural wine country (especially Territorial Highway), sample terrific wines — some, like Pfeiffer, never available in stores, some just released. Fill in cards with stamps at virtually every stop (no purchases necessary). Enjoy the journey, and the play. Some wineries are trying other strategies. For instance, this month the new owners of Domaine Meriwether (G9), Lorrie and Eric Normann, announced they will change the brand’s name to Valhalla Winery, “with a nod towards their Norwegian heritage, Valhalla is the ‘grand hall’ in heaven where life was celebrated with food and wine.” Note, if you Googled “Valhalla,” nobody has to die in battle to enter this Valhalla. Wassailing is encouraged, but with their very good wines, as is safe driving home. Visit, taste, meet friendly people and win prizes. The biggest prize, however, might be the experience itself, the chance to discover your own preferences in styles and flavors, plus the chance to confirm a simple truth — some of the best wines in the world are being made here, in our own neighborhood. In the words of an old adage, “In vino veritas” — loosely translated, “In wine there’s truth.” And truth is fine, isn’t it? But free stuff doesn’t hurt. We wish all our vintners — and our readers — the very best, at their work or at play. ■ Jeff W. Ryder DC, LAc, Certifi ed Rolfer™ Rolfi ng ® Structural Integration Chiropractic • Cranial & Visceral Manipulation • Acupuncture TRY KUNDALINI YOGA! $20 FOR 20 DAYS for those new to our studio 3635 Hilyard | yogawesteugene.com ® Physical & Energetic Approaches to Health and Transformation drjeffryder.com • 503-250-3209 C HICK OF THE W EEK LAND WANTED FOR GARDEN : Senior disabled vet ISO quiet country setting for growing med. marijuana 541 335 1793. SHELTER ANIMAL RESOURCE ALLIANCE Adoption/Family Services PREGNANT? THINKING OF ADOPTION? Talk with caring agency specializing in matching Birthmothers with Families Nationwide. LIVING EXPENSES PAID. Call 24/7 Abby’s One True Gift Adoptions. 866-413-6293. Void in Illinois/New Mexico/Indiana (AAN CAN) SEEK ING EMPLOY MENT CAREGIVER AVAILABLE. Experienced in fos- ter home setting, special needs, quadriple- gic care. Possible live-in? Call Scott, (541) 653-4313 JOE’S PAINTING The best price plus the best job. Over 30 years experience. 626-590-7417 W ELSUMMER The terra cotta egg layer. Once extremely rare but making a comeback due to the popularity of urban farming. LOST YOUR JOB? Place a free line ad here (up to 4 lines, 160 characters) for 2 weeks. Briefly list your skills/experience & contact info. Email to: office@eugeneweekly.com or call 541-484-0519 501 Washington St. • 541-485-FARM eugenebackyardfarmer.com eugeneweekly.com • A pril 21, 2016 39
