Try a Fall Picnic

The signs of summer’s end and the beginning of fall are all around us. The longer shadows, shorter days and cooler nights are impossible to ignore and always impart a feeling of melancholy for me. Since I became obsessed with wine the true indicators of summer lost seem to be all wine related. The wine cannons going off down the road, the clusters of very ripe fruit, plump and promising hanging from the vines and of course the activity and equipment at the wineries as they prepare for crush! My favorite season is almost over and winter is unavoidable. But before my feelings of wanting to just hibernate for a few months to return to the world rested and thinner kick in (why can’t we really do that?) there is much still to enjoy with the few days of Indian Summer we are bound to get!

So before we have to pull out our sweatshirts and rain gear, we will surely have a few days of shorts & sandals weather and these last sunny days of the year are in my opinion some of the very nicest.To encourage you to get out and take advantage of them I have suggestions of some of the best outside wine venues you can find.

Julianna Vineyards with their deck right on the river tops my list for the place to spend a late summer, early autumn afternoon. Pack a few snacks and buy a bottle or two of wine to share with some good friends and sit back and relax with the natural beauty of the Umpqua River there just for your enjoyment! Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards has a park like setting and for those of you lucky enough to be wine club members you are already aware of the amazing deck with expansive views of the property and vineyards. Becker Vineyard has a lovely deck looking out to the vineyard and I have spent many magical times there soaking up the sun as well as their terrific pinot noir! MarshAnne Landing can not be beat for an afternoon of picnicking with their beautiful deck and views as well as their incredible tasting room with fabulous art scattered about. A visit here is a feast for the senses
and their excellent wines are only one of the reasons to come here! Henry Estate

Winery’s Gewürztraminer and Mueller Thurgau warrant a stop and their beautiful grounds will make you want to stay for a while. Melrose Vineyards has stunning grounds and makes for a terrific afternoon get away. Delfino Vineyards has a lovely area for picnicking and their award winning syrah will surely make any afternoon spent here one you will not soon forget. HillCrest Vineyard has a new deck and incredible views of the Callahan’s and couple this with some of the very best wines the Umpqua Valley (or anywhere else for that matter) has to offer and you are in heaven! Chateau Nonchalant has an exceptionally peaceful, lovely picnic spot and if you have not yet made a visit, now is the perfect time. Bradley Vineyards
in Elkton would be my suggestion for spending some quality time when out that way. Misty Oaks has a great lawn for spreading out that summer picnic blanket just one more time and has some bold reds worthy of a late summer afternoon. As always… I will see you there!