Cheers and Good Day to one and all! This is Michael, the Online Concierge for the Allison. Welcome to our blog that is all things Willamette Valley, Wine, and community! If you ever have any thoughts or questions, don’t hesitate to find me! We are on Twitter and Facebook, Flickr, & Youtube. If you need to reach me directly, send an email to Michael@TheAllison.com. You can also read reviews on Yelp or Tripadvisor, as well!Tumblr (3.0; @allisoninnandspa)http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/20e4a9fca1ee0b18f38f76e67a8ad56e/tumblr_mlbhukwd4R1r57bnco1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Speaking of wine-<br/><br/>Some new and delightful selections on our wine list, as described by our JORY Restaurant Manager & Sommelier, Ken :<br/><br/>“A couple of things worth noting:<br/> <br/>1) Harper Voit Wines – Drew Voit was formerly the winemaker at Shea winery and has since started his own label with his wife, Tandy Harper. This label produces pinot noir and pinot blanc. The pinot noir is very good and a bargain for its quality ($48 on Jory’s list) and his pinot blanc is among the very best in the valley. They are small now and readily available. While they may remain small, I expect some big press in the future to limit availability. Get it while you can, these wines are better than most.<br/><br/>2) The next crop of second generation wine maker’s in the valley are coming of age. Cody Wright (son of Ken Wright, stepson of Rollin Soles) is making expressive and focused wines for his Purple Hands label and the Mike Etzel (Beaux Frères Vineyards & Winery  owner/winemaker) sons – Mike, Jared, and Nathan – are producing age worthy wines that show depth and nuance under the witty “Coattails” label.<br/><br/>Check them out at:<br/> <br/><a href="http://www.coattailswine.com/" target="_blank">http://www.coattailswine.com/</a><br/> <br/><a href="http://purplehandswine.com/" target="_blank">http://purplehandswine.com/</a><br/> <br/>Have a great day!”</p>http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/48070508034http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/48070508034Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:15:56 -0700oregonoregon winewillamette valleyJORYwine countrycoattails winepurple hands wineharper voit winesshea winerypinot blancbeaux freresken wrightrollin solescody wrightmike ezteltandy harper<a href="http://www.thetasteoforegon.com/2010/05/very-adult-comfort-food-oregon-style-%E2%80%A2-truffled-mac-n-cheese-and-a-glass-o-pinot/">RECIPE: Very Adult Comfort Food, Oregon Style • Truffled Mac ‘n’ Cheese (and a Glass o’ Pinot)</a>http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/38729663970http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/38729663970Mon, 24 Dec 2012 10:30:50 -0800taste of oregontruffled mac n cheesetruffletrufflesmac n' cheeserecipeJORYwillamette valleyallison inn<a href="http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/life/chef-sunny-jin-s-signature-burger-135274.html">A link to our famous Pinot Burger recipe (Or you could just visit JORY)...</a>: <p>…topped with Beecher’s Flagship Reserve Cheddar and finished with charred onions and pickled red onions. Hungry yet?</p>http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/38641236566http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/38641236566Sun, 23 Dec 2012 10:30:35 -0800pinot burgersunny jinrecipewillamette valleybeecher's cheesebeecher's flagship cheddarpinot noir<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/306dd6059d01355949a3845fc11445e2/tumblr_mf6vp71I1d1r57bnco1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Maggie Harrison, winemaker for <a href="http://www.anticaterra.com/" target="_blank">Antica Terra</a> - a Forbes Q&A:</p> <p><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/katiebell/2012/11/02/the-best-oregon-pinot-noir-is-grown-on-rocks/" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/katiebell/2012/11/02/the-best-oregon-pinot-noir-is-grown-on-rocks/" target="_blank">http://www.forbes.com/sites/katiebell/2012/11/02/the-best-oregon-pinot-noir-is-grown-on-rocks/</a></a></p>http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/38558054266http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/38558054266Sat, 22 Dec 2012 10:30:43 -0800antica terramaggie harrisonforbesQ&amp;Apinot noirwinemakingwinemakerwineoregonwillamette valleywine countryallison<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/b231be79fba025d438065153fec5c8e8/tumblr_mf6vdxsnYS1r57bnco1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>A good read about how special a place Willamette Valley is:</p> <p><a href="http://palatepress.com/2012/12/wine/willamette-valley-a-sense-of-place-with-soul/" target="_blank">Willamette Valley, a sense of place with soul</a></p>http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/38477752036http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/38477752036Fri, 21 Dec 2012 10:30:46 -0800Willamette Valleyoregonwine countrysoulsense of place<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/a200a77e5104a02e78e6cfc5c4dca24d/tumblr_mf6vatiReF1r57bnco1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://sprudge.com/sprudge-confidential-dinner-and-decaf-at-bon-appetits-feast-portland.html" target="_blank">A fun romp of a read with cute cartoons to illustrate</a> Bon Appetit’s FEAST PDX!</p>http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/38395788367http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/38395788367Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:30:44 -0800pdxeaterportlandbon appetitFEASTjoryallison<iframe width="400" height="300" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/ktPAXKFFHVA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/><br/><p>Joe, Pierre, and Sonja talk about the process, and outcome, of building the Allison Inn & Spa</p>http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/38315942769http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/38315942769Wed, 19 Dec 2012 10:30:41 -0800haugenkavalezreikallison inn and spaggloconstructionoutcome<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/d0d4a93ce3265fc32585b6a745d08f9e/tumblr_mf6ukqZhPt1r57bnco1_400.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><strong>Roasted Delicata Squash Soup</strong><br/><em>Maple-Bacon Dumplings, Grilled Sweet Corn, Crème Fraîche</em><br/> Serves 6-8 people</p> <p><strong>For the Soup:</strong><br/> 2 delicata squash, peeled, seeded and cut into large dice<br/> 1 sweet onion, small diced<br/> 2 carrots, small diced<br/> 1 leek, thinly sliced (white part only)<br/> 3 T extra virgin olive oil<br/> 2 shallots, finely minced<br/> 1 tsp rosemary, finely chopped<br/> 2 tsp thyme, picked<br/> 1 bay leaf<br/> 1 qt. chicken stock<br/> salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste<br/> 2 T chives, chopped (for garnish)<br/> Salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste</p> <p>In a large pot, sauté the squash, onions, carrots, and leeks with olive oil on medium high heat. Stir frequently to avoid burning the bottom of the pot. Sauté until caramelized. Next, add the shallots, rosemary, thyme, and bay leaf. Cook for about five minutes to develop the flavors of the herbs. </p> <p>Add the chicken stock and scrape the bottom of the pot to release all the caramelization at the bottom of the pot. Bring the soup to a boil then turn down to a simmer. Simmer until all the vegetables are tender. Once the vegetables are cooked through, turn off the heat, and remove the bay leaf. </p> <p>Blend the soup in a blender until smooth and adjust with salt and pepper to taste.  Keep at a gentle simmer for the dumplings.</p> <p><strong>For the Sweet Corn:</strong><br/> 4 ears of sweet corn, shucked<br/> 2 T extra virgin olive oil<br/> Salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste</p> <p>Rub the ears of corn with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on the grill, but not over direct flames to avoid flare-up. (Flare-ups add an unpleasant flavor.) Once cooked through, allow to cool just enough to be handled.  Next, cut off the kernels from the cob from top to bottom. Keep the sweetcorn kernals warm, and set aside.</p> <p><br/><strong>For the Dumplings:</strong><br/> 2 ½ c cake flour<br/> 2 tsp baking powder<br/> ¾ tsp salt<br/> 2 T melted butter<br/> 1 c whole milk<br/> 2 T maple syrup<br/> 1 c bacon, cooked and chopped<br/> 1 T parsley, chopped<br/> 1 T shallot, chopped<br/> 1 T chives, chopped<br/> 1 t thyme, chopped</p> <p>Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl. Add melted butter, milk, herbs, maple, and bacon and gently fold with a wooden spoon until mixture just comes together. Be very careful not to over mix the batter. (Overmixing will make the dumplings dense.) Drop dumpling batter into the gently simmering soup using a spoon, over the surface of the stew. Cover and simmer until the dumplings are cooked through, about 15-20 minutes.</p> <p>Once the dumplings are fully cooked, ladle the soup into a bowl. Garnish with the grilled sweet corn, and a generous dollop of crème fraîche on top. The soup may be garnished with extra chives if desired. Enjoy.</p>http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/38237928052http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/38237928052Tue, 18 Dec 2012 10:30:29 -0800roasted delicata squashsquashsquash soupsoupJORYSunny JinWinter soupWinter Squashmaple-baconbaconmaplegrilled sweet cornsweet cornallisonoregonnewbergwinewillamette valley<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mcd5dhrIon1r57bnco1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><h1 class="entry-title">Stoller Family Estate readies new wine tasting room in Dundee Hills</h1> <p><a href="http://blog.oregonlive.com/terryrichard/2012/10/stoller_family_estate_readies.html" target="_blank"><a href="http://blog.oregonlive.com/terryrichard/2012/10/stoller_family_estate_readies.html" target="_blank">http://blog.oregonlive.com/terryrichard/2012/10/stoller_family_estate_readies.html</a></a></p>http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/34911102827http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/34911102827Sat, 03 Nov 2012 10:30:22 -0700stollerestatefamilywinewine tastingwine tasting roomdundee hillsoregonianterry richardanniversary<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mcd58oHguL1r57bnco1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>In Oregon’s, a quest for wine identity pays off.</p> <p><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/wine/article/In-Oregon-a-quest-for-wine-identity-pays-off-3923421.php" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/wine/article/In-Oregon-a-quest-for-wine-identity-pays-off-3923421.php" target="_blank">http://www.sfgate.com/wine/article/In-Oregon-a-quest-for-wine-identity-pays-off-3923421.php</a></a></p>http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/34838356317http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/34838356317Fri, 02 Nov 2012 10:30:27 -0700sf gatechronicleoregonwinewine countrywillamette valleyquest<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mcd2mzfWqw1r57bnco1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><h1 class="header"><span class="small">           Truffletopia</span></h1> <h2 class="sub-header"><span class="lead">A MUSHROOM-MAD SCIENTIST IS ON A QUEST TO TURN OREGON’S WILLAMETTE VALLEY INTO TRUFFLE-TOWN U.S.A.</span></h2> <p><a href="http://www.wmagazine.com/travel/2008/01/oregon_truffles" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.wmagazine.com/travel/2008/01/oregon_truffles" target="_blank">http://www.wmagazine.com/travel/2008/01/oregon_truffles</a></a></p>http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/34768211611http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/34768211611Thu, 01 Nov 2012 10:30:46 -0700oregon trufflestruffle sciencetruffletruffle huntingwillamette valley<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mcd2jk2laM1r57bnco1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><h1>Truffle pioneers hope the fungi business someday rivals that of Oregon wine</h1> <p><a href="http://www.registerguard.com/web/business/28880520-41/truffle-truffles-oregon-lefevre-grow.html.csp" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.registerguard.com/web/business/28880520-41/truffle-truffles-oregon-lefevre-grow.html.csp" target="_blank">http://www.registerguard.com/web/business/28880520-41/truffle-truffles-oregon-lefevre-grow.html.csp</a></a></p>http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/34708953323http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/34708953323Wed, 31 Oct 2012 10:30:47 -0700oregontruffleswillamette valleytruffle industrytruffle business<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mcd2gmSwyR1r57bnco1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Portland a great springboard for exploring Oregon wineries</p> <p><a href="http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/10/08/2707993/portland-a-good-springboard-for.html" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/10/08/2707993/portland-a-good-springboard-for.html" target="_blank">http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/10/08/2707993/portland-a-good-springboard-for.html</a></a></p>http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/34642922931http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/34642922931Tue, 30 Oct 2012 10:30:48 -0700portlandoregonwine countrywine tourswinegrapeswillamette valleybellingham<object id="flashObj" width="400" height="339" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=1897554584001&playerID=649768122001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAPLpuSqE~,a1DdoZJH5WSvEcpNW3Kuw2e4b_HTUI38&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" /><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com" /><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashvars="videoId=1897554584001&playerID=649768122001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAPLpuSqE~,a1DdoZJH5WSvEcpNW3Kuw2e4b_HTUI38&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="400" height="339" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" swliveconnect="true" allowscriptaccess="always" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object><br/><br/><p><h1 id="BCAdvance_Title_1351017565585">Wine grape harvest at Sineann Winery near Newberg</h1> <div class="BCA_Scrollable"> <div class="BCA_Description" id="BCAdvance_Description_1351017565585">Wine grape harvest at Sineann Winery near Newberg, a busy day as Oregon’s autumn transitions between dry and wet.</div> </div> <div class="BCA_Description">Here’s more about it:</div> <div class="BCA_Description"><a href="http://blog.oregonlive.com/terryrichard/2012/10/sineann_winery_at_newberg_proc.html" target="_blank"><a href="http://blog.oregonlive.com/terryrichard/2012/10/sineann_winery_at_newberg_proc.html" target="_blank">http://blog.oregonlive.com/terryrichard/2012/10/sineann_winery_at_newberg_proc.html</a></a></div> <div class="BCA_Description"></div> <div class="BCA_Description"></div></p>http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/34574182297http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/34574182297Mon, 29 Oct 2012 10:30:36 -0700sineannwinerywinenewbergoregonwillamette valleyharvestgrapescrush<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mcczrfWWdv1r57bnco1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>One of the most complete and robust Willamette Valley wine tasting articles I have seen in a bit.  It’s really thorough, and a great read, by Haley Hamilton, Side Dish from D Magazine (Dallas Foodies).</p> <p>But it covers just about everything you could hope for. Wonderful road sign, to boot. =)</p> <p><a href="http://sidedish.dmagazine.com/2012/10/11/what-to-drink-now-willamette-valley/" target="_blank"><a href="http://sidedish.dmagazine.com/2012/10/11/what-to-drink-now-willamette-valley/" target="_blank">http://sidedish.dmagazine.com/2012/10/11/what-to-drink-now-willamette-valley/</a></a></p>http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/34497126089http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/34497126089Sun, 28 Oct 2012 10:30:39 -0700dallasdallas foodiesfoodieswinewinerywillamette valleyoregonwine countrystollerdomaine serenedundee hillsdomaine drouhinarchery summit<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mcczbanrzZ1r57bnco1_400.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Seattle Times:</p> <p><a href="http://seattletimes.com/html/wineadviser/2019269909_pacificpadviser14.html" target="_blank"><a href="http://seattletimes.com/html/wineadviser/2019269909_pacificpadviser14.html" target="_blank">http://seattletimes.com/html/wineadviser/2019269909_pacificpadviser14.html</a></a></p> <h1 class="hed6">Chehalem wines tasting as good as ever</h1> <p class="summary">Harry Peterson-Nedry planted his Ridgecrest vineyard in 1982 and brought in his first grapes in 1985. The vineyard location, the Ribbon Ridge AVA, is home to some of the best pinot noir vineyards in the country.</p>http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/34425475377http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/34425475377Sat, 27 Oct 2012 10:30:40 -0700chehalemwineswineoregonwine countrywillamette valley<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mccx1z8Gp41r57bnco1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Bend Bulletin explores the Willamette Valley Dundee Hill wineries</p> <p>Enjoy the read!</p> <p><a href="http://www.bendbulletin.com/article/20121014/NEWS0107/210140347/" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.bendbulletin.com/article/20121014/NEWS0107/210140347/" target="_blank">http://www.bendbulletin.com/article/20121014/NEWS0107/210140347/</a></a></p>http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/34356855512http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/34356855512Fri, 26 Oct 2012 10:30:26 -0700dundee hillsdundeeoregonwinecountrywillamette valleywinewinerybend bulletinallison inn<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mccwwsBEFC1r57bnco1_400.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>A wonderful interview with our local pride, Sunny Jin.</p> <p><a href="http://1859oregonmagazine.com/chef-sunny-jin-jory-restaurant" target="_blank"><a href="http://1859oregonmagazine.com/chef-sunny-jin-jory-restaurant" target="_blank">http://1859oregonmagazine.com/chef-sunny-jin-jory-restaurant</a></a></p>http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/34303776798http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/34303776798Thu, 25 Oct 2012 10:30:50 -0700sunny jinjoryallison innwillamette valleychefinterviewstar chef<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mcb09bNK9S1r57bnco1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>A *FREE* wild mushroom foraging class will be held in Salem on the 3rd of November.  The do’s and *don’ts* of finding mushrooms in this introductory to fungi class - should be informative and fun! </p> <p>Read more here:</p> <p><a href="http://community.statesmanjournal.com/blogs/outdoors/2012/10/15/free-class-on-wild-mushrooms-is-nov-3-in-salem" target="_blank"><a href="http://community.statesmanjournal.com/blogs/outdoors/2012/10/15/free-class-on-wild-mushrooms-is-nov-3-in-salem" target="_blank">http://community.statesmanjournal.com/blogs/outdoors/2012/10/15/free-class-on-wild-mushrooms-is-nov-3-in-salem</a></a></p>http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/34238548005http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/34238548005Wed, 24 Oct 2012 10:30:38 -0700foragingmushroomsmorelstrufflesoregonfungusfungiclasssalemintroductionmushroom<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mcaxd29y1b1r57bnco1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Of course Willamette Valley won as one of the top wine valley destinations!</p> <p>Read about it here:</p> <p><a href="http://www.kval.com/news/local/Willamette-Valley-Named-A-Top-Destination-for-Wine--174677051.html" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.kval.com/news/local/Willamette-Valley-Named-A-Top-Destination-for-Wine--174677051.html" target="_blank">http://www.kval.com/news/local/Willamette-Valley-Named-A-Top-Destination-for-Wine—174677051.html</a></a></p>http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/34172089550http://allisoninnandspa.tumblr.com/post/34172089550Tue, 23 Oct 2012 10:06:46 -0700willamette valleywinewine tourismwinerywinerieswine country