Like many people across the entire globe, I am self-isolating. Honestly, not my strong suit at all… I am a people person who needs regular in-person human interaction. I have been on constant zooms and calls during the work day with barely a minute in between meetings and trying to connect via FaceTime and long calls with friends and family in the evenings and weekends. Its still early days and I know we have what I am hoping is only a ‘temporary new normal’ to live and adjust to… fingers cross.
Since moving to Chicago, a little more than a year ago, my blog has been on hiatus and once again I realize my life has become all about work. Well, if anything this unprecedented time we are in needs to teach me is that I must create some me-time. I am (going to try) to take back some of that time to start writing again.
For those of you who remember my writing from the Boston days, I am not a negative blogger and I want to take this time to try to reinvigorate my blog (and myself) with writing about positive things… SO, let’s talk wine!
Towards the end of 2018, I took a trip to Willamette with my great friend, Stacey to explore the Pinot Noir trails. One of the vineyards we both fell in love with and joined their wine club was Styring Vineyards.
Styring is a boutique family owned winery located in beautiful Ribbon Ridge wine country hills. Once you arrive you are welcomed as though you are part of the family by Kelley Styring one of the owners and taken on a tour through the gravel pathways and into the wine groves where you can pick grapes right from the vines. Finally, wave hello to Steve Styring on the way to their temporary tasting room (by now the stunning new tasting room may be finished).
I am hopeful to start sharing more wines from this winery over the coming months but for now let’s talk about a little favorite, the Signature Pinot Noir 2015. Immediately spicy on the nose with peppery undertones that soften the longer the wine is in the glass. It has layers of black fruits which lead to a creamy and deliciously seductive taste with a silky long finish that beckons another sip. It brings back a memory of a gorgeous sunny fall day laughing with my friend and for a moment not having a care in the world except to think about our very indulgent chef’s tasting dinner we were about to have at The Painted Lady. Oh man, that was a great day!
This wine is simply fantastic in taste and affordability.
My rating…
