Last weekend a friend of mine shot me a text message asking if I’d be interested in spending Sunday afternoon at Bergström Wines. At first I was overwhelmed thinking about all the things I needed to finish up over the weekend and then I realized what I really needed was to go share a glass of wine with a friend.

We’ve been having one of the driest summers on record, and the weather on Sunday was absolutely stunning! Not a cloud in the sky. We grabbed a table on the veranda, and enjoyed the views while keeping cool under the shade of a leafy wisteria.

We went for a tasting at Bergström Wines because my friend knows a wonderful lady named Beth who pours there. Beth was so knowledgeable about the different types of wine and took such good care of us while we sat out on the veranda.

I felt like a total insider listening to all the stories about the winery and about the ever impending decision of when to start harvest. We’ve had such warm weather this year, that wineries will be starting harvest earlier than than ever. This year will certainly go down in history books for wine in the Willamette Valley.

Now about the wine. I hate to say this, but I have never been a big fan of reds. So when I took a look at the tasting menu and realized that it was a flight of reds, I wasn’t quite sure what to think. But I will tell you that when Beth started pouring and taking us on an adventure through the flight, I was blow away! Bergström seriously has some amazing pinot noir and I can hardly wait to come back and share these wines with The Renaissance Man.

My favorite wine of the tasting was the 2012 Silice (pronounced “sea-lease”) Pinot Noir. I’m pretty sure this wine won me over on the front end because of the bright raspberry and cherry notes. However, as the wine sat on my palate, the fruit notes mellowed and were grounded by a tremendous minerality that kept me going back for more.

I could have sat on that veranda all day long. Literally.

As it turns out, good conversation, a glass of wine, laughter, and friendship was just what I needed. Sometimes you just have to take a moment to listen.

And for those of you looking to visit Bergström Wines, be sure to ask for Beth!