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Ora Et Labora Wine Shop
3928 N Williams Avenue, Portland, Oregon
Need a date night? A new hobby? Something to break the monotony of the work week? Ora Et Labora Wine Shop’s classes are dialing down the pretension and judgmentalism, and leaning into the fun of tasting wines and learning about how they came to be.
May Highlights:
- Wed 5/1, 6-8pm The Appellations of the Willamette Valley ($50): In honor of Oregon Wine Month, we’re nerding out about the world-class Pinots and Chardonnays of Oregon; Ever wonder why the Willamette Valley has so many danged AVAs? What could possibly merit these distinctions in a relatively small region? We’ll be getting into some of the best wines that Oregon has to offer, talking about soils and microclimates of each sub-AVA within the Valley, and how they distinctly affect the wines made from their grapes. Dave will be bringing some truly special bottles from his own cabinet of curiosities that are not distributed to the retail market, so expect bonus pours!
- Fri 5/3, 5-8pm First Friday Tasting: Mijita Wine Co., Augustina Cellars, and CAT Cellars ($20): Winemakers Lizzy Esqueda, Diana Schultz, and Cynthia Thompson will be pouring their fermented juices, ranging from Eola-Amity Hills bottles to a couple of more uncommon whites to bigger reds from the Columbia Valley. These are wonderful small-production wines from relatively new producers.
- Wed 5/8, 6-8pm Foundations II: Demystifying Wine Tasting ($25): If you have a foundational understanding of how wine comes into existence, and a grasp of the most essential concepts that surround wine, then it’s time to dive into wine tasting. Wine can (and should!) be mysterious, but we’re going to provide you with a firm foundation to understand—and thereby better enjoy—the wines you drink. Before exploring the various areas of aroma and flavor profiles, we’ll talk about the key structural elements that compose a glass: sweetness, alcohol, acidity, and tannin. Alongside a little bit of science and a dose of psychology, we’ll provide tips and tricks to navigate the choreography and mechanics of tasting.
- Sat, 5/11, 3-5pm Winemaker Tasting: Mario Bagella ($10): Mario is a second-generation winemaker, but his family has been growing grapes in Sorso on the island of Sardinia for as long as anyone can remember. He has taken it upon himself to move the winery and vineyard operations in a more natural direction. He feels that he has a responsibility to respect the land his family has called home for so many years. As Mario puts it, “I love making wine because it gives me the opportunity to express myself. For me wine is sharing, but above all it is a beautiful tool to appreciate the diversity, between people, vines and territories.”
- Sat 5/18, 2-4pm Lone Wolf Seminar: The Wasserman Wines of Germany ($45): The Lone Wolf Seminars return, with a nerdy dive into the coveted wines of the Wasserman family, as they’ve recently expanded their purview to a few (just five!) of the most tremendous producers Germany has to offer. If you’re a fan of Riesling or Pinot Noir, you don’t wanna miss this one.
- Sat 5/25, 2-4pm The More Esoteric Grapes of Oregon ($35): A continuation of celebrating Oregon Wine Month! While Oregon is most famous for Pinot and Chardonnay, in recent decades experimentalists have been planting grapes that are native to the more obscure (and sometimes classic) regions of Europe. These are, admittedly, the varietals that get us especially riled up when it comes to local wines, given that they’re vinified in such limited amounts. Join us on an expedition through the most exciting things happening in the Willamette Valley and Columbia Gorge!