spaswinefood: Heidi Tunnell Catering Company features local winemakers

The South Willamette Valley, Oregon is just perfect for a Spaswinefood adventure. It was a hot August summer's afternoon during a heat wave when we arrived in Eugene. The first stop on our Wine Bloggers Conference (#WBC12) Pre-conference Tour was at the site of Heidi Tunnell's barn dinners, 182 South 2nd Street, Creswell. Heidi Tunnell (Iron Chef Eugene 2011) hosts barn dinners that feature local winemakers. During our visit we sampled appetizers paired with some of the local wines that she features. In addition to barn dinners Heidi Tunnell's Catering Company also does Tuesday Bakery, Farmers' Market and Thursday Dinners. Heidi Tunnell's barn dinners have been described as one of the 10 best gourmet experiences in Oregon. Wine Julia's article describes her visit to a Thursday evening family style dinner. Do not forget to check out the video at Heidi's website where she shares her story.

Heidi Tunnell's barn dinners are held at a restored barn © Spaswinefood

Sampling great local wines with tasty appetizers
Oh! yes, during our visit we ate some tasty appetizers and sipped some local Oregon wines. Here is an overview:

Time for appetizers and wine at Heidi Tunnell's © Spaswinefood

We were served a variety of tasty appetizers.

Appetizers (Chickpea Cakes, Herbed Yogurt Sauce) © Spaswinefood

Bite Size BLT Appetizers © Spaswinefood

Appetizers ( Blue Cheese & Pecan Crackers, Beef & Caramelized Onion Aioli) © Spaswinefood

To go along with the tasty appetizers we had some excellent wines.

Let's toast ( Domaine Meriwether NV Brut Cuvee) © Spaswinefood

The wines © Spaswinefood

The local wines are good
We began with some chilled white wines, which were just perfect for a hot summer's afternoon. The white wines were Kandarian Wine Cellars Blue Eye Sauvignon Blanc 2010 and NV Domaine Meriwether Brut Cuvee. Kandarian Wine Cellars Blue Eye Sauvignon Blanc 2010 was made by Jeff Kandarian, winemaker at King Estate since 2008 who also produces under his own label (Northwest Wine Anthem). Wine Julia provides a wonderful description of this wine. The Domaine Meriwether NV Brut Cuvee by Domaine Meriwether, known for its Oregon sparkling wines, was also an excellent choice. Check out Wine Julie 's Watermelon Salad pairing suggestion for this wine.

Kandarian Wine Cellars Blue Eye Sauvignon Blanc 2010 © Spaswinefood

Domaine Meriwether NV Brut Cuvee © Spaswinefood

The red wine was a Capitello Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2008 and it was paired with the beef appetizer. This wine took a Double Gold in the Oregon Wine Competition. The Prince of Pinot describes the winemaker, Ray Walsh and Walsh's founding of Capitello Wines.

Capitello Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2008 ready for tasting © Spaswinefood

Capitello Pinot Noir 2008 © Spaswinefood

Capitello Pinot Noir 2008 © Spaswinefood

Both based on my tasting notes and research I have done since the visit Spaswinefood was impressed by the local wines featured. After this introduction to local wines Spaswinefood was ready to explore more Oregon wines.

For a complete list of South Willamette Valley wineries see Southern Willamette Valley Wineries Association. The Oregon Wine Board also provides a list of Oregon wine regions. I invite you to join me in my travels in Oregon and elsewhere in search of the best in Spaswinefood.