I love feeling special. I love being pampered. I love amazing wine. I love delicious food. I love King Estate.
So what if all of the above is true?! Many felt the same at the Awards dinner at the 2012 Wine Blogger’s Conference in Portland, Oregon in August. King Estate, located south of Portland, was its sponsor and provided hundreds of wine bloggers, industry reps, and PR folks a five course dinner with fantastic food and wine pairings as a grand finale to a weekend full of “grape experiences”. Executive Chef Michael Landsberg, Sous Chef Benjamin Nadolny, and the King Estate culinary team should receive kudos for their successful efforts in treating the wine community with an unforgettable experience.
Not only are the wines of King Estate enticing, but their mind set about the environment is, too. The winemakers and growers employ organic and sustainable practices using no toxic chemicals or herbicides, organic compost to maintain soil health, organic pest control without toxic poisons, and organic seeds…they grow and harvest their own cover crop seeds for vineyards and gardens. Promise me (in a virtual way, of course) that you will check out their website and enjoy their videos as well as other info about the wines, food, and organic practices…
So pour yourself a glass of wine and settle in… I have given you (well, thanks to King Estate for allowing me as a participant in the conference to do it…) a video of the food preparation process after my brief tasting notes. Trust me, you’ll be making your ingredient list as you watch! And don’t forget to look for the wines, too!!
Finally, I have shared a video from King Estate describing an overview of the dinner and their sustainable practices…
First Course
Salad of Fennel~ heirloom tomato, grilled corn, duck breast prosciutto
Paired with…2011 NxNawa Horse Heaven Hills Riesling~Dry and crisp with minerality and tropical fruits on the nose and palate, this was delicious with the refreshing first course.
Second Course
Confit of Spot Prawns~ cucumber, roasted peach, opal basil
Paired with…2011 King Estate Signature Pinot Gris~ Aromas of honey, grapefruit, and melon led to tastes of more of the same along with green apple and peach. Yep, those were happy prawns to meet the Pinot Gris!
Third Course
Wild Chinook Salmon~ garlic sausage, potato gnocchi, buttered leeks, aged balsamic
Paired with…2011 King Estate Signature Pinot Noir ~ I loved the spice and cherry aromas wafting from this Pinot Noir and the flavors of vanilla, cherry, and a touch of oak were in balance with the salmon and sauces.
Fourth Course
Roast Top Loin of Beef~ wild mushroom, Yukon potato, shallot marmalade
Paired with…2009 NxNW Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ~ After a few swirls, the plum and cherry jam aromas were right where they should be! Flavors of black cherry, chocolate, and oak complimented the course…the light tannins were just what I needed.
Fifth Course
Lemon Panna Cotta~ summer berries, lavender syrup
Paired with…2010 King Estate Riesling Vin Glace ~ This dessert wine from 100% Pinot Gris was sweet, crisp, and acidic. The aromas and tastes of apricots, figs, caramel, and oranges were an amazing pairing with this light, bright Lemon Panna Cotta.
The dinner treated to so many wine lovers by King Estate was unforgettable in many ways…and I want to remember this winery as one which produces fantastic wines, engages in sustainable winegrowing and farming practices, and is committed to educating wine lovers through a variety of media (again, check out the website!). But of course feeling special and pampered on a Saturday night is all right by me! Thank you, King Estate!
Cheers to good food and wine and…feeling like a Queen!~ Cindy
