Mardi Gras in Wine Country

There was no need for me to hop on a jet plane to New Orleans to enjoy Mardi Gras festivities this year. Just a 20 minute drive out of the city of Eugene to the heart of the southern Willamette Valley wine region, the Mardi Gras Party at LaVelle Vineyards was the key to satiating my need for some Fat Tuesday fun.

Mardi Gras, which is Fat Tuesday in French, refers to the events of Carnival, a festive season that traditionally starts on January 6 and ends right before the Christian observance of Lent. Lent is a faithful commitment to fasting or giving up certain luxuries which begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts until Easter Sunday. Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, represents the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the fasting begins. Many Mardi Gras parties take place on the Saturday before Fat Tuesday, and popular practices include wearing masks and costumes, dancing,  participating in or watching parades, and of course, over indulging in food and drink.

Although there wasn’t a parade at LaVelle Vineyards, there were all the makings of a traditional New Orleans style Mardi Gras party: masks, costumes, dancing, live music and plenty of wine, food and party-goers.

Some friends and I arrived at LaVelle Vineyards in Elmira just after 4 pm, and the winery was packed full of people in elaborate masks and costumes. The music, performed live by local band Skip Jones and the Spirit of New Orleans, was playing an upbeat rhythm and blues piece while dancers packed the make shift dance floor in the winery’s barrel room. The walls were lined with racks of wine barrels and tables were set throughout the winery. Party-goers were eating, drinking and laughing while their elaborate masks and costumes sparkled with glitter and rhinestones.

Before taking a seat, I headed to the bar to taste the not-yet-released 2011 LaVelle Pinot Gris. The tropical fruit aromas that I found so pleasing in the highly acclaimed 2010 vintage were also displayed in the 2011, and the pleasing and familiar aromas immediately put a smile on my face.  The ’11 displays the same fruit-forward entry as its predecessor, but is slightly sweeter. Pineapple, juicy green apples and peach were mid palate, and the finish was sort of creamy with a hint of lingering spice. Although it seems early to be releasing this fruity beauty, it was delicious and will only get better after a few months in the bottle, and I can imagine this wine being a favorite come summer sun and blue skies.

I did enjoy the Pinot Gris, but with February temperatures averaging out at about 40 degrees here in the Willamette Valley, I opted for a winter warming bottle of the 2009 Pinot Noir; not to mention, the ’09 Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs are really drinking beautifully right now. The LaVelle Pinot Noir showcases aromas of red fruits like cherries and cranberries. In the mouth, there’s slight minerality that dissipates after a few minutes of decanting, and then the strawberry, vanilla, earth and pie spice flavors mellow and shine. The finish is slightly tannic but balances well with the fruit making this a delicious and truly enjoyable Willamette Valley Pinot Noir.

Matthew & Ashley LaVelle

Once we settled into a table with our wines of choice, we headed to where Veneta’s well-known “Our Daily Bread” restaurant was set up with a buffet of aromatic cajun jambalaya, cornbread and the famed Mardi Gras King Cake. For just $6,  my plate was piled high with the best of New Orleans style foods, and every bite of spiced rice, vegetables and sausage were thoroughly savored and enjoyed.

We ate, danced, drank and danced some more, and definitely dove into luxuries we could, and probably should, do without from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday. Everyone was having fun, including all members of the costume-clad LaVelle family.

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The LaVelle Mardi Gras Party was just one of the many fun events that the LaVelles offer to their wine club members throughout the year. To become a member, please contact the winery directly at 541-935-9406.