Domaine Meriwether: Winding Down with Stellar Wine

In my most recent Wine Down Eugene, a list of Oregon wine events happening in and around Eugene and the Willamette Valley, I mentioned I had spent last Sunday at Domaine Meriwether in Veneta, Oregon.

Sparkling Wine and Sunshine

Wine Down Eugene is posted each week on Eugene DailyNews, and I always write a preface prior to adding in all the events. This past weekend, the preface was about how the people of the Willamette Valley were blessed with cloudless skies and seventy-five degree weather, a rare occurrence in April. Domaine Meriwether’s world-class sparkling wines, produced in the Methode Champenoise style, and the large open field next to the vineyards with a gorgeous view of the forested foothills of the Coastal Range was beckoning me to kick back, relax, and enjoy the sunny skies-Domaine Meriwether style.  We brought lawn chairs, a picnic basket, frisbees, and our two boys who are seven and eight years old.

Wide open spaces

While our boys took advantage of the wide open spaces with a frisbee and a huge red ball, my husband and I went into the winery to sample Domaine Meriwether’s featured wines.

We first sampled the 2000 Prestige Cuvee Brut.  Thousands upon thousands of tiny bubbles made their way to the top in steady streams in this light golden hued beauty. At first swirl, sniff and sip, I knew this was my kind of sparkling wine. Rich and elegantly well balanced with hints of caramel, we decided on the spot to pop the cork on a bottle of the Prestige Cuvee to enjoy while relaxing in the sun.

Domaine Meriwether 2000 Prestige Cuvee

After a couple hours of fun in the sun, we went back inside to sample the other featured wine: NV Cuvee Glacé. Best described on the Domaine Meriwether website, The Cuvee Glacé is ‘made from Gewurztraminer grapes harvest at peak ripeness, frozen then crushed gently and slowly with our Champagne press.’  Packed full of outstanding flavors, this is one of the most palatable dessert wines I’ve ever tried.  Buzz Kawders, owner of Domaine Meriwether, said the Cuvee Glacé is very popular and sold throughout the country to multiple restaurants, but instead of serving it by the glass, many of the chefs deck out their dessert items by drizzling this intensely flavorful wine over sorbets, ice creams or cakes. The mere thought of it drizzled over a slice of pound cake was mouthwatering.

Domaine Meriwether Cuvee Glacé

There was no better way to spend a gorgeous sunny Willamette Valley day than at Domaine Meriwether, it was pure bliss, and fun was had by the entire family.

Whether you live in Oregon or are visiting from afar, the South Willamette Valley countryside is dotted with stellar wineries that are well worth checking out. Make sure Domaine Meriwether is on your list, you won’t be disappointed.

Fun in the sun for everyone