Rhône Away From Home

By Annelise Kelly It’s a balmy spring night as I swirl my glass of Grenache while sitting with new friends. On my left is a retired couple who live blocks away, members of the wine club at Oak Flat Vineyards. On my right sits an outdoorsy pair of millennial wine enthusiasts, one of whom takes careful notes about each wine. About 20 of us are comparing six different years of Oak Flat Mourvèdre, all from the same estate vineyard. I’m among the lucky diners signed up for the porchetta dinner, to be delivered with the final wine sample. Wood barrels are stacked three high, and a compact yellow forklift is parked tightly between them. The roll-up garage door is open until sunset, inviting fresh air and a view of one of Southeast Portland’s sleepier corridors. If I’m craving authentic Rhône-style wines, there’s no need to travel 5,900 miles to Avignon. Oak Flat Vineyards, dedicated to Rhône wine, opened its Southeast Portland tasting room in 2

by Hilary Berg · source ↗