In 2011 the Southern Oregon wine industry partnered with the city & business leaders of Jacksonville, Oregon to facilitate growth of Southern Oregons' World of Wine grand tasting into a multi-day festival. One of the additional offerings last year for the first time ever was a duo of classes open to both the trade & the public focused on wine education. With standing room only in both classes offered last year, the Executive Committee of the event is proud to offer the following four classes this year.

August 23rd, 2012

Morning Session - 930am
The History of the Rogue Valley
Presented by MJ Daspit
Come learn the history of our wine growing region & the varietals that have thrived within it. Discover little known facts about the families and the wines that have brought our industry to where it is in the state of Oregon. While we fill our heads with knowledge, we will be pouring two medal winners from festivals past to sip on.
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Afternoon Session - 1pm
A Sensory Exploration
Presented by Dwayne Bershaw
Dwayne Bershaw, Associate Director of the Southern Oregon Wine Institute at Umpqua Community College, will lead the class on how to evaluate & identify wines. He will teach us helpful systems & tools to both identify varietals & flaws in addition to pairing wines with food. Palates attending should be prepared to explore two flights of four to five wines.
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August 24th, 2012

Morning Session - 930am
“Unraveling the Mystique of Terroir in Southern Oregon & Beyond”
Presented by Dr. Greg Jones
The term 'terroir' is a French notion that encompasses the climate, landscape, soil, and people that contribute to the growing of great grapes and the making of fine wine. Unlike most other beverages, wine has a special quality of invoking positive images of a specific place - it is the expression of the distinctiveness and individuality of a particular site. While many of the effects of terroir on wine production are reasonably well known, other aspects and their interrelationships are more mystical. This talk will provide some insight into what we know about terroir and its role on wine typicity and style and provide examples of different terroirs around the world and Southern Oregon, where unlike centuries-old wine regions, grape growers are still understanding the region’s terroir and the varietals that do well here.
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Afternoon Session - 1pm
Southern Oregon vs. The Old World
Presented by Dr. Peter Adesman
Physician by day and wine educator by night, Dr. Adesman has long been revered by Southern Oregon wine nuts for his palate. In addition to commanding a cult "cork dork" following Dr. Adesman tends to be extraordinarily generous with his extremely deep cellar. As such we have coerced him into leading a side by side tasting of some of the best wines produced in the Old World next to some of the brightest stars produced in Southern Oregon. Which wines will your palate prefer? You'll have to join us to find out....seats are limited for this class and it is sure to sell out early, so get your tickets today!
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Tickets for each class is $30 per person and seats are limited at 30 people per class to ensure an intimate learning environment. The goal of the committee is to continue to expand the number of classes each year and to do so, we need your support & attendance! For more information & to check out all of the events happening at this years festival, please visit www.worldofwinefestival.com

I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the Magnolia Inn as I proudly pour fine wines from Serra Vineyards! Here are the details for those interested...

Saturday June 9 • 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Downtown Jacksonville
No admission fee; prices apply for specific activities 

Spend the day in Jacksonville celebrating the beginning of another Britt summer in Jacksonville. The afternoon will include live music, food from local restaurants, demonstrations by the artists of Art Presence, a wine walk featuring several local wineries, children’s activities on the courthouse grounds, street performers and more!

Live Music Location: SOUTH 3rd STREET
Blue Lightning: 12-2 p.m.
Left: 2-4 p.m.

Location: CALIFORNIA STREET (next to Pico's Worldwide)
Phoenix Sigalove: 12-2 p.m.
Kites & Crows: 2-4 p.m

Location: NORTH 3rd STREET (next to Blue Door Garden Store)
Djamenco: 12-2 p.m.
The Fret Drifters: 2-4 p.m

Location: COURTHOUSE STEPS
The Blank Notes: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Wine Walk The following wineries and tasting rooms are participating in the wine walk. Tickets will be available, beginning at noon, at the Britt/Chamber booth at the corner of S. 3rd Street and California

Wine tastings ticket: $14
Wine glass: $8
Tastings are open from 12-4 p.m.

Belle Fiore, Caprice Vineyards, Cliff Creek Cellars, Corks Wine Bar, Daisy Creek, Devitt WInery, Edenvale Winery, Fiasco, Grizzly Peak, LaBrasseur, Merrill Cellars, Pebblestone Cellars, Quady North, Serra Vineyards, Soloro Vineyards, South Stage Cellars, Umpqua Wineries, Valley View Vineyards, Weisinger's Vineyard

Beer Garden Beer garden sponsored by the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, located at the northeast corner of California and 5th Stret.

Food Booths on 3rd Street by: Frau Kemmling, Bella Union, Gary West, Back Porch BBQ

Also, local restaurants will be open!

Free Puppet Show Performance Britt and The Storytelling Guild present the Tears of Joy Puppet Theatre performance "When Animals Were People"

Show time: 3:30 p.m., Britt Pavilion
Free admission, with donation of new or gently used book for local outreach programs 

Art Presence  The following artists will be demonstrating downtown:
Anne Brooke
Alx Fox
Cheryl Garcia
Katharine Gracey
Ron and Dee Moore

Also, the Art Presence Art Center on N. 5th Street (former children's museum/courthouse area) will be open, with artists present. 

Children's Activities Doc Griffin Park will be a hub for young children's activities, including activities by local churches, World Arts Outreach and more

Activities on the Courthouse lawn: Farmers' market
Demonstration by Wildlife Images
Paragliding demonstration

Classic Cars Street Performers Thanks to Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce
Jacksonville Oregon Business Association
Airport Chevrolet
Wineries and Tasting Rooms
Art Presence artists
City of Jacksonville

For more information, visit the Britt Festivals website!

As I sit here typing my very first blog post, I find myself pondering how my life seems to follow the beats(plural becasue in my head it's a complex pattern of different instruments) of a a set of drums that I can't hear. It seems now looking back that about once every seven years no matter how careful I am to keep everything on the straight and narrow; an unseen power sweeps into my exsistence and changes EVERYTHING.
No asking, no warnings, just BOOM!

I'm not kidding and for the most part I'm not even exaggerating. As a younger being, I always fought it and tried to maintain control of a vortex far more powerful than I. However, after several cycles - I realized that in the end the changes were always positive. Although change can be scary and uncomfortable, I always found myself smiling when the dust settled in the past. So after some deep soul searching, I decided that this time around I was not only NOT going to fight change but instead I would embrace it with arms wide open.

The journey started at the end of August 2010 and over the course of the last 60 days I have spent my days enjoying all of the glory that is Southern Oregon. For the first time in six years, I lived like a local and enjoyed all of the river, fishing, food & wine that the valley has to offer. I was able to reconnect with friends in a way that just wasn't an option before with the challenging work schedule I balanced. With my new found freedom I was also able to travel to see out of area friends, attend some pretty awesome wine tastings and participate in other such "fabulousness".

Huny and I also recently bought a house in Grants Pass and it has been blissful getting unpacked and settling in to our new place. It's very exciting to think that we're almost to the point where we ready to have friends over! Personally the truly sexy thing about unpacking this time around is knowing that I won't be moving again for a while. for the first time in my life I can honestly say that I have put down roots. A giant baby step for a person who never plans to grow up, I must say that I am quite proud of myself.

So in short, life is good! Starting in October, I will begin working in earnest on this website & blog and I look forward to sharing my world of food, wine & all things divine with those who are interested. I invite you to check back often, as in the near future I have scheduled blog posts will get you all caught up with the many naughty things that I have been enjoying in the time we've been apart. Make no mistake about it, I've missed you...and I'm looking forward to having you all back in my life again soon.

Namaste,
Liz

P.S. I am also counting on your feedback to continually improve this site and the content shared in it, so please don't hesitate to click on the "Contact Liz" tab above and stay in touch. I can't wait to hear your thoughts!