Tag Archives: Oregon

Grapejuice Events: Backdoor Cocktail Club

Life Experiences & Activities, Places & Events, , , , , , , , , , , ,

The memories of this event are still fresh in our mind though it took place way back in September.  Backdoor Cocktail Club takes place in the Arts District Downtown Los Angeles at the showroom and residence of an amazing designer/artist, Stephen Kenn, and his equally amazing partner and wife, Beks.  Here, this couple hosts very unique cocktail parties where they and sometimes special guests of theirs serve up tasty treats and delicious drinks. We were so excited to be invited to stand behind their bar for a night and do what we love, pour and talk about wine.

image courtesy of BDCC
image courtesy of BDCC

We thought it would be fun to try a concept where we paired wines with the interior of their space.  First, we had to ask ourselves, how do we define space? Initial thoughts were rustic wines to match the interior.  It’s not only objects that shape and fill a room, we also considered the people, those which give a home its heart.

BDCC wines

So, we started off with the always-pleasing, Hofer Grüner Veltliner from Austria. This wine is organic, biodynamic, and made by a couple that mirrored our hosts craft and creativity, Hermann and Maria Hofer. Next, we poured Underwood Pinot Noir made from grapes sourced all over Oregon.  Owner and winemaker, Ryan Harms, makes wine that is affordable, delicious, and fresh.  He is the first winemaker to release wine in a can. I’m equally horrified and intrigued by this. Stephen designs furniture that utilizes recycled military fabric, making something new out of a material that possesses a rich history. We saw a correlation between these innovative creators. We ended the night with a Cab Franc from Bourgueil called “Jour de Soif”. Gauthier is a father and son produced organic and unfiltered interesting red.  This is where the rustic interior comes into play.  The natural earthy and dirty qualities coming out of this wine match the interior’s earth-inspired palette.  And so, the flight was complete.

We had a blast conceiving and executing this Grapejuice event.  Please join us for the next one, wherever that might be!  Also, keep in mind, unlike most DJ’s, we take requests.
Pinterest

Bäco Mercat with Bow & Arrow

Life Experiences & Activities, Places & Events, , , , , , , ,

Baco Mercat

We went to Bäco Mercat after a lovely afternoon of taking photos for Grapejuice.  What to pair with the spirit at this LA fave?  We decided on Bow &  Arrow Pinot Noir Medici Vineyard 2011 coming out of Portland, OR.  Both the food and the drink embody something that is new, exciting and delicious.

Pinot Noir tends to be a safe wine to pair with a variety of food. It’s a nice “when in doubt” wine. This family owned winery makes one that is out of the ordinary (if your ordinary is rich California Pinots). The wine and the food stood side by side in harmony.  Mellow and simple yet complex flavors and no disappointment all around.  Initially we said, “OK, we’re going to have a light lunch and just one drink then call it a night”.  Forget that.

Baco Mirror

This also brings up a thought we will address in the future:
Bringing your own wine into restaurants, yay or nay? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
Pinterest

93.5KDAY with OPP Pinot Noir

Music, , , , , , ,

pinot Noir OPP

Pour one out for 93.5KDAY with OPP, a Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley.  It’s spicy, earthy and tastes like a rich man’s pinot, for under $20.  By the time you read this hopefully you will not be attempting to tune in and only hear Chinese talk radio.  Coincidentally after deciding to pair OPP with this radio station it was bought up and various news outlets are reporting the outlook is not looking good for the future of KDAY radio, the first radio station in the country to exclusively play hip hop.

This red called OPP, is named after the song from Naughty by Nature.  Back in the day, 1991.

“O is for Other, P is for People scratchin’ temple

The last P…well…that’s not that simple

It’s sorta like another way to call a cat a kitten

It’s five little letters that are missin’ here”

The last P is for Pinot you sick fuck.

Mouton Noir is a two-fold lifestyle project producing both a T-Shirt line and Oregon wines. Founded by sommelier André Hueston Mack in 2007, both ends of Mouton Noir incorporate a trademark attitude and personal perspective on wine subculture.

 
Pinterest