Llamaste from Rain Dance Vineyards
Sorry, I usually hate puns. Lost? Read on.
This week I visited Rain Dance Vineyards in Newberg, Oregon.
I’m glad I looked up my route in Maps, because I definitely would have ended up in the wrong spot.
That’s because they relocated the tasting room in 2021, to a new location on the outskirts of Newberg. It’s a really nicely renovated farmhouse that’s been in the family for multiple generations.
One of the benefits of visiting in January is that packed tasting rooms are a distant memory and you often get the full attention of your server. For my visit, I was hosted by Kelly. Kelly’s positive energy was infectious and mixed nicely with the first sunshine we’d gotten in a while.
Backstory
Rain Dance was started by Celia and Ken Austin. Both are native Oregonians and longtime members of the Newberg community. Originating from a llama farm, the vineyard was planted in 2009 and the first vintage followed a few years later.
I don’t know anything about llamas, but apparently the Austins are quite the experts. I always appreciate finding people who are really good at something niche like that.
Winemaker Bryan Weil has been working with Ken and Celia since their first vintage in 2013. You might have tried some of his wines at Alexana as well, where he was winemaker until a few years back.
As I mentioned, they moved the tasting room in 2021 from the farm to the 1920’s farmhouse that belonged to Ken’s parents.
Setting the Scene
The tasting room is located in the original house and has been completely renovated and updated. It still has a comfortable, homey vibe, with fireplaces and elegant touches. It’s a cozy space and somewhere you feel comfortable hanging out, impervious to the winter gloom outside.
Having said that, I can’t wait to come back here in the summertime. The property has lots of big trees and outdoor seating. It kind of feels like a park. There’s a big patio area with lots of places to sit and enjoy nicer weather. The view to the south overlooks a vineyard and past that the impressive Allison Inn.
There’s also a second, smaller building called the Carriage House. This is available to reserve for larger groups and company gatherings.
locals know
The Rain Dance tasting room is a stone’s throw from the Allison Inn and Spa. There’s even a walking path that connects the two. If you’re a guest of The Allison, make sure to stroll up and enjoy a flight on the patio.
Tasting the Wine
Rain Dance’s wines are made by Brian Weil. I always loved his wines when he was at Alexana, so it makes sense I would enjoy these too.
If you know me at all, you know I get excited about good Riesling and Gewurztraminer. And what do you know, my host Kelly was nice enough to pour both for me!
The fruit for both is grown at Grand Oak, one of their four estate vineyards. We do a lot of Asian fusion-type cooking in my house, so I was thrilled to go home with a bottle of their 2023 Gewurztraminer. It’s a grape that isn’t widely grown in the Willamette Valley.
Great for something just a teeny bit spicy.
We also tasted two vintages of Estate cuvee Pinot noir (vertical comparisons are just so revealing, aren’t they?) and a single vineyard Pinot, also from Grand Oak.
One wine we didn’t taste was the Gamay, but I’d tried it before and am a big fan. If you like a lighter red for summertime, I definitely recommend picking up a bottle.
What I love about rain dance
– the park-like feel of the property (with plenty of shade),
– the acid-driven whites, and the refreshing Gamay.
– I’m a sucker for old farmhouses so let’s put that on the list too.
Rain Dance is a great example of quality over quantity. It’s my understanding that they don’t distribute their wines nationally, so your only opportunity is to come taste for yourself!
Thanks again to Kelly and the team at Rain Dance for your hospitality.
The Details
Hours: Thurs-Mon 11-5
Pets Allowed: No
Children allowed: Yes
Light Food available, no outside food please
