Last month we managed to both be in town when Domaine Drouhin Oregon celebrated the release of their 2005 Laurène Pinot Noir. Why is this important? Because they celebrate with a balloon ride over the Willamette Valley!
We were the first to arrive, of course.
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Beth, fresh from intensive Yoga training, was happy to show off her muscles:
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Soon all seven (or was it nine?) balloons were launching.
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We did a splash and dash in the Willamette River. I thought we’d just touch the water and rise up, but we actually floated in the river for several minutes. We were amazed and impressed. We had some wine to celebrate.
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Airborne again, Beth continued to bliss out.
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Jim’s favorite part may have been when I helped squish the balloon back into the bag.
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We both pretty much liked the whole trip!
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If that wasn’t enough, we have a whole album of pictures.
Other notes:
- We (and the winemaker) recommend that if you have any ‘05 Laurène you cellar it several years.
- At the delicious breakfast they served after the balloon ride Jim tasted the multi-berry crisp and told me to learn how to make it. A few weeks later I made one, he pronounced it one of the best things I’d ever made and told me never to make it again.
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