A Blooming Hill Vineyard

We have the best dogs – everybody said so this weekend!  Really, the focus of the weekend extravaganza here in our corner of wine paradise was for people to be able to visit the wineries in North Willamette Valley that are closer to Portland and Beaverton and not (yet) as well visited as those in wine country. 

I can tell you that it worked!  We probably have the tiniest tasting room in the county, if not the state; so small that more than 5 people and it is crowded.  We had about 150 people visit over the two days and, laws of gathering what they are, people usually came in clusters so there was always someone here and, often, it was at least five people at the same time, if not more!

Luckily, the weather was good so people could wander around on the patio and, since Jim was doing wine-making demonstrations in the winery itself, groups tended to self distribute.  We LOVED meeting everyone and we loved watching our two dogs take charge.  Gemini and Trouble don’t actually bark, which is a good thing.  (Well, they do bark but only when they go out at night before retiring and do what Jim calls a “bark-around” warning less welcome critters to stay away for the night.) 

Trouble, however, can look a little intimidating with his gigantic Pit Bull head at the end of his lanky, Boxer body.  I’ve had delivery people call me from their trucks to ask if the dog standing at their door is friendly.  He is and his wagging rear gives that away.  He doesn’t wag his tail so much as he wags the entire back half of his body.  To be sure people felt secure, Jim had the idea to put a bandana around the dogs’ necks.  Trouble got hot pink and Gemini got pale pink.  Trouble took one look at Gemini’s accessory and removed it; but, not out of mischief we think, but because he wanted to be the sartorial star.  And he was.  They both were busy all day long meeting cars, escorting groups up and down from the winery to the tasting room, obligingly doing all their tricks.  They looked, for all the world, as if they were making suggestions … “You should really try that Pinot. We love it….”

I hope it was the wine that curried favor all weekend and allowed us to sell what we did but, in truth, I think the dogs helped!  They definitely slept well each night – see photo above! 

Thank you to everyone who visited.  We’re so glad you got to meet us, the dogs and that we had a chance to serve you our wines!