Made in McMinnville: Bring home all the goodies this weekend McMinnville is a beloved destination for Pinot noir and other wines, but there are so many delicious things grown and produced here to eat as well. These local foods are the things we buy to treat ourselves, to stock our pantries, and to gift loved ones who live out of town. If you’re visiting from a drive away, hit up the farmers market for some fresh souvenirs. Flying home? Pack these in your suitcase. Read Article
Rooted in McMinnville: Jacques Rendu of Coeur de Terre Vineyard We recently caught up with Coeur de Terre’s Jacques Rendu. Learn about his connection to the Beaujolais region in France and the Willamette Valley as he shares his wine journey with us. Read Article
Rooted in McMinnville: Linfield University’s Thea Gahr Thea Gahr sits on a futon in her McMinnville art studio, a small one-room space. Some of her recent paintings remain on an easel. From the ceiling, an aerial hoop hangs in the middle of the room. The hoop may be an apt metaphor for Thea’s explorations in life and art. She’s taken twists and turns, lived in different countries, and explored new forms of artistic expression. Like the hoop, the circle returned her home. Read Article
Tiny Travels: Alpaca walking should probably be your next great pandemic adventure There’s really only one real rule for walking an alpaca at Wings and a Prayer Alpacas: You walk the alpaca, the alpaca doesn’t walk you. Read Article
Rooted in McMinnville: Monica Macias of Yamhill Valley Vineyards Monica Macias sits at a desk on the far side of the Yamhill Valley Vineyards tasting room. A large window behind her frames a vineyard. The vines are bare in February and it takes little imagination to visualize broad green leaves spreading like a blanket across this view. Read Article
Rooted in McMinnville: Ricardo Antúnez Pura Vida Cocina has been around for seven years at its 313 NW Third St. location. It originally shared a storefront with a small art gallery, then eventually expanded to the full available space. Throughout that time, chef and owner, Ricardo Antúnez has developed a menu that delivers Central American foods with a style all his own. Read Article
Winter outdoor dining? We’re in! As we begin to yearn for last summer’s epic outdoor dining scene, restaurants have responded by raising dining tents throughout McMinnville, putting a halt to our languishing and keeping the monotony of a COVID winter at bay. Luckily, we Oregonians are of the hardy sort, and outdoor dining in the winter has become an adventure that we are willing to try out. Here are some places to enjoy a meal out this weekend. Read Article
Tiny Travels: Whatever your relationship status, wine country has the perfect place to celebrate Valentine’s Day—it’s really just a chance to spend time with those you love. Whatever your romantic status, a day trip to the heart of Oregon wine country has all the right settings for romance, bromance, or a Galentine’s Day outing. Read Article
McMinnville Short Film Festival celebrates 10th year virtually A well-made short film can pack as much punch as a 2-hour movie. So you should know that the McMinnville Short Film Festival draws near. They’ve gone virtual this year for their 10th anniversary. Starting Feb. 18 for ten days, you’ll have a virtual smorgasbord of 127 films to choose from. Read Article
Rooted in McMinnville: Gallery Theater’s Cathy Willoughby Two small floor lamps cast a lonely pool of light near the front of the Gallery Theater stage. No one has uttered lines from that spot since the cast of “Noises Off” shouted “BLACKOUT” on March 1. Sitting high in this otherwise empty McMinnville auditorium nearly 11 months later, Cathy Willoughby looks down to the light and explains how a community theater group meets its mission when gathering actors on a stage and patrons in seats is not possible. Read Article