Day 7: Adelsheim Winery, Keeler Estate Winery, and Portland
October 2nd was the main tour of the wineries. Emily C. and Emily M. (known as the Emilys) decided their research topic would be on comparing and contrasting the cultural and physical differences between pinot noirs, which is the most common variety grown in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. Our first stop was at Adelsheim Winery and Vineyard in the Ribbon Ridge American Viticultural Association (AVA). What made each winery that we traveled to unique was their various environmental certifications. They included Low Input Viticulture Enology (LIVE) and Salmon Safe certification. Both of these certifications are regulated by a third party organization. Adelsheim had solar panels, which were included in the aspects of LIVE certification.
Following the walk of the vineyard, we divided up the group and temporarily parted ways. Half of us: Alyssa, Miles, Dakota, Ali, Will, Nathan, and Hannah, went into Portland to get a head start on our research projects. The group went to the North Portland Williams Avenue neighborhood and talked to the locals about biking/commuting, street art, hops, gentrification, and cooperative homes.
The Brew Crew
Miles and Dakota had located three breweries on and around Williams Avenue to investigate. First, they conducted an interview at the truly Portlandian Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB) Bike Bar. Next, they were able to speak with the bartender, (former D1 tight end at UC-Boulder) Joe Saunders, at Old Town Brewery who also provided them contact information for their brewmaster. The next leg of their trip to famous McMenamin’s Brewery was interrupted when they happened by In Other Words (a feminist bookstore made famous in the TV show Portlandia). After this stop, they continued to McMenamin’s where, to their surprise, they were given the opportunity to meet with the purchasing executives for an interview.
Gentrification Nation
Nathan had identified the Williams Avenue area as a focal point for gentrification in Portland. The transitional nature of the area offered Hannah a view into how street art evolves as an area becomes more affluent. Moving down Williams, they took pictures of street art and spoke with businesses that had been tagged. Getting a sense of when the tagging had occurred provided context for street associated with gentrification and pre-gentrification. Next, they walked into a small market that is a remnant of the increasingly displaced African American community. Here, Nathan was able to speak with several influential community members who lived in the Williams Avenue area before the gentrification process began. They provided valuable information about the process, where people forced out of the area were moving to, and the names of people studying the recent changes.
Bike Patrol
Will started out feeling a bit nervous about asking random people questions regarding the bike culture and why it is so significant in Portland. But, he made his way to different bike shops along Williams Avenue and talked with business owners and customers. As he went along, it got easier, and the more he talked with them, he noticed how easy they were to talk to about the thing they love.
Laying the Groundwork
Ali and Alyssa kept an open mind about how to proceed on Williams Avenue. They spent time talking with some very friendly people working and shopping at various businesses who shared their experiences, general ideas about the city, and provided a sense of gentrification occurring in Portland. They also walked down to the New Seasons Grocery Store - identified by many as a key player in the gentrification process. A gentleman at HUB Brewing shared with Alyssa his experience living in a community home and referred her to the owners for her research on housing. Through their conversations, they were able to form their thoughts of the city and how to proceed with their research in the days to follow.
Earth-Conscious Winemaking
Tim, Mike, Jake, the Emilys, and Ezra drove to a second vineyard, Keeler Estate Vineyard in the Eola-Amity AVA. There, they hold an additional certification practicing biodynamic viticulture. When we were there, we were enthralled about the idea of being completely organic; they even had rehabilitated animals on their land. In addition there was a compost pile, beekeeping, sunflowers, and gardens to promote sustainability. Not only was the vineyard incredible, but the hospitality of the owners was overwhelming. It was obvious that these people wanted to share what they had with others, not just for a profit, but because they wanted to make Earth-conscious wine.
We rounded out the day by meeting at the Portland Airport, saying goodbye to our vans, and riding to the Portland light rail to our hotel in the East Burnside Neighborhood.
Special thanks to Joe Saunders, and Craig & Gabby Keeler!
October 2nd was the main tour of the wineries. Emily C. and Emily M. (known as the Emilys) decided their research topic would be on comparing and contrasting the cultural and physical differences between pinot noirs, which is the most common variety grown in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. Our first stop was at Adelsheim Winery and Vineyard in the Ribbon Ridge American Viticultural Association (AVA). What made each winery that we traveled to unique was their various environmental certifications. They included Low Input Viticulture Enology (LIVE) and Salmon Safe certification. Both of these certifications are regulated by a third party organization. Adelsheim had solar panels, which were included in the aspects of LIVE certification.
Following the walk of the vineyard, we divided up the group and temporarily parted ways. Half of us: Alyssa, Miles, Dakota, Ali, Will, Nathan, and Hannah, went into Portland to get a head start on our research projects. The group went to the North Portland Williams Avenue neighborhood and talked to the locals about biking/commuting, street art, hops, gentrification, and cooperative homes.
The Brew Crew
Miles and Dakota had located three breweries on and around Williams Avenue to investigate. First, they conducted an interview at the truly Portlandian Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB) Bike Bar. Next, they were able to speak with the bartender, (former D1 tight end at UC-Boulder) Joe Saunders, at Old Town Brewery who also provided them contact information for their brewmaster. The next leg of their trip to famous McMenamin’s Brewery was interrupted when they happened by In Other Words (a feminist bookstore made famous in the TV show Portlandia). After this stop, they continued to McMenamin’s where, to their surprise, they were given the opportunity to meet with the purchasing executives for an interview.
Gentrification Nation
Nathan had identified the Williams Avenue area as a focal point for gentrification in Portland. The transitional nature of the area offered Hannah a view into how street art evolves as an area becomes more affluent. Moving down Williams, they took pictures of street art and spoke with businesses that had been tagged. Getting a sense of when the tagging had occurred provided context for street associated with gentrification and pre-gentrification. Next, they walked into a small market that is a remnant of the increasingly displaced African American community. Here, Nathan was able to speak with several influential community members who lived in the Williams Avenue area before the gentrification process began. They provided valuable information about the process, where people forced out of the area were moving to, and the names of people studying the recent changes.
Bike Patrol
Will started out feeling a bit nervous about asking random people questions regarding the bike culture and why it is so significant in Portland. But, he made his way to different bike shops along Williams Avenue and talked with business owners and customers. As he went along, it got easier, and the more he talked with them, he noticed how easy they were to talk to about the thing they love.
Laying the Groundwork
Ali and Alyssa kept an open mind about how to proceed on Williams Avenue. They spent time talking with some very friendly people working and shopping at various businesses who shared their experiences, general ideas about the city, and provided a sense of gentrification occurring in Portland. They also walked down to the New Seasons Grocery Store - identified by many as a key player in the gentrification process. A gentleman at HUB Brewing shared with Alyssa his experience living in a community home and referred her to the owners for her research on housing. Through their conversations, they were able to form their thoughts of the city and how to proceed with their research in the days to follow.
Earth-Conscious Winemaking
Tim, Mike, Jake, the Emilys, and Ezra drove to a second vineyard, Keeler Estate Vineyard in the Eola-Amity AVA. There, they hold an additional certification practicing biodynamic viticulture. When we were there, we were enthralled about the idea of being completely organic; they even had rehabilitated animals on their land. In addition there was a compost pile, beekeeping, sunflowers, and gardens to promote sustainability. Not only was the vineyard incredible, but the hospitality of the owners was overwhelming. It was obvious that these people wanted to share what they had with others, not just for a profit, but because they wanted to make Earth-conscious wine.
We rounded out the day by meeting at the Portland Airport, saying goodbye to our vans, and riding to the Portland light rail to our hotel in the East Burnside Neighborhood.
Special thanks to Joe Saunders, and Craig & Gabby Keeler!