Dundee, Oregon is the heart of Willamette Valley wine country. Between Newberg and McMinnville on Highway 99 things slow down as single lanes each way pass through businesses and wineries to the left and right. Waiting to be discovered are a few magical hot spots. My favorite Dundee discovery is The The Red Hills Market at 115 7th Street.

Amazing baked goods, a great wine stash, wood fired pizza from scratch, Stumptown coffee, hand-crafted sandwiches, local meats, cheeses, a passion for local, an outside with seductively comfortable wine stave chairs and a community centric atmosphere are the manifestation & passion of owners Jody & Michelle Kropf, Chef Shiloh Ficek, and a fun, engaging, knowledgeable staff.

I moved into the area this past July. Where to hang out was question number one. Within a month of exploring, Red Hills Market was part of my routine, and half-a-year later it hasn’t let up. Whether it’s coffee and internet time, lunch and meet up with some winemakers, or chill over pizza and beer (or for a bottle of wine from their wine wall), my left arm has kind of been replaced by The Red Hills Market! It’s been pure pleasure to have Jody and the gang doing there thing so close to home.

Having said all that, they’re a big part of our upcoming contest for a trip to the Willamette Valley. Jody has a traveling pizza oven and he’ll be bringing it out to Youngberg Hill Winery (where the trip winners) will be staying for the opening night dinner of the trip.

Since good things often attract other good things, there’s another gem to be discovered on the 2nd floor above Red Hills Market. That comes in the form of the Wine Country Cooking Studio. Chef and owner Wendy Bennett has just opened this spot for offering the community cooking classes. On the final night of our May 1-3 Willamette Valley Sweepstakes, Wendy will be leading a 3 course participatory cooking class that will include wines from Brooks Winery!

When you’ve got Dundee, Oregon on your calendar, go out of your way to eat & hang out at The Red Hills Market. They’ve got that passion for local, organic, sustainable, vital, quality products that makes for a perfect marriage with ConsciousWine.

The Red Hills Market
115 SW 7th
Dundee, Oregon
971.832.8414

In Jeff's Blog, Restaurants, Wine & Food | Tagged with events, Food Related, oregon, Travel, willamette valley

Matthew Domingo and partner Erin Daugherty, have created a “farm to fork” program that feeds the belly and the soul. When I think about what nourishes me, lots of things come to mind. It’s a balance of elements combined in ways sometimes difficult to explain. Continue reading “Farm to Fork: </br>Vital Choices for Palate & Planet” »

In Jeff's Blog, Restaurants, Sustainable Practices, Wine & Food, Wineries | Tagged with Dinners, education, events, Food Related, Matthew Domingo, oregon, Vitality

It’s official, I’ve been a resident of the Willamette Valley for two weeks now.  If you ask me where my home is, I still have to think twice. I’m so buried in boxes that saying, ”I feel moved in,“ could be months of away. Perhaps my priority should be unpacking, yet the urge to explore and discover is something I can’t resist. Continue reading “Willamette Valley Discoveries” »

In Jeff's Blog, Restaurants, Storytelling | Tagged with oregon, Travel

When I first moved to Oregon, my priority was putting down roots where organic food was the norm not the exception. I had been inspired by a bumper sticker that said, “Organic Food… What our grandparents used to call FOOD!” Continue reading “Farm to Fork </br>Dinner at Cowhorn Vineyards” »

In Jeff's Blog, Restaurants, Sustainable Practices, Wine & Food | Tagged with Dinners, events, Matthew Domingo, oregon, sustainability

The weather’s warming up and it’s picnic time! What are your favorites to eat and drink?

From a wine point of view, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Noir are the first three varietals I run to. What’s nice about them is that they pair well with a variety of foods, often have lower alcohol levels (making them perfect for warm weather), and pair great with salty foods. Continue reading “Spice Up Your Summer Picnic” »

In Guest Bloggers, Jeff's Blog, Restaurants, Wine & Food | Tagged with new york, recipes

My ears perked up… like a deer. What I was listening to was the thought in my mind for a particular taste in wine. As I moved in the direction of action, I realized my wallet was not in sync with the thoughts spreading from my mind to my taste buds. The $18 for the bottle of wine I desired was beyond my budget for the day. What to do? Who to call?

I’ll confess that on dry wallet days, I’ve satisfied many urges by trips to Grocery Outlet. They get national closeouts at very low prices and pass them on at low markups. It makes for a very happy moment, but… that’s not ConsciousWine. Continue reading “Finding Value Wine on a Budget” »

In Basic Wine Enjoyment, Demystifying Natural Wine, Digging Deeper, Jeff's Blog, Restaurants, Wineries, World | Tagged with california, oregon, value