Whenever someone asks me what my favorite food events are, top of my list is definitely Anne Amie Vineyard‘s Counter Culture. To jump start the International Pinot Noir Celebration, Anne Amie hosts 15-20 local restaurants and 15-20 wineries from around the world. With your pass, you get to eat and drink to your heart (and stomach’s) content.
My good friend Lauren and I are making it our end of July tradition. I can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon than with amazing food, great wine and a stunning view of the Willamette Valley.
I loved these wine bottle labels
There was a lot of food. Like a lot, a lot. But don’t you worry, I sucked it up and almost everything any way!
Dahi Papri Chaat: whole wheat crackers topped with potatoes, chickpeas, yogurt and chutneys – aka deliciousness from Bollywood Theater
Some favorites on the food side:
- Le Pigeon‘s Foie Gras Kimchi Sandos: Does Gabriel Rucker do anything without foie? Perhaps not for a good a reason. This Asian-inspired sandwich was the first thing we ate and by far, one of the best.
- Andrea Slonecker‘s Fresh-baked Soft Pretzels: Of course I’m a little partial since I’ve taken her pretzel class but Andrea definitely knows what she is doing, these pretzels are awesome.
Andrea Slonecker, author of Pretzel Making at Home
- Olympic Provisions‘ Kasekrainer Sausage with Apple Slaw: How can you not enjoy a super top-quality hot dog on a hot summer day?
- Tastebud‘s Wood-Fired Oven Peach Pizza: I love anything with peaches and Tastebud’s extra thick crust is fantastic.
So good. I love thick crust pizza!
- Lovely’s Fifty Fifty‘s Ice Cream: I’m still a little disappointed that there was only one dessert offered but obviously their ice cream is top notch so I can’t be too bummed out.
The wine was all amazing and we now have a long list of other vineyards to visit.
R Stuart 2010 Vignette Pinot Noir
Sandwiches were the unspoken theme of the year – Rock Shrimp Rolls from Woodsman Tavern
To top off the night, they even had a fire pit, complete with fire dancers.
This guy’s outfit was a little outrageous – a skin tight silver leotard. He looked like he was fresh out of Blades of Glory, that ice skating movie with Will Ferrell.
As always, Lauren and I had a great time with the photo booth.
Anne Amie thought of everything. They even, conveniently for us folk up in Portland, arrange a bus to transport you from Portland to their winery so everyone can get home safely. Lauren and I got to chat the whole way down, and enjoy the shenanigans of the party bus on the way back (people were sharing extra wine, singing, attempting to dance – it was definitely a much more entertaining drive home!).
Garrett, the GM from Imperial was working hard with the crawfish boil
Mark your calendars for next year!
[…] Having a blast at Counter Culture. My friend Lauren and I have made this our annual event together and it probably is my favorite […]