If you are in Dallas or Austin, or anywhere near these cities, and want to learn more about Pinot Noir, this is a must attend. Willamette Valley Wines is presenting Pinot in the City in late January. the 24th in Dallas and the 26th in Austin.

One of the 65 wineries represented with be Roco Winery. I met Rollin Soles a few years ago and was impressed with his wines, his knowledge, and his sense of humor. This inspired my confession about being a bit of a winemaker groupie. Because of winemakers like Soles, the region was named Wine Enthusiast’s Region of the year. I can only imagine what else is in store.

I’ve included the Press Release below. Hope to see you there. And don’t worry, I’ll do my best to keep the inner-groupie in check.

WILLAMETTE VALLEY VISITS LONE STAR STATE
Over Sixty Oregon Wineries to Take Texas by Storm
Portland, Ore. (November 28, 2016) – Everything is bigger in Texas, and Oregon Wine Country is taking heed by assembling the largest cast of Willamette Valley wineries to ever visit the state at one time. More than 65 winemakers and winery owners will head to Dallas and Austin (on January 24 and January 26, 2017) for consecutive Pinot in the City events.
The road show style event, Pinot in the City, which has sold out cities from coast to coast, spotlights the Willamette Valley and its ever-growing status as one of the world’s premier Pinot noir producers. Wine Enthusiast earlier this month named the Willamette Valley the 2016 Wine Region of the Year. Organized by the Willamette Valley Wineries Association (WVWA), Pinot in the City trade and consumer events come in the wake of the exciting 2014 and 2015 Oregon vintages. In January, the series makes two stops in Texas, one of the largest wine markets in the US.
“We are thrilled to be visiting the great state of Texas and owe it to its many wine enthusiasts to extend our stay,” said Sue Horstmann, Executive Director of the WVWA. “Oregon wine continues to turn heads, and it’s always a joy to bring our esteemed wines and the producers behind them to places we know will appreciate them.”
Participating producers will pour primarily Pinot noir, Oregon’s flagship wine, along with several other varieties, from Chardonnay to Riesling. A trade-only event will kick off at noon, followed by a VIP early-access hour at 5 PM and the consumer event at 6 PM, which is open to the public. Attendees are sure to find a new favorite wine, and vintners will be on hand to provide the backstory to every pour.
“Pinot in the City started over a half-decade ago in Seattle and has since grown to become of the biggest and most anticipated traveling wine shows in the country,” said Horstmann.
Event: Pinot in the City Dallas – Details at willamettewines.com
When: January 24, 2017
12 PM to 3:30 PM – Trade Tasting, advance registration required on Eventbrite
5PM – VIP Consumer Tasting, tickets $125 on Eventbrite
6PM – General Admission Consumer Tasting, tickets $75 on Eventbrite
Where: Westin Downtown, 1201 Main Street
What: More than 65 Oregon wineries, represented by the owners or vintners themselves, descend upon Dallas to showcase world-class Willamette Valley wines.
Media: Please contact emily@ekpmedia.com for a press pass.

About the Willamette Valley Wineries Association
The WVWA is a non-profit industry association dedicated to achieving recognition for Oregon’s acclaimed Willamette Valley as a premier Pinot noir-producing region. Currently, the WVWA has more than 220 members representing wineries and tasting rooms throughout the Willamette Valley region from Portland to Eugene. Memorial Weekend in the Wine Country and Wine Country Thanksgiving are the two oldest WVWA-sponsored touring events in Oregon. The WVWA also publishes an annual guide to wineries with a touring map. For more information or to request a touring map, please visit willamettewines.com, call 503-646- 2985, or follow on Twitter @wvwines and on Facebook.

I will be attending the event as media and am receiving a media pass. I received no other compensation. Thoughts and opinions are my own.