Portland Spoke – The Official Blog of Travel Portland

A made-in-the-Willamette-Valley picnic

Farming by the phases of the moon, burying manure in a cow horn, letting 450 sheep loose in the vineyard to eat back the weeds — these are just a few of the things that Montinore Estate does to grow grapes biodynamically.

The technique is complicated, but the purpose is simple: to make better wine. Owner Rudy Marchesi converted this, one of the larger wineries in Oregon, to biodynamic five years ago. His wine has improved immensely since. But whatever it takes, he’ll tell you that his bottom line is to make great wine, at an affordable price. Montinore’s versatile Riesling is only $12 a bottle, and refreshing Pinot Gris is $15. Their Pinot Noir ranges in the low $20s, and for you connoisseurs out there — this is a great price for a Willamette Valley Pinot. (more…)

Portland's Missionary Chocolates offers samples of fine vegan truffles. Photo by Charley Korns.

Way back in 2005, an upstart organization with big green dreams envisioned an annual festival to celebrate sustainable, compassionate and healthy food choices. And thus was Northwest VEG’s Portland VegFest born. I was one of a few hundred people who discovered new taste treats (Field Roast! Coconut Bliss!) in a rented community hall at that humble first VegFest. Over the years the event outgrew several locations as “vegevores” – people who love vegetarian food, be they vegans or omnivores – flocked to sample the wares in increasing numbers.

Entry is just $5 (and there’s a $1 off coupon on the website); after that all the taste treats, education programs and family activities are free.

Two full days of vegevore fun — now that’s what I call yum!

You’ve no doubt heard of the White House garden Michelle Obama planted last year — but did you know that Portland made a similar addition?

Video courtesy of Cooking Up a Story.

Like many Portlanders, I’m often proud of what my city has accomplished and what it stands for, especially in terms of sustainability. That’s why I can’t let the city’s recent Climate Action Plan go unheralded on the Portland Spoke.

Released in early November, the Climate Action Plan is an aggressive road map to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the city while expanding programs like efficient energy use, public transportation and bike lanes throughout Portland. (more…)

Grapes ready for harvesting in Sokol Blosser's vineyard.

Wine harvest is the most exciting time to be in the Willamette Valley. That’s when the action happens, and you can just feel the energy out there. It’s also one of the most beautiful times, as the grapes are still plump on the vine. I was lucky enough to visit on two occasions last week — prompted by the openings of new additions to the food and wine scene.

The Allison Inn, a luxury hotel and spa, just opened for business this month, and it is gorgeous! Eventually the vines on the property will produce wine for the hotel. It’s also going for gold LEED certification (I was happy to park in the “hybrid only” parking spot out front).

Speaking of “green” wine country — the vineyard workers are harvesting grapes as we speak at Sokol Blosser. That’s what I was told when I toured the winery on Thursday. Get out there and check out of the valley’s most sustainable wineries — the view is amazing. (more…)

Sad news this week: After a long fight with cancer, Bob Gerding passed away (you can read the Oregonian article here.) An environmentalist at heart, a pioneer of the green building movement, a strong supporter of the arts, of historic preservation, and of social issues in Portland — and an overall smart and good guy — Mr. Gerding will be missed.

Most visitors unknowingly pay tribute to him when they come to Portland. Here is why: (more…)

In my younger days — I’m talking when I was convinced that mortality was an ailment only suffered by “old people” — I’d spend my free time seeking that certain rush of adrenaline that can only be found by laying it all on the line.

I snowboarded double-black diamonds as a warm-up, hucked my stuff off kickers and cliffs, mountain biked at terminal velocity and chased rivers by kayak through numerous rocks and hard places — preferably both if I could find them. My motto was "try not to go faster than your guardian angel can fly."

Luckily, I never did.

Since I’ve grown older (and my groans louder) and now that I pay all my own medical bills, I don’t do my own stunts any more. Saying I’ve slowed down a few steps is an understatement. I snowboard a few days a year, mostly ride my bike to work along the Springwater Water Corridor, and haven’t been in a whitewater kayak in years.

Until earlier this month, that is … Thanks to the good people at Northwest River Guides and eNRG Kayaking, I was able to rekindle my love of whitewater on a truly special stretch of river close to downtown Portland. (more…)

Today I’m happy. Not only because the sun’s shining, meaning I’ll be able to get a nice mid-leg tan while riding my bike tonight, but also because I’ve just received news I’ve been looking forward to for some time; good news for responsible travelers on their way to Portland.

LEED Gold certified, please

Today, Sage Group, which owns two downtown hotels, announced that it’s received LEED Gold certification for the newly opened Courtyard by Marriott City Center, following the recent LEED Silver certification of the Nines.

LEED Certification is granted to development projects and existing buildings that can document  leadership in energy efficient design and environmentally friendly construction and operation. Points are awarded for a great variety of practices, and LEED Certification is granted at four levels: basic, silver, gold and platinum, depending upon the points achieved.

The Courtyard joins other green hotels downtown, which are either LEED or Green Seal certified, and now makes the very select list of only 15 LEED Gold hotels in the country. For other green hotels in Portland, browse our list of green-certified partners online.

Sera Architects is responsible for the sustainable design of both the Courtyard and the Nines.  And here again, the company created a “first.” Before and during construction, the architects tracked the expenses generated by the “green” additions. They then factored in the various subsidies and savings that the sustainable design elements allowed. The results, available on Sera’s website, are mind-blowing. In both cases, the additional costs were paid back within a year, after which the hotels made profits from the changes. Good news which, I hope, will encourage other hotel developers to choose a better way to build.

Rooms at the Courtyard start at $119.

Fall is my favorite season in Portland: The days are warm and dry, the trees surrounding the city show off their vibrant hues, and the arts and culture calendar gets into full swing.

A MEWV Sustainables design at Portland Fashion Week 2008.

One event worth planning for is the seventh annual Portland Fashion Week, October 7-11, 2009.  This uniquely Portland event has been called the most sustainable fashion week in the United States, if not the world, by Italian glossy mag Book Moda.

Portland Fashion Week’s sustainable commitment includes an eco-friendly runway, LEED-certified hotels for guests, use of eco-safe styling products and other earth-friendly  iniatives.

Past designers at the show include Project Runway winner Leanne Marshall, Icebreaker, Nike Considered, Lizzie Parker, Collier, Idom and more.

Tickets start at $20 and include admission to the PFW Plaza shopping pre-party and the runway show.  VIP seating and after-party admission are also available.  Designers for this year’s show will soon be announced on the Portland Fashion Week website.

Before coming to Portland, I lived in the French Alps. There’s no shortage of outdoor activities there, so I became an avid hiker, skier, mountain biker and yodeler (I’m making this one up.)

My new city offers just as many opportunities to indulge in my hobbies, and I take great advantage of the trails of Mt. Hood, the Columbia Gorge, Mt. St. Helens and our lush forests, etc.  But the true gems of the area are our rivers, calm or wild, and the unlimited fun they provide. So sometimes I give my legs a break and start moving my arms. (more…)