Norwegian Winemaker and James "Beard" Chef Bring-It-On

By: Valerie Brockbank  Wine shows off its best traits when creatively paired with food. And what better way to experiment than letting the experts do this for you. Wine dinners pair a winemaker and a chef; they put their heads together and come up with a menu that will delight your palate and educate your taste buds.

On an early spring evening, Johan Vineyards near Rickreall, Ore and chef Jeff James of j.james Restaurant in Salem, Ore, the State capital, created a five course feast that brought food and wine pairing to new heights. Both support organic and biodiversity farming practices. read more 

Bread, Ink and Wine in Portland's Hawthorne District

By: Valerie Brockbank  East-side Portland, Oregon has been getting a hip makeover the last few years, and the SE Hawthorne District was one of the first to lead the way. Known as the “bohemian hub” of Portland, the Hawthorne area is an eclectic mix of craftsman houses in various stages of upgrade, neighborhood pet-friendly pubs, retro design shops, and a vibrant restaurant scene.

The Bread and Ink Cafe is just down the street from the historic Bagdad movie theatre, and has been on the corner of 36^th and Hawthorne for twenty-five years. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Read more