2019 was one for the books. It sure was fun.
Front of our Building on SE 50th Ave
It has been our longtime family dream to move our winery to Portland, and 2019 is the year that we made that dream a reality. After years of touring warehouses and vacant lots, we secured our sweet spot on the corner of 50th and Kelly and started putting pen to blueprint. It took some patience, and a few tantrums, but we finally got our remodel approved and then we got to break ground.
First Crush photo by Josh Chang
Grand Opening party photo by Cheryl Juetten
Our building used to be the local neighborhood grocery, built sometime in the ‘20s. We had to take it down to the studs, rebuild the entire storefront, erect seismic sheer walls and pour a new concrete floor. Not to mention installing an entirely new roof.
The back section of our building was erected in the ‘50s, when the street became a bit more light-industrial. It’s the perfect shell for winery production. Lots of roll-up doors and strong floors. All we had to do was put in trench drains, electricity, water, lighting, gas heat, ventilation, a couple of extra doors . . . that’s all.
We finished up construction and got approved for occupancy in the beginning of September (just in the nick of time), moved in our truckloads of equipment and wine in barrels in a big hurry, and then saw our first grapes come through the doors on September 5th. Most of the equipment worked, and the fermentation was smooth (always an unknown in a new space). The drains worked. Phew.
We have never had a tasting room before, but now was the time to open one. Many of you were at our opening party or have been by since to check it out – thanks. We are trying to make it a cool and welcoming place to hang out and enjoy our wines. It’s a pretty room with a full view of the barrel cave. We look forward to putting some tables out on the sidewalk come Springtime so neighbors can bring their dogs. We have started booking some private events – so think of us for your next party or work function. We have also been planning some public events, starting with a special menu we had last Friday for Valentine’s Day.
We got a few mentions you can read more about: EATER PDX and a longer list on our site, here
HERE’S A RECAP OF 2019
Here’s a few things Love & Squalor got up to in 2019
We got to sponsor Shuck Portland with our Mothershucker White for their inaugural year,
Matt was added to the Oregon Wine Archive with this interview
Because we used to buy fruit from Vista Hills Vineyard Francis Ford Coppola invited us to a dinner at their new tasting room
The Mom & Pop shop invited us to pour our wines at very fun tasting,
Jacobsen Salt had us (and our A Frayed Knot Rosé) at their Rosé event,
We had a fun party for our Spring Wine Club Pick-Up Party,
As always, we participated in The Gamay Fest because we LOVE GAMAY
We were the invited Riesling Heads on A River Cruise down the Mosel from NW Travel (Ask us about it!),
We were one of the proud producers at the West Coast Riesling event(s) in San Francisco,
In July, We were asked to co-host an amazing dinner at Adelshaim as IPNC was kicking off,
We were an International Pinot Noir Celebration featured winery AND Matt was the President of for the 2019 IPNC,
We showcased some Pinot at the Cellar 503 Pour Oregon Event
We celebrated Sun Gold Farm in Forrest Grove with the famous Plate & Pitchfork dinner
We had the most fun booth at the FEAST festival in September,
We were in two different places for the Portland Gamay Nouveau Celebrations (St Jack’s party and SE WINE COLLECTIVE tasting),
We participate in the Classic Wine Auction at a wine maker dinner every year. This year we were at Trifecta — My goddesses Chef Chris Diminno is brilliant! Follow him!
We had our first ever Harvest 2019 in our new building
Our Grand Opening party was a hit (somewhere around 300+ guests came)
We hosted a Holiday/Post Harvest party with a couple of other wineries to celebrate our amazing crews
Our Fall Wine Club Pick up Party was a blast in our new space
UPCOMING IN 2020
Check back with us, but we have many more events and specials coming up in 2020. In the meantime, you can find Angie or Matt (and sometimes Corey of Jackalope Cellars behind the barrel bar 5 days a week.
Hours: M, TH, F 4pm-7pm; SAT/SUN 1-5pm
Looking forward to popping some corks for you.
WINE CLUB
Our next shipments and pick up party will be in the first week of May. Don't know what to get the wine lover in your life? Buy them a membership to our "Friends With Benefits" wine club. Twice yearly shipments catered to your tastes at club discount prices. We can get your first shipment out in time for summer feasts if you order soon. For more info click here or eMail us at info@loveandsqualorwine.com