When you walk into Brigadoon Wine Co. tasting room, you might feel like you’ve come home. That’s because this quaint tasting room — in north Eugene, about 10 miles west of Junction City — is decorated with some of the early American antiques from owner Chris Shown’s personal collection.
But it’s not just the decor. It’s their passion he pours into each visitor experience. “We really make an effort to treat people as guests in our home,” says Shown, who runs the family business with his wife, an English teacher, and their older son, the winemaker. “We put out an array of artisan cheeses, meats, finger foods complimentary — it’s what I would offer a guest in my home,” Shown adds.
Since launching the winery and tasting room in 2011, Brigadoon is one of the lesser-known wineries that are part of the new Eugene Pinot Bingo program — a Eugene Ale Trail-inspired passport program designed to showcase the broad variety of varietals and tasting experiences in the south Willamette Valley.
It’s easy to play: Just pick up the bingo card at any of the participating tasting rooms or the Eugene, Cascades & Coast visitor center. Then head out to wine country, talk with the winemakers, sip wine and ask them to stamp their numbered spot on your card.
A row of stamps earns a signed print by Eugene artist and wine aficionado Robert Canaga. A “flight” of stamps — the three center rows completed — earns a Riedel Oregon Pinot Noir glass. And a blackout earns a chance to enter a grand prize during the Pinot Bingo one-year anniversary celebration in May 2017.
It’s not just local wineries participating; you can earn stamps while quenching your thirst at other favorite watering holes including 16 Tons Bier Cafe & Coffee Bar, Oakshire Brewing, WildCraft Cider Works and Viking Braggot Company, among others. Those spots are marked on the bingo card with a P for “pairings.”
Visitors can use the bingo card to plot their adventure to an undiscovered locale, like Brigadoon, the northernmost winery in the county. Or they can use it as a way to find something new at Eugene’s classic spots.
Sweet Cheeks Winery has tasting rooms both at their winery and downtown above Fifth Street Market; Noble Estate (certified Sustainable and Salmon-Safe) has a tasting room in Eugene; and King Estate Winery, (organic and Biodynamic) is Oregon’s largest producer of pinot gris.
Many of the tasting rooms have live music on the weekends, special brunches, tours, stunning views and special Valentine’s Day weekend events.
Before you head out, check the tasting room’s hours of operation during the winter and consider booking alternative transportation or staying overnight to savor the fun.
