Destination: Hummingbird Estates, Rogue Valley, Central Point, OR (Harvest Host stay)
As we left one of our favorite camps yet, Van decided to take a left instead of the right turn Google had instructed. We passed Lady Hill Winery only a half mile from the campground. "Oh well," I said after realizing we could have walked from our campsite to this winery, "but, I am wined out!"
Van agreed, "Me too. That beer at the brewery yesterday was very nice."
I proceeded to type our next stop into my phone - a free overnight stay through Harvest Host - another winery.
Our drive down I 5 was uneventful except for the semis that drove like Mass drivers, which kept Van on his toes. The development happening south of Portland was astounding. Roadside advertised "Apartment Homes" were popular, and looked like the modern version of early 20th century steel or mill workers' row houses found in most American manufacturing cities.
We arrived at 1:55 PM and were first to the festive tasting room. We ordered one red and one white flight along with and a cheese plate for a late lunch.
My favorite was the 2017 White Pinot Noir and Van's was the 2018 Malbec. (We knew what we'd be enjoying tonight with our dinner- chicken and rice soup, with a two day- old baguette warmed on the skillet.)
As the afternoon passed, sitting in the comfortable sofa and watching people entering the tasting room, I felt I was underdressed in my plaid flannel shirt and sneakers. Though we did not add to the festive ambiance of the place, I reminded myself that we were following all the Harvest Host rules and continued knitting while Van enjoyed the excellent people watching.
We made our way up the hill to TCB in a dense fog. The remainder of our stay would be in an eerie cloud on this hilltop by the chardonnay vines.
