Newly Offered Wine Education Class For Willamette Valley Visitors This Memorial Day Weekend

March 21, 2013 - PRLog -- Free Spirit Wines and the Windrose Conference Center in Newberg will present six sessions of “Willamette Valley Wine Essentials,” the first and only wine education program designed especially for visitors to the Willamette Valley wine country, over Memorial Day weekend. Classes will be held at the Windrose Conference Center (809 W. 1st St., Newberg, Oregon 97132) on Saturday May 25 and Sunday May 26 of 2013 at 9:30am, 12pm and 2:30pm. Classes are 1.5 hours long, and include a tasting of wines from winery sponsors. $30 per person. Reservations required.

For the first time since the tradition began in 1990, Memorial Day Weekend visitors to the Willamette Valley have the opportunity to attend wine education classes to complement their winery stops. Developed and presented by educator Mich Nelson of Free Spirit Wines, “Willamette Valley Wine Essentials” is the first and only wine education program designed specifically for visitors. “I truly believe that education enhances the experience of visiting wineries and wine tasting,” said Nelson.

These special classes will be held at the Windrose Conference Center, owned by Lynn Weygandt and located in Newberg, the heart of Willamette Valley wine country. It is centrally located and convenient for guests on their way to a day of winery visits.

The casual and engaging 1.5 hour program provides an overview of the region and its history, climate, soils, viticultural areas and wine varieties. Attendees will learn the fundamentals of technical wine tasting, and practice those skills by tasting wines from local producers in the European-styled atmosphere of Windrose Conference Center. Questions and participation in the class are encouraged.

Nelson pointed out that, “We get many repeat visitors over Memorial Day weekend, as well as folks with family visiting from out-of-town. Of course wine tasting is the focus of the weekend, but why not jazz up the experience with something completely new?”

Class participants will each receive a copy of Free Spirit Wines’ “Tasting and Touring Tips” handout, as well as a guide on “How to Further Your Wine Education.”

Winery sponsors for the Memorial Day weekend classes are: Anam Cara Cellars, Archery Summit, Bergstrom Wines, CHEHALEM, Luminous Hills Winery, Ponzi Vineyards, Seven of Hearts Winery, Stoller Family Estate, WillaKenzie Estate Winery, and Winderlea Vineyard and Winery.

Light food provided. All attendees must be at least 21 years old. No minors permitted. Space is limited and advance reservations required via the Free Spirit Wines website at www.FreeSpiritWines.com.

ABOUT FREE SPIRIT WINES
Free Spirit Wines provides wine education and wine tour itinerary consulting to visitors to the Willamette Valley. Their signature Willamette Valley Wine Essentials is the first and only wine education program designed specifically for visitors to Oregon wine country. They also provide a wide array of custom wine education classes for private consumer and corporate groups, including team-building exercises, as well as customized, self-guided wine tour planning and consulting.

ABOUT WINDROSE CONFERENCE CENTER
Windrose Conference Center is located in Oregon's wine country and is centrally located in Newberg. Since 2004, Windrose has been a popular location for corporate meetings and retreats, as well as birthday and anniversary parties; bridal showers and rehearsal dinners; wine and appetizer receptions; and intimate weddings. Styled in a European fashion, the inside is styled as an old English library with fireplaces, wainscoting, and flowers. Attendees can wander its two courtyards, take a loop trail to the creek, and inspect the gardens and roses, all while in a cozy, yet professional atmosphere.

MEDIA CONTACT
Mich Nelson
Free Spirit Wines
www.FreeSpiritWines.com
mich@freespiritwines.com
503-308-WINE (9463)