Left Coast Estate

Recent news

• ReleaseSep 22, 2023
  Ask the Winemaker: 1st day of Harvest 2023

  To commemorate the first day of the 2023 vintage we stopped into the winery to check in with winegrower and winemaker Joe Wright. This year will be Joe’s 28th harvest in the Willamette Valley. His first vintage was at Willamette Valley Vineyards in 1996 and he went on from there to start his own winery, Belle Vallé. Joe made a full transition over here to Left Coast in 2011 and he’s been here ever since.

• EventJun 28, 2021
  Episode 13: May is Oregon Wine Month!

  We all need some good news, and we are counting on Oregon's Wine Month to bring us some! As many of you are aware, beginning on FRIDAY, APRIL 30TH, a number of Oregon counties will no longer be allowed to offer indoor service. Those include the state's most populous Multnomah County and, unfortunately, our own Polk County, among others. May these restrictions again revert soon. The blossoms of the Yoshino Cherry trees, of which I wrote in late March, are now but a lovely, photographic memory. The GOOD NEWS is what you see here, beyond the branches, the expansive lay of the land of our nearly 500 acre Estate. The warm spring into summer weather awaits us all, and we eagerly look forward to YOU, spreading across our Oak Savanna, relaxing at our outdoor tables, and basking in the sunshine with your loved ones. If you can't do that, just call or email, we are ready and able to get wine to you! We continue to offer seated tastings on our patio areas, with culinary offerings that vary with the season. PLEASE MAKE SURE TO RESERVE FOR THIS TABLE SERVICE BY CALLING US AT (503) 831-4916 or email hospitality@leftcoastwine.com. Gardener Bob and the Patriarch of our family farm is just now completing the planting of our on-site greenhouse. It is full of the promise of heirloom tomatoes, lettuces of all kinds, bok choy, basil, peppers, carrots, early, mid summer, and late potatoes and more. We can hardly wait to begin those daily harvests. Bringing such fresh, Left Coast ingredients into Chef Mike's imaginative hands is a special pleasure. He has recently added a surprising and wonderfully delicious beet pizza to our FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY PIZZA ONLY food menu. Another favorite has been the addition of sweet peppers to his Seasonal Margarita pie, and you will find the mushroom with made in-house sausage pizza a more traditional and very popular choice as well. All, of course, to be paired beautifully with our family's wines. A weekday menu is also available. We have ducks and chickens on property for our egg needs. We call this building, photographed from the front of the Greenhouse, our Chick (and Duck) Mahal that replaced the lesser homes the flocks earlier occupied. Our multitalented Winemaker, Joe Wright, did the design, and the Vineyard and Winery Crews joined him in the construction process. Never have we seen our ducks and chickens so happy! We do not eat our feathered friends and seek to source other protein and cheeses locally. We have three gardens at Left Coast that supply our Tasting Room Kitchen, the smallest, of herbs, to the back of the Tasting Room. Behind the Greenhouse, you will find a series of raised beds where our earlier, Founding Winemaker, Luke McCollom, experimented with propagating self rooted stock. One of our Wine Club members, among others, purchased enough of those vines from us to plant a lovely vineyard on his family's property. We look forward, especially, to tasting his successive vintages. Cheers to the Hay clan❤ This season the raised beds will be devoted largely to a collection of berries. Along with a cutting garden, we are refocusing this area in honor of my mother, Marcella Larson, and the Girard Berry Estate where she grew up, north of Seattle. My mother was born in 1918, the year of the Great or Spanish, despite that misnomer, Influenza. I learned recently that two of five children, born in that year, did not survive to the age of five. Mother Larson beat those odds significantly. She left us two years ago on May Day, spunky and spirited to an otherwise unexpected close of a life at 101. She was spared this second pandemic by less than a year. She loved the Zinnias my father planted for her, in abundance last summer in these raised beds. Like many, in 1939, my Grandparents lost everything except the farm. I found this newspaper clipping in with my mother's things and another, inadvertently tossed, that spoke of the farm feeding the town of Stanwood, Washington, during those trying times. The joys and challenges of farming are perennial, the "fair" years and the truly memorable ones, in our world, of great vintages. I will be in Stanwood, this May Day, where my parents were married, in 1944, on land that my Grandfather gifted to the Lutheran Church, remembering Mom’s life well, and very long lived. Being a welcoming gathering place has been, from our beginnings, a central part of our vision for Left Coast. We regard ourselves as grateful Stewards of this land. The entire Left Coast Team contributes mightily and daily, in their combined passions, to care for our special spot in the Willamette Valley, to coax the best possible results from what nature gives to us in each vintage. Then, to present those wines to you, here on property, or wherever you might find them. Ever, we are thankful for your support of our wines. I close today with a special tribute to our Vineyard Crew and, also, to Joe who wears at least a double hat for Left Coast of Winemaker and Viticulturist. The Vineyard Team, now with the second generation of the Garcia Family in its lead, not only meticulously cares for the vines but for the overall property and gardens as well.The unexpected ice storm in February added extra weeks of unanticipated needed attention. As Cinco de Mayo approaches, may we all raise a glass to the hardworking agricultural workers, here, to our own of the Willamette Valley and across this nation, to their talent, dedication, and hard, hard work. They keep us fed AND supplied with the grapes for this toast! Drink Wine! May is Oregon Wine Month! Cheers and thanks, ❤Suzanne and All of Us at Left Coast❤ All the better photographs here are from Lisa Fahrner's wondrous eye. This writer has provided those lesser. Thank you, Lisa!

• EventApr 6, 2021
  Episode 12: Welcome, April, Our Yoshino Cherry Trees in Glorious Bloom

  March 26th, 2021 DOUBLE HURRAH! THIS MONTH, AGAIN, FROM FRIDAY, MARCH 26TH, BRINGS A WIDER REOPENING OF OUR HOSPITALITY. MORE INDOOR SEATING ALLOWED ALTHOUGH LIMITATIONS ON NUMBERS MAKE RESERVATIONS ESSENTIALLY IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY FOR THE WEEKENDS. PLEASE CALL US AT (503) 831-4916 OR EMAIL TO hospitality@leftcoastwine.com . TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION TODAY. We look forward to the coming of longer days of spring into summer and the warm weather pleasures of patio tastings and dining. Soon there will be picnics and families spread across the oak savanna. We can hardly wait! At this time, our casual, bring your own blankets or chairs and glassware for oak savanna seating, for bottle sales daily and pizza orders, Friday through Sunday, is open without reservations in rain free weather. We will do our best to accommodate walk ins, more available in the better weather across our beautifully restored oak savanna. But please remember that making a reservation is the very best way to assure your place for a sit down tasting and delivered to the table food service. A light, changing, seasonal menu of Estate grown and locally sourced ingredients, including Estate duck and chicken eggs and honey, is offered Monday through Thursday. Our delicious wood fired pizza is available Friday through Sunday. For spring, we are open daily, noon to 5, final food orders at 4:30. Masks continue to be required by state mandate while moving about the property. Removal when seated is welcomed. A special treat at Left Coast, as March moves into April, is the flowering of the Yoshino cherry trees, lining the driveway, up to the winery. These are some of the same variety that contribute to the world renowned annual Cherry Festival in Washington, DC, that, unfortunately, is discouraging visitors this year. In tribute to our country's proud and beautiful national capital city, I want to provide a history on the origin of the Festival that inspired our own Yoshino plantings here at Left Coast. Enter in 1885, Mrs. Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore, a world traveler, writer, and diplomat who had recently traveled to Japan, at a time when few women enjoyed such opportunities. She campaigned tirelessly to bring Japanese cherry trees to the city until 1909, when her idea reached the receptive ear of the new First Lady, Helen Herron Taft, who had, herself, lived in Japan. Quickly, the Japanese became involved, with a donation of 2,000 trees, arrived in early January of 1910 but found to be thoroughly infested and had to be burned in their entirety. Agriculture, as we who farm well know, can convey both cruel and triumphant outcomes. More than two years later, through the generosity of the city of Tokyo, a donation of more than 3,000 replacement trees of 12 different varieties arrived in our nation's capital. The vast majority live to this day, a gift of friendship of the Japanese people. Here, at Left Coast, our far fewer trees are yet to break into flower. This year's bloom is estimated to arrive sometime between March 30th and April 5th, the peak bloom lasting a matter of days. We invite you out for this short lived beauty. However, the arrival of spring is bursting out all over the property. Bud break awakens the dormant vines to the beginnings of a new, upcoming vintage. Today's daffodils and hyacinths will be followed by iris and then the summer cavalcade of lupine, roses, oriental poppies, Shasta daisies, black eyed Susans and more. It is a pleasure to share our special spot, here in the heart of the Willamette Valley, with you as the season of new growth and vibrant colors unfolds. By mid May, the oak savanna will again be filled with the musical talents of our After Hours Fridays. There is a sense of, yes, a different, new normalcy returning, post a most trying year. We are ready to enjoy that with you on the expanse of our working farm. I leave you with this family photo, taken last week by Winemaker Joe, his wonderful face in the photo above with me. Here are the three of my younger generation: Left Coast's Creative Director, Cali, your's truly, CEO Taylor, and the eldest, Karleton, who, with his Cordon Bleu training, was in the Left Coast kitchen in earlier days and is now contributing his metal fabrication and building expertise to upcoming projects. How blessed we are, here at Left Coast. We are daily thankful for the hard working Left Coast Team that makes it all happen. A toast to their passion and devotion in bringing forth the very best from this land, from vine to wine, and to the care and thoughtfulness they bring daily to the integrity and sustainability of the Estate. And, of course, we ABSOLUTELY couldn't do it without you! Heartfelt thanks, ❤Suzanne and All of Us at Left Coast❤ Photos from Lisa, US Today, Suzanne, and illustrations by Cali.

• ReleaseFeb 24, 2021
  Episode 11: Winter to Hopeful Spring

  NEWS FLASH! AS OF FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH, WE ARE RETURNING TO LIMITED INDOOR SERVICE. HURRAH!! PLEASE REMEMBER TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS AT (503) 831-4916 FOR BOTH INDOOR AND OUTDOOR SEATING ON OUR COVERED WINE LIBRARY PATIO. WE HAVE PATIO HEATERS, BUT FOR OUTDOOR SEATING, DO DRESS WARMLY FOR THE SEASON! MASKS CONTINUE TO BE REQUIRED INDEFINITELY BY THE STATE. February brings my birthday and, in past years, our annual Celebration of Suzanne's, featuring the special reserve line of wines that Winemaker Joe and Team craft in my name. I feel so very honored by these wines that seek to express the best of the vintage. In the light of history making storms across the country, with Oregon being no exception, my birthday has been moved to March this year! The tentative celebratory date is SUNDAY, MARCH 28TH, but we will let you know as soon as that is finalized, both via email and posting on our website. I am really looking forward to celebrating with you then.❤ We are elated that Oregon is cautiously and carefully moving back into indoor service. As we are entering that first phase, seating is limited by law. Our Wine Library, that will expand our indoor seating, is awaiting its unveiling when the time is right. And, if more indoor allowances continue to be delayed, we will then be coming into warmer weather and cozier arrangements in our outdoor seating. After having been without power at Left Coast for nearly a week, we have been back up and running since last Thursday. It is a delight to be on the Wine Library patio as you venture back out. Again due to the weather interruptions, we will continue our Tuesday and Wednesday closures to the beginning of March. We have been putting primroses in the pots, and the daffodils in the gardens will be coming into bloom before we know it. The new life of spring is making itself known all across property. Enough of winter's extremes! This month, we are featuring a Wine Club member and a good friend of more than two decades, Laurel. We met when she worked with us in the acquisition of the sculpture on the property that has become the logo for Left Coast. Laurel was with me on property to celebrate my actual birthday when this photo was taken. The artist, Satoru Abe, has been recognized as a Living Treasure of Hawaii. We wanted something to express the power of nature and the energy of the sun, both in agriculture and in the continuing cycles and circle of life. Abe came up with a number of drawings and small models. From those, our logo was born that, we feel, is emblematic of our lives and efforts, hopes and dreams here at Left Coast. Abe will be 95 this summer. Less than 2 years ago he was still a daily, working artist, present at a retrospective of his work in Honolulu, Satoru Abe, 72 Years of Creativity. Laurel is also a modern day Renaissance marvel whose talents range from showing and breeding Vizslas to building herself the fanciful coop that houses a gorgeous collection of chickens. From her home in Bend, she sells eggs for your morning omelet and fertilized ones as well if you are ready for your own flock. Her artistry is expressed, in abundance, in her extensive gardens, wire sculptures, and the art of being a good friend. It is with great sadness that we bid a fond farewell to our all-around good man, Mitch. He has worn many hats for Left Coast during his years with us from office administrator to inventory control to shipping and managing our Wine Club and much more. Your strengths are many, Mitch, but I, personally, will ever be especially grateful for your always cheerful nature, kindness, and patience. You will be greatly missed by all. Mitch will remain in the area, crossing over to follow his passion in the whiskey business at Branch Point Distillery . We wish you all the best and look forward to seeing you two back on the patio and in the Oak Savanna for our music series as spring turns to summer. For now, keep warm, stay healthy, and ever our thanks for raising a glass of Left Coast. Cheers from All of Us, Suzanne and Cali ❤Photos from Mitch, Laurel, Sue, and Suzanne. Illustrations by Cali. ❤

• EventJan 22, 2021
  Episode 10: At Home with Left Coast, A Backward and Forward Glance

  In less than two months, it will be a year since the battle against a worldwide pandemic began in earnest here in Oregon. As we were required to close our Tasting Room doors and move to curbside pickup and delivery, all of our lives began to change, how we live, how we protect our health, and, yes, also, how we might best continue to enjoy, appreciate, and celebrate our lives. Schools closed. For the fortunate, working remotely proved viable, even with the added challenges of learning from home for so many. As a mother of three, I welcomed a good dinner with a nice glass of wine as my younger generation was growing up. Present-day parents, your demands have been far greater than those I ever experienced. Our hats are off to you as we toast you wholeheartedly, with a glass of Left Coast! ❤ For the less lucky, people lost their jobs. Worse, loved ones, far too many, continue to be taken from us. As a very small part of all of that, seeking to remain connected, and a part of your lives, the first episode of this blog was birthed. You can find the series thus far, in the menu, under Blog , on our website. We were closed for ten weeks, then reopened into a lovely gift of a summer season. Our Oak Savanna filled with the sounds of talented musicians during our Friday Music Series that we shall, most certainly, continue for the coming summer. A sense of a new normal soon came about, despite the implementation of all that needed to keep everyone safe and healthy. It was such a wonderful feeling to have you, Wine Club Members and visitors from near and very far, back on property. We were and are, most certainly, blessed by your presence, your good company, and enthusiastic support. My November message of Thanksgiving strayed somewhat from our blog format. Despite the unsettling fires, there was a sense of triumph as our vineyard and winery crews worked swiftly to bring in an impressive crop of Estate fruit and to move that into the winemaking magic. We are confident we will have some beautiful wines for you from the 2020 Harvest. We introduced you to Mark Anderson in the October Episode. Mark was one of our 2020 Harvest Interns who also has a magnificent calling and talent in his writing. We were honored and touched to read his story in Edible Monterey Bay on his experience with us. The link to Mark's insights and adventures in the winery, vineyards, and beyond are here . A terrific article. Thank you, Mark! It is during December and January when we all at Left Coast take advantage of a little extra time to be with our families over the holidays. I was with Cali and her fiance, Chad, in our small pod. It was a different end to a difficult year, but one, too, that also brought the simplicity and gratitude of shared times with those most important and central in our lives to the fore. We hope you too experienced such moments as we all moved towards and into the New Year. And now, it is the time to look forward! We are busy at Left Coast in a major road redo and repair project that will extend into the spring. The vineyard crew is attending to overall property and landscape maintenance and clean up and will soon be moving on to the annual pruning of the vines. The vineyards will be awakening again before we know it! Left Coast has a special beauty and presence this time of year, and I was delighted to be back on the covered Wine Library patio with our guests this past weekend. It was a beautiful, sun filled two days, and I am happy to say you are a hearty bunch! While we are looking forward to returning to being able to offer indoor seating again, we are also exploring options to make our allowed outdoor tastings and dining areas warmer and more comfortable. We should be able to announce that progress in the February blog when we will also return to our normal 7 days a week opening hours. Until Valentine's Day, with much to put into place, we are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. We leave you with this tribute to our, thus far, unsung hero at the Pizza Oven, Mike. We had anticipated Chef Greg being with us a year longer when, in these times of COVID, his wonderful wife Heidi, a greatly esteemed school librarian, pushed her own retirement ahead a year! No sooner had we hosted Greg's going away celebration than we welcomed Mike aboard in the very midst of our busy summer season. He has not missed a beat since and has wowed us all with his beautiful and creative presentation skills and food pairings. The son of a professional chef, he was trained at his father's side. He has also displayed his practical gifts in reorganizing both the Pizza Room and the adjacent kitchen. Thank you, Mike! If you haven't yet experienced our DELICIOUS wood fired pizzas, available Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays on site and for pick up, you are in for a treat! Partially baked pies, to finish off at home in your oven, are available daily for pick up. Yum, all made from scratch, the dough made in house with toppings from our Estate gardens in season. Stay safe and healthy everyone. And so many thanks for being a part of the Left Coast Family and supporting our family's wines and Estate work. We will be releasing new episodes of the blog on a monthly basis. Check your email this time next month! We are ever grateful to have you in our lives. Cheers, Suzanne, Cali, and All of Us at Left Coast❤