Today is the first day of Autumn, the Autumnal Equinox. You can feel it in the air here in Oregon. The morning low temperatures are in the high 40’s F to low 50’s F. Some days are clear and bright blue with temperatures in the 70’s. Sunrise today was 7:00 am and sunset will be 7:09 pm.
I love the colors of Fall. The orange, yellow, red and brown of the pumpkins, gourds and leaves. I have a maple tree that is starting to turn red, and my birch trees are changing from their beautiful bright green to yellow.
Summer in the PNW is a very busy time of year. We try to get a lot of home and yard projects accomplished in the summer, before the rains set in. It’s not just the hay making, but also house painting and repairs, chopping and stacking wood, fence building and/or repair, gardening, etc. When Autumn rolls around I get the feeling that it is ok to start slowing down. The garden is now in clean up and preparation for fall and winter mode, and soon the plants will be resting. I learned to leave most of the hydrangea flowers on the stems, even as they dry up and turn brown, as well as other plants that provide food and shelter for birds. While some tomatoes are still ripening on the vine, and the butternut squash are coming in nicely, most fields are cut and harvest is either in full swing or complete.
Fall in the Willamette Valley is all about the harvest. It is time for the Fall wine club pick up parties. We recently had a lovely wine tasting at Rose & Arrow. I read the review of their 100-point pinot and wanted to try the wine. We had a fun visit, and enjoyed Art’s (our Sommelier) knowledge and stories, but we did not get to taste the 100-point pinot.
From the Willamette Valley Wine Country Blog
Oregon Pinot noir has earned its first-ever perfect 100-point score from James Suckling, one of the world’s most influential wine publications, awarded to Rose & Arrow Estate’s 2023 Touchstone Pinot noir from the Willamette Valley. The review was written by Oregon reviewer Courtney Humiston.
My all time favorite Oregon Pinot Noir is from Arterberry Maresh. Martha, Steve and Jim are the nicest people. They make stellar wines, and are also down to earth and generous. They have made some impressive lists. Their 2024 Pinot Noir Maresh Vineyard received 99 points.
Arterberry Maresh Pinot Noir Maresh Vineyard 2024Quantity
99 points An intense, layered and intriguing wine that changes a lot in the glass. Pronounced umami, dark fruit, spices, pine forest, crushed flowers and orange peel up front. Concentrated and refined with energetic acidity and verve, leading to a long, evolving finish. – Courtney Humiston, JamesSuckling.com
Arterberry Maresh Pinot Noir Maresh Vineyard 2023Quantity
98 points and #2 in Suckling Top 100 American Wines! “Tense and savory, with layers of spicy herbs and black pepper, together with pure, elegant fruit wrapped in blood-orange zest. The structure is tightly wound, with firm, deeply rooted tannins and almost endless length. The mid-palate unfolds with bitter oranges, seashells, iron and crushed bricks, adding complexity. This is built for the cellar and needs some time. Better from 2029.” JamesSuckling.com (Suckling incorrectly priced the wine on their website.)
98 points and #5 in Suckling Top 100 Wines of the World 2025
“Arterberry Maresh Maresh Vineyard Pinot Noir comes from high elevation vines planted in 1970 and 1972. Classic Dundee Hills high toned red fruits and florals emerge with air. Elegant and coiled with raspberry, boysenberry and old vine minerality that adds layers to the fruit as it hits full stride in perfect balance.”
Autumn is also an excellent time to head to the beach. Midweek in Autumn can result in fewer crowds and bright blue skies.
So we are finishing up outdoor projects and preparing for Fall. There is still time to enjoy outdoor activities and the colors of Autumn.
