Who We Are

Wine on the Web

Seems like a dubious idea for all of us. You have no idea where the wine is coming from and we have no idea who you might be. We could be in an unairconditioned warehouse in San Jose, and telling you a different story. You could be a 14 year old troublemaker in New Jersey with a jacked credit card looking to get his groove on at the Winter Formal. But let's quell the e-com paranoia for a minute because that is NOT who we are.

Founded in 1995 in historic downtown Carlton, Oregon, literally in the heart of Oregon's Pinot noir country, where the streets and sidewalks have recently been paved, our operation actually IS brick and mortar. Headquartered in the old Carlton Savings Bank built circa 1910, the best of what Oregon has to offer can be found in the bank vault. A knowledgeable staff* will inform you of anything you might want to know about the 40-50 different producers in stock.

So do one of two things:

1)Visit our store in Carlton, in person.

2)Browse around via this site. Check out our inventory. Pick a minimum of six bottles from our cellars for shipment to yours and we'll ship it to you.



*We are proud to introduce the newest addition to the Tasting Room team, Joseph Zumpano.(Joseph...)

Ladies and Gentleman, allow me to introduce myself: I am Joseph Zumpano, and I am the newly appointed manager of The Tasting Room in Carlton. It has been a long journey, 50 days and 11,000 miles long to be precise, as I took the circuitous route across America with my girlfriend to see this vast country before I put my nose to the grindstone for the next five years. The story above is correct: I am completely intrigued by the entire wine process from growing the vines to matching the wines with a meal. I packed my car and left the East Coast for the idyllic country living where “farm, industry and town unite for pleasant living.” Quite the radical change from Washington DC where there are no farms, the only industry is the Federal Government, everyone and everything is divided along party lines, and pleasant living is only for the lobbyists. After spending 10 successful years in the DC restaurant business, wearing many hats including Executive Chef and General Manager with the Black Restaurant Group, this seems to be a natural evolution of both my career and my soul. I am extremely excited to be here, and for the opportunity to bring you the absolute best that Oregon has to offer.

First things first: inventory. I have just emerged from a long day in our storage facility at the Trappist Abbey Monastery and Wine Warehouse, and although I am not quite ready to walk the righteous path of the monks, I am excited about the treasures I have found in the depths of our library. We have a plentiful bounty of amazing wines for your purchasing pleasure. I am busy compiling notes, and will soon be offering several amazing lineups, both horizontally and vertically, from the treasure chest of wines that Jay has collected in his almost 20 year tenure here in the Argon – The Inert State. Stay tuned.

Still to come… I look forward to taking you on my journey through the Valley, as I wade my way through the sea of labels that has become the world of Oregon wines. I am seeking wines of superior quality, reflecting both the integrity of the fruit processor, or wine maker, as some like to call themselves, and the richness of the vineyards from which they are born. This will be an epic journey, so be sure to buy a ticket and take the ride.

Of course, as we all know, the Tasting Room is the official home of EIEIO & Co. We are busy preparing for the release of the 2009 vintage, and will be throwing a series of four Sunday dinners between August 21 and September 11. These dinners will be an amazing opportunity to not only indulge in the full lineup of 2009 EIEIO & Co. wines, but to be entertained and perhaps educated by Jay McDonald, as you feast upon the treasures of the Valley skillfully prepared (modest I know) by yours truly. The number of attendees will be extremely limited to keep it extremely intimate. Keep a close eye for the official invite and announcement soon to follow, as this is an event not to be missed.

Lastly… I want to thank each of you for your previous support, without which there would be no Tasting Room here for me to manage and for your continued support through this time of transition. I encourage each of you to respond at will with suggestions, stories or constructive criticisms to make this a better experience for all involved. Now go and enjoy a bottle of Oregon wine and keep watch for all that is yet to come.

Cheers,

Joseph Zumpano