Events
The Commander’s Coffee
Each January, prospective new members, sponsored by members in good standing, are introduced to the officers at an informal meeting at a host member’s home. Although some coffee is usually available, the primary beverage is sparkling wine.
The Grand Assemblage
Held in April of each year, this is the premier event of the brotherhood. A black tie dinner and a formal ceremony with full regalia and colors highlight the weekend event. Prospective new members who survive the test of water and wine are knighted into the order under the sword of the Grand Commander.
Annual Barrel Tasting and Picnic
Each Fall, a member winery hosts this event to celebrate the harvest and most recent vintage of Oregon or Washington wines. The brotherhood provides the wine and the setting and members enjoy a delicious picnic at an all-day event. A gourmet meal is served but the highlights of the day are a silent auction of rare wines donated by members and an oral auction of wonderful items, trips and dinners which provide funding for the Oregon Wine Brotherhood Scholarship Program. Members are encouraged to bring guests to the event. It is an opportunity for prospective new members to learn about the organization and meet current members.
The International
The 2010 International Meeting of the FICB opens in Budapest, Thursday, 20 May and ends Monday, 24 May. The preliminary information posted by the hosts at indicates that three days of extensions are planned. There are discounts available for early signups. See full details at FICB 2010. The International is always a most instructional meeting with lectures by leading local vineologists and a full program of tasting local wines.
Vintner's Dinners
Throughout the year, the Master Vintner or member sponsors organize small group dinners to highlight wines of a particular Winery. The Spring 2010 Vintner's Dinner will feature Hungarian Food and Wine in honor of the International Meeting in Hungary this May.
Tasting Groups
There are numerous small tasting groups, usually composed of six couples, who meet at each other’s homes and host a special tasting of wines from throughout the world. These events provide an opportunity for members to learn more about the wines of the world and get to know other members of the brotherhood.
OWB Cellar Committee
Each tasting group appoints a representative to the OWB Cellar Committe which is chaired by the Cellar Master. The Cellar Committee is responsible for selecting wines for our cellar which are used for all Brotherhood functions. Each meeting of the Cellar Committee has specific guidelines for the wines to be tasted - region, type and price. The reds go into the cellar and will be designated by the Cellar Master for use at a specific function. White wine tastings typically occur two or three months in advance of an event. We focus on wines of the Pacific Northwest for our events. The most recent gathering of the Committee had as its target the white wine to be served with a Dungeness Crab Bisque at the Spring 2010 Assemblage. The tasting produced a clear winner, Dominio IV 2008 Viognier. Two wines, the Chehelem 2008 3 Vineyard Pinot Gris and Walnut City Wineworks 2007 Viognier tied for second place.
In addition to these three wines, the wines listed below were evaluated. It is worth noting that this tasting was considered one of the toughest tastings in recent memory. All of the wines were more than acceptable. J. Scott 2008 Rousanne, Cancilla 2008 Chardonnay, Bergstrom NV White, Elk Cove 2006 Pinot Gris, 2008 Dr. Bergstrom Reisling, Sonoma Cutrer Chardonnay (a ringer to see how consistent we were), Domaine Drouhin 2007 Arthur Chardonnay, and Lange 2008 Reserve Pinot Gris.
The Cellar
Pinot Noir
Broadley 2003 Willamette Valley
Penner Ash 2005 Willamette Valley
Patricia Green 2006 Yamhill Valley
Stoller 2006 Dundee Hills Willamette Valley
Brickhouse 2003 Cuvee Tonnelier
Carabella 2003
De Ponte 2005 Dundee Hills
Ana 2006 Reserve
Quercus Harmonia 2007 Willamette Valley*
Elk Cove 2006 Willamette Valley
* Brand no longer available on the market
Heavy Reds
Five Star Cellars Merlot 2005 Washington
Columbia Crest Walter Flore 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon
Five Star Cellars 2004 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon
Owen Roe 2006 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon
Abeja 2006 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Northstar 2003 Merlot Walla Walla
Reininger 2003 Syrah Walla Walla
Cougar Crest 2003 Estate Reserve, Walla Walla
Whitman Cellars Meritage Narcissa, Walla Walla
Five Star Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Walla Walla
Desert Wind 2007 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon
White Wine
Oswego Hills Pinot Gris Willamette Valley 2007
Januik Chardonnay Elerding Vineyard, Yakima Valley 2005
Cancilla Chardonnay, Dijon clones Willamette Valley 2007 AND 2006
Raptor Ridge Viognier Kessler Willamette Valley 2006
Sparkling Wine
Moet & Chandon various
Argyle Brut 2005
Ecosse Brut
