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Today's Date
July 31, 2010
• • •
The Fall Trade Directory is now available.
Click here to find out where to get a copy.
• • •
The next steering committee meeting is October 28 in Cascade Locks. Contact the GLCC for more information.
• • •
Now is the time to order your display ad for the winter trade directory. Contact the GLCC
for more details.
One on One ~ Springhouse Cellar Winery
Summer 2009
by Theresa North
Now that Summer is here, it is time to enjoy hanging out with friends. One great place to check out while walking around downtown Hood River is Springhouse Cellar. Tucked away near the railroad, Springhouse is a great place to sit either inside or on the patio and taste wine while eating cheese, sausage and homemade bread. Since driving isn’t an issue, all 10 wines can be savored.
Here are the highlights of a recent conversation with James Matthisen, co-owner with his wife, Lisa, of Springhouse Cellar Winery.
Theresa North: When did you start making wine?
James Matthisen: For the past five years we have had a small farm growing grapes in Mosier. Every year we increased the amount of wine that we made and we started including grapes from other vineyards throughout the area. Now our local wines include grapes from Underwood, Mosier, The Dalles, Dallesport and Maryhill. We also use grapes from Walla Walla and the Yakima Valley.
TN: Why did you move to the Columbia Gorge and where did you live before?
JM: We originally visited the Gorge for windsurfing. We visited for several years in the 90s and then bought our farm in Mosier as a weekend retreat. We finally moved here from Seattle after commuting for a few years because we realized that our farm needed more attention than
weekends allowed. 
TN: What is the 33 Club?
JM: We decided to put all of our wines on a spigot system. By doing this, we don’t have any opened bottles left at the end of the day. Our wines are always at their best flavor. We also came up with the idea of refilling wine bottles. Our customers buy a refillable 1 liter bottle of wine. When they come back to get it filled, they pay the price for a 750 ml. They are getting 33% more wine!
The concept benefits our repeat customers and the earth. This idea made more sense than having our glass bottles crushed, remade, and transported to us for new labels and more wine. Also the concept is not new in Europe where wine afficionados have been able to get refills of their favorite wines for years.
TN: Why did you decide to join the GLCC?
JM: I’ve seen the business directory around for years and always thought it was a great idea. Now that we have a tasting room it was a natural fit. It is also consistent with our goals of producing a local product to be consumed near its source.
TN: Where do you spend most of your RiverHOURS?
JM: I mostly spend at Doppio; our accountant takes RH, and then of course Gorge Grown.
Visit Springhouse Cellar and taste some of their award-winning wines. Grab some of their small refillable bottles and have a picnic.
For more information, call James or Lisa at 541-308-0700.
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July 13, 2009
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