Annual McMinnville Wine & Food Classic – 27 Years Young!

McMinnville, OR, February 15, 2020: The much-beloved McMinnville Wine & Food Classic invades the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum March 13-15, 2020, for its 27th-anniversary event. This festival brings together small independent producers of Oregon wine, beer, spirits, food, and art for three days of tasting, toasting, and raising funds for St. James School in McMinnville, founded in 1906.

Seventy-five wineries from all over Oregon plan to participate in this year’s event, including such esteemed names as Alloro Vineyard, Archery Summit, Barking Frog, Beaux Frères, Cathedral Ridge, Dobbes Family Estate, Lenne’ Estate, J. Scott Cellars, Lady Hill, Patton Valley, Phelps Creek, Pike Road Wines, Spangler Vineyards, Torii Mor, Troon, Willamette Valley Vineyards and Zerba Cellars.

This year’s 27th annual event introduces new elements. Guests will enjoy live music throughout the weekend and take home a limited supply of free stemmed crystal pinot noir glasses while supplies last. One-day or three-day tickets are available, as well as a new “decide later” one-day ticket that entitles access whatever day its holder chooses.

The event’s Wine Competition has also been significantly reorganized and refreshed, with new award categories. Taking home top honors in 2020 was August Cellars, whose 2018 Gamay Noir claimed Best of Show Red, while Best of Show White went to Awen Winecraft for their 2018 Grenache Blanc. Cardwell Hill Cellars won Best Pinot Noir, for their 2015 Estate Pinot Noir Monet Block. Best Chardonnay went to Phelps Creek for their 2016 Lynette Chard. Coria Estate’s 2018 Rose’ of Pinot Noir won Best Rose’, while Willamette Valley Vineyards gained the top spot in the Best Sparkling Wine category for their 2016 Methode Champenoise Brut. Rounding out the awards was Apolloni Vineyard’s 2015 Dolce Vino Viognier Best Dessert Wine. See the full list of awards on the website: https://macclassic.org/wine-competition/.

Representing the full spectrum of the wine industry, the 2020 judging panel assembled preeminent wine buyers, wine educators, winemakers, writers, and chefs. Return judges included Michael Alberty, Wine Editor The Oregonian, Otto Han, Buyer New Seasons Market, Eric Degerman, editor Great Northwest Wine, Hilary Berg, Oregon Wine Press, and Fred Swan, San Francisco Wine School and Norcal Wine.

“A major goal of the competition is to introduce Oregon’s wines to the consumer,” said the competition coordinator, Rolland Toevs. “Our efforts begin with selecting influential and credentialed judges who can communicate the results to consumers. As the competition gets more rigorous, we attract more and more esteemed wineries to participate, in an upward spiral.” Wineries had to be event vendors to participate and submit wines into the 2020 Wine Competition. This press release announces that Oregon non-vendors will be able to submit wines into the 2021 Competition.

More than 25 food vendors, 18 artisans, 6 distilleries, local beer, cider, and distilled spirits will also participate in this year’s event, including Pacific Crab Company, Ribslayer BBQ, Asiatico Waterfront Fusion Sushi and Lajitama Greek Cuisine. Guests can enjoy their beverages with fresh oysters, crab and shrimp melts, barbecue, German grilled specialties, authentic tamales, and more. Local craftsmen display jewelry, art, and woodworks. Local musicians will perform live all three days.

The owners and artisans themselves are on hand to pour and chat, making this one of the most personal and convenient ways to discover Oregon’s delicious bounty. For those who wish to purchase wines, a streamlined system lets guests enjoy the event to the fullest, without having to carry their treasures. Orders are available for pick up at a valet counter, with transportation assistance to your vehicle.

McMinnville Wine & Food Classic began in 1993 (pre-internet, pre-smartphone) as a small school fundraiser, but has grown into one of the largest and most beloved wine and food festivals in Oregon. Today, it attracts thousands of attendees from every age group, more than half of which have made it an annual tradition.

“Everything about the event is centered upon having fun, and the venue is what really sets the Classic apart,” says event Chair Jon Johnson. Approximately 160 vendors will set up among the artifacts of the space age – jets, missiles, and displays from outer space missions.

In addition to the incredible setting and artisanal experience, this event provides essential funding for McMinnville’s venerable St. James Catholic school. Last year, the event raised approximately 15-20% of the school’s operating budget.

Father Mike Walker, St. James’s Pastor, says: “Thanks to so many good and generous people, Mac Classic does so much to support St. James School, while at the same time giving small independent producers the opportunity to share their crafts with the region. We very much rely on and appreciate the support from this great event!”