This is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus to use an image from my favorite sport, golf.  Out of college, my first job was as a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, and I went on from there to practice writing in all my professional positions, including as press secretary in Washington, D.C. for a Democrat Congressman from Oregon (Les AuCoin), as an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, as press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and as a private sector lobbyist.  This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write.  I could have called this blog “Middle Ground,” for that is what I long for in both politics and golf.  The middle ground is often where the best public policy decisions lie.  And it is where you want to be on a golf course.

My wife and I have now traveled to Brooks Winery twice – and we would go again in a heartbeat.

It’s a great place to go – for vistas to the north and east, for great wine, and for great food.

That’s why we decided to join the Brooks Wine Club, the third one where we are members.  The others are Willamette Valley Vineyards and Left Coast.  Both have great wine AND food, as does Brooks.

Here’s what the Brooks winery website says:

The History

Pascal Brooks is the owner of Brooks, having inherited the winery at the age of eight when his father Jimi Brooks unexpectedly passed away.  Until that time, the son had acted as moral support for his father and the occasional stand-in for punch-downs as soon as he could handle the tool.

After Jimi passed, Pascal came to represent the company at events and spent many of his summers at Brooks, including working during the grape harvest.

He currently resides in France, where he has worked harvest at various vineyards and spends a lot of time with greening projects, trying to bring vegetables to urban spaces, and improving food security.

His family members remain heavily involved in running Brooks on site in Yamhill County, as, of course, he does as the owner.

The Ethics

After traveling the world and experiencing the hard work of winemaking in Beaujolais, Brooks founder, Jimi (mentioned above), returned to Oregon to find a burgeoning wine world.

He devoted the rest of his life to holistic farming and winemaking in the Willamette Valley, showcasing the region’s potential for expressive, complex, and balanced Riesling and Pinot Noir.

His strong commitment to bio-dynamic farming, his gentle approach to winemaking, and his excitement for the Willamette Valley terroir live on through Brooks wines.

When we were at Brooks, I noticed a listing of what I call “environmental awards.”  Good. 

Take care of the environment, I advise.  But, based on my experience as a lobbyist in Oregon, I say don’t join the “environmental political movement.”  It very often strays from environmental ethics to over-the-top activism, especially extremist positions that avoid middle ground.  Which might not even be good for the environment.

At the winery, I also noticed that we were sitting just above a vegetable garden, which produces some of the ingredients used in winery foods.  Another solid environmental credential.

The Awards

Brooks has been named #28 of the World’s Best Vineyards 2023!

This prestigious accolade places Brooks among the top vineyards globally and makes it one of only two vineyards in the United States to receive this honor.

The World’s Best Vineyards is an annual listing that highlights the very best winery destinations in the world.  The list is created after the nominations of nearly 500 wine, travel, and wine tourism experts from across the globe, and the panel in each region is made up of sommeliers, wine journalists, travel experts, and lovers of wine who travel frequently.

The Location

So, take a trip to Brooks. 

Find 21101 SE Cherry Blossom Lane in Amity, Oregon.  It takes about a half hour to get there from Salem where I live.  It’s worth the trip!

And, note this summary of Brooks advice which appears throughout the winery, as well as on its website.  Good stuff.

FIRST, BE KIND.
Treat others with dignity and kindness.
Be a good friend.
Travel the world.
Learn lessons from other cultures, and bring them home.
Be good to the land and the harvest it bears.
Have fun and truly live life.
Toast good friends, whether here or passed.
Smile.

Great to join a group with solid winemaking and environmental credentials.