BURST: SPORTS AND WINE... COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE

Sports and wine ... Right?! The perfect combo... (ok, beer too)

Two great things the Columbia Gorge offers... great standby topics that connect friends and businesses. Most enthusiasts around here have a passion for either sports or wine.. or both. Just being able to talk about wine and sports gives you the leg up when it come to engaging in interesting conversation. With over 40 wineries out here, kiting, windsurfing, mountain biking, skiing, and plenty more... this place is anything but stuffy, boring and dull.

Continuing my journey here in the Hood... the Columbia Gorge and Valley, recently had the pleasure visit from David Schildknecht - who's a member of Robert Parkers The Wine Advocate... visiting about 15 wineries out here... researching and scoping out the geological aspects of our vineyards... may just take our reputation to a whole new level. And of course, I have to tell you, I was lucky enough to meet him while he visited Phelps Creek Vineyards this past week.. tasting and evaluating the Pinot Noir's and Chardonnay. If I had to guess, I'd say he was not disappointed.

One thing's for certain, Hood River, will not disappoint you. Wind is the driving force around here.. man and nature in tune flying through a surreal experience atop the water, then onto land to experience the tasty handcrafted wine and beer that makes us happy.

Here's a couple of locals favorite launch/surf/bike/wine/beer spots...

HOOD RIVER SANDBAR "The Spit". Kiting... back in 2007 this sandbar grew close to 30 acres out across the river after a huge flood shot debris down from Mt Hood. Now it's used for kiting, windsurfing, dog play, kayakers and spectators.

THE HATCHERY. "THE HATCH" Windsurfing & Kiting. Right off Lewis and Clark Highway - 4 miles west of Hood River. The most difficult and progressive area for windsurfers and kiters - summer wind is strong and blows from the west, it can get up to 30 knots - the wind and river currant move in opposite directions with large 6-8 feet swells that roll close to the shoreline. This redefines "Wet-N-Wild".

ROCK CREEK. Windsurfing. Mosier - 7 miles East of Hood River... more difficult. Two launch's - one is rocky with a down-wind sandy lagoon, or launch off the sandy side of the spit.. the river is wide here, so space is not an issue.

PHELPS CREEK VINEYARDS Their tasting room is in the middle of the 'good 'ol boys' Hood River Golf Course on the 8th hole. The winery is known for their prestige and quality, and Pinot Noir's and Chardonnays. Considering they have two different wine-makers, one from the Gorge and one from Burgundy France. Each of the wines have very different profiles... the older local wine-maker, Rich Cushman, produces New World style wines, while the younger, french wine-maker, Alexandrine Roy, creates an Old World style, reminiscent of her family's vineyards in Gevrey-Chambertin.

DOUBLE MOUNTAIN BREWERY super comfy atmosphere... like sitting in your old college dorm living room - hangin' out with your friends, having a good time, drinking great beer and eating THE BEST PIZZA IN TOWN... ingredients are simple, fresh and local.. somewhat like a thin-crust, brick oven New York style pizza. Even if you're not a beer drinker, this place is worth the visit for the pizza alone.. plus they serve a variety of great local wines.. and with beers like the Vaporizor and Hop Lava, you'll see why this brew pub is truly a labour of love. Check it out after some freeriding in Post Canyon....

POST CANYON TRAIL Thrilling Radical & Crazy. Ride your mountain bike through an extensive network of technical free-riding trails through the forest. The trails are divided up into different areas of difficulty..."Family Man", "Middle School", "Drop Out"... to name a few. You'll pass runners, dogs and hikers too. Unfortunately, the latest 2012 ice storm we had this past winter took a toll on the trails.. check out it's status before visiting.

MARCHESI VINEYARDS Searching for something a little different? Franco (owner-winemaker) produces Italian varieties. From Dolcetto, Sangiovese, Primitivo, Barbera, Nebbiolo and more. Most of his wines are reflective of the Old World wines from the Piedmont region in Northern Italy (where Franco is from). This is a great place that brings a Little Italy to town.. sit and taste, or share a glass with friends on their outside patio in the summer.

JACOB WILLIAMS WINERY off of highway 14, about 30 miles east of Hood River. I'd travel even further just to taste Brad's Merlot and Cabernet.. their Sadie Red blend and Zinfandel are worth the drive as well. The winery is situated right off the highway overlooking the Columbia River with a view so spectacular. They're big on throwing BBQ's, so prepare to spend an afternoon of pure relaxation and drinking good wine.

WARNING: Locals tend to geek-out on sports/wine/beer attitudes and verbiage... hang out and shake things up... just ask how their session or ride was today... or what They recommend you to drink.