By BREEANA LAUGHLIN/YachatsNews.com
Although it cancelled a scaled down in-person event again this year, organizers of 45th annual Newport’s Seafood and Wine Festival are trying to keep the tradition alive by offering smaller alternatives this week to the annual celebration.
The three-part celebration includes both in-person and virtual options. Anyone can take part in any or all of the celebrations planned starting Thursday and lasting through Sunday.
“There are so many people who have been coming to the festival for 20, 30 even 40 years,” said Newport Chamber of Commerce festival organizer Bobbi Price. “It’s become a tradition for friends, families and couples and it is really important for us to keep that tradition happening on the same weekend.”
This year’s “Long Time No Sea” would have been the 45th year of the event, a scaled-back version with a smaller tent setup and time-slot tickets sold to reduce the number of attendees at any one time. But the threat last month of the omicron surge of Covid-19 scuttled that idea.
Now, the chamber and festival organizers are offering a free “tasting trail” map highlighting almost 30 locations throughout the Newport area. The restaurants and retailers have signed on to offer special seafood dishes, wine tastings and “sip and shop” experiences.
“The map is free and but each tasting location will be charging nominal prices for the tastings and food samples as well as special discounts on items,” Price said.
A seafood and wine pairing class will debut as a virtual event at 6 p.m. Friday. The celebration will bring two seasoned festival participants together for the first time.
Chinook Winds Casino head chef Michael Durham has been mastering the culinary arts throughout his four-decade-long career. Durham will prepare signature seafood dishes that will pair with wines in a collaboration with Andreas Wetzel, winemaker at Chateau Bianca Winery.
“My family has been in the wine business for four generations, so wine has been part of my upbringing and part of my culture,” Wetzel said.
Durham says he is looking forward to “demystify” the process of finding the perfect wine to serve with seafood dishes.
“So many people get nervous about it, but it really isn’t that complex,” Durham said. “It is about taking what you like and learning how the flavors go together.”
While both Durham and Wetzel are well known in their industries, the duo had never met before preparing for the class. They said they are looking forward to coming together to have some fun and share some of their tips and tricks.
“At the end of the day, in a food and wine pairing, we are looking for a harmonious pairing between the flavors and the seasoning used in the food that will not overpower or under power the flavor of the wine,” Wetzel said.
Everyone who signs up for the class will be sent a recipe and list of ingredients, as well as a wine list. So, if they would like to, they can cook and taste along as they participate in the class.
Wine “to go” offer as well
After a successful reception last year, Seafood and Wine event organizers decided to offer another wine to-go festival. In this leg of the celebration, wine enthusiasts can choose between six packages of wine that be purchased online and picked up at the Newport Chamber of Commerce. Each of the packages has a theme and contains three different wines.
“Each box is handpicked and tailored to a specific tasting experience,” according to Price.
People who want to stick to the tried and true them of the festival can purchase the top seafood wines package. Those who want to try something a little different can purchase a unique wines package.
“Unique Oregon wines highlights different kinds of wines you might not drink very often but would like to get exposure too,” Price said.
Other wine packages being offered include Oregon sparkling wines, a pinot experience, que syrah syrah, and dessert wines. Each box comes with a Zoom link to meet the winemakers.
People who want to add to their wine tasting experience can purchase a few mouth-watering seafood items available for pick-up. Local Ocean and Mo’s have put together seafood and chowder packages and Chubby Lil Mermaid is offering a sweets box. All packages will be available for pickup Thursday through Sunday.
- To purchase tickets to the celebrations, or for more details about 45th Annual Seafood and Wine Festival, visit the Newport Chamber Of Commerce website at www.newportchamber.org or call 1-800-262-7844.