May marks the celebration of Oregon Wine Month, a time to raise a glass and toast to the exceptional wines produced right here in Oregon. Known for its diverse terroir, cool climate, and passionate winemakers, the state has emerged as a premier wine region thanks to its 23 American Viticulture Areas (AVAs).

As wine enthusiasts from around the globe turn their attention to Oregon, let’s take a closer look at some notable wineries and wines embodying the spirit of this month.

Primarius Wines

With a focus on showcasing the best of Oregon’s terroir, Primarius Wines produces a portfolio of elegant and approachable wines capturing the PNW essence. From their flagship Pinot Noir to their vibrant Pinot Gris, Primarius Wines’ winemaker, Sarah Cabot, exemplifies the craftsmanship and quality that have made Oregon’s wines world-renowned.

Del Rio Vineyards

Situated in Gold Hill along southern Oregon’s picturesque Rogue Valley, Del Rio Vineyards is a family-owned winery renowned for its award-winning wines and stunning vineyard vistas. With a focus on sustainability and stewardship of the land, Del Rio Vineyards produces a diverse range of varietals, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Viognier, as well as classic Oregonian varietals like Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. Del also includes the Jolee and Rock Point labels.

Joel Gott

Renowned for their commitment to sourcing exceptional grapes from top vineyard sites, Joel Gott Wines offers two Oregon-based wines showcasing the state’s diverse terroir and winemaking potential. A crisp and aromatic Pinot Gris and a lush and velvety Pinot Noir, these wines offer a taste of the PNW with every sip.

As Oregon Wine Month unfolds, it’s a great time to explore the rich tapestry of Oregonian wines. Whether sitting on the porch with a glass of Pinot Noir from Primarius or celebrating with Jolee Wines’ Pinot Gris Semi Sparkling Blanc, Oregon Wine Month invites us to celebrate the vibrant diversity and unparalleled quality of Oregon’s wine country. Cheers to Oregon Wine Month and its amazing wines!

Discover Oregon Wines at Columbia Distributing

We proudly distribute Oregon wines across Oregon and Washington. To learn more about what we offer or how to best pair these wines with your current food or beverage menus, contact us today.

In craft brewing’s evolving landscape, a new player emerged championing both exceptional taste and a steadfast commitment to environmental sustainability: Athletic Brewing Company. Founded in 2017 by Bill Shufelt and John Walker, Athletic has rapidly carved out a niche in the industry with its innovative non-alcoholic brews, while also setting a high standard as a certified B-Corporation.

Athletic Brewing is dedicated to crafting delicious, high-quality, non-alcoholic beers for both seasoned beer enthusiasts and those looking for an alternative to traditional alcoholic beverages. Their brews undergo a meticulous brewing process to ensure the retention of flavor and complexity without the presence of alcohol; all beers are less than 0.5% ABV.

The Top Selling Beers

From hop-forward IPAs to rich stouts, Athletic Brewing offers a diverse range of options. Here are their three top-selling NA beers in Oregon and Washington:

• Upside Dawn Golden Ale: Classic craft Golden style. Refreshing, clean, balanced, and light-bodied. Subtle earthy and spicy notes are balanced with citrusy aromas. Brewed with premium Vienna Malt along with a combination of English and American hops.
• Run Wild IPA: the ultimate sessionable IPA for craft beer lovers. Brewed with a blend of five Northwest hops, it has an approachable bitterness to balance the specialty malt body. Always refreshing and only 65 calories.
• Free Wave Hazy IPA: a hugely hoppy hazy IPA with a juicy body and velvety pour. A trio of Amarillo, Citra and Mosaic hops generate bodacious aromatics of tangerine and grapefruit. Notes of pine and florals emerge in the secondary palate for an herbaceous reprieve in all the right places. It’s luscious, smooth, and highly aromatic.

Together, these top-selling beers showcase Athletic’s devotion to innovation and excellence, earning them a loyal following among consumers seeking flavorful alternatives to traditional alcoholic beverages.

Sustainability & Environmental Stewardship

However, what truly sets Athletic Brewing apart is its unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. As a certified B-Corporation, the company has undergone rigorous assessment to demonstrate its dedication to balancing profit with purpose. With over 3,000 B-Corps in more than 150 industries, Athletic stands out as a shining example of how businesses can prioritize social and environmental impact alongside financial success.

Their sustainability efforts lies in its brewing practices. The company places a strong emphasis on conservation of resources, utilizing cutting-edge technology and techniques to minimize water usage and waste generation throughout the brewing process. By implementing closed-loop systems and investing in energy-efficient equipment, Athletic strives to reduce its environmental footprint while maintaining the highest standards of quality and efficiency.

Two for the Trails

In addition to operational efforts, Athletic actively engages with the community to promote environmental awareness and conservation. Through its Two for the Trails program, it partners with environmental organizations nationwide on conservation initiatives to protect and restore trails. By leveraging its platform and influence, Athletic amplifies the message of environmental stewardship and encourages others to join in the effort to protect our planet.

Cheers to the Future

Looking ahead, Athletic Brewing remains steadfast in its commitment to driving positive change within the craft brewing industry and beyond. As consumer demand for sustainable products from community-minded companies continues to grow, Athletic sets a new standard for what it means to be a socially and environmentally conscious business in the 21st century.

As we toast to a brighter future, let us raise a glass to Athletic Brewing and the positive impact they continue to make on our planet and our communities.

Add Athletic to Your Cooler

We proudly distribute Athletic Brewing’s products throughout Oregon and Washington. Contact your local Columbia Distributing rep or main office to learn more. We’re happy to help you find the perfect selection for your customers.

Can’t find Athletic Brewing beers at your local PNW beverage retailer? Ask them to give us a call and add it to their next order!

Released in January 2024, Traveller Whiskey is a collaboration between Buffalo Trace’s Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley and Grammy-winning country singer Chris Stapleton.

After trying over 50 blends, they settled on #40, hence “Blend No. 40” on the bottle’s label. As for its taste: “Complex aromas of vanilla, aged fruit and buttery shortbread rounded off by caramel and a touch of oak. The palate has just a touch of sweetness, followed by spice, toasted nut and oak flavors, with a robust finish.”

Hailing from Lexington, KY, nearby the Buffalo Trace Distillery, and later moving to Nashville, Stapleton recorded his first studio album, Traveller. During that session he was introduced to E.H. Taylor, one of the Distillery’s other whiskeys, and a relationship was formed between Stapleton and Buffalo Trace. Over years, the distillery has collaborated with the Stapleton’s charitable fund, Outlaw State of Kind, for various fundraising initiatives with many based throughout Kentucky and Tennessee.

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Introducing our new article series: In The Cooler, where we share insights about our hottest brands.

Modelo Especial was first brewed by Grupo Modelo in 1925 in Tacuba, a northwest neighborhood in Mexico City. Within a few years, it was mainly introduced to the US during Prohibition, when people would cross the border to drink alcohol.

Fast forward a 100 years later: Modelo is still brewed in Mexico and imported into the United States by Constellation Brands – which includes Corona and Pacifico.

While extremely popular in Mexico, Modelo Especial didn’t enter the US market until 1990. Since 2018, it has been a top imported beer in the US and a top-five beer brand, showing consistent year-over-year growth. In June 2023, it became the best-selling beer in the US.

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19 Crimes, released in 2012 and housed by Melbourne-based Treasury Wine Estates, refers to the number of crimes used to exile convicts from Britain to Australia between 1787 and 1868. The convicts that survived the journey, were often ordered to forge a life in Australia as pioneers and others escaped to America.

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