Oregon Shopping Guide - Wine, Food, Jewelry, Crafts @ National Geographic Traveler

September 2006

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Oregon Shopping Guide
By Mary Beth LaRue Photo by Susan Seubert


	A traditional design adorns a pillow from Oregon's Pendleton Woolen Mills.

In the September 2006 issue of National Geographic Traveler, Andrew Nelson explores "The New Oregon Trail" with help from longtime Oregonians. To take a "taste" of all that the Beaver State has to offer, we have searched high and low for some of our favorite Oregon exports, from a local Portland band to the finest Pinot Noir (best enjoyed simultaneously).

*Please visit company websites for specific pricing.

Cameron Wines
During Andrew Nelson's stay in Oregon, National Geographic Traveler photographer Susan Seubert hosted a small party showcasing some of her favorite wines and cheeses. "My favorite Oregon wine is Cameron," she said. "Their Clos Electrique is yummy, but also try their Abbey Ridge Pinot Noir." She also suggests trying Oregon cheeses like Willamette Valley Cheese's Dill Harvarti and Rogue Creamery's Crater Lake Blue.

Pink Martini: Sympathique
Traveler Designer Stefan Caiafa thought Pink Martini's debut album offered a sublime combination of eclectic and classic tunes, plucked from a wide range of lively genres. Songs in French, Greek, and Spanish spice up this cornucopia of world music, proving that this is a highly cultured and multitalented band—12-piece orchestra, really—right out of Portland, Oregon.

Pendleton Woolen Mills
Online editor Kathie Gartrell enjoys snuggling up with her Chief Joseph blanket. The reversible wool blanket has a Native American-inspired design in tan, orange, red, and green that makes it beautiful as well as functional. The Pendleton Blanket Mill in Pendleton, Oregon, ships blankets to stores around the U.S. and Canada. "This is the warmest blanket I've ever had," she said.

Stubborn Works Jewelry
Associate art director Elisa Yoch suggests Stubborn Works' necklaces if looking for a playful, yet industrial look. Owner Melissa Stiles is a former architect who incorporates her love of structure into her asymmetrical designs. Her jewelry is made of aluminum, silver, and resin. "It's lightweight, stylish and eye-catching," said Elisa. "The only drawback is that the clasp is small and takes some getting used to. Overall, her pieces are interesting, unique and definitely fun to wear."

Stumptown Coffee
A great alternative to the Starbucks craze that first swept the Northwest and swiftly headed east, Stumptown Coffee is an independent, down-to-earth Portland brand. After getting hooked while visiting Portland, assistant online editor Mary Beth LaRue was able to relax once she saw that you can buy Stumptown blends right off their website to be delivered to your doorstep. No caffeine withdrawal required.

beecrowbee Bath and Body
Assistant to the editor Emily King fell in love with Oregon's beecrowbee soaps, especially the Chai Green Tea Olive Oil soap. "I've been using this soap for the past month, which says two things: The bar has incredible lasting power, and I'm addicted to the coffee shop smell in my bathroom. It has a nice lather and itsy-bitsy granules that have that massage effect. beecrowbee's tasteful packaging (simple, yet chic labels) makes for excellent gifts."

Practical Gourmet's Patisserie and Fine Confections
Senior editor Sheila Buckmaster enjoyed both a white chocolate Pinot Noir port and dark chocolate coconut rum truffle. "Creatively conceived truffles often make for better reading than eating. Not so with these truffles, whose accents of wine (a Pinot Noir truffle, anyone?) and rum (paired classically with coconut) are yummy as well as clever."

Traveler intern Husna Haq also discovered she had a weakness for Practical Gourmet's Dark Chocolate Butter Toffee with Almonds. "It snaps off with a satisfying crunch and the shards of thick, chocolate-coated butter toffee are substantial enough to fill your mouth with crunchy, creamy goodness in one bite."

Heat Treats
Traveler researcher Jessie Johnston felt her deadline stresses melt away with Medford, Oregon's Heat Treats' "herbal wraps." The Heat Treats take the idea of the hot compress to the next level. Filled with flax seeds and lavender, their products range from pillow-shaped pouches to slippers and mittens, all meant to be heated in the microwave or chilled in the freezer to soothe tense muscles and relieve various forms of discomfort. Their Gizmo the Gecko neck wrap takes the cute prize, but Jessie went home talking about the brand-new back warmer, whose substantial quilted flap spirited away all her shoulder tension while its arms simulated a prolonged, lavender-scented hug.

Pacific Sourdough's Italian Almond Cake
Deputy art director Leigh Borghesani recommends Pacific Sourdough's Italian almond cake. She said, "Best almond cake I've ever had .... A little vanilla ice cream would be a great pairing."

Rogue Brewery
Assistant online editor Mary Beth LaRue enjoys Oregon's delectable microbrews Dead Guy Ale and Juniper Pale Ale from the Rogue Brewery in Newport, Oregon. The brewery makes more than 40 different kinds of ale, ranging from Chocolate Stout to Brutal Bitter.

Arico Natural Foods Company Peanut Butter Snack Bar
Traveler intern Allison Busacca has replaced her afternoon snack with Arico Natural Foods Company's Peanut Butter Snack Bar. "It has more of a cake consistency than cookie, and the chunks of peanuts add a nutty flavor."

Traditional Oregon Dukkah
While skeptical at first of the strange name, Traveler researcher Ingrid Ahlgren loved using Dukkah to add flavor to a bland salad. "Granolas and Oregon seem to go together. Dukkah contains hazelnuts, spices, and sesame seeds and looks a bit like bird food, but is tasty!"

Campaña's Blackberry Guava Daiquiri Jam (800 959 4372)
After testing the Blackberry Guava Daiquiri Jam, assistant photo editor Jenna Teeson thought it would work well as a crepe filling or the center of a "thumbprint cookie." "I love that it only has nine ingredients and they are all natural."

Eye Pop Art Record Bowl
Portland's Christine Claringbold (working as Eye Pop Art) rescues LPs from obsolescence by giving them new life as vibrantly painted bowls, mirrors, clocks and decorative mandalas. Traveler researcher Jessie Johnston enjoys Claringold's free-hand geometric designs that range from intense monochromes to psychedelic colorfests and black-and-white mod throwbacks. This vinyl revival is an affordable way to brighten up any iPod-age abode.

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