A few weeks ago I learned of an opportunity to help out the communities affected by the wildfires in Napa and Sonoma counties this fall. Thirteen wineries here in the Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon would donate 15 percent of their sales on the Sunday before Thanksgiving to three organizations in that region world-famous for its wines.

The Napa Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund, the Sonoma County Community Foundation Resilience Fund and the Mendocino County Community Foundation Disaster Fund continue to provide vital support to those affected by the devastating fires that roared through the area in October. For those of us not living in the region, it’s easy for us to move on with our daily lives, but those directly impacted by the loss of homes, businesses and livelihoods face months and even years of struggle to return to anything resembling normal. Rebuilding will take a long time, especially given the fact that, between major fires throughout the West and powerful hurricanes through the South, a severe shortage of building materials exists. As we head into the holiday season, the residents who have lost so much struggle with everyday needs, let alone having the resources or the mindset to celebrate the season.

We were happy to do our small part in supporting Southern Oregon’s wine makers in their efforts to continue to provide aid to their sister wineries in Northern California. We made our way to DANCIN, a favorite of ours in nearby Jacksonville, which produces award-winning Pinots and other varietals served up in a lovely, Tuscan-inspired tasting room and piazza. Named the 2017 Oregon Winery of the Year by Wine Press Northwest magazine, DANCIN also serves up delicious small bites, light entrées and salads and desserts in comfortable year-round indoor/outdoor seating. We figured to make the most of our contribution by enjoying lunch alongside our wine tasting.

DANCIN’s wood-fired pizza is legendary, with a crisp but not brittle, not-too-doughy crust and inventive topping combinations. We ordered the Vinca, an amazing blend of textures and flavors that included lamb, figs, buckwheat honey, mint and feta cheese.   Harry ordered the recommended wine pairing of a glass of 2013 Melodia Pinot, while I opted for the Holiday Special flight of three two-ounce pours (a 2016 Chardonnay and two different 2015 Pinots). We finished off lunch with one of three desserts on the menu: Grandma Maria’s Pocket Cookie, featuring an apple-cinnamon filling and drizzled with salted caramel and served with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and a roll of the most delicate apple leather I’ve ever seen. 

We were delighted to enjoy such a delectable lunch, and even more delighted to have contributed to such a worthy cause.

— Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor