All proceeds from class tickets will go to support cleanup and replanting efforts following the February wildfires in Itata, Chile.
Chile has been continuously under vine since the invasion of the Spanish Conquistadores nearly 500 years ago. Its geographical isolation, bordered by the ocean, mountains, deserts, and glaciers, allows tree-like vines to flourish on their own roots for centuries. Chile is home to some of the most technologically advanced wineries in the world, fostered by a cross-pollination with Bordeaux dating to the 1800s. It also supports a vibrant tradition of pre-industrial viticulture and winemaking, offering a window to a rustic and soulful vinous heritage that dovetails neatly with today’s global natural wine movement. Explore the fascinating story of this unique winegrowing nation through a selection of wines highlighting its rich diversity of microclimates, grape varietals, and styles.
A native New Yorker, Oliver Longwell caught the wine bug in 2012 after a number of years working in government and politics. He has worked for leading wine retailers in New York and Los Angeles, with a particular focus on organically-farmed and natural wines. Oliver is a Certified Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers and works as a freelance wine consultant. He enjoys experimenting with fermentations, especially ciders. He and his wife moved to Northeast Portland in 2021 and welcomed a daughter in 2022.