FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
 
Portland, OR - This summer, some of the most respected names in the international culinary world will roll through the Red Hills of Dundee and into the kitchen of the Black Walnut Inn with Dick Erath, as Erath Vineyards offers the Willamette Valley’s first guest chef dinner series – Wine Country Cooking.  
 
"We have the privilege of enjoying the fruits of the Willamette Valley everyday. Now we have an opportunity to blend those fruits with the talent of amazing chefs from around the world," says Steve Vuylsteke, general manager at Erath Vineyards.  
 
Each month, between July and October, Dundee’s new, spectacular Black Walnut Inn will co-host Erath Vineyards and one chef from a world-famous winegrowing region in an interactive wine dinner. Celebrated chefs representing New Zealand, Sonoma, Oregon and Washington will partner with Dick Erath to present the beautiful, fresh cooking found in these wine regions.  
 
The evenings include a guided walk through the vineyard with Dick Erath, a four-course menu with wine pairings, kitchen instruction with Dick and the featured chef, and live music. Seating is limited and the cost is $125 per person. For those who want to stay at the Inn as part of the experience, Erath Vineyards Guest Packages are available at varying prices, dependent on the suite. This includes an overnight or weekend stay at the newly-opened, Tuscan-style luxury bed and breakfast, the Black Walnut Inn (9600 NE Worden Hill Rd, Dundee, OR) as well as a VIP tasting and tour at Erath Vineyards.  
 
The guest chef line-up is:  
 
Thursday, July 28 – Alister Brown, Logan Brown – Wellington, New Zealand  
 
Alister Brown is co-owner of the New Zealand fine-dining establishment Logan Brown. Schooled at the New England Culinary Institute, Brown has plied his skills around the world, working in the United States, New Zealand, Canada, Belgium and Scottland. Now back home in Wellington, Brown is doing what he loves – creating exquisite regional New Zealand cuisine sourcing fresh fish, game and other local ingredients to create lovely, yet unpretentious, meals.  
 
 
 
Thursday, August 11 – Michael Voltaggio, Dry Creek Kitchen – Sonoma, California  
 
Currently executive chef at Charlie Palmer’s famed Dry Creek Kitchen in the Healdsburg Hotel, Voltaggio brings with him formal training from three certified master chefs – and now, one industry giant. Voltaggio has received several coveted culinary awards as well as a 3 1/2 star review of Dry Creek Kitchen by the San Francisco Chronicle. From Napa’s famed French Laundry to the Ritz Carlton in Naples, rising star Voltaggio has built a reputation as a creative and disciplined chef.  
 
Thursday, September 15 – Adam Sappington, Wildwood – Willamette Valley, Oregon  
 
Executive Chef Adam Sappington’s philosophy sums up the essence of Wildwood Restaurant – simplicity and seasonality. Raised in the farmlands of central Missouri, Sappington’s appreciation for abundant produce soared to new levels when he moved to Oregon and studied at Portland’s Western Culinary Institute. After a decade of cooking shoulder to shoulder with Wildwood founder Cory Schreiber, Sappington’s love for fresh, seasonal living has grown naturally.  
 
Thursday, October 13 – Tamara Murphy – Seattle, Washington  
 
Executive Chef and Owner of Seattle's acclaimed restaurant Brasa, Tamara Murphy understands the dynamic relationship between food and wine. Originally trained in New York, Tamara moved to the Northwest nearly 20 years ago and has been creating fresh cuisine within a stone's throw from world-famous Washington wine country ever since. A winner of the prestigious James Beard award in 1995 ("Best Chef of the Pacific Northwest & Hawaii"), and as a recipient of Food & Wine Magazine's top 10 new chefs, Tamara has continued to build her accolades, including a recent stint on the TV show "Iron Chef."  
 
Tickets for the dinner series and guest packages can be purchased in advance by calling Erath Vineyards at (503) 538-3318, or toll free at (800) 539-9463.  
 
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