Wine on the Lower Salmon River – 5 Days
If you love adventure, wine, and delicious food in an unbeatable setting, then Wine on the Lower Salmon River is your perfect vacation. Between the Lower Salmon’s exciting Class III whitewater, majestic landscapes, and relaxing evenings with fine wine and food at camp, this unforgettable experience will leave you craving more.
Featuring
Vintner: Browne Family Vineyards, WA
Chef: Keenan McGrew, Ashland, OR
Inspired by the greatness of one man— owner Andrew Browne’s grandfather, William Bitner Browne—integrity and excellence are the standards upon which Browne wines are created. As a curator of the brightest talent, best vineyards, and the divining rod of winning concepts at Precept Wine, where Andrew serves as its CEO, his groundbreaking feats across the wine industry carry through to his own family legacy in wine, Browne Family. This is premium Washington wine, made with the utmost quality and enjoyment in mind. Browne Family Vineyards was 15 years in the making before its first vintage ever debuted. Vineyards, winemakers, and cellar masters committed to world-class wine production were carefully and deliberately selected to represent the best of the Columbia Valley AVA. To date, Browne has received more than 30 scores of 90 points or higher from critical reviews.
Kennan grew up in southern Oregon, working his way up in local restaurants until further pursuing his career and receiving formal training at Western Culinary in Portland. From there, he landed an internship with Daniel Boulud and spent time cooking in New York. Later, he returned to Portland to work under Vitaly Paley–a James Beard award winner–at his flagship restaurant. His family brought him back to southern Oregon, and he now enjoys working in smaller settings. He has found that he’s closer to the farmers and food than he’s ever been, and cultivating close relationships with local farms and vineyards has been an invaluable learning experience; it’s changed how he looks at food. He splits his time fly-fishing on the Rogue River for Steelhead, foraging for mushrooms and wild edibles that are in abundance in the local area, gardening at home, and cooking at a local restaurant. His position allows him the flexibility and balance of life and the perfect place to express his creativity and love of food. Cooking is the only thing he’s found that he can do both personally and professionally and he still loves it.
About This Trip
Spend your days rafting exciting whitewater through the dramatic Gorges of the Lower Salmon River and experience spectacular alpine scenery and enchanting forests that will leave you in constant awe as you head downriver. Your guides will lead you to stunning locations to see pictographs and petroglyphs, breathtaking scenic overlooks, and maybe even visit a historical Chinese mining camp. After a day of epic adventuring, you’ll be ready for an evening of wine and delicious food guaranteed to be unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.
After pulling into camp for the day, everyone will unload the rafts, and you can find the perfect spot to set up your tent for the night. Once you’re all settled, the real fun begins as you gather around for an enlightening wine tasting with a representative from Browne Family Vineyards, perfectly paired with delectable hors d’oeuvres by Chef Keenan. As educational as it is fun, you’re sure to gain a deeper appreciation for wine and the passionate people who produce it while you learn about what makes every bottle unique.
While you continue wine tasting or relaxing in camp, Chef Keenan will work with delectable ingredients to create an out-of-this-world gourmet meal guaranteed to blow your mind. You’ll sit at linen-draped, candlelit tables with your fellow rafters and break bread. The conversation will flow, the food and wine will be abundant, and laughter will fill the air. As you head to bed with a satisfied stomach and happy heart, you’ll ponder the memories made that day as the mellifluous river lulls you to sleep.
