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Celtic reprieve and Oreo cattle at Dunbar Farms By Peggy Dover Sep 11, 2022 12:15 AM A A A circle of musicians played Celtic music on the deck. I felt like doing a jig in celebration of the end of summer as it lets out its final choking belch of triple-digit days. Are we ready for fall, or what? Bring on the corn stalks! Meanwhile, the afternoon sun cleaved to the 90s. The thought of sweating out another outdoor swelter nearly won out, keeping me housebound. But I shoved myself out the door, and Lane met me at Dunbar Farms, a 180-acre respite of a place so close to the center of things, yet with a pastoral authenticity. I felt as though I was in the country on someone’s family farm — because I was in the country, in east Medford, on a fourth-generation family farm. Rising like a fertile mecca among city dwellers, the rocky knoll at Dunbar Farms is part of a 112-year-old Carpenter family business offering organic produce, stone-milled flours, hay and a delicious and lively Dunbar Red, a blend of estate-grown Bordeaux varietals and winner of a double gold at the 2020 Oregon Wine Experience competition. But Dunbar Farms showcases more than delicious and lively produce and wine. Each Thursday through Sunday, they throw open their tasting room on the knoll and invite comers to join them on their deck or claim a grassy patch for a blanket stretch. While enjoying a breather from the malaise, or blowing out the troubling beasties, a wide variety of musicians entertain from one week to the next. On Thursday night we tapped our digits to the Celtic group. Irish music is the norm, sometimes with a step dancer, on Thursdays from 5:30 to 7:30. We found chairs in the cool of the shade, off the deck and away from the crowd, but well within earshot, and sipped luscious Dunbar Red. A pizza seemed like a good idea, so we ordered their margherita, one of several wood-fired offerings with crust made from their grown and ground organic flour. It was delicious. Check out other menu items on their website. I learned later that the fresh corn chowder had been especially welcome. Shadows lengthened as we let the wine and music pair up — and contemplated a few photographic angles for paintings and for fun. That’s when I spotted cattle blending into the distance that looked like mega Oreo cookies, and I realized I hadn’t had dessert. Black, girdled with thick white corsets, they were. Come to learn, they are Dutch belted cattle from a Dutch and German breed of dairy cattle. I snapped their photo, and they never looked up. Then, I had an ice cream sandwich. I spoke with Emily Mostue, co-owner with other family members. She reigned over the tasting room, along with Sue. The two are friendly, and I can tell they enjoy making people happy. I was afraid that with summer winding down and the really fun autumn season gearing up, they may be ending the outdoor music scene soon. She assured me that the music lives on long into the year. In fact, the Celtic tradition on Thursday evenings will carry on until the music draws enthusiasts indoors. A hearty breed, the Celts, who’ll not allow anything as piddling as a chill factor silence their fiddle and bodhran. Friday nights ring with mood-elevating musicians and bands, and often, Saturday and Sunday will find special guests onstage. Most concerts are free (Please show your pleasure with generous tips. These are hard-working folks.) Occasionally there is a small ticket charge. Visit their website for a calendar of events. The tasting room is open from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. The fine atmosphere and good humor rode home alongside me as I cruised Foothill Road. Distant mountains were lined up and stood for the sun to lay down a dreamy Creamsicle background. I decided to make this trip regularly. Side note: Might I suggest that during the withering hot summer months, wineries and other outdoor venues please schedule their events later in the day, not 4 to 6, the high evil hours of heat. Peggy Dover is a freelance writer/author. Reach her at [email protected] and join her at the Eagle Point library at 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15.