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Music, wine tasting in perfect harmony By Paula Bandy Jun 08, 2022 12:15 AM A A Dilution of serious wine tasting — that’s how music, in some folks’ view, can take the focus away from wines. But there’s been a change of heart, especially here in the more casual Rogue Valley, where music and wine often enhance each other for a particular niche experience. We are gifted with many musicians, covering a wide range of styles, in our rural community. It’s a privilege to have the cultural amenities we have and be one of the top wine destinations on the planet. Our wineries are positioned to showcase not only award-winning and world-class wines, but to provide exceptional experiences unique to our area. This draws not only locals, but also travelers looking to engage more deeply, not just in wine, but in local culture expressed so well by local music. I spoke with six local musicians to get the vibe on the current “where-wine-meets-music scene.” All agree there is a bridge between wine and music — some kind of magical common ground that occurs, creating a revitalizing and relaxing ambiance where people find themselves wine-kissed and music-filled. There’s also consensus among these musicians that playing music in wineries is preferable to bars. They find it fun but acknowledge it’s also work that doesn’t just start when the first note is played, or stop on the last. And each has experienced the practice — so prevalent in the arts — of venues’ oft inability to pay fair and equitable prices. Here’s what these musicians have to say: Allison Scull and Victor Martin live in Dunsmuir, California, but they don’t mind the drive. From the title track of their upcoming album, “Nation of Jubilation,” Allison says, “It’s about the collective experience of our music through traveling and the people we meet. I think the music is a draw, a shared experience, so there’s community. You find yourself at a beautiful place, paired with wine and food, and it becomes a full experience.” Victor adds, “Our music tends to fit pretty well with a winery because it provokes thought — the whole experience. Folks are having a good time.” “Wine is a sensory thing,” says Jeff Kloetzel, a musician first and foremost, who also works in wine. “I see it as a sensory experience: sight, smell and taste. Music is hearing, but it’s also a feeling, and that sensory experience gets intertwined and the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts. I think they’re really complementary.” Carla Bauer, a native of South Africa, finds that complementary sweet spot as she “tweaks music for each venue by choosing music for the audience, not just playing.” She also notes that friends visiting from South Africa “love that we have music here,” as it’s not often found in wineries there. When you’ve been performing for 60 years, you get it down. Jazz and blues man Bishop Mayfield says, “It’s important that we have live music in as many places as available. People are hungry for music and coming out for it. We must find ways for the venues and musicians to share the wealth through music and wine.” One of the ways troubadour owners/winemakers of Awen Winecraft, Tom Homewood and Sean Hopkins, share the wealth is by creating their own music. Impromptu or planned, when the guitars come out to play in their Jacksonville tasting room, it’s fun. They’ve even been known to write their own music … You’ll not want to miss the “Albarino Song.” Jazz and electronic musician Michael Allen Whipple says he sees wineries as “a venue for older musicians to still feel relevant.” He says he also understands “it’s a balancing act for professional conditions ... These are not music venues first; they’re tasting rooms. But wine venues also need to realize that musicians are professionals and have needs, expenses and requirements to put on a professional show. We musicians must understand these businesses are not focused on music, so there has to be some kind of give and take both ways.” Reach Paula Bandy at [email protected] and connect with her on Instagram @pbthroughthegrapevine