07/31/2026
🌿 Vintage Nights at Mindpower Gallery
Where Art Meets the Vine
Tonight begins a new Friday evening tradition at Mindpower Gallery.
Over the coming weeks, we'll welcome some of Oregon's most remarkable vineyard families—not simply to showcase their wines, but to share the stories, history, and craftsmanship that have helped shape Oregon's wine culture.
Our first featured guest is Girardet Vineyard & Winery, one of Southern Oregon's pioneering vineyard estates.
When Philippe Girardet planted his first vines in 1971, he wasn't just starting a vineyard—he was helping build what would become the Umpqua Valley wine region. Raised among vineyards in Switzerland, he recognized something special in Southern Oregon's hillsides and became one of the early visionaries who believed world-class wines could be grown here.
The Girardet estate is still family-owned today. Their vineyard is dry-farmed, pesticide-free, and rooted in ancient marine soils formed millions of years ago—an environment that gives their wines a remarkable sense of place.
We'll also hear the story of Baco Noir, the rare grape Philippe introduced to Oregon more than fifty years ago. Today it's one of the Umpqua Valley's signature varietals, and Philippe's generosity in sharing vine cuttings earned him the nickname "The Johnny Appleseed of Baco Noir."
And if you've ever wondered why Girardet has a wine called Touchdown Red, ask Kristi about the day Marc Girardet safely landed his airplane on Interstate 5 after an engine failure—a remarkable story that became part of Oregon wine folklore.
We're delighted to welcome Kristi from Girardet this evening to share these stories, answer questions, and introduce guests to one of Oregon's longest-standing vineyard families.
Whether you enjoy history, agriculture, Oregon heritage, beautiful art, or simply learning something new, Vintage Nights are designed to celebrate the people and places behind our state's remarkable vineyards.
🕓 Tonight • 4–7 PM
📍 Mindpower Gallery
417 Fir Avenue • Historic Downtown Reedsport
Tonight is the first chapter in a Friday series featuring Girardet, Abacela, HillCrest, Hinman, Valcan, J. Scott, and Sweet Cheeks—each with its own story, its own people, and its own place in Oregon's wine history.
Come discover why every vineyard has a story worth telling.
