Rooted opens with food, wine, warmth & laughter at former Baldwin Saloon
Rooted in the Gorge and 15 Mile Winery made some splash with their pairing on Saturday, Nov. 19. Pictured: Julie Wadsworth, Kristen and Jakob Lillvik, and Colter Bolton.
Story and Photos by Tegan Shermikas
Who needs a night out?
Better yet, who wants to experience great food, amazing wine and engaging conversation?
Please and Thank you, to quote Ron Swanson.
All these things happened last Saturday, Nov. 19, at the new Rooted Commons in The Dalles.
Rooted in the Gorge’s Kristen and Jakob Lillvik partnered with 15 Mile Winery’s Julie Wadsworth and Colter Bolton to bring together food and wine near and dear to many local hearts and stomachs. They served six mouth-watering courses paired with six separate and divine-tasting wines.
The air outside was bone-chilling; a terrible cold spell had settled in the Gorge. But through the doors of the former Baldwin Saloon in The Dalles one found warmth and laughter, a large table bristling with life and community in the space now called the Rooted Commons.
The Baldwin Saloon is now the Rooted Commons at 205 Court Street, The Dalles.
Colter Bolton and Julie Wadsworth describing the wine pairing.
Thankfully, these events are going to become more prevalent within our community. Rooted in the Gorge already has multiple meals planned and additional events in the works.
Rooted’s Pork & Beef Lasagna Bolognese paired with 15 Mile B3 Barbera
While speaking to Rooted in the Gorge's Kristin Lillvik, we discussed how they came to be. Their vision was simple: bring great-tasting, locally-sourced food and a feeling of community to the dishes they prepare.
Not only did they accomplish this on Saturday, they continue to strive to hold this high standard for all of the events and food they create.
Prosciutto & Sage Chicken Wings with Sugar Snap Pea Salad paired with 2019 15 Mile Chenin Blanc.
Their passion for their community and, of course, their delicious food radiates through The Rooted Commons. For this wine-paired dinner, Rooted in the Gorge partnered with 15 Mile Winery, which was ranked 1st in both Best Local Winery & Best Wine Selection in the 2022 Best of the Gorge.
15 Mile Winery brought six wines that complimented the six dishes beautifully. Each wine enhanced the already delectable courses. They debuted their new release 2019 Syrah along with their incredibly popular and one-of-a-kind Barbera, B3.
If you are interested in trying their full-bodied, well-structured and balanced wines, visit their downtown tasting room on a Saturday or Sunday this winter.
Julie Wadsworth who also manages the 15 Mile Winery’s Wine Club said it best. Both businesses are “building from the ground up; they started from the roots”.
This rings true for every dish Rooted in the Gorge creates and every bottle of wine that 15 Mile Winery produces.
Julie wasn’t done imparting her wisdom, she left us with “The rising tide lifts all boats.”
The sense of community that these two businesses are bringing to the Gorge is straight out of a Hallmark movie. However, this is how 15 Mile’s Colter Bolton and Rooted’s Kristin Lilvik run their businesses every day. They are bringing more than just a feeling of brotherhood and sisterhood to The Dalles; they are creating friendships and partnerships that will help our community prosper.
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