It’s convenient to live in a city that happens to be such a fantastic and welcoming wine market – everything from the Old World to the newest Southern Hemisphere selections is fair game. We are discerning drinkers by now – we know Italy, we know France, we know California. We’ve been at the forefront of it all, as usual.

But there is one wine area, fortunately, still, that has that pioneer spirit of authenticity and individuality that once so captivated Napa Valley before it became a commercial branding enterprise. That area is the actual western frontier – it’s the Pacific Northwest. Notably, Oregon and Washington. Willamette Valley in Oregon is the wine country that’s still country, where jeans are more popular than polo shirts and where sustainable farming is more important than creative branding.

Willamette Valley of Oregon has been called the “Burgundy of the United States” for the similarities of the climate suitable for production of world-famous Pinot Noir. Yet it’s not Burgundy. And it’s not California. It’s somewhere in between, an entity of its own. To taste is the only way to experience its unique wines.

On Wednesday, January 19^th, 28 Degrees will host an Oregon Wine Dinner, which will consist of four courses paired with some of the highest quality, small-production Oregon wines available in Massachusetts. Chefs William Kovel and Jon Sargent, along with wine director Ricardo Echeverri, have come up with a themed wine dinner designed to highlight the beauty of artisanal Oregon winemaking. The wine list includes single-vineyard selections from Soter Vineyards, Penner-Ash and Lemelson Vineyards, all outstanding examples of what Willamette Valley has to offer. It’s meant to be a savory experience paying homage to terroir, or sense of place.

The dinner will start at 7 p.m. and cost $58/person. To reserve, call the restaurant at 617.728.0728 or reserve on OpenTable.

Curious? You should be.

Cheers.