Secret House, Good Wine, Great Blues Festival

For the past 10 years, Secret House Vineyards has made no secret out of its annual Wine and Blues Festival, scheduled this year for Aug. 11th and 12th at the winery in Veneta, Oregon.

The real secret of Secret House is the quality wines produced by owners Ron and Patti Chappel for a great value. These aren't pricey wines, but you get a good bottle of Pinot Noir or Pinot Gris for your money.

"Our mission is to produce high quality wines at a reasonable price," said Patti. "My Pinot Noir at $22 can stand up to the $40 and $50 Pinots sold in this state. We're in the business to stay in business."

The Chappels bought the vineyard as an investment in the late 1980s. When the Oriental rug business the couple owned was robbed, they found themselves moving to Veneta to eek out a living making wine.

"We knew the difference between good wine and crappy wine, and we wanted to make the good kind," Patti recalled. "So, we hired good people to get us started."

Secret House has about 15 acres of producing vines, and another 12 acres recently planted on the 100-acre estate. Grapes are purchased from other areas in Oregon and Washington to make the Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Gris and the Muller-Thurgau. The Chappels grow Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Right after the couple began making wine, Patti, who describes herself as an "old hippie," decided there had to be a way to combine wine with music. She and some of her friends in the entertainment industry conceived an outdoor blues festival at the winery.

"I don't know why, exactly the blues, but I love the music," Patti said. "The blues is truly American and it has always spoke to my inner self. When Etta James starts telling me about love, she's speaking my language."

Both Ron and Patti believe that people need to be exposed to the blues in a beautiful setting, as opposed to smoky bars.

"Folks who normally would not want to go to a funky club feel safe and happy to enjoy the blues here," Patti added.

Although wine and beer are sold at the festival, along with food, arts and crafts, the Chappels promote responsible consumption. The Chappels say it is critical that wineries grow as venues for family entertainment, and many wineries host festivals and events, such as Chateau Ste. Michelle's summer music series.

"There are no demons in a wine bottle. It's OK to have fun, enjoy some of the finer things in life and still get home safely with the kids," Ron said. "Wine is part and parcel of a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Nothing inherent in the enjoyment of fine wines is detrimental to the well-being of responsible people."

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