UPDATE for June 4-5 (via the Eight Bells Winery facebook page): “Bill the oysterman won’t be there but Frank [Michiels, one of the owner/operators] will be shucking…” and “There might be more mystery music appearances such as Chris and Colleen or Guitarman Geoff.”

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After a week of community meeting after community meeting, you deserve a break.

How about some wine, with a side of art? And perhaps an oyster or two?

Eight Bells Winery (6213-B Roosevelt Way NE) is pouring their new releases this weekend (May 28 and 29) and the next (June 4 and 5) from 11AM-5PM. They include (via mailing list email):

2010 Eight Bells Pinot Gris Oregon – grapes from the Methven Family Vineyard, Dayton, Oregon. A fruity dry wine perfect for summer drinking.

2009 Eight Bells Chardonnay Yakima Valley – grapes from the French Creek Vineyard, Prosser, Washington. This un-oaked, French-style Chardonnay has gained texture and length with a bit of bottle age.2009 Eight Bells Roosevelt Red Yakima Valley – a blend of Yakima Valley Merlot. Available only at the winery.

2009 Eight Bells Shellback Red Yakima Valley – a blend of select barrels from Yakima Valley fruit. Shellback has the structure of Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon (40%) balanced with with some softer Merlot (40%) and some richer Syrah (20%).

2009 Eight Bells Syrah Yakima Valley – a blend of Syrah (85%) from “Les Vignes de Marcoux” in Western Yakima Valley, and Grenache (15%) from Red Mountain in Eastern Yakima Valley.

2009 Eight Bells Syrah Red Willow Vineyard Yakima Valley – minimally oaked to emphasize the Syrah fruit with 5% Grenache from Red Willow Vineyard.

Prices per bottle range from $18 to $32.

A few works by Randi Starup on the walls at Eight Bells Winery (used with permission; photo links to more)

Works by local artist, Randi Starup, will be on display and available for purchase both weekends.

Bill the Oyster Man will be on hand to celebrate the new releases on the May dates only. (Aw shucks.)

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Previously, on Ravenna Blog: Eight Bells Winery donated their bottles and their time to last year’s first ever Picardo P-Patch dinner fundraiser.