From left to right: Andrew Davis, Kate Payne Brown, Julia Coney and Rollin Soles

Sparkling wine has become one of the fastest growing sectors in the wine industry, both in Oregon and across the nation. Recognizing that, a local organization has slated an event designed to highlight the bubbly concoction while also educating laymen on the age-old process used to produce it.

The inaugural Method Oregon Grand Tasting is set for July 26 at Domaine Willamette, located at 19255 Highway 99W in Dayton.

The event is “designed to build on this excitement by educating consumers about traditional methods, the mechanics and chemistry of long tirage aging, and the unique factors that make Oregon one of the best places in the world to make traditional method sparkling wine,” a release said.

The event — tailored for consumers, media and wholesale buyers — will feature a panel of three luminaries in the sparkling wine industry: Rollin Soles, Andrew Davis and Kate Payne Brown.

Soles is founder of both Argyle Winery and ROCO Winery. Davis founded the Radiant Sparkling Wine Company and Brown is now head wine maker at Argyle Winery.

The panel discussion will stretch 60 minutes and be moderated by Julia Coney, an industry writer, speaker and consultant who currently works as the wine expert for American Airlines in partnership with the James Beard Foundation.

Topics will include the origins of the traditional method movement in Oregon, early challenges and breakthroughs, the role of riddling and disgorging services in scaling production, and what the future may hold as the industry continues to innovate.

“The panel will explore the journey of Oregon’s sparkling wines — tracing their origins, examining their current success and offering a glimpse into the exciting future of Oregon’s industry,” the release said. “As the region gains recognition for its world-class bubbles, this program promises to be a must-attend for anyone eager to understand the dynamic rise of Oregon sparkling wine.”

After the panel discussion is completed …

The grand tasting will showcase more than 50 sparkling wines from 22 Oregon wineries, all using the traditional method of production.

“All wines poured at the event are Oregon made, with each bottle undergoing at least 15 months of tirage (aging on the lees after second fermentation) to ensure quality and complexity in the glass,” the release said.

The wineries offering tastings include Adelsheim, Arabilis, Argyle, Corollary, Domaine Serene, Domaine Willamette, Elk Cove, Flaneur, Goodfellow, Gran Moraine, Lundeen, Lytle-Barnett, Maison Jussiaume, Mellen Meyer, Pashey, Ponzi, RMS by ROCO, R. Stuart & Co., Sokol Blosser, Soter, Stoller and Winderlea.

Tickets for the event are available at methodoregon.com. More information is available at @methodoregon on Instagram.

The event is “designed to build on this excitement by educating consumers about traditional methods, the mechanics and chemistry of long tirage aging, and the unique factors that make Oregon one of the best places in the world to make traditional method sparkling wine.”

Method Oregon release