Bend lost another restaurant/wine tasting room this week when winemaker Doug Maragas decided to close up the little Taverna on Colorado Ave. and consolidate all operations in Culver, where the Maragas Winery (rhymes with "asparagus") and vineyard is located.
Winos shouldn't fret, though. You can still drive about 25 miles north (just north of Terrebonne) to the vineyard for samples, tastings and purchase of Maragas' many, fine locally grown and produced wines.
The effort of maintaining two locations just became too great for the small winery, Maragas stated in press release. The recent addition of 18 acres of vines at the Culver location only made the decision easier, the vinter said.
Established in 1999, Maragas has won a number of awards, including a gold medal for their vintage 2005 Legal Zin at the 2009 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. The bottles are easily recognizable by their beatnik artwork done by Doug Maragas' mother in the 1950s. Check out the Legal Zin for a tasty, affordable bottle that goes well with good times ($16, most local grocers).
photo: Emilio De Laurentiis
