If you’re a thrill-seeking foodie who loves adventure, then the Main Salmon  Wilderness Gourmet is your perfect getaway. Combining exciting Class III whitewater with beautiful mountain scenery and riverside gourmet meals, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better way to “do it all” than on an OARS Wilderness Gourmet trip.

Featuring

Chef: Keenan McGrew, Ashland, OR
Vintner: Browne Family Vineyards, WA

Kennan grew up in southern Oregon, working his way up in local restaurants until further pursuing his career and receiving formal training at Western Culinary in Portland. From there, he landed an internship with Daniel Boulud and spent time cooking in New York. Later, he returned to Portland to work under Vitaly Paley–a James Beard award winner–at his flagship restaurant. His family brought him back to southern Oregon, and he now enjoys working in smaller settings. He has found that he’s closer to the farmers and food than he’s ever been, and cultivating close relationships with local farms and vineyards has been an invaluable learning experience; it’s changed how he looks at food. He splits his time fly-fishing on the Rogue River for Steelhead, foraging for mushrooms and wild edibles that are in abundance in the local area, gardening at home, and cooking at a local restaurant. His position allows him the flexibility and balance of life and the perfect place to express his creativity and love of food. Cooking is the only thing he’s found that he can do both personally and professionally and he still loves it.

Inspired by the greatness of one man— owner Andrew Browne’s grandfather, William Bitner Browne—integrity and excellence are the standards upon which Browne wines are created. As a curator of the brightest talent, best vineyards, and the divining rod of winning concepts at Precept Wine, where Andrew serves as its CEO, his groundbreaking feats across the wine industry carry through to his own family legacy in wine, Browne Family. This is premium Washington wine, made with the utmost quality and enjoyment in mind. Browne Family Vineyards was 15 years in the making before its first vintage ever debuted. Vineyards, winemakers, and cellar masters committed to world-class wine production were carefully and deliberately selected to represent the best of the Columbia Valley AVA. To date, Browne has received more than 30 scores of 90 points or higher from critical reviews.

About This Trip

Spend your days on the Main Salmon running exciting whitewater and hiking to breathtaking locations you only get to experience from the river, as your guides provide you with a deep well of knowledge about the history, geology, and archeological importance of your surroundings. You may even get the chance to soak in a hot spring. When you stop for a delicious picnic lunch, perhaps you’ll join in on a river game or simply soak up the sun on the sandy beach. As you make your way downriver, the time spent on the Salmon is sure to leave you in awe. And hungry. But don’t worry, for your inner foodie, the best is yet to come….

After pulling into camp for the day, everyone will unload the rafts, and you can find the perfect spot to set up your tent for the night. Get cozy and then make your way over to start sampling delicious Browne Family wines perfectly paired with delectable hors d’oeuvres. You can join the chair circle to continue getting to know your newfound friends, or you might decide to break out your gear and fish for trout. Soon, your Chef Keenan will have a meal prepared guaranteed to knock your Chacos off.

Be ready to be wowed by gourmet brilliance as Chef Keenan wields masterful artistry to create delectable dishes in this bewitching backwoods setting. You’ll sit at linen-draped, candlelit tables with your fellow rafters and break bread. The conversation will flow, as will the wine, and an abundance of laughter will fill the air. As you head to bed with a satisfied stomach and happy heart, you’ll ponder the memories made that day as the mellifluous river lulls you to sleep.

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