Restaurant Will Serve Seasonal Menu From Cowhorn’s Chef Tim Payne, Featuring Fresh Produce from the Vineyard’s Garden & Local Purveyors
Wine List To Showcase Estate Wines from Cowhorn & Sister Winery Johan Vineyards in Willamette Valley
July 18, 2023 (JACKSONVILLE, OREGON) — Cowhorn Kitchen & Wine, an upcoming restaurant serving artfully crafted, seasonal menus from the team behind Cowhorn Vineyard & Garden, is set to open this fall in the heart of Jacksonville, Oregon. The family-owned restaurant will serve refined yet approachable cuisine featuring local ingredients sourced from the vineyard’s working Biodynamic garden as well as neighboring farms, alongside a selection of Biodynamic wines from Cowhorn and its sister property, Johan Vineyards, in Willamette Valley. Located in the space formerly housing The Mustard Seed café and more recently Sunny Side Up, Cowhorn Kitchen & Wine will be open for lunch and dinner Thursday through Monday.
Founded in 2005, Cowhorn Vineyard & Garden produces top quality wines through a uniquely sustainable and holistic approach to growing, which wholeheartedly considers all aspects of the agricultural ecosystem. Cowhorn Kitchen & Wine will be an extension of this philosophy, simultaneously illustrating the interconnectedness between the land, food, wine and guests, and curating an experience for patrons.
From Cowhorn’s Executive Chef Tim Payne – who also leads the culinary program at the vineyard and serves as the property’s director of food & garden – the lunch and dinner menus will offer produce-forward dishes including creative starters, fresh salads, housemade pasta and entrees. Tim’s role at Cowhorn allows him to lead the full cycle of the culinary process – from planting and harvesting more than 60 varieties of herbs and vegetables, to pickling, preserving and fermenting his own ingredients, to planning and preparing all of the estate’s dining offerings. Driven by his love for food and farming, he has spent more than two decades exploring the worlds of food, wine and hospitality, serving as executive chef at restaurants including Coho in Washington state, Terroir in Colorado, The Wine Bistro at Earth & Vine in Wyoming, Addison’s and Sofia’s restaurants in Missouri, and Farmer Girl Foods in Colorado.
To drink, the menu will feature wines from both Cowhorn and Johan vineyards, showcasing the variety and breadth of wines from the sister properties. New releases as well as an extensive list of library wines, dating back as far as 2008, will be available by the bottle, glass and half glass. Beer from local breweries will also be served.
The rustic yet stylish restaurant will be intimate, with 24 seats in the dining room, plus patio seating for 16. Designed by the Cowhorn team, the interior will be warm and welcoming.
“At Cowhorn, we value biodiversity by cultivating crops that not only promote a richness in the land for producing grapes, but also bring flavor to the table,” says Executive Chef Tim Payne. “We’re thrilled to expand upon our mission to foster the connection between food and wine at Cowhorn Kitchen & Wine, all while paying homage to the surrounding land, what’s grown in the region, and of course, our guests.”
“Jacksonville is such a wonderful place to live and visit, and we jumped at the opportunity to serve and connect with the community through another outlet,” says Co-owner Mini Byers. “People have come to know and love Tim’s cooking through Cowhorn’s wood-fired pizza and wine pairings, and at our member dinners and Saturday evening Supper Club. We’re excited for Chef to be able to bring his talents to the heart of town with Cowhorn Kitchen & Wine.”
The Cowhorn team has already established their proficiency in curating unique dining and wine experiences with their Supper Club program at the winery this summer. Helmed by Chef Tim, the intimate dinners celebrate the vineyard’s profound sense of harmony with the surrounding ecosystem through a seasonally attuned menu featuring produce grown on property that’s thoughtfully paired with Cowhorn’s wines. Supper Club showcases Cowhorn’s exquisite wines in an immersive way. While the pairings and offerings will remain the same at the vineyard, Cowhorn Kitchen & Wine will expand on this cohesive perspective of wine and cuisine.
About Cowhorn Vineyard & Garden
Cowhorn Vineyard & Garden is a 117-acre, Demeter-certified Biodynamic and woman-owned vineyard and farm producing quality wines and growing grapes and other crops through uniquely sustainable and holistic methods. Founded in 2005 and purchased by Co-owner Mini Byers in April 2021, the progressive farm is nestled in the fertile Applegate Valley of southern Oregon, which boasts well-draining soil, lush vegetation and stunning views. Just a few miles north of California, the property is home to a vineyard, garden and a beautifully-designed, LEED-certified tasting room, which was awarded a Living Building Certification. Originally planted and designed by the renowned biodynamic agriculture expert Alan York in 2005, the sustainability-forward vineyard demonstrates a conscious effort to harness the natural richness and diversity accompanying the land. Winemaker Vince Vidrine’s passion for creating authentic expressions of the grapes aligns seamlessly with Cowhorn’s mission of growing Biodynamic wines through minimal intervention. This inspired approach to agriculture and emphasis on biodiversity yields a beautiful selection of wines including red, white, rosé and orange wine blends that are full of dimension and flavor. Cowhorn’s Rhone Style wines are made with 100% estate fruit from 25 planted acres, receiving more than 100 90+ scores over the years. Beyond the wine, Cowhorn offers a culinary program that’s integral to the vineyard and immersive experiences for wine enthusiasts. The tasting room is open by appointment Wednesday through Sunday from noon until 6pm.
