We all knew that summer would return… eventually.

Regardless of the pandemic situation, June 20th was going to land on our doorsteps. After Suttle Lodge’s guest chef series—which kicked off last winter—was canceled due to our current pandemic status, it wasn’t clear how events would resume for The Suttle Lodge and Boathouse, or in Central Oregon.

Space to roam

Luckily, it’s easy to socially distance across Suttle Lodge. It’s situated across 15.5 acres of Sisters, Oregon Deschutes National Forest. This summer looks a bit different than in years past. The Lodge is closed until further notice and all food and drink are served exclusively out of the boathouse. But, they have managed to host a series of outdoor events (with limited capacity) focused on food, beer, and wine.

3 redwood chairs are perched in front of redwood trees along suttle lake

In late June, they commenced two new events. The family-friendly Wednesday night cookout is hosted on their lakefront sprawling lawn. Thursday wine and food pairings are held on their spacious lake-view deck. Each event is hosted by an Oregon brewery and winery, respectively.

Staycation or Daycation

After several months of quarantine, isolation, and extreme social distancing, the anticipation of spending a few days in a rustic setting with limited cellphone reception was refreshing. A breezy 45-minute drive from Bend and a relaxing 2.5-hour drive from Portland, The Suttle Lodge and Boathouse is a retreat for staycation seekers and those escaping Urban dwellings.

Wednesday Night Cookout

Buoy Beer Company recently made a visit to Central Oregon in February for the inaugural Winter Beer Fest at Suttle Lodge. We most notably remember Buoy for their Dunkel Lager which is inspired by the classic Bavarian lagers in Germany. The Northern Coastal brewery brought forth their Pale Ale and, the cleverly-named, Another IPA to the cookout.

Food for the whole family

A heaping serving of dinner was provided for $20 per ticket which was just enough to feed me plus one kid. Alfresco dining featured an applewood-smoked chicken duo, which included a thigh and drumstick perfectly dressed in Alabama white sauce.

If you’re not familiar with this southern-style dressing, it’s a riff on a classic barbecue sauce with mayonnaise taking the place of a tomato base. It’s tangy, slightly sweet, and complements the brined and smoked chicken. A generous serving of Panzanella salad and crispy herbed potatoes pleased everyone at the table.

Picnic tables are spread out across the lawn, allowing for children to run and play within earshot while grown-ups enjoy the serene setting of Suttle’s outdoor dining accommodations. The cookout is first-come-first-served every Wednesday through September 2nd. You can get more information here.

Thursdays on the Deck

Abacela Winery, located in the heart of the Umpqua Valley, is probably best known for its Spanish grapes. Their Fiesta Tempranillo is the “Jack of all” Reds. It will please those who appreciate a hearty Cabernet Sauvignon, yet is light enough for the guests who prefer a lighter Pinot Noir.

Grown-up getaway

Chef Jarrott Moonitz guided our four-course tasting with small bites to complement both the palate and geographical regions influenced by each wine. Their Grenache Rosé is light, crisp, and slightly fruity. One might suggest it to be the “perfect day drinking” Rosé, which, at 1 p.m. on a Thursday, has so far proven these anecdotal findings to be true.

Admittedly, it was a bit of a surprise to be served canned fish alongside rosemary crackers and fresh lemon to pair with the Albariño, but a pleasant one at that. The light and high-acidity white varietal are classically served with canned fish in Spain; the brine of the fish combined with the fresh citrus on herbed crackers was, well, a delight.

Wine on the deck takes place every Thursday through September 3rd. Seating is staggered to allow for two 2-hour rotations from 1-3 p.m. and 3-5 p.m. Bonus: children’s summer programs are available from Starshine Theatre by reservation so that you can enjoy, guilt-free. Tickets are $55 per person and include a four-course wine and food pairing. You can get tickets here.