Josh Wade, from DrinkNectar.com, has organized an upcoming Live tasting with a number of Washington State Merlot producers. This will be a live event via Twitter (#WAMerlot) – you can go to this site to sign up. They also have links to online retailers who sell the Merlot’s to be tasted.
The Seattle Wine Gal also has a great write-up on this event as well.
This is the namesake Spring event along the Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail. For the first three weekends in April 2010, the wineries along the trail will offer a select pairing of two wines and two specially crafted cheese dishes prepared with Texas cheeses from the area along the trail. As an added bonus, receive a packet of Texas Wildflower seeds at each winery you visit while supplies last. The Bluebonnets will be in full bloom, so this is the perfect opportunity to see beautiful Texas wildflowers, enjoy fine Texas wine and fantastic cheese pairings. This event will be posted for the first three consecutive weekends in April. Your trail tickets are good on any of the dates, April 3-4, April 10-11 or April 17-18, 2010, regardless of when you purchase them.
April 3rd & 4th
April 10th & 11th
April 17th & 18th
Saturday’s 11am- 6pm
Sunday’s Noon- 5pm
Tickets are $25 for an individual or $45 for a two
Visit http://www.texasbluebonnetwinetrail.com/events.asp to purchase tickets.
With the rise with online Social Networking and huge online wine movement, we’ve seen more companies and wine industry-types going more aggressively after the 21-30 demographic. They are, after all, a rather untapped resource of the next-gen wine drinker so it only makes sense that the Washington State Wine Commission would target an event aimed squarely at them – it’s even named for them.
The “20 Something” event is essentially a glorified night-club-like atmosphere with a DJ on a stage, various food vendors setup with samples and winery-folks walking throughout the crowd, pouring their wines for the patrons.
With a sold-out crowd of 800 people, Saturday night was a define:plethora of wine drinking, food-eating, pumping music and a main-area floor that started “moving” once the crowd started to dance. Not my scene, personally, but then again, I’m not the demographic for this kind of event – yeah, I know I’m old so shoosh! 
It’s no accident that quite a number of top-chefs and winemakers are here – even the famed Tom Douglas. I had a nice chat with Tom – a Chef I know many in the food industry have a profound respect for. In many ways he has done a lot to help put the city of Seattle on the culinary map on a national level.
I saw Tom on Iron Chef America where he faced off against the formidable Masaharu Morimoto – the secret ingredient was salmon and Tom pulled off a victory. When asked about how that went down he said “We had about a 3 week notice from the producers and regardless of what the secret ingredient was, we were going to do the same dishes”. I asked him which of the Iron Chefs he would be the most worried about going up against and he said “Mario”. My last comment to him was that I was surprised he doesn’t have his own show yet on FoodTV – he replied, “Are you kidding me? I have a face made for radio”.
Tom Douglas
Over 80 wineries were represented at this event and overall I believe the folks in attendance had a great time. My only issue with the format of it is I’m not sure how anyone would remember which wines they had that they liked and wanted to remember.
With a free-flow format of wines being poured randomly into empty glasses, it seems like it’d be a poor ROI for the wineries and ultimately for the consumers. The Wine Commission did try and address this problem by letting the wineries pass out business cards with a specific URL on them that folks could go look up later. However, let’s be honest, by the time the 4-hours went by, who was going to remember anything?
Spinning for nuts at Tom Douglas’ booth – don’t ask
Josh McDaniels – Winemaker of Sweet Valley Wines
Mack Lovin – Assistant at OS Winery
It seems as if wine events these days can give you the feeling that they are a dime-a-dozen – it’s always the same format, isn’t it? You pay a lot of money to go in and sample some wines and food, only to find out that after about the first 10 glasses or so, your palate is hosed and it all starts tasting the same.
The Mrs. and I went down to Portland Oregon over the weekend to attend the Northwest Food and Wine festival and I have mixed emotions about it, however, there were some really good folks from various wineries there and that was one of the more redeeming qualities.
Buick – yeah, the car company – was the premier sponsor of this event as it’s making a concerted effort in marketing its new 2010 LaCrosse at the kind of demographic that visits websites like WineFoot – to see a review on this car from Motor Trend, click here.
This effort makes sense to me, as this car represents an entirely new image for Buick and after having spent the weekend driving it, I can tell you that it is NOT the “Grandma’s Buick” I grew up around. Our CSX model had the 280hp, asphalt-eating 3.6L V6 which propels the car effortlessly up to the speed limit with no reservations.
It seems that the folks from Buick didn’t want to say it “on the record”, but I will – this car kicks ass. Stitched leather surrounds you, along with heated or cooled front seats that do a great job of keeping you in the seat and comfortable. The rear leg-room goes on for days and the creature-comforts of the driver’s seat are ample.
This is a car that could easily be thought of as a “Super Tuscan” wine. Full body mouthfeel, excellent handling around the curves, good “torque” (if a wine could have that) and a finish that’s very refined, elegant and true to the varietal. If you’re at all in the market for a solid performance sedan that easily competes with Lexus and Acura, than check out the 2010 LaCrosse for sure.
I’d really love to know why these events pick out the crappiest wine glasses – I get the fact that there’s a cost to them and that many will break, however, you’d think if someone pays the ticket price of $95 dollars to get in, that they’d at least get a lower-end Reidel or something half-way decent to get a better idea of what the wines truly taste like. Not here – as seen in this picture, you get nothing more than a glorified eye-dropper.
I’m becoming more convinced than ever before, that the folks who put on these events aren’t wine drinkers and wine lovers themselves, if they were, they wouldn’t be kicking us to the curb by serving such stupid glasses. Fortunately, there was a beer counter in the show that was serving beer in a glass that was better for wine than the glass we got at the door.
All in all, it was a fun show in the sense we got to meet some great folks from many different food vendors and some great wineries we’re excited to keep an eye on. Five hours is a good time-frame in that it gives you ample opportunity to meet new folks and also keep a eye on those that show up just to get hammered.
To me, the foods at this show were what really took center-stage – literally – there was a c enter demo-area in the middle of the event where they even carved up a pig in front of an audience. We’re huge fans of bacon, ribs and butt – so this was perfect!
Mount Townsend Creamery was there and they had some sort of brie-like cheese called Seastack (pictured above) that was to die-for, I’d tell you what I told the guy serving it, however, this is rated “PG” site .
Other cheese vendors were on-hand as well, showcasing everything from blue to gouda to smoked cheddar.
There were a number of wines that stood out to me and I’ll highlight them here:
Basel Cellars was on-hand with a wine from Trey and one from Justin – both were great.
Looking for a fun way to spend time with family and friends that doesn’t involve the mall this Thanksgiving weekend?
Wine Yakima Valley’s Thanksgiving in Wine Country event weekend is a Northwest tradition in Washington’s premier wine country region. More than 55 wineries of the Yakima Valley (Yakima, Zillah, Sunnyside, Prosser, and Red Mountain) will be participating in the celebration, offering great wine, along with carefully selected culinary pairings. Thanksgiving in Wine Country ticket holders will also be able to experience a variety of library tastings and tours not available to the public.
For a sampling of wine and food pairings to be featured at this year’s Thanksgiving in Wine Country event, please see the press release below.
Passes are $30 in advance or $35 at the door and are available for purchase online at www.wineyakimavalley.org.
Our second annual event featuring noted Washington wine personalities as the evening’s ROCK STARS! Not only do they make excellent wine that you can taste throughout the show, they sing, play guitar, sax, drums and more! Taking place at the very chic, urban Palace Ballroom, where every wannabe rock star wants to be.
Sample fabulous food prepared by Tom Douglas Catering and delicious cheese provided
by Beecher’s. WINE ROCK FOOD FUN!
Tickets: $50 each, must be 21+ to attend, ID checked at door
Time: 7 – 10pm
http://www.winerocksseattle.com/
Gourmet Tasting:
The Players:
Chris Ballew, (lead singer “President of the United States)
Rob Newsom, The Super Lucky Cats
Rusty Figgins, Heavy Petting Zoo
Gordy Rawson, Gordy Rawson Group
Paul Gregutt, The Paul Gregutt Band
Participating Wineries & Distilleries:
Balboa Winery
Barrage Cellars
Boudreaux Cellars
Brian Carter Cellars
Chatter Creek Winery
Cuillin Hills Winery
Des Voigne Cellars
Donedei Wines
Dunham Cellars
El Chalán
Eliseo Silva
Efeste
Gamache Vintners
Ginkgo Forest Winery
Hightower Cellars
JM Cellars
McCrea Cellars
Sleight of Hand Cellars
Sparkman Cellars
Tagaris Winery
Taste of Red
Columbia Winery – Woodinville, WA
November 14th-15th, 2009
12pm – 6pm each day
$20 per person / $10 Cellar Club Members (price includes logo glass)
To purchase tickets in advance, call 425-482-7348
For more information, go to www.columbiawinery.com
Columbia Winery is once again hosting its premier wine tasting and social occasion. Taste of Red features wine tasting of unique and current selections of Columbia Winery’s red wines, including a sample taken from the barrel. Also featured will be some of the best Northwest food vendors, who will be sampling and selling their products.
Live Music with Enrique Henao
Columbia Winery – Woodinville, WA
Saturday, November 21st
Free of charge
For more information, go to www.columbiawinery.com
Join us as International Artist, Enrique Henao, soothes the soul with his elegant guitar playing.
Thanksgiving Weekend @ Columbia Winery
Columbia Winery – Woodinville, WA
November 27th-29th
CLOSED NOVEMBER 26TH IN OBSERVANCE OF THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
For more information, go to www.columbiawinery.com
Visit Columbia Winery and enjoy a complimentary wine tasting
Eagle Castle Winery, will be featuring three full days of back to back food, wine & entertainment! All weekend we will have Live Music by local musicians. Relax on our Grand Terrace as you enjoy every sip of life! We have such a long list of high quality wines, of which are winning extraordinary awards left and right. Come on in, and taste our award winning 2008 Syrah Rose and 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon! Exec. Chef Ryan Swarthout, with his long resume of culinary experience, will create for you an unusual and exquisite meal, that your eyes may feast on. The Crown Room is open Wed. – Sunday 11:30a- 3:30p,for food service, call for Reservations & more details.
*Friday(16th) & Sunday (18th) The Fall weather is here, time to pull out your scarves and sweaters! This year for our Harvest Wine Week, Eagle Castle Winery, will have a NEW EXCLUSIVE ‘Cheese/Olive Oil/Wine Pairing!’ You will get FOUR pairings for $5 pp! Live Music will play on both of these days from 12pm to 3pm, on our terrace!
*Saturday (17th) Patrick our Winemaker, will be giving a ‘behind the scenes peek’ of our winery. He will teach you how to make wine& how to make your own to take home! This package includes a gourmet breakfast & lunch as well as hotel accommodations. Please look at our website for more details! From 12 to 3p Amy Estrada, who is a young local singer and guitarist will be playing on the terrace.
Later in the evening, Chef Ryan will be preparing a decadent -SEVEN COURSE Winemakers Dinner -the cost is $85pp or $75 if a Cellar Club Member! Please call for reservations, tables are being booked quickly, the menu is also on our webpage if you would like to take a sneak peek.
Portland Nursery at 5050 SE Stark
Friday-Sunday October 9, 10, 11, 2009
Friday-Sunday October 16, 17, 18, 2009
10:00am – 5:00pm
It’s that time of year again – days are getting shorter, evenings cooler, mornings foggier – fall is definitely in the air and for us that means Apple Tasting is fast approaching!
A “greener” apple tasting this year! – biodegradable plastic bags available for fruit purchased by the pound, and biodegradable bowls for the strudel and ice cream! It just gets bigger and better – come help us celebrate 22 years of amazing bounty and terrific community!
There is much that you will find familiar at this year’s tasting: lots of apples and pears to taste. Same price as last year: $0.89/pound for apples and European pears and $0.99/pound for Asian pears. See the list of 2009 varieties that we will have on hand for tasting and sale.
Sweet Decadence
Columbia Winery – Woodinville, WA
Friday, October 9th
6pm – Wine & Cheese Reception
7pm - Chocolate Class
$55 per person / $45 Cellar Club Members & Guests
RSVP online at www.columbiawinery.com or by calling the Cellar Club at (425) 482-7383
Columbia Winery & Sweet Decadence of Newcastle present an interactive class that will indulge and delight your chocolate senses. This experience will heighten your knowledge of working with chocolate as well as explore wine pairing with chocolate. Learn how artesian chocolateers create beautiful dipped chocolate fruit and dark, rich truffles. Take home over a quarter pound of chocolate!
Red Wine Varietal Focus Class
Columbia Winery – Woodinville, WA
Wednesday, October 21st
6:30pm – 8:30pm
$25 per person / $15 Cellar Club Members & Guests|
RSVP by calling (425) 482-7348
With Columbia Winery’s Taste of Red event fast approaching, Wine Educator, Dr. Steve Vernon, will give you a preview of that event. The evening will focus on red wine production and well as involve tasting through a series of Columbia Winery’s premium single-vineyard red varietals. Participants will take away their own aroma wheel and personal tasting notes, as well as winemaker tasting notes for comparison.
HalloWINE Party
Columbia Winery – Woodinville, WA
Friday, October 30th
6:30pm – 10:30pm
$50 Cellar Club Members & Guests only
RSVP online at www.columbiawinery.com or by calling the Cellar Club at (425) 482-7383
Join us in your best costume on the night before Halloween and experience the terror in our cellar. Enjoy our frightfully delicious wines and sinister appetizers while trying your luck at our mock Casino.
Your ticket includes 5 complimentary wine tasting tickets. Wine by the bottle/glass will also be available for purchase. Special wine discounts available throughout the evening! Costumes are required. Prizes will be awarded throughout the evening.
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