January 31-February 2San Francisco, CA — 22nd Annual Zinfandel Festival

The 22nd annual Zinfandel Festival offers samples from more than 250 wineries specializing in Zinfandel.  The festival kicks off with the Epicuria Food & Zin Pairing event, where award-winning wineries match up with noteworthy restaurants to bring you the ultimate in artful food and wine pairings. During the Zinfandel Winemakers' fundraising dinner event oenophiles will have the opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind Zinfandels and other fun, wine-related packages in a live auction, which benefits ZAP programming, education and Heritage Projects. For more details and ticketing information, visit www.zinfandel.org

Looking for a Great Thanksgiving Dessert Wine?

2011 Patterson Cellars Late Harvest Roussanne

 

Honey in color, the aromas of this year hint of dried apricot, pear, herbal tea and honeysuckle. The wine has great sugar, acid and mineral balance.

• Release: August 2012
• Varietals: 86% Roussanne | 14% Viognier
• Vineyard: Willard Farms
• AVA: Yakima Valley

$22.00

St. Nick's Winter in Woodinville Wine Tasting

Saturday, Dec. 1 – Sunday, Dec. 211 am – 4 pm Saint Nick’s Winery Open House Weekend
$65 two-day pass; $50 Sunday only; 21 & over only
More than 45 participating Woodinville wineries open their doors for this annual holiday tasting. Tickets include a commemorative glass, shopping coupons for use at participating wineries and a wine tote bag.

Thanks Isenhower Cellars for hosting a superb Industry Night! Also, thanks Cory for the gourmet salmon creation.



Isenhower Woodinville Tasting Room
15007 Woodinville-Redmond Rd
Woodinville, WA 98072

Walla Walla - Certainly Worth the Visit

We recently had the opportunity to visit Walla Walla and experience their great hospitality, great people and fine wines.

There's no doubt that Walla Walla was voted one of the most friendliest towns.The folks were amazing!

We stayed at the Marcus Whitman Hotel. What a magnificent oasis! The managers, sommelier and staff treated us like royalty.

Be sure to check out the chef's table in the kitchen where sommelier Dan McCaffrey will share his extensive knowledge of wines paired with Chef Antonio Campolio's culinary creations. It's treat you'll not want to miss! Our thanks to Jonathan Grant, the front desk manager, for ensuring that our stay was certainly a memorable experience.

There are more than 20 wineries within walking distance of the Marcus Whitman Hotel in the downtown area.

Many other superb wineries are located within just a few miles of downtown area.

We'd especially like to thank Brian Rudin of Cadaretta Winery for the amazing tour of his vineyards and soils experimentation in Milton Freewater. We'd also like to thank Fort Walla Walla Winery for their hospitality and "local networking party".

Make this your next destination for fine wines and hospitality!

Seattle Wine Restaurant Awards 2012 "Dessert"

Gorman Winery 2010 Serum 6

Taste of show, in my opion, for best Late Harvest/Dessert Wine was Gorman's 2010 Serum 6 Late Harvest Viognier!

With 33 g/l residual sugar, Serum 6 is one of the sweetest wines ever made in Washington.

Varietal: 100% Viognier (Late Harvest)
Appellation: Yakima Valley
Barrels: Aged 9 months in 100% new French oak, barrel fermented
Brix at Harvest: 50
Residual sugar: 33g/l
Alcohol: 10.2%
Release date: December 2011
Cases made: 48, 375ml
Featured accolade: 93 points, Wine Advocate

Seattle Wine Restaurant Awards 2012 "Roses"

So many great wines to taste at this show! Taste of show Rose, in my opinion, goes to Hedges, Bel Villa Vineyard 100% Rose of Cabernet Franc. Red Mtn. AVA. A dry Rose with great balance
and structure. Hints of unique floral on the after palate. Limited production at 180 cases. Consider pairing with a cheese and fruit plate or poached salmon.

Vinter's Notes:


2011 Independent Producers Rose of Cabernet Franc - Red Mountain AVA - Premiere Class 100% Bel Villa Vineyard fruit (the vines were planted in 1997)

The estate-grown Cabernet Franc grapes for this rose were harvested at full ripeness, and the juice was allowed minimal skin contact, resulting in a wine that is pale, clear salmon colored with flashes of copper and rose gold. Aromas of crushed minerals, lavender, and violet blossoms are punctuated by subtle fragrances of sweet raspberry preserves. Upon entry, zesty acidity awakens the palate and transitions seamlessly to a softly-textured middle where the minerals return, joined by flavors of juicy strawberry and raspberry. The finish is delicate and refreshing, with anise and lavender notes lending complexity to the fruit.