Taste Washington

Does the word “winery” conjure up visions of stunning, well manicured “Chateaus” with fancy tasting rooms and barrel cellars built in the earth below? While Washington state has plenty of those, what about the flip side? This region has plenty of amazing wines being produced in “alternative” spots like industrial parks, old airplane hangars, firehouses…even garages in the back yard! Alder Yarrow, wine blogger extraordinaire at vinography.com, will guide you through some of his favorite “winery-less” wines.

Speakers: Alder Yarrow, Danny Gordon, Chris Gorman, Christina Kelly, Chris Sparkman, Gordy Venneri, Rick Middleton

Wines:
2006 Cadaretta Merlot, Columbia Valley
2006 Gorman Winery “The Bully” Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain
2006 Sparkman Cellars “Kingpin” Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain
2006 Soos Creek Wine Cellars Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red Wine, Red Mountain
2006 Tamarack Cellars “DuBrul Vineyard Reserve” Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley
2006 Walla Walla Vintners Sagemoor Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley

Dad never gets the respect he deserves! Cabernet sauvignon remains the King of the World, bowed to by many, while its genealogical parent Cabernet franc stands in its popularity shadow. Seattle Magazine realizes Washington’s offerings with this amazing grape might just put a dent in the crown, having awarded it Best Emerging Varietal in their 2008 Best of Washington Wine Awards. Join their wine columnist Shannon Borg, San Francisco Chronicle’s Jon Bonne and Mark Davidson as they help you taste why this region’s “other Cabernets” are some of the New World’s most distinctive and respected.

Speakers: Jon Bonne, Shannon Borg, Mark Davidson

Wines:
2007 Chinook Wines Cabernet Franc, Yakima Valley 
2007 Owen Roe Winery “Rosa Mystica” Cabernet Franc, Yakima Valley 
2006 Barrister Winery Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley 
2006 Nefarious Cellars Cabernet Franc, Wahluke Slope 
2006 O-S Winery Champoux Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Horse Heaven Hills

In the 30 years of Washington State wine performing at first-rate heights, family owned wineries have played an enormous role.  The last decade or so has seen a glorious passing of the torch to the next generation of such industry legends as J. Bookwalter Winery, Hedges Family Estate, Leonetti Cellar and Olsen Estates Vineyards.  No one has had more hands-on experience watching this transition than Michael Teer of Pike and Western Wine Shop, who will guide you through both sides’ perspectives on what our “new vintage” of talented winemakers and grape growers face as they build upon the legacy rooted in the beginnings of our industry…and the hearth of family.
Speakers: Michael Teer, Jerry and John Bookwalter, Tom and Christophe Hedges, Gary and Chris Figgins, Dick and Marty Olsen

Wines:
2007 Leonetti Cellar Merlot, Walla Walla Valley
1997 Hedges Family Estate “Red Mountain Reserve” Blend, Red Mountain
2007 Hedges Family Estate “Three Vineyards” Blend, Red Mountain
2006 J. Bookwalter Winery “Chapter 2″ Blend, Red Mountain
2008 J. Bookwalter Winery “Anecdote” Riesling, Columbia Valley
2007 Olsen Hills Chardonnay, Yakima Valley
2006 Olsen Estates Syrah,Collumbia Valley

With the wine world consistently focusing on where the grapes are grown as being one of the biggest keys to quality in a wine, this in-depth look at one of Washington’s most established vineyards will provide the chance to taste what everyone is talking about.  Bruce Schoenfeld of Travel and Leisure Magazine will pilot Paul Champoux, owner/grower of Horse Heaven Hill’s famed Champoux Vineyard, alongside national wine authorities and 3 world-class winemakers who utilize his grapes on a search for the through-line of “flavor of place on earth”…in the wine glass!

Speakers: Chris Camarda, Paul Champoux, Paul Gregutt, Mike Januik, Michael Jordan MS, Bruce Schoenfeld, Rick Small

Wines:
Woodward Canyon Winery Barrel Sample 
2005 Woodward Canyon Winery “Old Vines” Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills 
Januik Winery Barrel Sample 
2006 Januik Winery Champoux Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills 
Andrew Will Winery Barrel Sample 
2006 Andrew Will Winery “Sorella”, Horse Heaven Hills 
Plus: 2 mystery wines!  One from Champoux vineyard, one not.  After investigating a line up of Champoux based wines, can you tell which is which?