Most Unique Experience: I started off early on Saturday for Passport to Woodinville. I was trying to get to DiStefano Winery but got stuck behind a Party Bus and it poured out about 20 or so people who created a big line. I made a quick detour to Soft Tail Spirits next door where my friend Laurie Cook found out we were the very first tasters at the grapparia. We were greeted by owners Dennis and Larry who told us that this was the first day they were open We were treated to tasting of the Grappa Blanco, Grappa Giallo, and Grappa Reserve. Grappa is an Italian spirit which is from distilled grape skins and stems. It’s similar to drinking Tequila. Starting off the day with a very smooth 84 proof alcohol is a very unique experience. They are the first Craft Distillery licensed in Western Washington and are defiantly worth a visit.
Larry, Laurie Cook, Shona Milne, and Dennis Robertson
Best Food & Wine Pairing: We made a mandatory stop at Covington Cellars since I knew Cindy would be doing some fantastic food and wine pairings. I was not disappointed. It was like being in Disneyland where you can’t ever see the end of the line but you snaked though from the door to the first tasting station of 2008 Viognier with Sesame Seed Crusted Shrimp, then onto station two with a 2007 Sangiovese paired with Sausage and Mozzarella Stuffed Phylo, and around the corner to the 2006 Tuscan Red with Risotto Croquet with Basil Pesto and Sundried Tomato, and then you could see the end of the line with the 2006 Starr Syrah with Meatballs with the fabulous Cellar Sauce.
Most Unique Wine Club: It has to Sheridan Vineyards who has the SEx…Club. It’s the Sheridan EXclusive wine club with a catchy name to get your attention. One of the perks is an invitation in the fall to the vineyard in Zillah to pick up your wine club purchases with a big BBQ and some old fashioned I Love Lucy style grape stomping.
Best Party: Patterson Cellars certainly knows how to party. I did miss the food by Russell’s but the band, The Stackable Clowns, was in full swing. They had also released the 2006 Big F’n Syrah which I have been waiting for. Nobody seemed to want to leave, but with the mirrored disco wine bottle spinning around who would?
Biggest Winners: Woodinville wine lovers who had fabulous weather to go with wine tasting. Woodinville wineries that had a sold out Passport to Woodinville 2009.
Wine tasting on the patio at Columbia Winery
Photos by Shona Milne
A final thought about Passport. What is with the five inch heels to go walking around the warehouse district with its uneven pavement and rocks to trip you up? My feet hurt at the end of the day and I was wearing comfy flip flops! Not sure about the overdressed people or the arrogant people wearing white of all things.
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