Winemaker Olympics: Returns for a 3rd Year

The 3rd Annual Winemaker Olympic Festival was last week at Redhook Brewery. There were changes from previous years. First, the name changed from Woodinville Winemakers’ Triathlon to Winemaker Olympic Festival. There was a new organizer; Barrel Wine Tours and a new beneficiary; Heartbeat: Serving Wounded Warriors. The format of the events changed  but it still puts winemakers and their staff in competition in events such as the Barrel Roll, Bung Pass, Fill the Bottle, and the Wine Balloon Toss. Each winery can enter teams of up to five members. I did bump into John and Peggy Bigelow from JM Cellars as I walked in. They were last years winners and brought the highly coveted trophy. I think John looked a bit like Dee Snyder from Twisted Sister in that wig, don’t you?

This is a casual and very fun event but the competition is fierce for the trophy and the bronze, silver, and gold cork medals. There are food trucks and quite a few tables full of wine from the participants and other local wineries. Other highlights include some of the costumes from the winemakers and their teams. I look forward to attending next year also. I would like to see the dunk tank return.