Avennia, a new winery in Woodinville specializing in limited production wines, will make its public debut May 5-6 with a barrel tasting event for members of its mailing list and their guests.

The winery is a collaborative project between former DeLille winemaker Chris Peterson and Microsoft marketing vet Marty Taucher. During the barrel tasting weekend, Avennia will pour its 2010 vintage red wines and its 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, its only white wine offering.  The wines will be paired with appetizers prepared by Matt Janke, the executive chef at Lecosho restaurant in Seattle.

Because the winery is not open to the public, this will be one of the few opportunities to taste the wines before they are released, Taucher said.

Early registration for the weekend has been strong, but the mailing list is still open for registration. However, Taucher said, the window is closing fast – only 25 slots remain available for Saturday and 75 for Sunday.

To register for the weekend barrel tasting, email Marty Taucher at info@avennia.com. If you are interested in being added to the list for future invitations, you can sign up at www.avennia.com.

What: Avennia barrel tasting for mailing list members and guests

When: Noon-4 p.m., Saturday & Sunday, May 5-6

Where: Avennia Winery, Woodinville Commerce Center

18808 142nd Ave NE, Suite 2B, Woodinville, WA

The wines:

Attendees will be able to taste the following wines:

2011 Oliane — Barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc from Boushey Vineyard

2010 Parapine — Syrah featuring Red Mountain and Yakima Valley fruit

2010 Arnaut — Single vineyard Syrah from Boushey Vineyard

2010 Gravura — A balanced and delicious blend of Bordeaux varietals

2010 Sestina — Avennia’s flagship Bordeaux blend, featuring old vine fruit

West Side Wine Walk
Come stroll, meet friends, have fun and savor select wines and Mediterannean-inspired cuisine. Thursday, April 26th from 6-9 PM. Featuring Brian Carter Cellars, DeLille Cellars, Lachini Vineyards, William Church Winery, Sparkman Cellars and food from Le Petit Terroir. Tickets are $20 per person. For tickets and more information visit Brown Paper Tickets.

Enjoy an educational “in the cellar” experience at some of the top producing wineries in Woodinville. Taste from the barrel to learn about the nuances of different stages of winemaking. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to submerge yourself in the wines of Woodinville, enjoy a sneak preview of future vintages and to learn and discover from some very talented winemakers. You will receive a Riedel glass and each winery will offer tasty appetizers that will be paired with the wines. A limited number of tickets will be sold to make for a relaxing enjoyable experience for all.

Participating Wineries:

Convergence Zone Cellars
Davenport Cellars
DiStefano Winery
Elevation Cellars
Hollywood Hill Vineyards
JM Cellars
Michael Florentino Cellars
Page Cellars
Patterson Cellars
William Church Winery

Tickets: $85

I received some information from the owners Richard and Tracy Shaffer about them and their plans:

My wife Tracy and I will be starting a fulltime, “hop on hop off,” shuttle service for the Woodinville area. We will have a continuous shuttle driving a designated route to our partner wineries, picking up and dropping passengers. The route will take approximately 30 minutes.

After seventeen years in corporate security, working for Microsoft and continuing with a prominent local family as director of Global Security, I have decided to retire and open my business in Woodinville. We live locally and will personally drive and operate this shuttle service.

Coming Early Spring 2012

• This shuttle service will be solely dedicated to Woodinville and surrounding areas. The service will operate as a continuous shuttle between select wineries, breweries, and restaurants daily.
• Our close relationship with partner wineries will allow for exclusive “hop on, hop off” designated spots. Those “hop spots” will have exclusive signage to allow riders to know where to wait. Special discounts on wine and products may be available through the wine shuttle.
• The shuttle will drive between select wineries and restaurants. Feel free to hop on or off at any time. The route takes approximately 25 minutes. Purchased items and goods can be kept and stored securely on the shuttle throughout your day. Your one time ticket price of $20.00 is valid for the entire day.
• Payments can be made at time of “hop on” via cash, credit, or debit. Tickets can be purchased and printed ahead of time by clicking the secure Pay Pal button.
• Additional services: An after-hours designated driving service will be limited to a certain amount of miles and provided at an additional cost.

Help us celebrate our much anticipated, new tasting room!
This event is free, open to the public and still located in the wine warehouse district
Complimentary Sangria to remind us that summer is just around the corner!
Food pairings!
Special discounts on Library wines
Special blessing with Father George

Spend a spectacular evening watching the Academy Awards on our giant screen in the Columbia Room while enjoying fine wine and dinner. There will be a reception prior to dinner and the show with wine tasting and passed Hors D’oeuvres. Watch all the celebrities walk the red carpet on our Tasting Room flat screen, but don’t be surprised if some might show up on our red carpet!

Dress to the nines as if you are walking the red carpet. Best dressed is awarded a prize!

Space is limited, please reserve soon.

• Dinner is served at 6:00pm – select Columbia Valley wines will be served with dinner.  Bottles of Vineyard Designate and Small Lot wines will be available for purchase.
• $85 per person - Click Here to Make a Reservation
• $75 per person for Cellar Club Members; reserve an entire table for 6 people at your Club Pricing!  Click Here to Make a Reservation
• For additional information, please contact Linda Conklin at (425) 482-7381

Columbia Winery

You can purchase single classes, a five class program or the full course of all twenty classes that are being offered. The classes are on Monday evenings at the Columbia Winery tasting room and run from 6:30-8:30/9pm.  Advanced registration required.

Attention Future Brides & Grooms!
Experience Woodinville’s Top Wedding Venues
Our Next Tour Is Sunday, January 29th, 2012

7 Venues • 100 Vendors• 20 Wines

Gather all your friends and families and join us for an exciting afternoon tour of wine tasting, catered food, music and live entertainment during a special open-house of six of Woodinville’s top wedding venues. Ticket holders for this event will board chauffeur-driven luxury transportation for a half-day tour that will escort your group to each venue.

Weddings in Woodinville is a special event designed to give couples and their families and friends a sneak preview of each fully-decorated venue to better envision their special wedding day and meet with industry professionals that can help them put it all together.