Washington State reports record wine grape harvest in 2016
Cabernet Sauvignon is leading grape variety with 26-percent of total harvest

SEATTLE (March 1, 2017) – Washington State’s wine grape harvest hit a new record in 2016, according to the Washington State Wine Commission’s Annual Grape Production Report. The report, compiled with information provided by all Washington State wineries, showed the 2016 harvest totaled 270,000 tons, a 22-percent increase over the previous year. Tonnage in 2015 was down a little compared to the previous record harvest of 227,000 tons in 2014, making the 2016 harvest the biggest ever in Washington State’s history.

Red varieties produced more tons than white, with 58-percent of the harvest. Production of red varieties showed a substantial increase of 39-percent over the previous year, compared to a 3-percent increase of white varieties. The largest share of this growth was Cabernet Sauvignon, with an increase of 23,700 tons over the previous year. [click to continue…]

{ 0 comments }

Debuts & Discoveries

Join us for this 10th Annual event where enthusiasts get to discover the Newest Wineries, Newest Distilleries, Newest Cideries, & Newest Breweries! The popular “Debuts and Discoveries” is being held at the historic Sandpoint Naval Air Station “Hangar 30” in Magnuson Park. Wineries, Distilleries, Cideries, Breweries  featured need to be in their first 3-4 years of releasing products.

Purchase bottles of your favorites before you leave and save!  This is THE place to be on the cutting edge of who the rising stars are in our area! Enjoy live music! And delicious food available for purchase from the Mobile Mavens food trucks, Carolina Smoke, & Uncle Paulies Meatballs!

This special fundraising event is a collaboration between Seattle Uncorked, WBS Events, & the University Sunrise Rotary. Your participation helps University Sunrise Rotary & Teen Feed outreach backpack teams take proactive & preventative steps towards trust, nourishment, housing, health and education for homeless youth meeting their futures off the streets.

General Admission is $35 in advance at www.usrotary.org and $40 at the door if tickets still available.

New Wineries ~ New Breweries ~ New Distilleries ~ New Cideries ~ And Foodtrucks!

Confirmed 2017 Participants To Date:

2dor Wines
3 Howls Distilling
Adrice Wines
Blackfish Spirits Distillery
Bomond Vodka
Cairn Brewing
Chatter Creek Cider
Coral Wines
Elemental Hard Cider
Elephant Seven Winery
Figurehead Brewing
Floating Bridge Brewing
Four General Brewing
Keira Cellars
Locust Cider
Love That Red Winery
Lucky Envelope Brewery
Nine Yards Brewing
Old Stove Brewing
Orcas Island Distillery
Pear Up/Neigel Vintners
Sandstone Distillery
Scratch Distillery
Schilling Cider
Sea Bishop Spirits
Steelhead Cider
Temple Distilling
Truth Teller Winery
Upsidedown Wine
Wishka River Distillery
Woodinville Whiskey
Woodinville Ciderworks

See pics of the 2015 event CLICK HERE

+ GOOGLE CALENDAR+ ICAL EXPORT

& the University Sunrise Rotary, 2dor Wines, 3 Howls Distilling, Adrice Wines, Blackfish Spirits Distillery, Bomond Vodka, Cairn Brewing, Carolina Smoke, Chatter Creek Cider, Confirmed 2017 Participants To Date: Coral Wines, Debuts & Discoveries 2017, Elemental Hard Cider, Elephant Seven Winery, Figurehead Brewing, Floating Bridge Brewing, Four General Brewing, Hangar 30” in Magnuson Park, Keira Cellars, Locust Cider, Love That Red Winery, Lucky Envelope Brewery, Mobile Mavens food trucks, New Wineries ~ New Breweries ~ New Distilleries ~ New Cideries, Nine Yards Brewing, Old Stove Brewing, Orcas Island Distillery, Pear Up/Neigel Vintners, Sandstone Distillery, Sat. March 18th 2017 Seattle, Schilling Cider, Scratch Distillery, Sea Bishop Spirits, Seattle Uncorked, Steelhead Cider, teen feed, Temple Distilling, Truth Teller Winery, Tudor Hills Vineyard, Uncle Paulie’s Meatballs, Upsidedown Wine, WBS Events, Wishka River Distillery, Woodinville Ciderworks, Woodinville Whiskey

Website:

http://www.usrotary.org

Venue

Hanger 30 Magnuson Park

7400 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle, WA 98115 United States

Website:

http://www.seattle.gov/parks/magnuson/

{ 0 comments }

Main Street Drivers Expands Wine Tour Chauffeur Service to Seattle

Affordable “Your Car + Our Driver” concept perfect for Woodinville and Walla Walla wine tours, Seattle nights out and last-minute safe driving needs

NEW YORK – Feb. 9, 2017 – Main Street Drivers (www.mainstreetdrivers.com), which provides professional drivers to chauffeur clients in their own vehicles around to personalized destinations, announced an expansion of its services to the Western Washington region, with a focus on the greater Seattle area and suburbs, including the popular wine destinations of Seattle Urban Wineries and Woodinville Wine Country. The driving service is available to book immediately, and advance reservations are encouraged for popular timeframes like the upcoming Spring Release Weekend and the increased tourism season as the weather turns nicer.

 In addition to providing a safe driving option, Main Street Drivers is a more affordable option than renting a car or limo service, with rates staring at $35 an hour, plus a 20% service/gratuity charge. All drivers are insured, vetted and have gone through a comprehensive background check, and many are well-versed in the local wine culture, able to make recommendations on wineries to visit and help plan the most efficient and enjoyable tasting afternoon based on individual preferences.

 “I’m so proud to extend Main Street Drivers’ services into the greater Seattle area to provide unparalleled customer service and a responsible, affordable way to enjoy the amazing wineries and other tasting destinations near Seattle,” said James Hirtenstein, Owner and Founder of Main Street Drivers. “We pride ourselves on our reputation established with our East Coast services and the numerous repeat customers we serve. Knowing how popular the Walla Walla and Woodinville wine regions are, it was a natural decision to expand to the Pacific Northwest and bring our innovative services to locals and tourists alike.” [click to continue…]

{ 0 comments }

Three Days. One Great Tasting Weekend.

Seattle Wine and Food Experience Brings Culinary Exploration to your Palate

February 2, 2017(Seattle, WA) – So much to taste and now more time to taste it! This year “the experience” as its known, brings three days of deliciousness to the Seattle community. Be sure to tell your friends and get your tickets early to the Seattle Wine and Food Experience (SWFE) weekend of events on February 24 – 26. The newly-expanded weekend features three events: POP! Bubbles & Seafood, Comfort (NEW) and the Grand Tasting. A total indulgence for foodies, the weekend includes 300+ vendors from Seattle’s best chefs (ranging from gastro pubs to fine dining establishments), distillers, local cider and brew masters with more than 600 wines throughout the weekend. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, this could be the perfect gift for all the wine and food lovers in your life.

Up to date happenings at each event:

POP! Bubbles & Seafood: Friday, February 24, 2016 at McCaw Hall, 6-9pm * More than 40 kinds of bubbles to sip; paired perfectly with seafood. * World-class seafood from 20 of Seattle’s best chefs. Check out the divine menu here.

* Oyster bars from Hama Hama, Salted Sea Seafood and Raw Bar and Taylor Shellfish.

* Saber-Off Competition featuring emcee and Chef in the Hat Thierry Rautureau and returning champion Leslie Kelly of All Recipes. Watch last year’s video here.

* The Callebaut Belgian Chocolate Lounge featuring bites from Seattle’s top pastry chefs. See the list of chefs here. * Dozens of Reserve Red wines from exquisite wineries

* The S.Pellegrino and Glass Vodka ice luge is a must!

COMFORT: Seattle’s Best Feel-Good Foods and Crafty Brews: Saturday, February 25, 2016 at Fremont Foundry, 5 – 8pm

* Comfort is the newest and coziest addition to the Experience with so much fun, it’s just crazy!

* Mac & cheese, burgers, doughnut wall, fried chicken and many more comfort foods. Check it out here.

* More than 50 craft beers, ciders, bubbly and more to quench your thirst.

* Do-it-Yourself Bars: Hot Toddy, Bloody Mary, S’mores Bar, French Fry Potato Bar and more. OMG.

* Rock out with your friends to tunes by DJ Branden Landon and take photos in the Shutterbus.

* Wear comfortable clothes…perhaps elastic waistband?

THE GRAND TASTING – Sunday, February 26, 2016 at McCaw Exhibition Hall 1-5pm * More than 500 wines, plus distilleries, beer and cider, Oh Yes! Here is the list.

* Fare from 25 local chefs and 25 specialty food makers. Check out what they are serving up here. * Explore the Celebrity Modern Luxury Lounge for a chance to win a cruise! * Yakima Valley Craft Food and Beverage Experience. Yakima is bringing it this year with chefs, wineries, breweries and more. * The Savor Experience from SLO CAL. Learn about the Central Coast of California, taste wine, craft beer and more.

* The Sweet Suite–Indulge to your hearts content. Some of you may never leave this area.

* The “Pearls” of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates with wines from Canon 13, Intrinsic, Mamma Mia and more.

* Taste from Nicky Farms exotic meats, Rain Shadow Meats Butchery Block, Sustainable Alaska Seafood and American Lamb.

* Buy your favorite wine, beer, cider and spirits from participating vendors all benefitting Les Dames d’Escoffier. Don’t forget to check your purchases at the QFC Wine Valet while you enjoy the event! * Check out the video from last years Grand Tasting here.

Seattle magazine’s Seattle Wine and Food Experience brings the city’s vibrant culinary and beverage scene to life. The Weekend Pass ($220) is the best deal for that special foodie in your life. For more details on the events including pricing packages, visit seattlewineandfoodexperience.com. Don’t delay, this event is guaranteed to sell out!

About Seattle magazine For more than 50 years, Seattle magazine has chronicled the life and dynamic changes of one of the most innovative, forward-thinking cities in the United States. With a readership of more than 191,000 and a circulation of 46,000, it’s the most subscribed-to city magazine in Washington State, connecting locals and newcomers to the best local food, travel, wine, beer, spirits, design, arts, culture, people, businesses and tech the region offers. Seattle magazine is published by Minneapolis-based Tiger Oak Publications which also publishes Seattle Business, Seattle Bride and custom publications locally as well as dozens of other titles across the country. Learn more at seattlemag.com and at tigeroak.com.

About Les Dames d’Escofier Seattle

The event benefits Les Dames d’Escoffier Seattle, a 501c3 non-profit organization of women leaders in food, beverage and hospitality whose mission is education, advocacy, and philanthropy. Les Dames d’Escoffier Seattle focuses on raising funds for scholarships for women in the culinary, beverage, and hospitality industries, and also supports community-outreach programs and sustainable-agriculture projects based in Washington State.

Twitter: @seattlewinefood Facebook: /seattlewineandfoodexperience

Instagram: /seattlewinefood Hashtag: #swfe

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamie Peha (206) 661-8243 / pehapr@gmail.com

{ 0 comments }

CABERNET CLASSIC

Saturday, March 4th

{ 0 comments }

EFESTE Steps Up Fundraising

EFESTE hosts its largest event of the year, Rockin’ Sips, on Saturday, February 25. For this popular fundraiser attracting 300 guests annually, the winery’s cellar transforms into a stage for premier party band, Soul Siren. This year’s Rockin’ Sips will showcase premium wines and refreshing microbrews from EFESTE, Pepper Bridge and William Church Wineries, and newcomer 20 Corners Brewing.

This 21 and older event is $55 per person and takes place at EFESTE on Saturday, February 25th from 5-8pm. Tickets and the Tough Guy wine can be reserved online at shop.efeste.com. Proceeds from each benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS).

A popular highlight of the event includes a drawing featuring fantastic prizes from the wineries and other compassionate businesses such as Beehive Salon and Purple Café and Wine Bar. [click to continue…]

{ 0 comments }

Woodinville Wine Country has a great event, Wines Under $25, on Thursday, February 16th. It takes place at Willows Lodge. Buy your tickets here

{ 0 comments }

Taste Washington On The Farm Returns With New Adventures
The farm-to-table lunch series offers hands-on dining experience at two new local farms

SEATTLE – Taste Washington, the nation’s largest single-region wine and food event, invite guests back out to the farm this year for a new Taste Washington on the Farm lunch series.

Surrounded by farms on all sides, Seattle has one of the most vibrant farm-to-table dining scenes in thecountry. From shellfish in Puget Sound to fruit in Eastern Washington, Seattle’s restaurants thrive onthe Pacific Northwest’s bounty. Taste Washington on the Farm brings wine and food lovers together onlocal farms, to explore the region’s artisanal products

Curated excursions are offered out to farms supplying Seattle’s award-winning eateries with quality ingredients. Each unique expedition offers an afternoon of touring the property and dining alongside the farmers, local chefs and Washington winemakers who craft the state’s products.

Lunches take place Friday, March 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $95 per person and include transportation to and from downtown Seattle. Guests must be 21 or older to attend. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://tastewashington.org/taste-washington-on–the–farm/ .

Experience #1: Wine and Wood-Fire on the Farm
Tahoma Farms | Orting, WA

Description: A gourmet lunch surrounded by stunning scenery at Tahoma Farms, an organic vegetable farm in the Puyallup Valley that celebrates responsible land use and land preservation. With an outdoor pizza oven and barn offering sweeping views, it’s a picturesque place to sip Washington wines and savor lunch.

Featured Chef:
Chef Nathan Crave | Palace Kitchen

Featured Washington Wineries:
Peter Devision, Winemaker at EFESTĒ
Christian Grieb, Winemaker at Treveri Cellars

Experience #2: An Afternoon in Nature’s Playground
Oxbow Farm & Conservation Center | Carnation, WA

Description: Immerse yourself in nature. Oxbow Farm & Conservation Center is more than afarm – it’s a 230-acre property dedicated to environmental stewardship. Savor a chef-prepared lunch and wines beside Oxbow’s “living playground,” tour their native plant nursery and learn about their work.

Featured Chef:
Chef Josh Henderson | Executive Chef & Founder, Huxley Wallace Collective

Featured Washington Wineries:
Rick and Darcy Small, Owners & Directors of Production at Woodward Canyon
Crystie Kisler, Co-founder of Finnriver Cidery

Stay tuned for the announcement of a third excursion!

# # #

About Taste Washington:
Taste Washington is the largest single-region wine and food event in the United States, featuring more than 225 Washington State wineries and more than 65 Pacific Northwest restaurants. The 20th annual event will be held on March 23-26, 2017 at various locations in Seattle. The 2017 Taste Washington welcoming sponsor is Alaska Airlines and the premier sponsors are Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Card, Albert Lee and Muckleshoot Casino. Taste Washington attracts more than 6,400 wine and food enthusiasts to the Seattle area. The Washington State Wine Commission launched Taste Washington in 1998 and is now produced by Visit Seattle. For more information, visit www.tastewashington.org.

About Visit Seattle:
Visit Seattle, a private, nonprofit marketing organization, has served as Seattle/King County’s official destination marketing organization (DMO) for more than 50 years. The goal of these marketing efforts is to enhance the employment opportunities and economic prosperity of the region. For more information, visit www.visitseattle.org.

About Washington State Wine: 

Washington State Wine represents every licensed winery and wine grape grower in Washington State. Guided by an appointed board, WSW provides a marketing platform to raise positive awareness of theWashington State wine industry and generate greater demand for its wines. Funded almost entirely bythe industry through assessments based on grape and wine sales, WSW is a state government agency, established by the legislature in 1987. To learn more, visit www.washingtonwine.org.

About Alaska Airlines:
Alaska Airlines, together with its regional partners, flies 32 million customers a year to more than 110 cities with an average of 970 daily flights throughout the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico and soon Cuba. With Alaska’s global airline partners, customers can earn and redeem miles to more than 800 destinations worldwide. Onboard, customers are invited to make the most of their flight with amenities like power outlets at every seat, streaming entertainment direct to their device, Wi-Fi and an inspired food and beverage selection featured on most flights. Alaska Airlines ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Carriers in North America” in the J.D. Power North American Airline Satisfaction Study for nine consecutive years from 2008 to 2016. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan also ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Airline Loyalty Rewards Programs” in the J.D. Power Airline Loyalty/Rewards Program Satisfaction Report for the last three consecutive years. Alaska Airlines is a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK). Learn more on the airline’s newsroom, blog, alaskaair.com, @AlaskaAir, Facebook and LinkedIn.

{ 0 comments }

25 Years of Washington Wine:
DeLille Cellars Begins a Year of Celebration

Founded in 1992, DeLille Cellars is planning a year of celebration with events and special offers to honor its 25-year legacy of acclaimed winemaking.

Woodinville, WA, January 31, 2017 – On March 22nd, DeLille Cellars will kick off its Vine to Wine Grower Dinner Series featuring some of Washington State’s premier growers who have been instrumental in establishing DeLilleCellars’ acclaimed portfolio of wines.

The inaugural Vine to Wine dinner features distinguished grower Dick Boushey, a recipient of the Wine & Spirits “Grower of the Year” award. The four-course pairing menu will be presented by El Gaucho, a recentwinner of the Washington State Wine Commission’s Restaurant Group of the Year. The event will take place at the iconic DeLille Cellars Chateau in the heart of Woodinville Wine Country. Co-Founder and Executive Winemaker Chris Upchurch, Co-Founder and President/CEO Greg Lill, Co-Founder and Executive V.P. Sales and Marketing Jay Soloff, and Winemaker Jason Gorski will be in attendance.

[click to continue…]

{ 0 comments }