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March 2005
This e-zine has been designed to inform readers of news, facts, events and updates from Washington's wine country. We welcome your ideas, comments, questions and submissions. Please e-mail them to us at
info@winecountrywashington.org. Thank you for reading!
In This Issue:
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A note from the Editor
Last month we delivered a report on economic development in Washington Wine
Country. Look for a follow-up on happenings in Prosser next month. More exciting
stuff!
I'm happy to announce that in future issues of Juice, we are adding a section
titled "News From The Wine Commission" in which the Washington Wine Commission will
deliver the latest news from their offices about the wine industry. To kick-off
the addition of WWC news, I have included an article released from their office
regarding Washington Wine Month. Read about how you can participate in the
excitement and celebration of Washington wines this month.
You also do not want to miss the Washington Wine Country Collection section
announcing our Wine Country Celebration, a full weekend of activities in Wine Country
June 24th & 25th, as well
as our Grand Gala fundraiser.
This year's event will not only aid in funding our work
for the remainder of the year, it will also serve to bring visitors from the
West side of the state and beyond into Washington wine country and straight to the
wineries' doors. Contact me if you'd like to find out more about the Wine
Country Celebration.
Until then, enjoy a lot of great Washington wine this month. Breath it in!
Salut! 
Jackie Walsh
Communications Director
Washington Wine Country
jwalsh@winecountrywashington.org
March is Washington Wine Month
This month, wine lovers will welcome spring with Taste Washington Wine Month, a
celebration of Washington wines featuring tasting events, winemaker dinners and
discounted wine specials at retailers across the state. Held annually in March,
Taste Washington Wine Month is organized by the Washington Wine Commission to
increase awareness, appreciation and demand for Washington state wines. The
month-long celebration ushers in the annual Taste Washington wine and food
festival, held
April 8-10 in Seattle.
Taste Washington is one of the nation’s only wine festivals to highlight a
single wine growing region and the area’s epicurean bounty. The three-day
festival will feature 165 wineries and 90 restaurants and give wine lovers an
opportunity to mingle with winemakers and learn more about food and wine from
celebrity chefs, wine experts and authors. Now in its eighth year, the annual
event has sold out early each year so enthusiasts are encouraged to purchase
tickets now at www.tastewashington.org.
Tickets are sold separately to each of
the festival’s three day events which include Magnum, an opening night party on
Fri., April 8; educational seminars on Sat., April 9; and a Grand Tasting on
Sun., April 10.
“Taste Washington Wine Month provides a great opportunity to celebrate our local
wine industry,” said Jamie Peha, Washington Wine Commission marketing director.
“Wine lovers can meet Washington winemakers, enjoy wine and food pairings, take
advantage of great discount specials and enter sweeptakes at participating
retailers such as Quality Food Centers and Haggen/Top Food stores.”
In celebration of Washington Wine Month, leading retailers across the state will hold special Taste Washington Wine Month
promotions and participate in a display contest. Participating retailers
include: Albertsons, Brown & Cole, Cost Plus, Fred Meyer, Haggen/Top Foods,
Larry’s Market, QFC and Safeway stores. Costco Wholesale will feature bottle
signings with various Washington winemakers. Noted restaurants across the state
will also feature Washington wine tastings, food and wine pairings and host special
winemaker dinners.
For a
complete list of event details, specialty retail tastings and ongoing
restaurants promotions, click on EVENTS at www.washingtonwine.org.
Facts & Tidbits
Washington Wine's Standings
Did you know . . .
Seven Washington state wines were chosen as part of Wine Spectator's 2004
Top 100 Wines. They are, in order:
#30 Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley Reserve, 2001
#33 Cougar Crest Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, 2002
#52 Columbia Crest Merlot, Columbia Valley Grand Estates, 2001
#55 Columbia Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley Otis Vineyard David Lake Signature Series, 1999
#61 Tamarack Firehouse Red, Columbia Valley, 2002
#68 Chateau Ste. Michelle-Dr. Loosen Riesling, Columbia Valley Eroica, 2003
#84 Waterbrook Melange, Columbia Valley, 2003
From Wine Spectator, January 2004 edition.
Living Wine Country Along The Wine Road
Downtown Yakima Touts Two New Wineries
As
Yakima continues to develop a cluster of wine centered business, two new
boutique wineries have cropped up downtown.
Kana Winery opened a few months ago in the downtown Larson building by Yakima Cellars partner Palmer Wright.
Kana focuses on varietals native to the Rhone River Valley of France, like
Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre. Contact Kana Winery at 509-453-6611.
Like Wright, Mark Maiocco is also an original partner in Yakima Cellars and is
one of 10 investors in the newly opened Donitelia Winery. Named for Maiocco's
great-grandmother who is pictured on the bottles, Donitelia features all Italian
varietals. Contact Donitelia Winery at 509-452-9900
Both wineries have close ties to Yakima Cellars sharing space and equipment for
production and wine storage. Both also look to winemaker Mark Wysling for his
expertise. Next time you find yourself in downtown Yakima, be sure and stop in
for a visit.
Get a Taste of The Destination
Gasparetti's Lounge
Yakima's primo dining hot-spot recently opened a new cosmopolitan lounge. Having
opened in January just in time for Gasperetti's 38th Year Anniversary of business, the lounge has its own
entrance but remains a part of the main restaurant. It's separate space gives
patrons an entirely different atmosphere than the main dining room and lately,
it has become Yakima's hot spot.
"It's upbeat and cosmopolitan," says owner John Gasparetti. "People can't
believe that it's here in Yakima."
Featuring a sleek burnished copper countertop, complemented by comfortable steel
and leather stools, the bar invites one to meet and greet in a chic, metro
atmosphere. The large room also features plenty of tables and a sophisticated
banquet, perfect for a drink or a light meal with friends.
The bars evokes the rustic atmosphere of an Italian bistro combined with a high
gloss, big city flare. It offers the perfect setting for drinks, light dinners
and after hours desserts with friends. Featuring a full array of well drinks,
martini’s, premium Northwest wines by the glass and microbrews on tap, it
promises to satisfy the most discerning patron.
A special menu of delicious appetizers, headlined by Gasperetti’s world famous
onion rings plus light entrees including “authentic Italian pizza a la Papa
Mario,” Caesar salad and a number of tasty surprises, will make it a perfect
spot for a quick meal. Gasperetti wants it to have more the feel of a private
club than a bar. To keep things hopping, a forty-two inch plasma T.V. above the
bar will cater to the sports fans in the crowd and the date night crowd will
love the live jazz on the weekends.
Gasperetti’s also offers the sinfully romantic red room as a delightful venue
for an intimate dining room for friends and family.
For reservations and more information, contact www.gasperettisrestaurant.com or
509-248-0628.
Washington
Wine Country Collection
SAVE THE DATE!
Wine Country Celebration & Grand Gala,
June 24th & 25th
Wine Country Golf Classic
Enjoy a scramble at Columbia Point in Richland. Burgers, brats and brews as well as prizes for longest drive, closest to the pin and more!
w.a.v.e. (washington’s arriving vintners event)
Kick-off your wine country weekend in Red Mountain
with the hipper-than-thou w.a.v.e. featuring up and
coming vintners with blazing style.
Vintners Appellation Dinners
Get outta town and escape to the hidden charms of
some of wine country’s finest estate wineries for an
evening of culinary indulgence.
Picnics in the Vineyards
Take in an exclusive wine tasting and a lovely,
gourmet lunch or a playful picnic among the lush
vineyards hosted by one of Washington’s renowned
viticulturists.
Grand Gala -
Saturday, June 25, By Invitation Only!
Join in an exclusive, star-studded evening at the
heralded DeAtley Estate in Yakima with a spectacular
performance by singer Marilyn Scott . Dine among the
stars as you experience spectacular flavors prepared
by celebrated chefs. Indulge in select bottlings of
Washington wines and swoon over our amazing,
must-have auction items.
Individual tickets & weekend packages available,
call 206-285-0514 or www.winecountrywashington.org
Tickets subject to availability. All programs and
artists subject to change.
Be a Part of the Wine Country Celebration Image
 In an effort to create an attractive environment in which to market the Wine
Country Celebration and Grand Gala, Washington Wine Country is partnering
with Seattle Homes & Lifestyle Magazine to create a beautiful wine country
section in their June issue. The section will house the schedule of events and full details on
each event of the Celebration including the graphic images that we have become
known for.
In addition, as a partner, SH&L has agreed to offer wineries and other
businesses in and related to Washington's wine country, a sizeable discount on
advertising within the section. Wineries, restaurants and hotels or B&B's can create a 1/3 page profile
showcasing their property along with a nice description for $1,000. That's 25%
off the normal advertising rates.
To download a printable version of the promotional advertising piece and rate card, click here.
Mark
Your Calendar
Please submit your upcoming special events or regional events that you are
aware of to
events@winecountrywashington.org
and we will post them in our next issue.
March
3/11 & 3/12 Savor The Flavor -Visit the Three Rivers Convention Center in
Kennewick for a first-class culinary experience. Food and beverage samplings,
unique products, cooking workshops, demonstrations and competitions. www.savortheflavor.info
3/12 & 3/13 Spring Release Party at Maryhill Winery - Celebrate the rites of Spring and be among the first to taste Maryhill Winery's newest wine
releases. Enjoy live music and food samples. www.maryhillwinery.com
3/12 & 3/13 Sweet Retreat at Columbia Crest - Sample food pairings with
sweet wines along with recipes for Muscat Canelli. www.columbia-crest.com
3/13 Food & Wine Cooking Class at Windy Point Vineyards - Real fun
and appetizers with Big John Caudill. Big John will lead the class through this
adventure with each member getting 100% hands on participation. Afterwards,
enjoy your creations paired with Windy Point wines. Limited to six participants. www.windypointvineyards.com
3/18 & 3/19 Winemakers Weekend at the Marcus Whitman Hotel - Colvin
Vineyards Winemaker Weekend in the Heart of Washington Wine Country. www.marcuswhitmanhotel.com
3/19 Winemaker Dinner at Windy Point Vineyards - Celebrate the Blooming
of the Apricots throughout a multi-course meal that will feature the public
debut of their 2002 Estate Syrah with guest chef Massett of Birchfield manor
in Yakima. www.windypointvineyards.com
3/26 Winemaker Dinner at 26 brix - Marie-Eve Gilla, winemaker at Walla
Walla's Forgeron Cellars, is teaming up with Chef Mike Davis to create an
unforgettable evening. Call for reservations, time and cost of the event.
www.twentysixbrix.comm
View a complete wine country calendar at www.winecountrywashington.org/eventCalendar.aspx.
Formed in 2003, Washington Wine Country is a non-profit association of Eastern Washington businesses promoting wine-related tourism, economic development and recognition of the world-class wine-growing region comprising the Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley and Red Mountain appellations. www.winecountrywashington.org
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