It’s not often that I dedicate an entire column to a single wine, but I came across one a few weeks ago that I think deserves special recognition.

The wine is produced by Adamant Cellars in Walla Walla and appropriately called “Bliss.” It’s the winery’s spectacular combination of 65-percent sauvignon blanc and 35-percent semillon from the 2008 vintage that, when blended together, result in an absolutely heavenly white wine.

Let me point out that not everyone may be enamored with this wine as I was. It’s definitely on the fruit-forward side, so if your inclination is towards European whites with leaner, more savory characteristics, this may not be the wine for you.

But to me, this wine embodies much of the best of what Washington wineries have to offer; bold flavors, good balance, affordability, and broad-ranging appeal.

Beginning with a slightly floral aroma, the wine features generous stone fruit flavors of white peach, apricot, and nectarine. The trailing acidity on the wine is balanced by just a note of sweetness, providing a richer, more complex finish than one might expect, with lingering flavors of apple and pear. Serve it well chilled for maximum enjoyment, perhaps with a bit of mild cheese such as brie, an appetizer of Dungeness crab, or simply on its own.

Owner/winemaker Devin Stinger created Adamant Cellars just three years ago. Bliss is a grand slam wine from this upstart winery and it may leave you eager to try his other current releases; the 2007 Spofford Station Syrah and the 2006 Red Blend (a combination of cabernet sauvignon and merlot).

I enjoyed the 2008 Bliss while visiting Hellams Vineyard in La Conner ($7 a glass, $21 a bottle) and it can also be ordered on line at the winery web site at adamantcellars.com.

A couple of weeks ago I traveled north to CJ Wijns (pronounced “wines”), a wine shop in Birch Bay. Today, I’d like to suggest another great place for wines, Hellams Vineyard, located about 40 minutes south of Bellingham in the town of La Conner.

First of all, don’t go looking for any vineyards at Hellams, but do be prepared for a good selection of wines with a decidedly Northwest flavor, a nice tasting bar, and an opportunity to do some sampling before you make your purchase.

The sampling set up is one thing that I think makes Hellams special. There were at least a dozen or so wines to choose from during my visit, including red, white, sparkling and rosé. Samples are poured for a modest $1 tasting fee for each wine.

Once you find something you like – which shouldn’t be difficult because there’s plenty of quality choices – you can order a full glass, served in a lovely piece of Riedel stemware. Then if you like, take your glass of wine outdoors to a small patio with tables and chairs overlooking the Swinomish Channel, kick back, and enjoy the view.

Prices by the glass are extremely reasonable, with most falling in the $4 to $6 range. And if your sampling leads you to something you can’t live without, the wine can be purchased by the bottle to take home and enjoyed later.

Although you’ll find ample international and domestic choices, Hellams has the feel of a Washington wine shop specializing in labels that are harder-to-find in this area. Examples include Walla Walla-based wineries such as Tertulia Cellars and Otis Kenyon, Syncline Wine Cellars from Southern Washington and Spokane’s Barrister Winery.

Hellams Vineyard is located in the Limedock Building at 109 North First Street and is currently open seven days a week. More information: phone (360) 466-1758 or go to hellamsvineyard.com.

Summer is a great time to enjoy an ice cold bottle of wine. Just keep in mind that the chilled wine scenario doesn’t work well for all white wines.

Full-bodied whites that are low in acidity such as chardonnay or viognier don’t do well when they’re served too cold. That’s because the cold tends to mask the flavors of the wine, increasing the chance that it will taste watery and flavorless.

But white wines that are fruitier and higher in acidity are optimum when they’re chilled down for several hours. Gewurztraminer, riesling, and pinot gris are good examples of wines that fall into this category.

Chardonnay and viognier taste best when served at cool room temperature; about 55 to 60˚ F. To achieve this, you’ll only need to pop the wine into the refrigerator for about an hour (or less) before serving. If you purchase these wines at a store where they’ve been sitting in a cooler, do just the opposite. That is, let them sit out for at least an hour before serving to allow them to rise to cool room temperature.

Here are a couple of Washington wines that make great choices for the summer. The first wine should be slightly chilled and the second served ice cold.

The Legoe Bay 2007 Reefnet White (pictured at left, about $10) is a lighter style blend of chardonnay and viognier at an incredibly low price. Gentle fragrances of fresh peaches, subtle yet distinctive flavors of citrus, apple and honeydew melon, and a clean, dry finish make this an excellent summertime wine. The winery is located on Lummi Island and its wines are well distributed at Whatcom County wine shops and grocers.

Trio Vintners 2007 Riesling (about $16) is the follow up to this Walla Walla winery’s initial 2006 vintage that I thoroughly enjoyed. It’s noted for aromas of peach and lychee nut, big mouthfeel, and a slightly sweet finish balanced by crisp acidity. You should be able to purchase or order Trio Vintners wines at area Haggen stores or order them online at triovintners.com.

A visit to CJ Wijns in Birch Bay might best be summed up as a great place with a baffling name.

Let’s get the name thing out of the way first, and then move on to the good stuff. Yes, I know now that “wijns” is essentially the Dutch word for wines and it’s even pronounced the same as wines. But if you’ve never been exposed to the language, or heard about the place in advance, you might drive right past it without giving it a second thought. Which is exactly what I would have done, and I’m a quarter Dutch with exposure to more Zylstras, Fakkemas, and Vander(fill in the blank)s than you can shake a stick at.

Fortunately, I did stop in and was instantly taken by the contemporary interior, friendly staff, and nice choice of wines.

The facility is split into two sections; a full-service restaurant with soups, salads, sandwiches and espresso, and a wine shop with plenty of domestic and European selections. Wines can be enjoyed indoors in the adults only section, or on the outdoor patio with a view of Birch Bay.

During my visit, I chatted with manager Carol Bouma, a helpful and enthusiastic host who’s eager to show you around and offer her recommendations.

I especially liked all of the little promos she has lined up; including the Monday through Friday special from 2:00 to 6:00 pm that gets you $2 off appetizers and any of five wines by the glass. The selection changes monthly, and during my visit a couple of Northwest choices (pre-discount) included a Kiona 2005 Lemberger for $5 and a Waterbrook 2007 Mélange at $7.

Another great feature is the Saturday Sips that runs from 2:00 to 5:30 pm. For a scant $5, you’re able to sample five different wines (tied into a theme that changes weekly) and given a 15-percent discount if you decide to purchase a bottle or more of any of the five.

CJ Wijns is located at 7714 Birch Bay Drive and is open daily at 6:00 am. For more information phone (360) 371-2658 or go to cjwijns.homestead.com.

2:30 to 5:00 pm - Beginning Wine Tasting. Spend an afternoon learning the basics about wines and wine tasting in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. Click on the Wine Classes Page for more information.