Look to Woodinville for a Taste of Walla Walla Wineries
Walla Walla is one of my favorite Washington wine-related destinations and I try to travel there once a year for a visit. But in spite of the nice (and usually drier) change of scenery, the six hour-plus drive can be a sticking point. There are also accommodations, meals, and fuel costs to add to the […]
At Walla Walla Vintners the Focus is on Red Wines
I first visited Walla Walla Vintners in the mid-1990’s when only a handful of wineries existed in this now storied Washington wine region. I recall meeting with winemaker Gordy Venneri and tasting some blockbuster red wines that were worthy of comparison to nearby Leonetti Cellar. Little has changed since then except for the fact that […]
Dakota Creek’s New Releases May Be the Best Yet
I’ve followed the evolution of Dakota Creek Winery in Blaine almost since day one and it’s been a most rewarding experience. Husband and wife winemaker/owners Ken and Jill Peck have carved out a niche among Whatcom County wine enthusiasts by producing solid wines sourced from Eastern Washington’s Rattlesnake Hills Appellation. Their fan base appears to […]
Malbec Becoming Increasingly Popular With Washington Winemakers
While sifting through my archives I discovered that it’s been about four years since I gave malbec center stage in a wine column. At that time I noted, “It wasn’t too long ago that the only place you could find a malbec at your local grocer or wine shop was from France or Argentina. Today, […]
More Recommendations From Taste Washington
Last month’s Taste Washington event in Seattle proved to be a food and wine lover’s dream, as over one-fourth of the state’s nearly 800 wineries and scores of regional restaurants were assembled under one roof. One of the things I enjoy about this event is that there is no judging, no competition or no lengthy […]