Woodinville – Deep Red Cellar

Jumping into Rosé Season

It’s pretty easy to jump into rosé season. With the release of rosé comes warmer weather, chirping birds and people clawing out of their winter holes.

For me, it also means a delivery from Lauren Ashton Cellars (LAC). I love the opportunity to write about Lauren Ashton rosé because every year it is perfection in a bottle and every year LAC kick’s off this wine with their Release The Rosé party in conjunction with a charitable cause. It’s their opportunity to give back locally and to get the community involved.

This year LAC owner/winemaker Kit, wife Riinu and the team have chosen Bellevue Lifespring as their charitable recipient. A portion of the proceeds from the release weekend sales will go to Bellevue Lifespring, a local, non-profit organization that helps children through programs that provide food, clothing, education and emergency assistance. That means food when children are hungry, clothes when children go back to school, and scholarships to help students stay on track….just to name a few.

So what’s this wine all about….

To me this wine screams Provence (style). It’s fresh, crisp, dry and highly pleasant. A well thought out blend of grenache, mourvedre, counoise and cinsault with a nose of bubblegum, strawberry and delicate floral. The palate is a combination of juicy watermelon, raspberry and strawberry. Pink grapefruit and a hint of minerality hit on the back while bright acid along with composed tannins bring the wine into balance. A vibrant expression of summer in a bottle.

If jumping into rosé season is your thing (and it should be), you can do so at Lauren Ashton’s Release the Rosé party. Bring your friends, enjoy some wine and help a great cause April 13, noon – 8pm & April 14, noon – 5pm. If you’re not in Washington, don’t fret. You may miss the party but the wine is still releasing to you too!

Release the Rosé Party, Lauren Ashton Tasting Room: 14545 148th Avenue NE, Suite 211 Woodinville, WA 98072, Phone: 425-445-7171

website: http://www.laurentashtoncellars.com

Ashton Troy Wines

Ashton Troy Wines is a fun off-shoot of Lauren Ashton Cellars (LAC). Fun because the wine is inspired by, Ashton (whose middle name is Troy), the 8 year old son of LAC winemaker Kit Singh and wife Riinu Rammal. Ashton wanted his own label so Kit and Riinu ran with the idea. Ashton Troy wines are created and marketed exclusively for restaurants with intentions to draw in a new fan base. Distribution is currently in Washington with plans to expand across the United States. If you hang out in Woodinville, you may see these wines make rare appearances at the Lauren Ashton Cellars tasting studio. One white and four reds make up the labels profile. The wines are purposefully bold to pair with restaurant fare. I had the opportunity to taste two of these wines and true to the Lauren Ashton reputation, they were a pleasure to drink.

Ashton Troy Bisou 2014, Columbia Valley

Grapes picked from Stillwater Creek, Upland, Quitessence, Les Collines and Dineen Vineyards located throughout the Columbia Valley AVA in Washington. A blend of 64% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Petit Verdot with 50% of the berries left whole and uncrushed for an initial partial fermentation. The wine was drained and pressed then fermented in French oak, undergoing malolactic fermentation before being racked and returned to the barrel to age for 28 months. The wine was then blended and bottled. Bisou was a luscious mouthful of boysenberry, plum, black cherry and black currants tailed by red pepper and masculine notes of earth and meat. Full bodied with a whole lot of character. This wine was lovely to drink on it’s own but would pair well with meat dishes.

Ashton Troy Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Columbia Valley

Grapes harvested from Quintessence, Ambassador, Dineen, Sagemoor and Upland Vineyards in the Columbia Valley. A single varietal wine undergoing it’s makeover the same way Bisou did with bottling occurring after ageing 28 months in French oak. This wine is a powerhouse with emboldened flavors of juicy cherry, ripe plum, black currant and candied crab apple preserves integrated with baking spices. Sweet tobacco, vanilla, violet and mint are pleasing subtletys that sneak in as the wine sits on the palate before ending in a gratifying, drawn out finish. It drank very well and shows potential for even more rounding out in another 6-12 months. Restaurants (and their guests) will have the opportunity to see this wine improve with age.

Washington Riesling

You may have noticed Washington has emerged as a world class growing region for Riesling. In fact, to date Washington is the largest producer of Riesling in America (subject to change…as we all know). The Columbia Valley’s hot summer temperatures and cool evenings coupled with average temperatures during off months (only slightly higher than those of Alsace and Germany), create crisp, acidic characteristics that make for exceptional quality Riesling. In addition, the diversity among the vineyard sites of the Columbia Valley produce a wide range of styles from bone dry to botrytis sweet desert wines. Riesling is not only popular for it’s bright fruit and floral flavors but also because it pairs so well with fresh seafood and spicy dishes.

There are many great producers of Washington Riesling, the most prominent being Chateau Ste. Michelle. Although I cannot confirm, I’ve heard that Chateau Ste. Michelle is the worldwide leader in the production of Riesling by volume! They produce several variations, their most prestigious being Eroica. Eroica is a collaboration between winemaker Bob Bertheau from Chateau Ste. Michelle and Dr. Ernst Loosen from the Dr. Loosen Estate on the Mosel River in Germany. These two talented producers combine Old World tradition, modern techniques and Washington grapes to produce outstanding, award winning wine.

Riesling can have an exciting range of aromas. Expect things like apricot, peach, orange blossom, lime, and honey, along with minerals, spice and petrol. As mentioned earlier, Riesling can run dry to sweet. If the wine is low in alcohol (below around 9% abv), you can assume it’s on the sweeter side and will taste as such. Often Riesling with 10% abv and higher may taste sweet but will have very little residual sugar, thus showcasing not sweet as much as fruit. The bright notes and aromatics of riesling make it a fantastic wine for summer so enjoy while that sun is still shining!by

Rosé All The Way

I love this time of year. Rosé is being released and I get to be on the receiving end of it, thanks to Lauren Ashton Cellars! The release of Lauren Ashton Cellars (LAC) rosé comes with a bit more anticipation though. You see, every year owners Kit and Riinu along with the Lauren Ashton team get together and select a beneficiary to receive a portion of the proceeds from the rosé sales during their release event. This year, “Release the Rosé” is taking place on April 21-22 in the LAC tasting studio (love the usage of “studio” – so much more chic than “room”) and proceeds are going to Northshore Schools Foundation. Northshore Schools Foundation is a non-profit charity that enriches the educational experience for students, supports teachers and makes a meaningful contribution to public education and the community by raising funds, building partnerships and filling educational gaps in line with District priorities. I think we can all agree that any organization with a desire to contribute to the positive growth of children is a great thing.

Reflecting winemaker Kit’s approach of making French style wine, the 2017 rosé is a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, and 20% Counnoise. On the nose, this rosé is a delightful fusion of strawberry, watermelon and pink grapefruit mingling with zesty orange and white flowers. The palate brings out more of the same and is enhanced by pleasing, bright licorice flavors.

LAC rosé sold out of the previous vintage quickly so much anticipation has surrounded this new release. In the past, the release weekend has sold over 400 bottles of LAC rosé and hopes are to surpass that this year. If you would like to purchase a bottle…or case of this beautiful rosé all while helping a great cause, click here .

Lauren Ashton Cellars – Cuvée Arlette 2014

There’s no surprise I’m a fan of Lauren Ashton Cellars (LAC). I have sung their praises in the past. LAC is known for making wine of exceptional quality showcasing the true character of Washington terrior.

This Sunday, February 11, 2018, LAC will be releasing their 2014 Cuvée Arlette to wine club members (i.e. if not a wine club member, now would be a great time to join). I was privileged to receive a bottle for review and good heavens, does it hold up to their exceptional reputation.

Cuvée Arlette is a blend of 57.5% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 17% Malbec and 0.5% Petit Verdot. As I look at the wine, it is a beautiful rich burgundy color, like what I think of when I picture a fabulous holiday dress made entirely of velvet. It’s clear, bright with medium-high intensity and evident it is a full-bodied wine.

The nose rushes with many of the aromas coming forward at once. There’s plum, black raspberry, and blueberry in a shoving match with chocolate and dried savory herbs. The palate is similar with red plum, black raspberry, black currant and blueberry on the front palate sharing space with a subtle violet flavor. The fruits work toward the mid-palate with cedar taking over and a red pepper spice rounding out the back palate. The acidity is medium with a broader tannin structure that is pleasing alongside the flavors. The finish lingers allowing for contemplation of this elegant wine. The Cuvée Arlette is drinking outstanding right now but shows great aging potential.

If you’d like to join the LAC wine club, click here. If you’d like to purchase at least two bottles of Cuvée Arlette (it’s just good practice, one to enjoy now and one to hold on to), it will be available for sale after February 11, so mark your calendar, come back to this post and click here to order.

The Urban Wine Scene of Woodinville Washington

Seattle has become the epicenter for successful business. As of 2017 fifteen Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in and around the city. Some of the more well known of these: Amazon, Microsoft, Starbucks, Nordstrom, Costco and Expedia. In addition, there are giants like Boeing with more than 70,000 employees. These excessively successful business genetics spread to Woodinville, located just beyond Seattle’s 405 beltway. There, a unique urban wine scene has evolved. The heart of Washington’s wine country is a three hour trek over the mountains from Seattle, too far to draw the citified sprawl of wine seekers who prefer to live and work within the city limits; thus, the business of wine and winemaking gravitated towards Seattle and centers in Woodinville.

The romance of rollings hills and vineyards may not be part of Woodinville, but everything from production to bottled wine has been captured. The precise moment the grapes are picked, they are driven to fully operational production facilities, co-located with the tasting room or in separate facilities. There are several places to visit – the “Warehouse District,” for example, is exactly as it sounds, rows of warehouses with winery signs over the doors, pick up trucks and forklifts whizzing around, winery dogs on the premises, barrels stacked high, and the smell of wine in the air.

Sparkman Cellars, The Warehouse District

Woodinville has over 100 wineries and tasting rooms, a handful of microbreweries, multiple distilleries and cideries, and 26 restaurants and eateries. The wineries represent every appellation in the state of Washington and encompass everything from mass production to a one-man show. Your visit may start with a tasting tour at the renowned Chateau Ste. Michelle, the first pearl in the “string of pearls” of the enormous Ste. Michelle Wine Estates conglomerate, and you may end your tasting at a boutique winery where the winemaker is about the only guy showing up to work…and winemaking is his second job.

Jerry Riener, Owner/Winemaker, Guardian Cellars

Linn Scott, winemaker at Sparkman Cellars, showing off “Elvis Presser”

WINERIES OF WOODINVILLE

Woodinville is easy to navigate because it is sectioned off into four distinct districts: The Hollywood District, The West Valley District, The Warehouse District, and The Downtown District. Each district is located in different areas of town, although none too far from the other. The Hollywood District and The Warehouse District are home to most of the Woodinville wineries. Some of The Warehouse District wineries also have tasting rooms elsewhere so plan ahead in order to make the most of your time. For a complete list of wineries, visit Woodinville Wine Country. Many excellent local wineries make it difficult to narrow down a list, but here are ten excellent choices to get you started:

THE HOLLYWOOD DISTRICT

Betz Family Winery – Bob Betz has been making wine since 1975, by 2005 the Betz Family Cabernet Sauvignon was named “Number One Wine Of The Year” by Seattle Times wine critic Paul Gregutt and in 2014 their 2010 Pere de Famille was ranked #6 in the world in Wine Enthusiast “Top 100 Cellar Selections”

Chateau Ste. Michelle – Washington’s oldest winery and one of Seattle’s top spots for visitors offering complimentary tours daily and seasonal concerts. Col Solare, the partnership between Chateau Ste. Michelle and Tuscany’s Marchesi Antinori has a tasting room located within the Chateau. Tastings with Col Solare Bottega are by appointment only.

Guardian Cellars –

If you get the chance to meet him, winemaker Jerry Riener will exude his passion for winemaking. Jerry is one of those winemakers mentioned earlier who makes wine as his second job. He is a full time police officer who has creatively intertwined his career with his passion as is evidenced by wines with names like “The Alibi,” “Chalkline,” and “Gunmetal.” Guardian Cellars has a tasting room and production facilities in The Warehouse District, as well as a tasting room in The Hollywood District. Jerry was kind enough to show us Guardian Cellars production facility the day we visited.

DeLille Cellars – Consistently rating 90+ points on wines year after year from multiple publications with a focus on Bordeaux style wine.

Lauren Ashton Cellars –

Owner Kit Singh is another winemaker who expertly juggles a full time career and winemaking. When not in the cellar of his boutique winery producing 90+ point wines, Kit can be found at his dental practice in Redmond, WA.

Gorman Winery – Not your average winemaker producing outstanding wine. Wine Spectator named Chris Gorman one of the ten rising stars in American winemaking in 2008.

Sparkman Cellars –

A family owned and operated winery producing fantastic wines often rating 90+ points and focusing on Rhone and Bordeaux varietals. Winemaker Linn Scott graciously hosted and allowed us access to Sparkman’s production facilities on a day grapes arrived from the vineyards. Sparkman Cellars has production facilities and a tasting room in The Warehouse District as well as a tasting room in The Hollywood District.

THE WAREHOUSE DISTRICT

Barrage Cellars – This is truly a one-man show producing excellent wine. The best part of visiting this winery, the guy pouring the wine is the guy making the wine. Make sure to check the hours of operation because they are limited.

Efesté – Producing wines using native fermentation resulting in richer, fuller, more complex wines that possess unique aromas and flavors. Efeste wines repeatedly earn high accolades.

Two Vintners -Thinking outside the box with a desire to produce wines that expose consumers to the uniqueness of Washington. Two Vintners is one of the few winemakers producing orange wine.

STAYING

Selected for Condé Nast’s Gold Traveler’s List in the heart of The Hollywood District is Willows Lodge, a luxurious get-away offering cozy rooms with fireplaces, a full service spa, and top notch dining options with impressive wine lists to match.

For a more intimate experience, Matthews Winery Bed & Breakfast has a simple but elegantly furnished bed and breakfast with two rooms, the Merlot Room and the Syrah Room. Each room offers a king size bed, complimentary tasting for two, a bottle of their award winning Claret, and complimentary breakfast in the morning.

If you are looking for more mainstream lodging, you can find many of the major hotel chains within 10-15 minutes from the heart of Woodinville.

DINING

Barking Frog at Willows Lodge features a warm, inviting dining room and even more inviting patio for the summer months. Executive Chef Bobby Moore and his culinary team create dishes using fresh, local ingredients complemented by a noteworthy selection of wines sourced locally and from around the world.

Located on the grounds of Willows Lodge is internationally renowned The Herbfarm Restaurant, winner of AAA’s 5 Diamond Award. Diners can enjoy a nine course wine pairing dinner seasonally inspired and finalized mere hours before being served. The Purple Cafe & Wine Bar in the Hollywood Vineyards Plaza is situated amongst a slew of tasting rooms making it a great place to escape for a tasty break from sipping wine. The food is eclectic and creative, and the wine holds up to the menu beautifully. For another equally enjoyable option located in the same plaza with a more casual, hip vibe, visit The Commons Kitchen And Bar.

Urban wineries and the development of wine scenes are becoming wildly popular across America. They are a great way for city dwellers to enjoy the fun of wine tasting without leaving the comfort of their city limits. It is a perfect scenario for busy lifestyles, not to mention an advantageous business move for wineries. But do not worry if the evolving urban wine scene is not for you. There will always be room for the romantic side of wine that draws people to acres of vineyards, stately chateaux and villa-inspired tasting rooms surrounded by gnarled vines…even if they are 3 hours away.

*Heading photo - Sparkman Cellars Rainmaker