Meet the Five Wineries of Nectar Tasting Room
The progress continues at Nectar Tasting Room. While not much physically changed this week, we did finalize the design, map out the electrical and lighting, choose flooring and pick paint colors (all in the video). This week I hope to see paint on the walls and progress on the rest. While I still aim to be open the weekend of 11/19-20, there are several things outside of my control (liquor board, licenses, and contractors). Today, I’d like to introduce you to the five wineries who will be participating in the shared space tasting room. The wineries represent five regions from […]
Leavenworth – Bavarian for Wine?
Lederhosen, beer festivals, a Swiss Alps village, and wine tasting. Is Leavenworth Bavarian for wine? From a logging and rail town on the brink of extinction to a town that boasts over a million visitors a year, Leavenworth is the example of how hard work and determination can lead to a renewed direction. In the 1960’s Leavenworth was a town struggling to survive until the town residents made the collective decision to brand their area as a Bavarian village. Armed with determination and their own funds, Leavenworth residents transformed the dying town into a thriving tourist spot. Now, people of […]
The Washington Vintage of the Century?
“If we get a long late breaking Indian summer, this could turn out to be one of the best vintages in 15 years” ~Paul Gregutt, video interview 9/10/10. Much has been written and said about the 2010 Washington State vintage. A warm early spring, then very cool weather in May – June pushed many vineyard locations to be several days and even weeks behind. The mild summer saw very few days with 100 degree temperatures and brought a wetter than usual September. With harvests typically beginning around Labor Day, the cool summer had many vineyard managers and winemakers sweating. Now, […]
From the State of Lions Tigers and Bear Haters – Michigan Wine
I enjoy exploring new regions of the country’s great grape growth. Every state in the union makes wine. With California, Washington, New York, and Oregon securing the top four spots, several states are making a play for the coveted number five. Wine writers like Russ Kane and Jim Wilkerson often talk up the big state of Texas. Great Virginia evangelists like Dezel Quillen and Frank Morgan waive the “Virginia is for Wine Lovers” banner. But, there is a glove shaped state making a play for the #5 spot. With the fine folks at Michigan by the Bottle and Mike Fifer […]
A Reserve Yellow Wallaby From Yellow Tail
Yellow Tail makes a reserve wine? This was my thought and the question I heard several times over when I told people I was reviewing Yellow Tail wine. According to the print material, “The fruit used is taken from Australia’s premium cool climate regions to maintain elegance, finesse and length of flavor. Great wine begins with the best grapes for [ yellow tail ] Reserve. You can taste the difference.” This is what I wanted to determine, could you taste the difference? Over the last 30 years the Casella family has taken Yellow Tail from small production to over 11 […]