Slow Wine Event

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I’ll never forget the first time I met Cole Sisson. He was putting his sommelier skills to work at a wine bar in Belltown. At the time, I was a student at the Northwest Wine Academy embarking on my wine journey. As with most student experiences, there were a lot of firsts along the way. Cole gifted me my first encounter with an aged Riesling. Never before had I seen a wine of such a rich, golden hue. Never had an elixir of such richness, complexity and viscosity glided across my palate. The heavens above parted, angels sang and a shift in my former red wine palate took place, making me a forever fan of ageable white wines. It remains a special memory.

Cole has since gone on the establish his own businesses. The Orcas Project is a winemaking enterprise where he teams up with a variety of winemakers to craft special bottles for his wine club. The wines are also available at his Doe Bay Wine Co. shops. The Phinney Ridge location in Seattle is sandwiched between Lioness, one of Renee Erickson’s restaurants, and the wildly popular bakery, Ben’s Bread. It’s a bottle shop staffed with friendly and knowledgeable wine pros as well as an intimate neighborhood spot where the hubby and I visit to enjoy a glass of wine.

 

Slow Wine Tasting Event

When I asked Cole if he’d help me shine the light on some of the fantastic Washington wineries I get to write about for the Slow Wine Guide USA he didn’t hesitate. The answer was yes, and he put together a stellar lineup of the top wines I reviewed in the current edition for a Slow Wine tasting event at his shop. If you’ve ever wanted to sample Christophe Baron’s awe inspiring $280/bottle Hors Categorie Syrah, this is your chance! Wines from acclaimed wineries Syncline (Fumrint anyone?), Upsidedown Wines and Pét Project are in the ineup as well.

There are only a few tickets left, so reserve yours now! It’s $45/person ($35/club) and tickets are available online.

Thursday, July 17⁠

At Doe Bay Wine Co’s Phinney Ridge location:  7009 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103

Two tasting windows are available, 5-7pm and 7-9pm.

PLUS, we’ll have some copies of the 2025 edition of the guide to give away. Lisa from Ba&Me will also be popping up selling Vietnamese street snacks.

I’m so excited for this event and can’t wait for more people to experience these special wines!

Washington State’s Top Eco-Friendly Wines

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A lot of wineries make claims that they’re sustainable. But are they really? It’s hard to know when there is no universal clarification of what sustainable means in the wine world. My advice is to decide what eco-friendly aspects of winemaking matter to you. Then, look for selections that align with those preferences. If thoughtfully crafted wine made from grapes grown without synthetic herbicides (e.g. Roundup) is on the list, here are some of Washington state’s top eco-friendly wines to seek out. These are selections I had the pleasure of evaluating for the Slow Wine Guide USA 2025 edition.

Beyond being herbicide free, these vinous creations are the culmination of incredibly thoughtful farming and winemakers pushing boundaries in our state. They are proof positive that responsible winemaking delivers wines of distinction. This is a big win for those who want to explore the world of wines crafted by people dedicated to caring for the land as well as their people and community.

Cayuse Vineyards & Bionic Wines

Walla Walla Valley Hors Categorie 2021 Syrah

If I could, I’d designate all the Bionic Wines as top wines. Alas, the guide only allows one award per winery. This exemplary winner offers aromas of leather and smoked meats that lead to a range of complex flavors. Blueberry, bacon and dark chocolate collide while wildly lively acidity pulsates before leading to a cooling herbal finish with a kiss of salinity.

While all of Christophe Baron’s vineyards involve laborious hands-on farming, the awe inspiring Hors Categorie site has a sixty-degree slope that necessitates using a winch.

 

Caprio Cellars

2021Walla Walla Valley Eleanor Estate Red Wine Continue reading “Washington State’s Top Eco-Friendly Wines”

Italian Wine Pairings for Classic Comfort Foods

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Would you say that comfort food is about face-planting carbs, or perhaps the soothing nature of soup? This is contemplated in Ottolenghi’s latest book, “Comfort.” One thing I’d add to his examination of what makes food comforting, beyond what we’re eating and who we’re eating with, is what wine we’re pairing it with. When there’s a chill in the air and darkness sets in early every day, a glass of wine not only enhances the comfort factor it makes dinner feel special. If some of your favorite face-planting fare is pizza, mac and cheese, or chili read on for Italian wine pairings for these classic comfort foods.

To prove my point, I conducted some fun experiments in the kitchen with samples I recently received.

Margherita Pizza and Chianti Classico

Making pizza at home can sound daunting, but it isn’t hard and the Wolfgang Puck pizza dough recipe I use has been fool proof for me. It just takes a little planning ahead because the dough needs time to proof and rest. Plus, toppings require a little prep. Once everything is ready, though, the process goes pretty quickly and the pizzas only take about ten minutes to cook.

Okay, I admit this home version of Margherita pizza isn’t classic, so please spare me any unkind comments on social media! To use up some cherry tomatoes I had on hand, I slow roasted them in the oven and used the flavorful result in lieu of tomato sauce. I used fresh mozzarella from Ferndale Farmstead because I wanted to support a Washington cheesemaker.

For the hubby, I made a mushroom pizza and mixed in a little truffle cheese because he prefers those flavors.

Wine Pairing for Margherita Pizza

Villa Nozzole Chianti Classico (SRP $22.99)

Chianti can be confusing. It’s a wine region in Italy and the grape the wine is made from is primarily Sangiovese. We tend to consume a fair amount of Sangiovese in our house because it’s got a fair amount of acidity which makes it food friendly. As a result, it’s a fantastic choice to serve with dishes that include tomato sauce which is also acidic. Anytime pizza or pasta marinara is on our table, so is Sangiovese.

This supple red delivered some bright red cherry flavors balanced by old world character and earthiness. As expected, it was a harmonious pairing with my take on a Margherita pizza as well as with the mushroom pizza. Chianti Classico should be your house go-to Italian wine pairing for this classic comfort food! Continue reading “Italian Wine Pairings for Classic Comfort Foods”

Washington Wine Country Wining and Dining

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With a new year on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to make a resolution to explore Seattle area restaurants or visit Woodinville or Yakima to enjoy some Washington wine country wining and dining. My latest writing projects highlight destinations to have on your radar.

Edible Seattle:  A Love Letter to Washington Wine

As a long time reader and fan of Edible Seattle, I am so honored to have my story about Chef Aaron Tekulve and his “Love Letter to Washington Wine” published in the August issue starting on page 28. His food is stellar, but the real story is his dedication to sourcing wines from Washington vintners. His is the only restaurant in Seattle that stays true to an ethos to source locally by including solely Washington wineries on the restaurant’s wine list.

Pintxo by Valdemar

For a more internationally influenced wining and dining experience, head to Pintxo by Valdemar in Woodinville Wine Country’s Schoolhouse District for delectable Spanish influenced fare. The site was originally meant as a second tasting room for Walla Walla based winery, Valdemar Estates. However, the business transformed into a restaurant with the realization that the growing number of tasting rooms outnumbered dining options.

The wines are terrific and guests may choose selections from Valdemar’s Washington or Rioja estates. Read the full article to learn more about Chef Lauren Jackson’s delectable specialties.

Explore Woodinville’s Schoolhouse District

It’s a good idea to revisit a destination from time to time to make sure the favorite spots still live up to the memories while discovering some new favorites. My latest outing to Woodinville’s Schoolhouse District and Wine Walk Row did just that. Plus, it meant the chance to visit a couple of spots previously overlooked – Ephesus Café and Gelato for a sweet treat and the Barnard Griffin tasting room.

Cot’s Peak Coffee

Remarkable coffee is critical for any road trip. So, on a recent getaway to Yakima Valley, we visited Cot’s Peak Coffee in the town of Naches. Read about my experience at the roastery and inimitable coffee house via Explore Washington State.

Where will you go on your journey to Washington wine country wining and dining? Drop a comment on my Instagram account, whether it’s Surrell, Pintxo, or the Schoolhouse District!

Let’s Talk About Craggy Range Pinot Noir

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Do you drink much New Zealand Pinot Noir? Though the variety is a favorite in our house, we don’t often come across bottlings from New Zealand. That’s why I was so excited to try a sample of Craggy Range Martinborough Pinot Noir. ⁠Read on for my take on the wine and accompanying escapades in pairing.

The grapes of this Pinot Noir are hand-harvested from selected blocks at Craggy Range’s Estate-owned Te Muna Road Vineyard. Due to its higher elevation, harvest takes place about a week following other nearby Martinborough sites in order to reach the desired ripeness.

 

From the 2023 vintage, the youthful wine is light, fresh, easygoing and food friendly. It’s totally quaffable on its own, but it was fantastic with our dinner!⁠

Food Pairing for Craggy Range Pinot Noir

Continue reading “Let’s Talk About Craggy Range Pinot Noir”