
UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. — The first round of the 2015 U.S. Open Golf Championship begins Thursday at Chambers Bay Golf Course near Tacoma, but the Washington State Wine Commission tees off its hospitality today within the tournament’s corporate tent village.
For the next three days, the planet’s best golfers learn the subtleties of the unique links-style layout at Chambers Bay in preparation to compete for the $9 million purse. And during each day of the tournament, the wine commission will pour some of the state’s best wine for wine buyers, sommeliers and media at its corporate tent.
“On the eve of the U.S. Open, we hope you are as excited as we are to get started with this great event!” international marketing manager Rob Andersen wrote in an email to this week’s guests of the Washington State Wine Commission.
The unique marketing opportunity started with an $120,000 investment as its share of a corporate tent at Chambers Bay, and leaders of the Washington wine industry followed that up by arranging for a blind judging by some of the state’s top sommeliers to determine the 120 wines to be featured at the tournament. Partners in the tent are Visit Seattle and Delta Air Lines.
“This tournament emphasizes Washington state as a major lifestyle, tourism and sporting destination,” said Steve Warner, president of the Washington State Wine Commission. “We view this as a key opportunity to connect with major influencers in the wine world and beyond.”
How big is this event? Warner’s team celebrated his 50th birthday on Friday — three days in advance.
“We’ll be a little busy on Monday,” Warner said.
Washington wine guide akin to golfer’s yardage book

Each day this week, about 20 wines will be poured for these influencers, and Chris Stone, the Washington State Wine Commission’s vice president of marketing and communications, developed a pocket guide for guests to learn more about each wine they taste.
Stone, an avid golfer who worked eight years at historic Seattle Golf Club prior to joining the wine commission, developed the pocket guide in a form similar to a tournament golfer’s yardage book.
Practice round — Monday, June 15
Arbor Crest Wine Cellars 2011 Dionysus, Columbia Valley, $48
Avennia 2012 Valery Merlot, Columbia Valley, $45
Ashan Cellars 2013 Chardonnay, $15
Barons V Winery 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $45
Browne Family Vineyards 2012 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $35
Canoe Ridge Vineyard 2012 Cherry Street Reserve Red Wine, Horse Heaven Hills, $25
Chandler Reach Vineyards 2012 Patio Sangiovese, Yakima Valley, $12
Claar Cellars 2013 White Bluffs Sauvignon Blanc, Columbia Valley, $16
Claar Cellars 2010 White Bluffs Syrah, Columbia Valley, $25
Diversion Wines 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington, $10
Finnriver Farm & Cidery Sparkling Pear Cider, $9
Gifford Hirlinger 2012 Estate Malbec, Walla Walla Valley, $36
Gordon Estate 2012 Estate Syrah, Columbia Valley, $24
Gravel Bar Winery 2013 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $16
J. Bookwalter 2013 Antagonist Syrah, Columbia Valley, $45
Lake Chelan Hard Cider Chelan Gold, $10
Mercer Estates 2014 Spice Cabinet Vineyard Estate Rosé, Horse Heaven Hills, $15
Michelle Sparkling Wines NV Brut, $13
Pacific Rim Winemakers 2013 Dry Riesling, Columbia Valley, $10
Palencia Wine Co., 2012 Casa Amarilla Grenache, Syrah & Mourvèdre, Yakima Valley, $36
Spire Mountain Dark & Dry Cider, $15
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2013 Dry Riesling, Columbia Valley, $10
Tieton Cider Works Wild Washington Apple, $7
Willow Crest Wine Estates 2013 Estate Pinot Gris, Yakima Valley, $16
Practice round — Tuesday, June 16
Andrew Will 2013 Merlot, $35
Balboa Winery 2012 Mith, Walla Walla Valley, $45
Canoe Ridge Vineyard 2013 Expedition Pinot Gris, Horse Heaven Hills, $15
Claar Cellars 2012 White Bluffs Cabernet-Merlot, Columbia Valley, $16
Columbia Winery 2013 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $14
Daven Lore Winery 2012 Tempranillo, Snipes Mountain, $28
Dunham Cellars 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon XVII, Columbia Valley, $45
Dusted Valley Vintners 2012 StoneTree Vineyard Petite Sirah, Wahluke Slope, $42
For a Song Wines 2013 Caliche Lake Vineyard Riesling, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $11
Gramcery Cellars 2012 Syrah, Columbia Valley $46
Knight Hill Winery 2013 Two Coyote Vineyard Verdelho, Rattlesnake Hills, $20
Mark Ryan Winery 2014 Board Track Racer The Vincent Rosé, $15
Novelty Hill 2013 Stillwater Creek Vineyard Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $23
Obelisco Estate 2011 Electrum Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $70
Sinclair Estate Vineyards 2011 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $35
Swiftwater Cellars 2011 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $35
Treveri Cellars NV Blanc de Noir, Columbia Valley, $20
Kennedy Shah 2012 DuBrul Vineyard Reserve Riesling, Yakima Valley, $25
W.T. Vintners 2012 Stoney Vine Vineyard Rhône Blend, Walla Walla Valley, $32
Practice round — Wednesday, June 17
Alexandria Nicole Cellars 2012 Destiny Ridge Vineyard Estate Little Big Man Petit Verdot, Horse Heaven Hills, $45
Ambassador Wines of Washington 2011 Estate Syrah, Red Mountain, $28
Browne Family Vineyards 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $35
Canoe Ridge Vineyard 2011 Reserve Merlot, Horse Heaven Hills, $25
Double Canyon 2013 Double Canyon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, $65
Henry Earl Estates 2013 Riesling, Wahluke Slope, $20
Kevin White Winery 2013 La Fraternité Red Wine, Yakima Valley, $28
L’Ecole No. 41 2012 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Perigee, Walla Walla Valley, $49
Leonetti Cellar 2013 Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, $95
Long Shadows Vintners Nine Hats 2013 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $12
Mandala Vineyards 2013 Zweigelt, Columbia Valley, $23
Maryhill Winery 2012 Proprietor’s Reserve Grenache, Columbia Valley, $20
Pepper Bridge Winery 2012 Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, $54
Salida Wines 2013 Garnacha Blanca, Yakima Valley, $20
Savage Grace Wines 2014 Chardonnay, $25
Sparkman Cellars 2012 Darkness Syrah, Columbia Valley, $62
Stottle Winery 2013 Elerding Vineyard Viognier, Yakima Valley, $25
Syncline Wine Cellars 2014 Rosé, Columbia Valley, $20
Three Rivers Winery 2012 Merlot-Malbec, Columbia Valley, $29
Opening round — Thursday, June 18
Avennia 2012 Sestina, Columbia Valley, $60
Betz Family Winery 2012 Bésoleil, Columbia Valley, $45
Cadence Winery 2010 Cara Mia Vineyard Camerata, Red Mountain, $60
Columbia Winery 2013 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $16
DaMa Wines 2014 Cabernet Franc Rosé, Walla Walla Valley, $30
For a Song Wines 2013 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $14
Forgeron Cellars 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $35
Forgeron Cellars 2013 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $28
L’Ecole No. 41 2012 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $36
Lauren Ashton Cellars 2012 Sémillon, Columbia Valley, $35
Long Shadows Vintners Poet’s Leap 2014 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $20
Naches Heights Vineyards 2013 Estate Riesling, Naches Heights, $11
Obelisco Estate 2011 Merlot, Red Mountain, $50
Owen Roe 2012 Yakima Valley Red Wine, Yakima Valley, $28
Powers Winery 2013 Malbec, Columbia Valley, $12
San Juan Vineyards 2011 Cabernet Franc, Horse Heaven Hills, $25
San Juan Vineyards 2014 Estate Siegerrebe, Puget Sound, $22
Sparkman Cellars 2013 Lumiére Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $30
Second round — Friday, June 19
Baer Winery 2012 Ursa, Columbia Valley, $39
DeLille Cellars 2012 D2 Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $49
DenHoed Wine Estates 2006 Andreas Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, $80
Dusted Valley Vintners 2013 Tall Tales Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $60
Chateau Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen 2013 Eroica Riesling, Columbia Valley, $20
Genoa Cellars 2011 Crosswind Reserve, Columbia Valley, $37
JM Cellars Founder’s Reserve, Columbia Valley, $75
L’Ecole No. 41 2012 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $27
L’Ecole No. 41 2013 Sèmillon, Columbia Valley, $14
Milbrandt Vineyards 2013 Traditions Evergreen Vineyard Riesling, Columbia Vally, $13
Mercer Estates 2013 Zephyr Ridge Vineyard Estate Reserve Chardonnay, Horse Heaven Hills, $30
Rôtie Cellars 2013 Southern White Blend, Washington, $32
Sinclair Estate Vineyards 2013 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $28
Swiftwater Cellars 2012 Zephyr Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills, $38
Syzygy 2008 Saros, Columbia Valley, $50
Tamarack Cellars 2013 Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley, $30
Tenet Wines 2013 GSM, Columbia Valley, $70
Tenet Wines 2013 The Pundit Syrah, Columbia Valley, $25
Three Rivers Winery 2014 Cabernet Franc Rosé, Walla Walla Valley, $14
Treveri Cellars NV Blanc de Blancs, Columbia Valley, $14
Third round — Saturday, June 19
Betz Family Winery 2012 Pére de Famille Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $72
Browne Family Vineyards 2013 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $30
Cadence Winery 2011 Tapteil Vineyard, Red Mountain, $45
Col Solare 2012 Red Wine, Red Mountain, $75
Columbia Winery 2013 Viognier, Columbia Valley, $26
Finnriver Farm & Cidery Golden Russet, $18
Genoa Cellars 2014 Wind’s Eye Rosé, Horse Heaven Hills, $17
Goose Ridge Vineyards 2010 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $30
JM Cellars 2012 Margaret’s Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla Valley, $50
L’Ecole No. 41 2013 Chenin Blanc, Columbia Valley, $15
Proper Wines 2012 Estate Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $42
Revelry Vintners 2012 Aerials Series Reserve Merlot, Horse Heaven Hills, $40
Rôtie Cellars 2012 Northern Blend, Walla Walla Valley, $48
Sparkman Cellars 2012 Rainmaker Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Vlaley, $62
Swiftwater Cellars 2011 Malbec, Columbia Valley, $38
Swiftwater Cellars 2013 No. 9 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $18
Tamarack Cellars 2014 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $15
Waterbrook Winery 2013 Reserve Riesling, Columbia Valley, $12
W.T. Vintners 2012 Les Collines Vineyard Damavian Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $45
Final round — Sunday, June 21
J. Bookwalter 2012 Protagonist, Columbia Valley, $55
Boomtown by Dusted Valley 2014 Chardonnay, Washington $19
Brian Carter Cellars 2009 Solesce, Columbia Valley, $55
Columbia Crest 2011 Walter Clore Private Reserve Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $35
Corliss Estates 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $85
Dunham Cellars 2013 Lewis Estate Vineyard Riesling, Columbia Valley, $20
Kevin White Winery 2013 En Hommage Syrah, Yakima Valley, $28
Lauren Ashton Cellars 2012 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $35
Long Shadows Vintners 2014 Julia’s Dazzle Rosé, Columbia Valley, $16
Maryhill Winery 2011 Hattrup Farms Marvell GSM, Rattlesnake Hills, $40
Northstar Winery 2010 Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, $50
Savage Grace Wines 2013 Riesling, $19
Waitsburg Cellars 2013 Three White Grenache Blanc/Marsanne/Picpoul, Columbia Valley, $17
William Church Winery 2012 Gamache Vineyard Malbec, Columbia Valley, $38
William Church Winery 2013 Viognier, Columbia Valley, $25
Leave a Reply