The warmth of a grandmotherly California woman and the allure of the Wente family’s wines tasted during one afternoon were all it took to turn me toward a life of chasing after great wines. Since that day at historic Wente Vineyards — now roughly 50 years ago — when my brother Greg and I tasted through the wines under her tutelage, I’ve been in love with good wine. Wente … [Read more...] about Love at first sip, thanks to Wente Vineyards
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Merit, heritage surround helpful Meritage concept
Each of us has something that bugs the crap out of us. For my wife, one of those is my gum chewing. Because I write about wine, my biggest pet peeves seem to involve the misuse of “Meritage.” Vintners ignorant of its history and its definition should not be using it. And for those who do know, well, they need to coach their customers on how to pronounce it. A First … [Read more...] about Merit, heritage surround helpful Meritage concept
L’Ecole N° 41 Winery develops lesson plan in history for Walla Walla
LOWDEN, Wash. — Forty years ago, L’Ecole N° 41 first rang the bell as a winery in the historic Frenchtown schoolhouse where Jean Ferguson made the wine for her husband, Baker, to take to market. They teamed up to produce one white wine — a Sémillon — and a single red wine. That 1983 Merlot would go to the head of the class at the Enological Society of the Pacific Northwest … [Read more...] about L’Ecole N° 41 Winery develops lesson plan in history for Walla Walla
A historical tasting of L’Ecole N° 41 Winery’s first 40 years at the Schoolhouse library
LOWDEN, Wash. — As L’Ecole N° 41 Winery commemorates its 40th anniversary, owner Marty Clubb and winemaker Marcus Rafanelli invited Great Northwest Wine to taste the winery’s history via select landmark wines that proved key to the winery’s success. Each section features comments by Clubb and Rafanelli on the significance of the wine, some notes for the wine nerdy, and ends … [Read more...] about A historical tasting of L’Ecole N° 41 Winery’s first 40 years at the Schoolhouse library
Gary McLean to receive Auction of Washington Wines Star Award
WOODINVILLE, Wash. — The Auction of Washington Wines, one of the top five charitable wine auctions in the U.S., has named Gary McLean as its Auction of Washington Wines Star Award recipient for 2023. This year marks the 36th annual Auction of Washington Wines, and the presentation to McLean will be part of the second annual TOAST! Honoree Celebration on Thursday, Aug. … [Read more...] about Gary McLean to receive Auction of Washington Wines Star Award