NEWS

May Events

Here are two fun fundraising events in the community where we will be sampling three of our wines.  Please join us!

• Friday, May 5 (6:00-9:00 pm): Downtown Issaquah Art and Wine Walk  
  Grab some friends and embark on a wine adventure of Issaquah’s Historically Hip downtown and Olde Town galleries, boutiques, and businesses. Proceeds benefit the Downtown Issaquah Association. Meet winemakers from some of Washington’s finest wine producers. Sip, stroll, and shop around the northwest’s funky Olde Town destinations. This is one of the Downtown Issaquah’s most anticipated events, so purchase your tickets early! 
   
• Thursday, May 11 (5:00-8:00 pm): Old Bellevue Spring Wine Walk SWIRL! SIP! STROLL! 
  Grab some friends and go on a wine tasting adventure of local wineries along Main Street in Old Bellevue. Meet winemakers from 15 local wineries and sip, shop, & stroll along Old Bellevue – the gem of the Eastside that’s lively, intimate, and friendly! The event promises to be a memorable evening filled with wine education and an opportunity to meet like-minded wine enthusiasts. Tickets and more info.

May 2, 2023 at 11:10 AM Permalink

May Tasting Menu

Here's our tasting menu for the month.

• 2022 Sunbreak Old Vines Chenin Blanc, Snipes Mountain AVA, Upland Vineyard ($20): Sunbreak shows a brilliant lemon-gold color and aromas of Asian pear-apple, white peach, honeydew melon, grapefruit, pear blossoms, honeysuckle, jasmine and lemon verbena. The flavors are deliciously juicy and vibrant, with notes of pear and grape skins, peach stone and gravelly minerals. The back picks up poire and pêche liqueurs, melon rind and grapefruit peel, followed by a crisp, faintly honeyed finish.

• 2022 Three Forks Rose' of Pinot Gris, White Bluffs AVA, Gamache Vineyard ($20): This Rosé shows a light copper-pink color and enticing aromas of strawberry, Rainier cherry, watermelon and tangerine, with scents of cherry and orange blossoms, pink roses, verbena and pink incense. The flavors are fresh and vivid, with notes of light grape skin, cherry stones, and alluvial minerals. The back picks up fraise and kirsch liqueurs, and recurring tangerine peel, followed by a juicy, dry finish.  From Gamache Vineyard, a Sustainable WA Certified Vineyard.

• 2021 Fly Rod Cellars Plastic Surgeon Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Erratic Oaks Vineyard ($30): This 100% Oregon Pinot Noir offers pretty aromas of perfume, lavender, cherry, cinnamon and fresh cut grass. Flavors of cherry, raspberry, mushroom, olives, and green tea. The finish is juicy and long with medium tannins. The wine is regularly $33/bottle but is on sale for $30/bottle.  Buy 6 bottles and pay $25/bottle.  Buy 12 or more and pay $20/bottle. 

• 2020 Reserve Syrah, Yakima Valley AVA, Boushey Vineyard ($35): This Single Barrel wine is 100% Syrah. Aromas of olive brine, bacon fat, blackberry, almond, vanilla, dark roast coffee and sage flow into appealing tastes of black currant, blackberry, plum sauce, espresso beans, tanned leather, and Earl Gray tea. 

• 2018 Storm Front Red Blend, Columbia Valley AVA ($30): Our signature bold red blend of Merlot (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (18%), Petit Verdot (15%), Cabernet Franc (15%)  and Malbec (2%).  Plum, black cherry and rosemary flavors and aromas. 94 POINTS AND DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL-Bellingham Northwest Wine Awards

• 2018 Squall Line Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley AVA ($33): Sourced from three vineyards: Phinny Hill (60%) and Coyote Canyon (10%)--both Horse Heaven Hills--and Boushey (30%) in Yakima Valley. Deep ruby colored, this possesses classic varietal aromas of blackberry, cherry, plum, crushed black roses, tobacco, cedar, rosemary and wood smoke. The flavors, as well, are direct and true to variety, with dark fruits that are intermixed with licorice, dark chocolate, French roast and Horse Heaven scorched earth. The penetration continues on the back with roasted berries and nuts, mocha and pulverized charcoal, followed by a sweet-dry tannin finish. Pairs well with roasted or grilled meats, good friends and stormy nights. 

May 2, 2023 at 11:01 AM Permalink

Moving Update for May

We are slowly making progress with all of the licenses and permits needed to move the winery from North Bend to Richland.  The North Bend location will remain open for tastings and bottle purchases on Saturdays from 1:00-5:00 pm.  If you're in the Tri Cities, let us know and we'll show you the new space.  

May 2, 2023 at 11:00 AM Permalink

May 2023 Update

Bud break has begun in the sleepy grapevines of Eastern Washington.  This fuzzy bud is from Quintessence Vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA.  Overall, we are a few weeks behind normal, but there is plenty of time for the vines to catch up.  Harvest is only 4-6 months away!

Our Spring Release was a huge success thanks to all of you.  We loved being able to visit with Wine Club members, neighbors and some new wine fans on April 1 and 2.  The new Chenin Blanc and Rose' are perfect for the warmer weather ahead.  The new Merlot is tasting big and fruity, while the chewy Petit Verdot is nearly sold out already.  These wines are available online at the North Bend winery (Saturdays from 1:00-5:00 pm) or in Richland (by appointment). 

May 2, 2023 at 10:58 AM Permalink

Downtown Issaquah Wine Walk May 5

Friday, March 5 (6:00-9:00 pm)  Grab some friends and embark on a wine adventure of Issaquah’s Historically Hip downtown and Olde Town galleries, boutiques, and businesses. Proceeds benefit the Downtown Issaquah Association. 

Meet winemakers from some of Washington’s finest wine producers. Sip, stroll, and shop around the northwest’s funky Olde Town destinations. This is one of the Downtown Issaquah’s most anticipated events, so purchase your tickets early! 

Apr 2, 2023 at 7:27 AM Permalink

Savor Northwest Awards

Oregon's Savor Northwest just announced their annual awards, and several of our wines were highly acclaimed. 

• 2019 Squall Line Red Blend scored 97 points and received a Double Gold medal.  Only two wines scored higher!  This wine will be released in July. 
• 2020 Fly Rod Cellars Steve's Merlot scored 92 points and received a Gold medal. It was one of the highest rated Merlots in the competition.  This wine is availabe now. 
• 2019 Storm Front Red Blend scored 89 points and received a Silver medal.  A release date for this wine has not been scheduled. 

Apr 2, 2023 at 7:26 AM Permalink

April Tasting Menu

Here's our tasting menu for the month, which includes our four new Spring Release wines.  We are open on Saturdays (and Sunday April 2) from 1:00-5:00 pm for tasting and purchasing.

2022 Sunbreak Old Vines Chenin Blanc, Snipes Mountain AVA, Upland Vineyard ($20): Sunbreak shows a brilliant lemon-gold color and aromas of Asian pear-apple, white peach, honeydew melon, grapefruit, pear blossoms, honeysuckle, jasmine and lemon verbena. The flavors are deliciously juicy and vibrant, with notes of pear and grape skins, peach stone and gravelly minerals. The back picks up poire and pêche liqueurs, melon rind and grapefruit peel, followed by a crisp, faintly honeyed finish. NEW RELEASE
 
2022 Three Forks Rose' of Pinot Gris, White Bluffs AVA, Gamache Vineyard ($20): This Rosé shows a light copper-pink color and enticing aromas of strawberry, Rainier cherry, watermelon and tangerine, with scents of cherry and orange blossoms, pink roses, verbena and pink incense. The flavors are fresh and vivid, with notes of light grape skin, cherry stones, and alluvial minerals. The back picks up fraise and kirsch liqueurs, and recurring tangerine peel, followed by a juicy, dry finish.  From Gamache Vineyard, a Sustainable WA Certified Vineyard. NEW RELEASE
 
2019 Mistral Grenache, Red Mountain AVA, Ciel du Cheval Vineyard ($33): This Grenache displays a medium brick red color and rich aromas of strawberry, red currant, pomegranate, crushed roses, bright leaf tobacco, Provençal lavender, Niçoise olives and lightly spiced incense. The flavors are medium bodied but substantial, with supple red fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa powder, orange pekoe tea and Red Mountain dusty earth. On the back, the wine turns velvety with pressed berries, roasted nuts, framboise and cassis liqueurs, pomegranate seeds and soft charcoal, followed by a ripe moderate tannin finish. (Rand Sealey, Review of Washington Wines)
 
2020 Fly Rod Cellars Steve's Merlot, Red Mountain AVA ($30): Aromas of cherry, vanilla, leather and anise. Flavors of black cherry, plum, herbs, chocolate and a hint of oak. Medium body with soft tannins and a juicy finish. Merlot pairs with just about anything. Our favorites are pizza, BBQ chicken, rack of lamb or ratatouille.  This wine is dedicated Steve Danton who started his cousin and friend (and our cellarmaster) John Richardson on his wine journey.  Merlot was Steve's favorite varietal.  This Merlot was sourced from Ciel du Cheval and Quintessence vineyards. NEW RELEASE
 
2018 Storm Front Red Blend, Columbia Valley AVA ($30): Our signature bold red blend of Merlot (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (18%), Petit Verdot (15%), Cabernet Franc (15%)  and Malbec (2%).  Plum, black cherry and rosemary flavors and aromas. 94 POINTS AND DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL-Bellingham Northwest Wine Awards
 
2019 Derecho Petit Verdot, Yakima Valley AVA, Dineen Vineyard ($39): Derecho displays a deep ruby-crimson color and opulent, perfumed aromas of raspberries, Bing cherries, black plums, black currants, black roses, mulberry, sweet tobacco, sage, violets and oriental incense. The flavors are ample but deep cored and focused, interlayered with licorice, dark cocoa, black tea and earth. On the back, the wine deepens with sensations of pressed berries, roasted pecans, mocha, kirsch, crème de cassis and ground charcoal, followed by a savory, ripe dryish tannin finish. NEW RELEASE AND WINE CLUB EXCLUSIVE

Apr 2, 2023 at 7:22 AM Permalink

April 2023 Update

Our big Spring Release is this weekend (April 1 and 2) in the North Bend winery.  More info is below.  A few weeks ago was our only bottling of the year.  We created 948 cases of tasty wine--the most we've bottled at one time.  My favorites so far are the 2022 Rose' (available now) and the 2021 Squall Line (you'll need to wait a year for that one). 

While I have personally moved to Kennewick, the winery will remain in North Bend until our new space in Richland is licensed.  As usual, there are some unplanned issues, but we are working through them and hope to be open for tastings in the new location in May.  Until then, tastings will continue in North Bend on Saturdays (and Sunday April 2) from 1:00-5:00 pm.  If you're in the Tri Cities, let me know and I'll show you the new space.

--Scott Greenberg, Owner/Winemaker

Apr 2, 2023 at 7:20 AM Permalink

Snohomish Wine Festival

The Snohomish Wine Festival at Thomas Family Farm is Saturday, March 4 from 11:30 am-8:00 pm.  This is an annual fundraiser for the Snohomish Chamber of Commerce.  Featuring 22 wineries (including us), plus, beer, spirits, cider, and kombucha! https://www.snohomishchamber.org/winefestival

Mar 1, 2023 at 11:16 AM Permalink

March Wine of the Month

Our March Wine of the Month is the 2020 Boushey Vineyard Reserve Syrah: Only 33 cases of this wine were produced.  It was aged for 16 months in a new Dargaud & Jaegle French oak puncheon.  Deep ruby colored, this wine emits intoxicating aromas of blackberries, mountain blueberries, black currants, crushed black roses, mulberry, sweet tobacco, cedar, sandalwood, black olive, peppercorn, wild violets and smoldering oriental incense. On the palate, the flavors are thick and bold, yet refined, marked by licorice root, dark cacao, Earl Grey tea and alluvial minerals. The penetration continues on the back with sensations of macerated fruits, grilled walnuts, mocha, kirsch and cassis liqueurs, lanolin (“legs”) and light oak, followed by a lengthy sweet-dry tannin finish. Tastes like a $50 Syrah. (from Review of Washington Wines) 

Buy three bottles of 2020 Boushey Vineyard Reserve Syrah and save 20%. Normally $35 each, on sale for $24.50 each plus tax. Wine Club members save more!  BUY NOW

Mar 1, 2023 at 11:12 AM Permalink