Tag Archives: Washington Wines

Sonder Field Blend

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Creamy Leftover Turkey SoupCreamy Leftover Turkey Soup

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ cup finely chopped onion
  • ½ cup chopped celery
  • 4 ounces sliced cremini mushrooms
  • 1 clove garlic crushed
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 6 cups turkey broth OR chicken, OR vegetable
  • 3 medium carrots peeled and sliced
  • ½ pound baby potatoes halved or quartered
  • ½ cup wild rice blend
  • 1 cup half & half
  • 4 cups cooked Turkey meat shredded
  • ½ cup corn
  • salt & pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Cook aromatics: Heat butter and oil in large pot over medium heat. Add onion and celery and cook until softened, 4-5 minutes.
  2. Cook mushrooms: Stir in mushrooms and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until mushrooms have softened. Stir through garlic and cook for one more minute.
  3. Season: Reduce heat to medium-low. Sprinkle Italian seasoning and flour evenly over mushroom mixture, stir well for 1 minute.
  4. Add broth: Gradually pour in broth, stirring constantly, to keep any lumps from forming.
  5. Simmer: Stir in carrots, potatoes and rice. Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook, covered, until rice is nearly done (about 20-25 minutes for parboiled rice, about 35 minutes for regular).
  6. Finish soup: Once rice is nearly ready, open lid and stir soup well. Add half and half, cooked turkey meat and corn. Stir well, then simmer over medium heat, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until heated through.
  7. Serve: Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve immediately.

© Recipe courtesy of Nora from Savory Nothings.

NOVEMBER WINE CLUB:

Mellow style logoSonder-Field-Blend-bottleSonder
Field Blend
Columbia Valley, Washington

MELLOW WINE STYLE

From the Andrews Family Vineyard and Coyote Canyon Vineyard, whole berries were used with 25% stems. Five-day cold soak under dry ice followed by fermentation by native yeasts. Aged for 5 months in a mix of neutral French puncheons and stainless steel.

Varietal: Counoise, Grenache, Cinsault, Viognier, Roussanne
Analysis: 13.1% alcohol / volume
Total Acidity: 5.5 g/L
pH: 3.74
AVA: Columbia Valley
Vineyard: Andrews Family Vineyard/Coyote Canyon Vineyard, Horse Heaven Hills.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Sonder wines are driven by simplicity and authenticity, creating wines that are minimally intervened to showcase each vineyard and the nuances that mother nature may bring to each vintage. They strive to create wines they love to drink: bright, playful, juicy and delicious. Learn more about the winery here.

Photos and information © Sonder Wines – All Rights Reserved.

Wine club logoJoin our WINE CLUB and enjoy these amazing wines and pairing recipes each month. Plus, you’ll receive 10% off all retail wine purchases!

Learn More >

 
 
 

 

Winery Spotlight Series: September 21, 2022

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TheDuckhornPortfolio_PrimaryLogo

The Duckhorn Portfolio
with Guest Speaker, Kyle Lee
California and Washington State Wines

Wednesday, September 21, 2022
6:00pm CST / 7:00pm EST

Join us for a wine tasting event featuring Duckhorn Portfolio wines and guest speaker, Kyle Lee, joining us live on the big screen. Kyle Lee, District Manager for The Duckhorn Portfolio and Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW), will be sharing the six wines below from The Duckhorn Portfolio.

Wines Tasted:

  1. Decoy Sparkling, Brut Cuveé NV, California
  2. Decoy Limited, Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, California
  3. Calera, Pinot Noir, Central Coast, California
  4. Migration, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, California
  5. Postmark, Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, California
  6. Canvasback, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, Washington State

To reserve a table and attend the wine tasting in person, please call your local participating WineStyles store. Or, if you prefer to attend remotely, pre-order a wine tasting kit to-go and watch/taste along with us on Zoom!

Sept21_Duckhorn_bottles

About The Duckhorn Portfolio:

One of North America’s premier luxury wine companies, with ten renowned wineries, eight state-of-the-art winemaking facilities, seven beautiful tasting rooms and more than 1100 coveted acres of vineyards spanning 24 sustainably farmed Estate properties. Established in 1976, when legendary vintners Dan and Margaret Duckhorn founded Napa Valley’s iconic Duckhorn Vineyards.  Today, their wines are sold throughout the USA and 50 countries around the world. Learn more here.

© Photo from The Duckhorn Portfolio
© Photo from The Duckhorn Portfolio
© Photo from The Duckhorn Portfolio

About Kyle Lee, CSW:

Kyle Lee Headshot

Kyle Lee, CSW

Kyle Lee is the District Manager for Wisconsin and Minnesota for The Duckhorn Portfolio. Responsibilities include managing sales, distribution, trade education, hosting events, and sharing the Duckhorn Portfolio family of brands. After graduating college, where Kyle was a 4-year letter winner on the university’s baseball team, he began a career in the wine industry as a Sales Representative for a distributor in Wisconsin. Kyle’s many accomplishments include numerous performance recognitions and completion of requirements to become Certified Specialist of Wine. When not working, Kyle enjoys spending time on the lake or in the mountains, golfing, skiing, and hanging out with family, including his wife and his adorable 3 year old daughter, Raegan. He and his wife are also expecting their 2nd child any day!

© Photo from The Duckhorn Portfolio
© Photo from The Duckhorn Portfolio

Let’s Taste, Learn and Enjoy® together! 
Contact your local participating WineStyles to RSVP for this tasting event.
Winery Spotlight Wine Tasting with Kyle Lee
The Duckhorn Portfolio
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
6:00pm CST/ 7:00pm EST
Cheers!
WineStyles.com

December Sweet Club

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Sweet Wine ClubKiona Red Mountain Ice WineKiona Vineyards
Chenin Blanc Ice Wine
Red Mountain AVA
Washington

NECTAR WINE STYLE

While the Red Mountain AVA is known for big, powerful red wine, it’s also an exceedingly good place to grow white varietals. The Kiona Estate Vineyard has four acres of Chenin Blanc planted in a depression, ensuring a consistent freeze year-in, year-out. We don’t pick Ice Wine until the grapes are naturally frozen in the vineyard, typically picking in the early morning hours before the sun rises.

Ice Wine is one of the world’s most elusive and delicious elixirs. Kiona prefers to use Chenin Blanc, a varietal that allows for robust acidity and intense green and tropical fruit flavors. Kiona’s philosophy with this wine is to emphasize acidity over outright sweetness, a tactic that ensures a balanced, crisp wine that dances on the tongue.

Food Pairing Recommendations: Ideal with fruit desserts, including pastries and tarts.

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section pair well with an herbal cheese, such as a gorgonzola. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

Analysis: 9% alcohol / volume
pH: 3.26
TA: 8.63 g/L
Residual Sugars: 175 g/L
Vineyard Source: 100% Kiona Estate, Red Mountain, Washington
Vineyard Blocks Planted: 1976, 1983
Varietal Composition: 100% Chenin Blanc
Winemaking: 100% Stainless, 31.3º Brix @ Harvest

PRODUCTION: Heat accumulation tracked slightly behind the previous vintage on Red Mountain. Bloom occurred slightly ahead of historical averages, and during ideal weather conditions. Crop loads were heavy going into the summer, resulting in the need to perform additional thinning. Weather during harvest (September-October) was ideal. It’s a stellar high acid and high sugar vintage.

Photo by John Vitale of Washington Tasting

Photo by John Vitale of Washington Tasting Room Magazine


ABOUT THE VINEYARD:
While Red Mountain is known for big, powerful red wines, it’s also an exceedingly good place to grow white varietals. The Kiona Estate vineyard has four acres of Chenin Blanc planted in a depression, increasing the likelihood that we are able to produce Ice Wine. They don’t pick the grapes until they are naturally frozen in the vineyard, a process that concentrates the sugar and flavor to unprecedented levels.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
In 1975 John Williams and Jim Holmes’ families planted the first vineyard on Red Mountain, an area now known for producing some of the world’s most powerful, opulent wines of distinction. For three generations their families have worked side by side, hand in hand to craft exciting, vineyard-driven wines that capture the essence of Red Mountain. Learn more about Kiona Vineyards here.

Photo by Mark Roberts
Photo by: Kiona Estate Vineyard
Photo by: Kiona Estate Vineyards
Photo by Kiona Vineyards and Winery

Love the Sweet life?
“Wine” not try our Sweet Club! 

Click here to learn more >

Sweet Club

Winery Spotlight Series: Oct 7th Two Mountain Winery

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Virtual Wine Tasting Event on Zoom and Facebook LIVE

Two Mountain Winery

Wednesday, October 7th at 6:00pm CST / 7:00pm EST

Zoom Facebook LivePlease join us for a virtual wine tasting event, featuring the winemaker of our October Wine Club, Matthew Rawn from Two Mountain Winery, Washington. 

Matthew will be guiding us through a tasting of 7 different wines from Two Mountain Winery; starting with their Riesling, then moving into their Sauvignon Blanc, Hidden Horse Red Blend, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Reserve Cabernet Franc.  Be sure to RSVP at your local WineStyles location or on Eventbrite.  Pre-order your wines in advance at your local participating WineStyles location and taste alongside Matthew with a front seat on Zoom!  Or watch on our Facebook LIVE event.Two Mountain Wines

Two Mountain Winery Wine Tasting

ABOUT TWO MOUNTAIN WINERY:

Two Mountain Winery is a family affair – owned and operated by brothers Matthew and Patrick Rawn, their family has been farming the rich soil of the Rattlesnake Hills area of Washington State for more than half a century. In 1951, Phil Schmidt established Schmidt Orchards with 40 acres of peaches, apricots, prunes, and apples. Today, the Rawn brothers continue that legacy through Two Mountain Winery and the estate farming operation. The small family winery produces a modest 10,000 cases annually, but is poised for growth under the leadership of the Rawn Brothers who believe great wine is the result of the perfect blend of elegance and fun. After purchasing Two Mountain Winery and Estate Vineyard from their late uncle Ron Schmidt’s estate in 2006, the brothers set out to put their own fingerprint on the family business by launching a new look for their classic, hand-crafted varietal wines.

Two Mountain Winery continues to produce approachable, handcrafted wines that are worth saving for that special occasion, but are accessibly priced for a casual dinner with family and friends. This family-owned operation draws on the experience of three generations who have farmed the rich soil of the Yakima Valley. The Rawn brothers oversee every aspect of the winemaking process from the grapes to the glass. Inspired by majestic Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams that form the breathtaking backdrop of the Estate Copeland Vineyard, their award-winning wines are a reflection of the perfect climate in which they were grown.

Matthew Rawn – Winemaker, Director of Sales and Marketing

Matt Rawn

Matthew Rawn

Matthew Rawn has been winemaker for Two Mountain Winery since its inception. He helped plant the estate vineyard with his uncle Ron Schmidt in 2000 and has produced Two Mountain’s wines since the first vintage in 2002. While the vineyard was growing, Matt honed his winemaking skills by working alongside neighboring Yakima Valley wine producers and learning their craft. A passionate advocate for the Washington wine industry, Matt manages sales and marketing for the winery and enjoys talking with wine retailers and restaurateurs about the state’s world-class wines. Matt also shares vineyard duties with his brother, Patrick. Matt holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business from Montana State University in Bozeman, Mont. and completed enology and viticulture courses at Walla Walla Community College in Walla Walla, Wash.

Patrick Rawn – General Manager, Vineyard Operations

Patrick Rawn

Patrick Rawn

Patrick Rawn manages finances and daily operations for Two Mountain Winery and estate vineyard and shares vineyard management duties with his brother, Matt. After college, Patrick traveled the globe and spent extensive time in Europe. Patrick returned to the U.S. with plans to enter law school, but a six-month stint working for the family wine business took his career path in a new direction. Patrick’s passion for wine blossomed at Two Mountain Winery, and quickly grew into a full-fledged love affair. Patrick lives and works in the Yakima Valley, where he is a Yakima County Planning Commissioner and serves on the Yakima County Wine Tourism Consortium. Patrick holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in economics/international finance from the University of Washington in Seattle. Learn more about Matt, Patrick, and their team here.

ABOUT THE VINEYARDS:

Today Two Mountain Winery operates 300 acres of vineyards and 100% of their wines come from their estate acreage. Warm days and cool nights provide the Yakima Valley with near-perfect growing conditions, allowing both white and red grape varietals to fully express their classic characteristics. The Cascade Mountain Range provides a wonderful rain-shadow effect on the vineyard. Two Mountain Winery has warm sites averaging to 2980-degree days with an ideal 190-day growing season and annual precipitation between six to seven inches total. Learn more about their vineyards here.

Let’s Taste, Learn and Enjoy® together! 

Contact your local WineStyles to RSVP for this tasting event.

Two Mountain Winery
Yakima Valley, Washington

Cheers!

WineStyles.com

October Wine Club Pairing Recipe

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Braised Pork Shoulder FennelBraised Pork Shoulder w/ Fennel & Sage

  • 1 (3 1⁄2 -lb) pork shoulder or butt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 5 tbsp cold butter (divided)
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • 3 shallots, thinly sliced
  • 2 bulbs fennel, cored & sliced lengthwise into 1⁄2 inch thick pieces
  • 7 sage leaves, plus extra
  • 1 cup Merlot
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 4 cups beef or chicken stock

DIRECTIONS:

  • Set aside pork until room temperature (1 to 1 1/2 hours), season generously with salt & pepper.
  • Pre-heat oven 325°F.
  • Melt oil and 1Tbsp butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  • Add pork, fat-side down and sear on one side for 3-4 minutes. Repeat on all sides until sizzling, but not scorched. Transfer heat to a platter, then remove fat from the pan drippings and discard the fat.
  • Heat 2 Tbsp butter in the Dutch oven over medium heat. Add shallot & fennel and sauté for 10 minutes, or until tender and caramelized. Add sage and cook for 1 minute.
  • Stirring constantly, pour in Merlot (wine) and cook for 7-10 minutes…until reduced to a quarter of the original amount.
  • Add pork, fat side up, bay leaves, salt & pepper to the Dutch oven containing the wine, shallot, fennel, and sage.
  • Pour in stock and bring to a simmer, then partially cover and cook in the oven for 1 1⁄2 -2 hours, until pork is fork tender.
  • Uncover and cook for 15 minutes (Basting/spooning occasionally).
  • With a slotted spoon, transfer pork, fennel, & shallot to a platter.
  • Strain remaining sauce and bring to simmer, skimming any fat. Set aside. Whisk in 2 Tbsp cold butter and simmer for 30 seconds.
  • Ladle sauce over the pork, then garnish with a few sage leaves, fennel slaw and finishing salt. Serve with Two Mountain Merlot and enjoy!
  • © Recipe courtesy of Josh Henderson, Huxley Wallace Collective.

OCTOBER WINE CLUB:

Two Mountain 2018 MerlotBold wine Style logoTwo Mountain Winery
Merlot
Yakima Valley, Washington

BOLD WINE STYLE

Nestled in the Yakima Valley wine region of Washington State, Two Mountain Winery produces approachable, handcrafted wines that are worth saving for that special occasion, but are accessibly priced for a casual dinner with family and friends. Established in 2002, Two Mountain is a family-owned operation that draws on the experience of three generations who have farmed the rich soil of the Yakima Valley. Brothers Matthew and Patrick Rawn own and operate the winery and estate vineyard, overseeing every aspect of the winemaking process from the grapes to the glass. Inspired by majestic Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams that form the breathtaking backdrop of the Estate Copeland Vineyard, their award-winning wines are a reflection of the perfect climate in which they were grown.

Aromas of rich toasted barrel, bright vibrant Bing cherry, blackberry, coffee, & a touch of caramel on the nose are followed by inviting flavors of ripe red fruits, baked fig, hints of toffee and vanilla, a touch of clove and soft integrated tannins.

Vineyard: 57% Copeland, 43% Schmidt Vineyard
Varietal: 92% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec
Analysis: 14.7% alcohol / volume
pH: 3.55
Aging: 20 months in French and American, 40% new
Harvested: September 23, and October 8, 2018
Cases: 1090
Critical Acclaim: Reviewed & approved by Doug Frost, Master Sommelier and Master of Wine.

Wine club logoJoin our WINE CLUB and enjoy these amazing wines and pairing recipes each month. Plus, you’ll receive 10% off all retail wine purchases!

Learn More >

 

Elderton Winery

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January Winery Spotlight
Tasting Event
>> RSVP at your local WineStyles <<

Join us for a Winery Spotlight tasting event, featuring Elderton wines from Australia.

ELDERTON WINERY – BAROSSA VALLEY, AUSTRALIA

The Barossa Valley is Australia’s most famous wine region. Comprising of the Barossa Valley and Eden Valley, it is home to some of the oldest Shiraz vineyards in the world, acclaimed Rieslings and iconic wine brands.

Elderton is one of those Barossa Valley Wineries, whose philosophy has not changed significantly since its inception. Cameron & Allister strongly believe that great wine begins in the vineyard like all of the world’s great estates. From the high quality, low yielding fruit that is grown on the three vineyard sites, Elderton’s aim is to make balanced wines that will stand the test of time with the overall arching vision of excellence in mind.

ELDERTON WINERY

The overall vision of Elderton is excellence from distinguished vineyard sites. Today Elderton runs three vineyards that highlight the individual terriors of the region. Its original vineyard in Nuriootpa on the Barossa Valley floor that provides most of flagship wines; Greenock that is in the north western quadrant provides the power and has vines dating back to 1915 and finally its vineyard in Eden Valley ranges in Craneford that provides elegance. Today Elderton works with Barossa Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Carignan, Mouvedre, Riesling, Chardonnay and Semillon.

The winery features an actual cellar door and is a stunning 1918 homestead surrounded by iconic old vineyards. It offers a beautiful setting with incredible views to enjoy and learn about the region, the wines and its people. It has been awarded one of South Australia’s best cellar doors (SATC 2015 & 2016) because of its knowledgeable staff, multitude of private tasting rooms, barista tea & coffee, as well as gourmet platter food offerings.

Not enough frequent flyer miles to visit Australia?

Attend our Winery Spotlight, and experience Elderton wines without the jet lag! 

 

ELDERTON
Winery Spotlight Tasting
AUSTRALIA

Please join us as we Taste, Learn and Enjoy®
Limited Seating Available – Reserve your seat ASAP!

Contact your local WineStyles to RSVP!

Long Shadows, Winery Spotlight Tasting Event

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Long Shadows Winery Washington StateNovember Winery Spotlight
Tasting Event
>> RSVP at your local WineStyles <<

Join us for a Winery Spotlight tasting event, featuring Long Shadows wines from Washington State.

Just a few months ago, our WineStyles team had the privilege of touring and tasting at Long Shadows in Washington State. We’re excited to share the winery experience with you at our next Winery Spotlight event.

Long Shadows brings seven highly acclaimed vintners from the major wine regions of the world to Washington State, each to a unique winery dedicated to producing Columbia Valley wines that showcase the best of this growing region.

Please join us as we Taste, Learn and Enjoy® these delicious 90+ point wines from Washington State.  Cheers!

LONG SHADOWS WINERY

allen-shoup-long-shadows

Allen Shoup, widely recognized as the founding father of the Washington wine industry.

Founded in 2003, Long Shadows is the brainchild of Washington wine luminary Allen Shoup. As president and CEO of Chateau Ste. Michelle and its affiliated wineries, Allen spent 20 years building the reputation of the growing region, in part by forging winemaking partnerships that brought Italy’s Piero Antinori and Germany’s Dr. Ernst Loosen to the Columbia Valley.

After leaving Ste. Michelle in 2000, Allen’s commitment to advancing the Columbia Valley remained undaunted. He spent the next three years developing Long Shadows, a proposition that was as simple as it was complex: recruit a cadre of the finest winemakers in the world; give each vintner access to Washington State’s best grapes; and outfit a winery to accommodate a diverse group of winemakers’ exacting cellar specifications.

With the vision in place, Allen began by introducing a dream team of celebrated vintners to the vines and wines of the growing region. The idea quickly sold itself; and from the beginning, the wines have enjoyed critical acclaim that has continued to grow, vintage after vintage. In addition to the wines, Long Shadows collectively has won numerous awards, including recognition as Food & Wine magazine’s “Winery of the Year.”

long-shadows-logoLONG SHADOW WINEMAKERS:

Randy Dunn –  Michel Rolland – John Duval – Philippe Melka – Agustin Huneeus, SR. – Ambrogio & Giovanni Folonari – Armin Diel – Gilles Nicault

Long Shadows Winery

Long Shadows Winery

longshadows-pedestal_merlotLONG SHADOWS
Winery Spotlight Tasting
Washington State

Please join us as we Taste, Learn and Enjoy®
these delicious 90+ point wines from Washington State:

  • Poet’s Leap
  • Saggi Red Wine
  • Feather Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Chester Kidder Red Wine
  • Pirouette Red Wine
  • Sequel Syrah
  • Pedestal Merlot

 Limited Seating Available – Reserve your seat ASAP!

Contact your local WineStyles to RSVP!