I still recall my first encounter with Elsom Cellars wine years ago. It was a malbec, and a distinctive one at that. It exuded a spicy, black pepper nuance. Is there a spice more popular than pepper? It adds abundant flavor to life. As do the wines coming out of this woman led business. While Malbec is still considered the signature variety of Elsom Cellars, the winery is about so much more than that. Especially to me personally. I am a member of the board of Seattle Urban Wineries as a result of Winemaker Rebecca Weber’s outreach. Even if it weren’t for that, I find it admirable that the peop ..read more

How about a glass of wine to celebrate Earth Day? In keeping with the theme, be sure it’s from an eco-friendly producer. How do you know whether a winery uses sustainable practices? If you ask Esther Mobley, Senior Wine Critic of the San Francisco Chronicle, “The best resource I can recommend is the Slow Wine Guide.” It was my privilege to conduct 17 interviews in Washington and Oregon for the Slow Wine Guide USA 2023. Each winery entry provides a snapshot of the people, the vineyards, and wines. Top Slow Wine Awards When I received my author’s copy it was a thrill to see that two of the wine ..read more

Look up “Colorado wine” and Google suggests people want to know, “Is Colorado good for wine?” and, “Does Colorado have good wineries?” Up until last week, I had no idea. Enter Colorado winery, The Ordinary Fellow. The labels on the samples I received are anything but commonplace, splashed with colorful artwork. A small peel off tab enables an outer sleeve to rotate around the bottle. With each turn of the clever wrapper, cutouts highlight different images below along with clever sayings. The innovative approach is something perfectly playful and enchanting for those who feel that stodgy wine l ..read more

Isn’t shopping for wine a bit like visiting Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory? Pass through the entrance and sense feelings of wonder and awe. How could there be so many choices? The wine, like a seemingly endless river of chocolate, brings on conflicting feelings of childlike joy and overwhelm! Caution should be exercised so that a lack of self-control doesn’t lead to catastrophe. It’s a lot to cope with, I know. In order to maintain a sense of decorum AND not overspend, it’s a good idea to have a plan and stick to your mission. To that end, here is a simple guide to buying wine. Begin with a ..read more

They’re here! If you’re curious about wineries with a sustainable focus, or interested in Seattle’s wine scene, my recent writing projects are now published. Slow Wine Guide 2023 The secret is out! How do you find wines that are crafted with sustainable practices such as using grapes that are farmed without synthetic pesticides & herbicides? Get a copy of the Slow Wine Guide USA! The 2023 edition is now available.⁠ ⁠ I had the pleasure of interviewing 17 winemakers in Washington and Oregon for this edition, helping to grow the Pacific Northwest’s presence in this outstanding resource. It ..read more

“When should I open this bottle of wine I’ve been saving for a special occasion?” That question was regularly posed to Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher in the days when they penned their renowned wine column for The Wall Street Journal. In response, the clever writers started “Open That Bottle Night.” The goal was to encourage the inquisitive to just go ahead and open that bottle. The event continues to take place on the last Saturday of every February. If you’ve ever wondered what wines are on the minds of winemakers and wine writers on Open That Bottle Night here’s a little insight. Mari Woma ..read more

The Slow Wine Guide USA 2022 is now available. This edition includes twelve Washington wineries. That’s nine more than the 2021 edition. Better still, two are recognized with Slow Wine’s top honors. Read on for some insights about the Washington wineries that attained Slow Wine awards. Of the 36 wines published in the Washington chapter for this edition of the Guide, nine are named Top Wines. Of the wines sampled, these represent the finest bottles from a sensory point of view. From cool climate Madeleine Angevine to the state’s first commercial plantings of Sagrantino, the varieties represent ..read more

This easy savory baked apple recipe shows up regularly for dinner at our house. The apples can be prepared ahead of time, then served at room temperature. It’s the kind of dish that works as well for an everyday dinner yet looks impressive enough for a special occasion meal. It’s also quite at home on a brunch table. Plus, it’s every bit as tasty the next day, so I usually plan to make leftovers. Inspiration for this dish comes from the book, On Rue Tatin by Susan Herrmann Loomis. It’s a fascinating read in which recipes comingle with the tale of how she and her family adapt to life in Norman ..read more

While celebrating Washington Wine Month throughout March, I opened a number of bottles that reminded me of the remarkable values crafted by our state’s wineries. Here they are, irresistible Washington wines under $26 in order of price point along with food pairings. If these wineries aren’t already on your radar they should be! Powers Winery 2016 Merlot Retail price $12.99 at Esquin On a recent visit to VinoSocial client Esquin I asked for a Washington Merlot under $30 that isn’t heavily oaked. With over 5,400 wines in stock, I was surprised the recommended wine came in at less than half the ..read more

It’s easy to spend a day in Woodinville Wine Wine Country. Home to around 130 wineries, it’s just a thirty-minute drive from Seattle. That makes it a great destination for a staycation or weekend escape. Here’s an itinerary for a full day of tasting and dining from the perspective of a wine industry insider. Avennia Avennia, a VinoSocial client, pours wines masterfully crafted by winemaker Chris Peterson in a light and bright tasting room. For years now I have regularly purchased their Arnaut Boushey Vineyard Syrah to stock in my home cellar. Try Avennia if you’re looking for high end wines ..read more