Are you in the club?

I am no expert on wine clubs. In fact, due to budget I belong to exactly 2 wine clubs. Given my love of wine, this takes some diligence because if I could I would belong to far more. So, it really takes something special to move me to join a winery's wine club.

We have been fans of Fidelitas Wines for a long time. In fact, we are fans of most of the wines that Charlie Hoppes has a hand in. It was about 2 years ago we jumped onto the Fidelitas wine club and we have been enjoying the ride. I find myself comparing every other wine club I am looking to join to theirs. Let me tell you why.

Wine - You gotta have great wine and well, we have already established that. I mean, why are you considering this wine club in the first place?

Events - Fidelitas is based in Eastern WA. However they make sure to hold wine club events on both sides of the hill. Believe me, they know how to throw a good party. For example, last week we attended a wine club event at El Gaucho in Seattle. It was in celebration of their 10 anniversary and we were treated to library wines from 2000, 2001 & 2003. All are drinking exceptionally well.

People - Seriously, the people make the difference. Right after we joined the Fidelitas wineclub I needed some help putting together some gift baskets for our annual wine dinner. I had an idea in my head and Jess, our wine club concierge helped it all come together and our guests were so pleased. Also, Jess will arrange to meet me to pickup our wine shipments, saving me shipping costs. Most important is the friendships I have made with both Jess and Charlie.

I only wish I could make it over to the Fidelitas tasting room on Red Mountain more often. Especially this weekend as they will having their annual St. Fidelis celebration. If you are over in their neck of the woods, I urge you to go visit them for some great wine, good times & wonderful people.

I also urge you to check out some of your favorite winery's wine clubs. Most have generous perks for their members. If you love their wine and are buying their wine regularly anyway, then why not join their club and reap the benefits?

Goose Ridge's Woodinville Tasting Room

Last Friday evening I had the pleasure of going to the soft opening of Goose Ridge Winery's new Woodinville tasting room, located at 14450 Woodniville Redmond NE Suite 108. They are in the same complex as the Mazatlan restaurant and neighbors with Alder Ridge Estate, Canon De Sol, and Airfield Estates.

The room was all a buzz when we arrived as we made our way to the tasting bar.

Goose Ridge is one of the many wineries from the east side of Washington state who are making a pilgrimage to Woodinville to open a tasting room. The reason why comes down to simple economics, wine sales at the winery would slow down so much in the fall/winter months that a tasting room on the westside would provide traffic year around. So when their friends from Airfield Estates offered them part of the building they had found in Woodinville, Goose Ridge jumped at the chance.

The space is open and inviting with a nice big tasting bar and even a cozy fireplace to snuggle up to with a glass of wine. As always we were impressed with offerings we tasted, especially the Reisling with it's crisp effervescence and the smokey Syrah that had me wishin I had some BBQ ribs.

The staff was pleasant and very efficient in helping the crowd with their tastes and purchases. They opened just in time for the Passport to Woodinville this weekend. I think that there are a few tickets left, so make sure you get yours for this amazing event and definitely put Goose Ridge on your agenda.

Taste Washington Wrap Up

As I languish in my post Taste Washington blues, I thought I should gather my thoughts before they are lost and post up my highlights of the premier WA wine tasting event of the year. First, let me shout out a huge thank you to the Washington Wine Commission for their wonderful hospitality as well as going above and beyond to make this truely the Ultimate Wine Experience

This event can be overwhelming. You simply are not going to sip and taste everything that is offered. It would be an impossible task that would probably incur bodily harm. That's why I went in with a firm gameplan. I mapped out ahead of time where the wineries were that I for sure did not want to miss. For the most part it worked out well and I discovered some other gems along the way.

8 Bit Vintners -Mike James is the wine geeks hero. He has combined his love for gaming and wine into a brilliant marketing strategy. His first release, aptly named "Player 1" is a blend of 50% Syrah, 30% Tempranillo,10% Cab Sauv, 5% Carmenere & 5% Malbec. Very approachable now this easy drinker is a great value at $18 a bottle.

Fielding Hills - I was able to chat with Karen Wade for a bit and taste their wonderful '07 Cabernet Sauvignon. I have read great things about Fielding Hills wine and they were all confirmed by my own palate. It is easy to see why Wine Enthusiast scored it #39 in the world! I also enjoyed talking with both Karen and her husband & winemaker Mike about the story behind their winery. This family winery is producing some top notch wines.

Barrage Cellars - I got to snag a sample of the newly released '07 Outcast which is 100% Cab Franc from Boushey Vineyards. Ahhh you said the magic words, "cab franc" & "Boushey". No need to say more, smoky fruit that goes on for days.

NW Totem Cellars - So, I happened to talk to Mike Sharadin and sample his wines about month ago at a wine shop in LaConner. However, he was holding out on me then because at Taste WA he was pouring his Qo-ne' blend. Really loved this wine and surprise surprise it's a Cab Franc dominant blend. Mike is producing some really amazing wines,definitely seek them out. Don't forget to get a taste of his Late Harvest Viognier.

Another Taste Washington is in the history books. Every year the Wine Commission improves the experience. Aside from the awesome wine and food, the ample water stations and seating was much appreciated. The only negative for me was - what was up with the plates this year? Were they made out of balsa wood? Not the greatest from a reusable standpoint, not washable. I ended up using them for kindling.