EDITOR’S NOTE: To promote your wine event on our Calendar of Events, simply e-mail the specifics about the event to: chuck@discoverwashingtonwine.com. It’s best to send your information to us at least 30 days in advance of the event.
Taste Washington Wine Month
Takes on a Whole New Look
On Monday, Feb. 8, Taste Washington unveiled its programming for a month-long celebration of Washington wine and food that will stretch from March 1 through April 4. In its 24th year, Taste Washington is adjusting to meet the needs of public safety by offering an entire month of new promotions, encouraging wine enthusiasts to directly support the Washington wineries and restaurants they love…and to discover new favorites.
“While we look forward to a big in-person reunion in 2022, this year has given us the opportunity to make Taste Washington more inclusive and expansive for audiences across the nation,” Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer of Visit Seattle Ali Daniels said.
“Lowering the barrier to entry has also created a platform to allow wineries and restaurants of any size or geographic location within the state to take part – from small pop-ups and brand-new wineries to longstanding wine and dining institutions, there is a place for all of them,” Daniels added.
Taste Washington 2021 proudly introduces its brand new “Taste Washington To Go” and “Taste Washington At Home” initiatives, along with unique winery and restaurant activations, hotel packages and more.
Taste Washington To Go, presented by Alaska Airlines, will highlight some of Washington’s most prestigious wines paired with playful themes. The week of March 1 through 7 will feature Cabernet Sauvignon & Casserole, followed by Chardonnay & Catch of the Day the week of March 8 through 14. Then comes Syrah & Barbecue the week of March 15 through 21, Red Blends & Family Recipes the week of March 22 through 28, and finally, Riesling & Noodles & Dumplings the week of March 29 through April 4.
Each week, famed chefs will create a special takeout pairing uniquely crafted for the specific theme. Wineries across the state will offer promotions highlighting the week’s featured variety, and local restaurants will offer their own spin on the theme.
As of Wednesday, Feb. 10, restaurants such as The Whale Wins, Salare, Musang, Gravy, Canlis, Three Sacks Full and Tom Douglas Restaurants have signed up to participate in the Taste Washington To Go initiative. More restaurants will be announced in the coming weeks.
Taste Washington At Home, presented by Whole Foods Market, invites everyone into the kitchen to take part in Taste Washington. Each week, Whole Foods Market will share a different recipe and Washington wine pairing that follows the theme. This program was inspired by Taste Washington fans that are unable to travel this year or feel more comfortable preparing their own meals at home.
As part of the month-long Taste Washington Celebration, dozens of hotels throughout the state will offer wine packages with a mix of amenities including a bottle of wine upon check in, complimentary parking and other perks. “In a year that has been hard for so many, we hope this year’s Taste Washington will allow people to enjoy the best of Washington’s food and wine while supporting an industry that has been hurt the hardest,” Daniels said.
“Throughout the month of March,” added Daniels, “you will be able to treat yourself by booking a night at a hotel, ordering delicious take out and trying a new bottle of Washington wine.”
Taste Washington Wine Month is also a great time to join a wine club or taste a new wine. Washington wineries will participate in Taste Washington with promotions all month long, including shipping specials, waived tasting fees, wine discounts, virtual tastings and more. Likewise, restaurants across the state will offer weekly specials and recipes highlighting their favorite Washington wine and food offerings.
“Washington wineries are primed to continue collaborating in new and engaging ways in 2021,” said Steve Warner, President of the Washington State Wine Commission. “Taste Washington will offer many opportunities to support wineries and restaurants all across the state, giving people a chance to ‘Taste Washington’ all month long!”
All programming details and weekly announcements can be found on the Taste Washington website: www.tastewashington.org.
Next Episode of “Sommlight” Series
Scheduled for Tuesday, March 9
Make sure to check out the next episode of the Washington Wine Commission’s “Sommlight Series.” Featuring Lenny Redé, Wine Buyer at New Seasons Market, Mercer Island, WA., the episode will be aired on Tuesday, March 9.
Hosted by the Wine Commission’s Marketing Director David Flaherty, “Sommlight” was launched in July of 2020 as a weekly series of virtual conversations with well-know sommeliers and other wine professionals. Beginning in January, 2021, however, the frequency of episodes was changed to twice a month. The episode following the conversation with Lenny Redé, featuring Wendy Shoemaker, lead sommelier at San Diego’s Marina Kitchen, will be aired on Tuesday, March 23.
“Sommlight unveils the other side of sommeliers and wine professionals, showcasing their humor, humanity and depth,” Flaherty explains. “Sommeliers are so professional by nature that it’s been fascinating to pull back the curtain a bit, have some fun, and reveal the complexities and unique qualities everyone can relate to,” Flaherty added. “We have an opportunity to showcase some of our favorite people in the wine business that are forging unique paths and inspiring so many of us.”
The “Sommlight” Series is available on every platform, and in multiple forms. While it is primarily run as an IGTV series with episodes ranging from 12 to 16 minutes, you can also experience one-minute teasers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and even a long-form podcast version of each episode (40+ minutes) on the Sommlight website – www.sommlight.com — through Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
If you have missed any of the 24 episodes that have aired since July 30, 2020, you may watch any or all episodes by visiting the Sommlight website. Following is a list of the four episodes that have aired in 2021 and the two that will be aired on March 9 and 23.
- Annette Alvarez-Peters – Episode 21 – Aired January 12, 2021
- Alisha Blackwell-Calvert – Episode 22 – Aired January 26, 2021
- Chris McFall – Episode 23 – Aired February 9, 2021
- Beth Hickey – Episode 24 – Aired February 23, 2021
- Lenny Redé – Episode 25 – Airing March 9, 2021
- Wendy Shoemaker – Episode 26 – Airing March 23, 2021
For more information about the Sommlight series, contact Heather Bradshaw, Communications Director, Washington State Wine Commission at (206) 495-5844 or email Heather at: hbradshaw@washingtonwine.org.
2021 Washington Winegrowers
Convention Will Be A Virtual Event
Because of the ever-present Coronavirus Pandemic, the Washington Winegrowers Association has announced that its 2021 annual Convention will be held on a virtual stage this year, physically distancing but socially connecting.
Virtual sessions for this year’s Convention, titled “WineVit,” will be spread out over a three-week period from March 9 through 23. The reason sessions will be spread out during these dates is to help members balance learning with their work schedules.
The schedule of virtual sessions is as follows:
Tuesday, March 9
9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. – State of the Industry
1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Tasting Room # 1, Hindsight is, Literally, 2020. What we’ve learned this year on social media.
Wednesday, March 10
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. – WSDA Compliance Pesticide Program: Who are they, what they look for and what you need to know.
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Bottling Obstacles and Hurdles.
Thursday, March 11
10 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. – All Those Who Filter Are Not Lost: A filtration deep dive (with tasting).
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Making Use of Federal Disaster Relief Programs.
Tuesday, March 16
9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Root Stock for the Next Generation of Washington Viticulture.
10:30 – 12 p.m. – Tasting Room # 2: Pandemic Proofing Your DTC and where do we go from here.
Wednesday, March 17
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Risk Management: Learning from recent growing seasons and harvests.
1 p.m. – 3 p.m. – Poster Session.
Thursday, March 18
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Evaluation of Winegrape Trellising and its modern application.
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Working Without a Net; Low S02 Winemaking.
Tuesday, March 23
10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Tasting Room # 3: Introduction to Sustainability.
To register for WineVit 2021, and for more detailed information about what each virtual session will cover, the speakers for each session, etc., visit: www.winevit.org. Or call the Washington Winegrowers Association at: (509) 782-8234.
About the Washington Winegrowers Association: The association exists to assimilate and disseminate information relevant to the Washington State winegrape growing and wine production industry. The annual Convention offers attendees an opportunity to expand their knowledge and understanding of current, practical topics by presenting educational sessions covering key industry topics. The Association has approximately 1,000 members.
