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Wine Industry Matures


Washington’s wine industry is aging just fine

dec370970c-320wi” alt=”Chelan agriculture photo” />SUNDAY BLOG:

Washington wine is aging just fine. Earlier this week, the Washington State Wine Commission reported the results of a new economic impact study of the Washington wine industry which is the most comprehensive ever produced. It contains good news–very good news.

Washington wine is now an $8.6 billion annual business and across the nation, it is a $14.9 billion annual industry. These findings represent a substantial increase from a similar study conducted in 2007 that valued the industry at $3 billion in-state and $4.7 billion nationally.

Since 2005, the number of licensed wineries in Washington State has more than doubled from 360 to now well over 700. The state has also added more than 13,000 acres of vineyards during this time – from just over 30,000 acres (12,000 hectares) in 2005 to more than 43,000 acres (17,000 hectares) today.

The study found

that the industry supports nearly 30,000 jobs in Washington State and more than 70,000 jobs nationally, with wages of wages of nearly $1.2 billion and over $2.8 billion, respectively. The industry generates more than $237 million in annual tax revenues to the state of Washington and pays nearly $1.4 billion annually in taxes across the country.

Each year, Washington State draws more than 2.4 million wine-related tourists who spend nearly $1.1 billion in communities throughout the state.

Wine tasting room 4.28.2012.docFor the first time, this study also provides a snapshot of the industry’s economic impact at the county level. According to the report, King County, surrounding Seattle, has the largest concentration of wine-related activity – more than $3.3 billion annually. Other county totals include Benton County ($927 million annually), Yakima County ($527 million annually), and Walla Walla County ($502 million annually).

 

Marty Clubb is president of the Washington Wine Institute, a trade association of Washington State wineries. Clubb is the second-generation owner of L’Ecole N° 41, Lowden, and is one of many Association of Washington Business winery members. He said, “Washington wineries and growers have benefited greatly from the support of our public sector partners in creating a business and regulatory environment to support the growth of our industry.”

The Columbian editorialized: “The collective wisdom of Washington state’s wine producers can be crushed down to just a three-word inquiry: What economic recession? And here’s the best news: Imagine how Washington wineries could grow even more if and when a national economic recovery kicks in!”

The Columbian editors are spot on. This is welcome news for our state and

nation.

Don C. Brunell, President (DonB@awb.org)

Guests of Mission Ridge Receive Wine Discounts

Mission Ridge skiers score wine discounts in Wenatchee Wine Country!

Skiers at Mission Ridge can show their day pass the weekend they ski or season pass to get discounts at these wineries:

Quincy: 

White Heron: waived tasting fees and

10% off wine purchases

Jones Of WA Winery:  10% off wine purchases

Wenatchee/East Wenatchee:    

Stemilt Creek Winery:  waived tasting fees and 10% off wine purchases

Chateau Faire le Pont Winery:  10% off wine purchases

Martin-Scott Winery:  10% off 3 or more bottles to day-pass holders only

Snowdrift Cider Co.:  10% off cider purchases

The Wenatchee Visitor Bureau: 1/2 price tasting fees and 10% off wine purchases

Read More »

Saint Laurent Winery for the Holidays

 

logo

December Special

Cabernet Sauvignon Anniversary Set

Discounts on 2006 Cabernet and 2008

Lucky White

Cab Set An
Celebrate the Holidays with our outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon. Enjoy our anniversary set (2003 through 2007) of handcrafted bottles of Cabernet. That’s five consecutive years of delicious Cab! What better way to bring in the New Year than with these amazing wines.

 

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Wrapping
Free Shipping &

Holiday Gift Wrapping!

 

Looking for something special to give someone this season? Check out our variety of top quality wines. Add Gift Wrapping to your cart for free now through December 23rd. Free shipping for December specials. Enter coupon code FREESHIP

 

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Holiday Treats & Wine Pairing:

Caramelized-Onion and Gorgonzola Grilled Pizza

Gorgonzola Onion Pizza

Ingredients:

6 tbs extra-virgin olive oil

2 large onions, thinly sliced

14-16 oz pizza dough

1 cup Gorgonzola, crumbled

1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped

1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

Preparation:

Heat 1/4 cup oil in skillet over medium-low heat until it shimmers, cook onions with salt and pepper, stirring occasionally, until golden. Transfer to a small bowl and covered.

Prepare a grill for direct-heat cooking over low charcoal (medium heat for gas). Stretch dough into a roughly 12- by 10-inch rectangle on a large baking sheet and brush with 1 Tbsp oil. Bring dough, onions, cheese, nuts, parsley, and remaining Tbsp oil to grill area.

Oil grill rack, then put dough, oiled side down, on grill and brush top with remaining Tbsp oil. Grill, covered, until underside is golden brown, 1 1/2 to 3 minutes. Using tongs, return crust to baking sheet, turning crust over (grilled side up). Sprinkle evenly with onions, cheese, nuts, and parsley. Slide pizza from sheet onto grill and grill, covered, until underside is golden brown and cheese is partially melted, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and cut into pieces.

Wine Pairing: 2006 Wahluke Cabernet

25% Off

Case purchases of 06 Cabernet or

(Club members get an additional

10% on top of existing discounts)

Offer Expires: December 31st

$125

Cabernet Anniversary Set

Five years of Cabernet Sauvignon

03, 04, 05, 06, and 07

($295 value!)

Offer Expires: December 31st

www.saintlaurent.com

Wenatchee Wine Country Tasting Rooms Hours

Visit the Wenatchee Valley Visitor Bureau at 5 S. Wenatchee Ave. to sample Wenatchee Wine Country wines! (Closed Friday and Saturday this week) Their friendly staff can give you directions to the wineries for additional wine-touring, and tell you about everything FUN in Wenatchee!

Tasting Room Hours:

WENATCHEE/MALAGA/EAST WENATCHEE

BELLA TERRAZZA: Visit their new tasting room at 1260 Lower Sunnyslope Rd. Open Saturday & Sunday 12-6 p.m. Winner of

2 bronze medals at the NCW Wine Awards.

CHATEAU FAIRE LE PONT: One Vineyard Way. Tasting Room Hours: Sunday and Monday: 11-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday: 11-9 p.m. Restaurant Tuesday-Saturday: 11-2 p.m. for lunch, 5-9 p.m. for dinner. Ladies Night “Hot Flash,” Charlie Solbrig on Wednesday nights. Learn how to make holiday centerpieces on Dec. 7. Jazz Nights: Thursdays. Listen to guitarist/vocalist Charlie Solbrig on Friday and Saturday nights. Cooking classes on the first Saturday of the month. Prime rib every Friday. Reservations and information at 667-9463. Winner of 5 Gold medals at NCW wine Awards, 2 Silver medals, 1 Bronze

SAINT LAURENT WINERY:

Tasting room hours: Open by appointment. Located at 4147 Hamlin Rd. 888-WINE. Winner of 1 Gold medal at NCW Wine Awards, 7 Silver medals, 2 Bronze

MALAGA SPRINGS:

Tasting room hours: Friday, Saturday, Sunday 12-5 p.m. 679-0152. They are located at 3450 Cathedral Rock Rd. Silver medal winner at NCW Wine Awards.

MARTIN-SCOTT WINERY:

Tasting room hours: Friday & Saturday noon-5 p.m. (509) 885-5485 3400 10th St. SE, East Wenatchee. Double Gold winner at NCW Wine awards, Gold, Silver and Bronze.

SNOWDRIFT CIDER CO:

Tasting Room Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 11-5 p.m. or by appointment. 630-3507 277 Ward St., East Wenatchee.

STEMILT CREEK WINERY: Tasting Room hours: Wednesday-Saturday noon-6 p.m. 665-3485. 110 N. Wenatchee Ave. Winner of 1 silver and 2 bronze medals at NCW wine awards.

CASHMERE/LEAVENWORTH:

Visit 3 wineries in 1 building in Cashmere:

CRAYELLE CELLARS: Tasting Room Hours: open Saturday & Sunday noon- 5 p.m. or by appointment (509-393-1996) 207 Mission Ave., Cashmere.

HORAN ESTATES WINERY:

Tasting Room Hours: Open Saturday & Sunday noon- 5 p.m. or by appointment (509)860-0662, or (509)679-8705. 207 Mission Ave., Cashmere. Winner of Gold, Silver and Bronze medals at NCW wine awards.

WATERVILLE WINERY: Tasting room hours: Friday-Monday, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. 207 Mission Ave., Cashmere. Call 670-8851 for information.

BELLA TERRAZZA VINEYARDS: 837 Front St. Suite A (down the stairs), Leavenworth. Tasting room Hours: Friday-Saturday 11-6 p.m.; Sunday 11-5 p.m.

SILVARA VINEYARDS:

Tasting Room Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. 77 Stage Rd, Leavenworth. (509)548-1000. Silvara Vineyards will be hosting Guitarist Charlie Solbrig in their tasting room from 1:00pm- 4:00pm Saturday December, 10th. Enjoy the holiday season with a cozy afternoon of wine and music. Winner of 1 gold and 1 silver medals at NCW wine awards.

BARONESS CELLARS:

Tasting Room Hours: Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 10:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Sunday 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Extended festival and holiday hours. (509)548-7600. Upstairs at 939 Front St. between 9th and 10th Streets, Leavenworth.

STEMILT CREEK:

Tasting Room Hours: Their new tasting room is now open at 617 Front St., Leavenworth. Hours are Monday-Thursday noon-6 p.m., Friday and Saturday 12-7 p.m.; Sundays 12-5 p.m. Winner of 2 silver and 1 bronze at NCW wine awards.

QUINCY

WHITE HERON CELLARS:

Tasting Room Hours: Thursday-Monday,1-6 p.m. (509) 797-9463. 10035 Stuhlmiller Rd.

BEAUMONT CELLARS:

Beaumont Cellars: Tasting Room hours: Friday-Saturday 1-6 p.m. (509)787-5586. 8634 Road U NW. Winner of Double Gold

at the NCW Wine Awards, Best in Show and Best Red.

JONES OF WA:

Tasting Room Hours: Friday-Sunday 12 pm-5 pm, 2101 F Street SW, Quincy, WA 98848 (509)787-8108 Awarded Best Rose’, Best White Wine, and Best Washington Wine at the Northwest Wine Summit Competition. Also, Best White Wine and Double Gold Medal Winner at the 2011 NCW Wine Awards.

OROVILLE

ESTHER BRICQUES WINERY: To visit, please call 509-476-2861. 38 Swanson Mill Rd. Best dessert wine at NCW Wine Awards.

PROSSER

MILBRANDT VINEYARDS:

Tasting Room hours: 10- 5 p.m. daily (509) 788-0030. 508 Cabernet Court.

RESTAURANTS/TASTING ROOMS

TASTEBUDS: Mondays – Half Price pizza special from 5-7 pm (dine in only). Open daily Monday – Wednesday 7am-9pm, Thursday 7am-10pm, Friday-Saturday 7am-11pm Wednesday 5-7 p.m. Charlie Solbrig performs at Wednesday Wine Tasting night. Saturday, December 12 enjoy the music of Billy Stoops at dinner. Reservations at 888-2783 www.tastebudscoffeewine.com 5th and Mission Streets, Wenatchee.

THE WINE THIEF: 1604 N. Wenatchee Ave. Wenatchee’s newest wine shop offers tastings on Wednesdays and on the weekend. Stop by for great deals on wine! Now serving wines by the glass, too. This Friday night: Champagne tasting!

THE COTTAGE INN: 134 Easy Street, 663-4435. Closed Mondays. Wenatchee’s steak and seafood house. www.cottageinnrestaurant.com

THE BEST BITE: 201 S. Division, Cashmere. Open Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. 782-2222. Visit them for Wine & Bites on Saturdays (wine and appetizers from 4-7 p.m.: reservations please) and Saturday Fondue night, too!

MISSION ST. BISTRO: 202 N. Mission St., 665-2406. Open Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday 5-9 p.m. Enjoy wine flights and an award-winning wine list!

IWA SUSHI: Fantastic Sushi, sashimi and hibachi grilled dishes. 8 N. Wenatchee Ave., 667-8744

THE WOK ABOUT GRILL: Healthy stir-fried veggies and meats that you decide what to cook! 110 N. Wenatchee 662-1154

CHATEAU CAJUN GRILL: Located inside Chateau Faire le Pont Winery, “The Grill” offers steaks, seafood, salads, chicken and pasta with a Cajun flair! Closed Sundays and Mondays , open for lunch and dinner Tuesday-Saturday, 11-9 p.m.

 

UPCOMING WENATCHEE WINE EVENTS:

Holiday Wine Walk: November 12:
The Wenatchee Downtown Association and Wenatchee Wine Country welcome wine enthusiasts into downtown stores to sip, shop, and get ideas for holiday gifts. The fun starts at Davis Furniture, 125 S. Wenatchee Avenue, where guests can pick up a complimentary glass and 12 tastes for $20. Noon to 5 p.m. Guests can stroll through the downtown merchants for wine tasting, holiday sales, and other special events. For more information, visit www.wenatcheewines.com or call (509) 669-5808.

Fall Barrel Tasting & Open House weekend

Celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in Wenatchee Wine Country! The wineries will welcome guests to try wines from the barrel before bottling (it’s like a preview of coming attractions), new releases, and library wines. This weekend offers food, fun and new friends as you discover the award-winning wines of Wenatchee Wine Country! Collect a free souvenir Christmas ornament from each winery as you tour (while supplies last).  Nominal tasting

fees may be charged at some wineries. Cheers to the holidays with Wenatchee Wine Country wines!

 –
Jan Lutz

Executive Director, Wenatchee Wine Country

509-669-5808