| Washington State Wine Country | | | | By: Ron Kapon | << back  Page 3 of 3 |
WOODINVILLE AREA (¾ hour northeast of Seattle)-
Chateau Ste. Michelle- Washington’s oldest winery -1934- 1 million cases, plus 260,000 cases of Domaine Ste. Michelle sparkling wine (bottled at Columbia Crest, also same ownership and Washington’s largest winery at 1 ½ million cases)- Owned since 1970 by US Tobacco- Eroica is a joint venture with Germany’s Dr. Ernest Loosen , both dry & dessert Rieslings. Over 30 different wines produced.
De Lille Cellars- 5,000 cases-1992 began- Bordeaux style wines- Cabernet/Merlot/ Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon blend.
Woodhouse Family Cellars- 4,000 cases- began in 1998- winery is brand new- several labels including Kennedy Shaw where a large portion of the profits support women & children organizations- Darighe is their Meritage wine- Maghie Cellars for Reserve Merlot.
Columbia Winery- Since 1962- 160,000 cases- Washington’s first premium winery-David Lake MW (Master of Wine) has been the winemaker since 1979. Owned by Constellation Brands, produces three signature series of wines from noted Washington vineyards.
In all my tasting and meetings with winemakers and owners never did I hear- “We are just like California”. It was always- “We make world-class wines from Washington State and we are proud of it.
WEBSITES-
Washington Wine Commission- www.washingtonwine.org
Yakima Valley- www.wineyakimavalley.org
Tri-Cities- www.columbiavalleywine.com
Walla Walla- www.wallawallawine.com
Woodinville- www.woodinvillewinecountry.com
About the Author:
Ron Kapon
Ron received a BA in Marketing from Columbia College and an MS in Advertising from Columbia University Graduate School of Business. In addition, he is a graduate of The Grossman Beverage Program and The German Wine Academy. Ron is a member of The Society for Wine Educators, a lecturer at The Wine Workshop and co-founder of The Wine Media Guild.
Ron keeps himself busy as Regional Vice President of Tasters Guild International, Director of Tasters Guild New York, and as Managing Director Emeritus of Acker, Merrall & Condit, the oldest wine merchants in America. He is a Professor at the Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism School at Fairleigh Dickinson University and ran the wine program at Queens College. He is President of Profit Plus Marketing and Management Company. Ron is also the Senior Bureau Chief for East West News Bureau as well as a partner in Wine Event Planners.
Ron co-hosts the syndicated radio show- The Wonderful World of Wine & Spirits & is the travel, wine & spirits correspondent for the first world-wide internet talk show hosted by Sally Jessy Raphael. His articles appear in Bergen County Magazine, Resident Publications, SoGoNow, MSNBC, Real Travel Adventures, Travel World Magazine, The Fifty Best, Local Wine Events and Sports Network.
Rons travels have taken him to over 140 countries. His goal is to reach 150.
Website Name: Tasters Guild New York
Website URL: www.tastersguildny.com, www.ronkapon.com
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