Wine fans in Seattle are getting excited to raise a glass at the Seattle Wine & Food Experience, returning to Seattle Center February 26th from noon – 5pm. This event not only features Washington Wines, but will have a special focus on Oregon wineries. In addition, we’ll be able to taste Idaho, Californian and International wines while sampling small bites from over 20 local chefs. New this year: a beer and cider exhibit and (I can’t wait for this) a Northwest Distillery Row.
Admission is $49 per person, 21+, ID required. A portion of the ticket sales benefits The Giving Grapes Foundation, which has chosen Big Table, which exists to transform lives through community around food, offering practical and personal support. See below for your chance to enter to win a ticket to this grand event!
I’m particularly interested to see how the Northwest Distillery Row takes shape at this event! Distilleries involved include 44 North Vodka, Bainbridge Organic Distillers, Bakon Vodka, Bendistillery, Black Rock Spirits, BroVo Spirits, Fremont Mischief, Pacific Distillery, Sidetrack Distillery, Skip Rock Distillers, Soft Tail Spirits, Sound Spirits, Venom Vodka and ZAC Mezcal.
- Pinot Noirs from A to Z Wineworks, Cooper Mountain Vineyards, Rex Hill ,Youngberg Hilland and Anne Amie Vinyards
- Merlot from Don Carlo Vineyard
- Malbec and Viognier from Watermill Winery
- Muller Thurgau from Henry Estate Winery
- Borealis from Montinore Estate
- Viognier from Watermill Winery
- Everything from Erath. A few years back, I had an amazing trip with my mother, sister-in-law and her mother to Erath (if you are ever in their area, do make a point to stop by their tasting room), so am particularly interested in trying their Pinot Gris and Pinot Noirs.
Of the Washington wineries, I’m looking forward to sipping:
- Syrahs from Airfield Estates, Glen Fiona, Woodinville Wine Cellars and Robert Ramsay Cellars
- Columbia Winery, Chateau Ste. Michelle and Hogue Cellars (wines I often pick up when out shopping)
- Sauvignon Blanc from DiStefano Winery
- Riesling from Diversion Wine and Milbrandt Vineyards
- Merlot from Girly Girl Wines, Glencorrie Winery and Waterbrook Winery
- Hestia Cellars
- Kiona Vineyards and Winery (if you have a chance to visit them, do! They have a gorgeous view)
- Chardonnay from Orca Wines
- Onxy 2008 from Terra Blanca Winery (another great winery in Red Mountain)
- Malbec from Three Rivers Winery
And let’s not forget the food! Restaurants that have caught my eye include: A la Mode Pies, Cicchetti Kitchen & Bar, The Coterie Room, Lola, Luc, Purple Cafe & Wine Bar, Spur Gastropub, Wild Ginger and Tavern Law.
CONTEST TIME!
Contest has ended! Congrats to winner Katie Hope!
*Restaurants/Wineries: want me to hyperlink to your site? Just post the link as a comment below! Is your restaurant or winery not mentioned here? Comment below and I’ll be sure to swing by your booth at the event!
Seattle Pockets 
I’ve really been wanting to try Bainbridge organic distillers, I’m excited they’ll be in attendance
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Same here. Bainbridge is such a cool community – I love taking a ferry over there. This might inspire a trip! 🙂 Thanks, Katie!
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I want to try The Coterie Room! I am so behind on the new restaurant scene, so my fingers are crossed!
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I haven’t been there in person yet either – can’t wait to see what they offer at the event! Thanks for the comment, Jessica!
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I just recently moved to Seattle from Germany. That’s why I am very excited to try some local wines. Not to brag but I’ve had more wines from France, Spain, and Germany in the past, so this will be a nice change.
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My first stop would probably be: Orca Wines.
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Sweet, thanks Suzy!
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Very cool! Will be interested to hear how you think our young Washington wines stand up against the competition! 🙂
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I’d love to try Finnriver’s cider and food from the Coterie Room 🙂
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Thanks Jenn! My pal http://jamesonfink.com/ has been spending some time at FinnRiver – check out his blog for some cool behind the scenes stories!
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I’d love to try out Tavern Law. Nom nom nom 🙂
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🙂 Have you visited them yet? Only been there for one cocktail, no food yet.
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I’m most excited to taste Mourvedres from Glen Fiona, McCrea Cellars, and Robert Ramsey. Ahhh who am I kidding – I’m excited to taste it all!!
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Haha! Sounds like we’re on the same page!
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I would love to try some A La Mode Pies!! Also Purple is yummy 🙂
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I’ve read a few reviews of A la Mode pies on local blogs lately – haven’t tried them yet. LOVE Purple – haven’t been in a while. Their sweet potato fries rock. What do you like there?
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I’m looking forward to trying all the distilleries. But the Robert Ramsay Cellars 2009 Syrah will be where I’d head first.
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Awesome, JD! Thanks for the suggestion!
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The region creates some amazing wines. Having them under one roof is always a great time.
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It’s true…but it can be a bit overwhelming as well. I always make sure to have a tiny notebook and pen with me to take notes, so I don’t forget who my “best in show” votes go to.
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I am very excited to try many of the wines, however, McCrea is at the top of my list!!!
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Haven’t tried them before – thanks Joey!
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I really enjoy Tieton Distillery out of Yakima, I first tried it at a brewery in Mount Vernon. You can find all the varieties they offer at Jay’s Market in Lake Stevens. What an exciting venue. The PNW has so much to offer.
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Thanks Michele! I will have to make a point to visit them in the “Distillery Row.” I agree – we are lucky to live in such a great area!
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I love pinots, especially in the Pacific NW, so I’m a sucker for A to Z Wineworks, Cooper Mountain Vineyards, Rex Hill ,Youngberg Hilland and Anne Amie Vinyards
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Awesome!
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I’m so excited to taste Zebra Wines! I think I may need a cab home though with all the great wines and beers and everything there! Can’t wait!
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YES, I definitely intend on taking Uber or Crown Black Car to and from the event. Good call!
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I’m in LOVE with Malbecs this year, so I’m stoked to see Three Rivers Winery there! And of course, I’m expecting great things from Luc, Purple and everyone else you listed. I better start depositing extra calories into the splurge bank!!!
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Splurge bank – love it! 🙂 I’m right there with you on Malbecs – they are my favorite. WA grapes are still young, but there are some tasty ones out there. Thanks, Siiri, hope to see you soon!
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I am excited to try Anne Amie Vineyards 2008 Prismé Pinot Noir Blanc, since I love Pinot Noir but never had the opportunity to try a “white” one.
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How unique! On their website: http://www.anneamie.com/prism%C3%A9-pinot-noir-blanc
“Prismé is the truest expression of the Pinot noir grape. We select only our finest blocks of Pinot noir and gently press the grapes, liberating the free run juice, but not the color or tannins from the skins. It is then barrel-fermented, and aged on its lees in French oak barrels for 18 months. This structured white wine has a backbone of acidity, a voluptuous mid-palate and a long, creamy finish. Prismé is named after the word prism- the splitting of white light into its corresponding colors. Here we are doing precisely that in reverse, making a rich, textured white wine from Pinot noir.”
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I went to Eastern Washington but missed the Kiona winery and have heard good things about them so I would like to try their wines.
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They are pretty fab! Have won quite a few awards too.
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I strongly support wineries from Washington, and was excited to see some wines that are new to me. Diversion Wine and Milbrandt Vineyards and Terra Blanca Winery are completely new to me. Also I’ve heard good things about Spur Gastropub and Tavern Law. These all seem quite enticing!
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Nice list! These events are always a fun way to find more local favs! Miss you, Barb!
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I am looking forward to tasting Tavern Law and Wild Ginger’s yummy eats.
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Thanks Christine!
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Congrats contest winner: Katie Hope! Didn’t win? Head over to this blog for another chance: http://taryn-sipsandthecity.blogspot.com/2012/01/are-you-in-it-to-win-it-seattle-wine.html
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Update: Purple Cafe & Wine Bar let Seattle Pockets know they will be serving: Nutella Brownie with Whipped Nuttella Mousse and White Chocolate Garnish
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