Blog Archives

The Elemental Pleasures of Substance Malbec

Everything about the 2009 Substance Malbec is just right: from the brilliant Periodic Table of the Elements label design (which grace the full Wines of Substance lineup) to the quality and distinctiveness of the wine for the price. When font, design, and wine come together, I plead guilty to being smitten. Though Argentina put Malbec [More]

Posted in Washington | Tagged gramercy cellars, malbec, mars hill vineyard, substance, walla walla valley, waters winery, wines of substance | 2 Comments

A Totally Sweet Dessert Wine Collaboration with CakeSpy

I turned yesterday into Super Bowl Sundae (<–read all about it), thanks to a (now declassified) dessert wine investigation with none other than CakeSpy herself, Jessie Moore. You certainly don’t want to miss me getting interviewed by a cupcake and the delicious dessert idea we came up with that will elevate the ordinary into the stratosphere [More]

Posted in dessert wine, Finnriver, sparkling wine, Washington | Tagged cakespy, jessie oleson | 4 Comments

Looking Back on My Month at Finnriver Farm and Cidery

Shortly before I returned to Seattle I spoke with Jeff and Janet (pictured in the upper right), who are partners and manage the day-to-day operation of the farm, about what makes Finnriver so unique. “It takes a lot of people with different backgrounds to make a farm a business and a community,” Janet explained. “It’s [More]

Posted in Finnriver, Washington | Tagged chimacum, family farm, finnriver, olympic peninsula, organic farm | 8 Comments

Producing Artisanal Hard Cider: Interview with Keith Kisler

I’ve worked along Keith Kisler at Finnriver, helping produce artisanal hard cider for most of my month on the farm. OK, well I’m not making the cider, but rather assisting with bottling and other tasks that I cannot turn into a catastrophe. Working on the line also gives me a chance to learn more about [More]

Posted in cider, Finnriver, Washington | Tagged artisanal, chimcacum, cider, fire barrel, hard cider, olympic peninsula, red barn cider | Leave a comment

Harbinger Winery Makes A Blend Like No Other

I pulled into Harbinger Winery in Port Angeles, WA after a morning of cider deliveries for Finnriver. Immediately, I was struck by the tasting room atmosphere, which reminded me of a cool rec room. Mismatched seating, a kayak, paintings, and random esoterica? Check. And how many wineries have you been to in a converted logging [More]

Posted in Washington | Tagged harbinger winery, lemberger, olympic peninsula, port angeles, rose | 4 Comments

Finnriver Farm in Pictures: Before and After the Snow

I put together a photo essay for Foodista, inspired by how the snow at Finnriver Farm and Cidery has transformed the landscape.

Posted in Finnriver, Washington | Tagged chimacum, finnriver, foodista, foodista.com, olympic peninsula, organic farm, snow, washington, winter | Leave a comment

An Interview With Crystie Kisler of Finnriver Farm

Crystie and Keith Kisler are the owners of Finnriver Farm and Cidery. It’s been great spending time at their farm, in their home, and with their family, neighbors, and friends. I’ve enjoyed talking to Crystie about life on the farm and, well, life, and came up with a few questions for her that would allow [More]

Posted in cider, Finnriver, Washington | Tagged aldo leopold, family farm, organic farm, sand county almanac, sustainability | Leave a comment

A Barrel-Aged Cider and Grilled Cheese Renaissance

Nothing like a barrel-aged cider and grilled cheese for lunch to put you in a good mood. And the view at Renaissance in Port Angeles, WA, is one that I hated to walk away from. Seriously, check out this view again! Renaissance’s breads, cheeses, produce, and libations are all sourced with the vision of being [More]

Posted in cider, Finnriver, Uncategorized, Washington | Tagged mt. townsend, port angeles, red barn | 2 Comments

Jameson Fink