Can you believe I’ll be at the U.S. Open this weekend? One of golf’s biggest events is being held at Chambers Bay in University Place, Washington. (Not too far from Tacoma.)
And since I haven’t hidden a secret life as a professional golfer from you, what am I doing there? Caddying? No. Drinking wine? YES! Huh?
Thanks to the Washington State Wine Commission I received an invitation to attend the U.S. Open as member of the media. Not only can I check out the golf action, but also linger in their hospitality tent full of wine. Which is, incidentally, the best kind of tent. Unless you also put kittens in it. That would really take things to uncharted levels of amazing. (SUGGESTION BOX)
Washington State Wines At the U.S. Open I’ll Be Tasting
15th Hole at Chambers Bay, photo by Andy Simonds
Each day, from the 15th to Sunday, will feature a rotating set of wines selected by a group of sommeliers. And while checking out Great Northwest Wine I got to peek at what’s on Saturday’s menu. Boom:
Betz Family Winery 2012 Pére de Famille Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $72
Browne Family Vineyards 2013 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $30
Cadence Winery 2011 Tapteil Vineyard, Red Mountain, $45
Col Solare 2012 Red Wine, Red Mountain, $75
Read about Col Solare and Raw Elk
Columbia Winery 2013 Viognier, Columbia Valley, $26
Finnriver Farm & Cidery Golden Russet, $18
Read About a Month Living at Finnriver
Genoa Cellars 2014 Wind’s Eye Rosé, Horse Heaven Hills, $17
Goose Ridge Vineyards 2010 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $30
JM Cellars 2012 Margaret’s Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla Valley, $50
L’Ecole No. 41 2013 Chenin Blanc, Columbia Valley, $15
Proper Wines 2012 Estate Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $42
Revelry Vintners 2012 Aerials Series Reserve Merlot, Horse Heaven Hills, $40
Rôtie Cellars 2012 Northern Blend, Walla Walla Valley, $48
Sparkman Cellars 2012 Rainmaker Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Vlaley, $62
Swiftwater Cellars 2011 Malbec, Columbia Valley, $38
Swiftwater Cellars 2013 No. 9 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $18
Tamarack Cellars 2014 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $15
Waterbrook Winery 2013 Reserve Riesling, Columbia Valley, $12
W.T. Vintners 2012 Les Collines Vineyard Damavian Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, $45
Read About a Gruner Veltliner from W.T. Vintners
I’m most looking forward to the Betz and Cadence as they tend to be more restrained–though not lacking in backbone–than their counterparts at the top level of Washington’s red wines. And I dig the 2011 vintage for being cooler (weather-wise, not in attitude) which should be the cherry on top of the Cadence as far as my wine preference. (Cooler years tend to result in less fruity-tastic wines.)
Go rocks! Go Cubs!
I’ve also heard a lot about Proper Wines out of Walla Walla. Their Syrah hails from The Rocks District, which recently became a recognized wine region aka AVA. Its legit name:
The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater
If you’re wondering how the region got its name, check out the photo of me to the left.
This is actually a vineyard at Cayuse, not Proper, and there are ones that are even rockier, like a sea of rocks where you think dirt would be. Look at how awesome I am at rock-holding, BTW. Statuesque, no?
And after all this wine I will be delighted to enjoy a cider from the wonderful folks at Finnriver. The Golden Russet will be a refreshing palate cleanser and have me dreaming of being teleported straight from the hospitality tent to Finnriver on the Olympic Peninsula. Actually, it would a lot cooler if I could have the superpower of flight long enough to get me there from Chambers Bay because it’s a scenic journey. But I’m more likely to get kittens….
Next time, kittens for sure.
I will hold you to it.
It’s too bad that while attending the practice round on Wednesday, walking around with a wine buyer (for a large retail/restaurant) in the state of Washington they would let him in, but not myself. I might not be a buyer, but I am a winemaker/owner in WA state, and each month a portion of what I sell goes to them. Is that irony?
-a