We've Got Grapes!
We finally made a trip to Zillah for grapes! Everything has been a bit delayed this year. Actually, I think that every year but it really is delayed this year. It's the anticipation for it all to get started, it seems this time of year rolls around and I can't wait to take the first trip to Eastern Washington. Ask me in a few trips how I feel about it... We now have Syrah underway, just one ton so just a single bin right now but we are receiving emails of other grapes ripening as well. These are the smallest Syrah grapes I've ever seen, should be very concentrated wine. If you want to see what it looks like while it is fermenting join us here on the weekends for a little tasting and wine making. We are always open 2 to 5 Saturdays and Sundays.

Upcoming Events
We have a few things going on outside the winery, but the big thing coming up right now at the winery is the Prisoner Release which is set for November 20th. I get more excited about this every year. It is so fun and such a wonderful party that we already have people calling to ask when it is. It is going to be bigger than ever before. And all those Prisoners? They are really behaving themselves and I am certain they will be released for good behavior just in time for their big party.

We will be at Island Lumber on Vashon for their 6th Annual Ladies Night which is Monday November 8th. If you have never been to this, you gotta go, it is a crazy night of price slashing and grabbing good deals! There will be food and we'll be pouring lots of wine!

We'll also be doing an event called the Antiques Quest and Wine at the Glass Museum on October 30th. This is one way to get into the Glass Museum if you've always meant to go but never quite got around to it. Sometimes that's how it happens for me, so if you can relate to this, join me for a bit of wine, music, food, antiques and a wonderful time. To see all the events we'll be hosting or attending, just visit our website at http://www.palousewinery.com/.

I hope this fall season finds you all well, and at some point in time, finds you at Palouse Winery.

Cheers!
Linda

Hello Everyone,

We're ready to release the 4th quarter wines!

I hope you are ready for something really special as this time we are sending out a Petit Verdot which is still very rare in Washington. We made one barrel and we are almost out so once you taste this wine, if you want more please don’t wait to call us. I have a mere 4 cases left! And if George had his way, he would keep it all. We are also sending along nearly the last of the 2005 Eclipse Red Blend. This wine has improved over the years as I am sure all wines will but it has gotten so mellow and rich. Viognier will help these two reds keep company so expect some Golden Pearl with the 2005 Eclipse and the new Petit Verdot which we call Pure Velvet. You can just ask for the Velvet.

For those of you on the delivery program, you can expect to start receiving your wines next week. Everyone else can go ahead and stop by whenever you can. We are thinking of having a party for future pick-ups, but since we are so close to the Prisoner Release Event we didn’t want to do it this time. The Prisoner Release Event is November 20th, so mark your calendars because you won’t want to miss it!

We hope to see you all soon and remember (and tell your friends) we are open for tasting from 2 to 5 every Saturday and Sunday. Remember one of your Palate Club benefits is free tasting so come on by!

Linda

Palouse Dinner Reminder
We only have a few seats left for our first ever dinner in the winery. Wally Bell, the chef, has been working hard at coming up with some wonderful pairings with the wines. We are hanging the lights and setting the table as I speak. So much to do still but i can't wait, the menu sounds amazing! Email or call me quickly if you would like to be part of our first ever Inaugural Dinner. Oh, here's the #: 206-567-4994.

Palouse Winery Inaugural Dinner Party Menu
Galician Scallops with Serrano Ham & Smoked Paprika ~ Viognier
Filo Parcels Stuffed with Chanterelle & Kurt’s Cheese ~ Cab Franc
Crisp Duck Breast with Huckleberry Anise Reduction ~ Petite Sirah
Blackberry & Apple Sorbet ~ Eclipse
Moroccan Lamb Tagine with Apricot & Cinnamon ~ Syrah
Ground Almond Frangipane Tart with Crème Fresh ~ Riesling

mmmm... sounds yummy!

Faith Goes Back to India
I can't stand the thought of it but it looks like Faith is leaving us for parts unknown (to me anyway). She will be returning to her real life as she calls it, to her husband and puppies and her guest house Skylark. I think it would be nice to do something fun on Sunday September 12th. If you would like to be part of a little get together celebration for Faith before she returns, please join us on Sunday. We will have special treats and plenty of wine to celebrate the occasion.

Hope to see some of you then,
Linda

Long Time No Talk
After a rather slow start it looks like summer has finally arrived. Whew! Has it been hot enough? We have been rollicking here in the winery on the weekends, I know most you have noticed the new signage. Ever since the article about Kurt's cheesery people have been flocking to Vashon and all the new signs have told them where to go. When they come to the tasting room we like to think we show everyone what makes Vashon so special. Just good ole fun. It has been rocking. We love it, it keeps us so energized, positive.

We are Celebrating
We are especially excited because we finished the bottling early this year. We have the racking done and no work till "crush" which is really just around the corner. All the new wines show so much promise this year so early on that we feel we have to share. In the spirit of sharing we are having a Pre Release Release Party BBQ on Saturday August 28th 2010 between 3 and 7. We will share some of the new wines such as the brand new Mystic Merlot and the Pure Velvet Petit Verdot. We will hold off on the other wines until the Prisoner Release Party on November 20th 2010. Apparently they will not paroled until the Prisoner Release Party. We have had many people asking about the Prisoner Release so I thought I would let everyone get this date in their calendars as well.

We have been having all kinds of fun here with birthdays and tastings for special occasions. Also a lot of events this year. I have been so busy all year I can barely keep up. This last weekend was of course the Fur Ball Auction, one of our favorite and near and dear to our hearts. This event just gets better every year and the efforts made by those who organize this event are inspiring to the rest of us. We feel lucky to be living in such a wonderful place as Vashon. Be sure to go to support the Fields this Friday at Sound Foods.

We are launching a new website soon so if you have been looking at our former one wait till you see the new one. It is most gorgeous and will be very interactive. I can't wait. It is just the first step in our new marketing plan with Blonde Ambition.

Wine Dinner
We will have a wine inspired dinner here in the winery on Friday September 9th 2010 at 6:00 pm. This will be our first Wine dinner in the winery and will set the tone for anything following. I hope you will join us for this exquisite pairing of food and wine on Friday September 9th 2010 at 6 pm. There is limited seating as we can only handle 20 so be sure and let me know if you are interested. The following weekend we have a private function going on. I think Crush will be upon us after that...

Almost Forgot
We won a Gold Medal on the 2009 Viognier! I'm not sure I sent this info out yet but wanted include it. We are so proud, its a bit like your kids, you give birth to these wines and baby them along and provide everything they could possibly need or want. So, when they finally come "of Age" and do you proud, all you can do is beam (and brag)!