Progressive Wine Dinner co-chairmen, Tony Pennella and Scott Abernethy, arranged a wonderful event Sunday, July 13. We began at 5:00 p.m. in Coyote Canyon Winery’s garden vineyard in the Wine Makers Loft at the Prosser Vintner’s Village. We were welcomed with fruited ice water and a glass of the Barbera-based 2013 Life is Rosé. After a brief tour of the Loft’s shared-use areas and equipment, and an explanation of how the facility can support 6 separate wineries and tasting rooms, we moved inside and had grape tomato, mozzarella and balsamic skewers with the winery’s 2012 Primitivo followed by some 2013 Primitivo from the barrel.
Next, we moved to Martinez & Martinez to enjoy their 2013 Tudor Hills Vineyard Pinot Gris with a pineapple salsa and stuffed mushrooms. A few of us also sampled, and bought, the 2011 Horse Heaven Hills César Red Wine.
Our final stop on the appetizer trail was Apex Cellars with its 2008 Alder Ridge Sangiovese paired with grilled asparagus wrapped in bacon. This and the skewers were probably the group’s favorite appetizers; however, I thought the pineapple salsa was also fantastic.
For dinner we moved to Willow Crest winery. We began with Italian-style bread and dipping oil, and a seasonal arugula salad with blueberries, mozzarella, and house-made Riesling vinaigrette dressing. This was served with the 2012 Sauvignon Blanc. Then, the main course – a pasta with fresh tomatoes, basil and lemon zest with herb oil, and grilled flank steak with an Italian-style sauce accompanied by the winery’s 2011 Yakima Valley XIII Rhône Style Red Blend, an excellent and affordable wine. From my perspective, the meal’s highlights were the salad and the sauce for the steak.
The final stop – Thurston Wolfe winery for dessert and Port. Although I did not have either, it appeared attendees were enjoying a brownie and 2010 JTW Reserve Port!
Each of the wineries stayed open late and offered special savings to those of us who wanted to purchase some wines. All in all, a good event, including some lessons learned to make the next such event even better.
Ed Schwier, TCWS Member
Next, we moved to Martinez & Martinez to enjoy their 2013 Tudor Hills Vineyard Pinot Gris with a pineapple salsa and stuffed mushrooms. A few of us also sampled, and bought, the 2011 Horse Heaven Hills César Red Wine.
Our final stop on the appetizer trail was Apex Cellars with its 2008 Alder Ridge Sangiovese paired with grilled asparagus wrapped in bacon. This and the skewers were probably the group’s favorite appetizers; however, I thought the pineapple salsa was also fantastic.
For dinner we moved to Willow Crest winery. We began with Italian-style bread and dipping oil, and a seasonal arugula salad with blueberries, mozzarella, and house-made Riesling vinaigrette dressing. This was served with the 2012 Sauvignon Blanc. Then, the main course – a pasta with fresh tomatoes, basil and lemon zest with herb oil, and grilled flank steak with an Italian-style sauce accompanied by the winery’s 2011 Yakima Valley XIII Rhône Style Red Blend, an excellent and affordable wine. From my perspective, the meal’s highlights were the salad and the sauce for the steak.
The final stop – Thurston Wolfe winery for dessert and Port. Although I did not have either, it appeared attendees were enjoying a brownie and 2010 JTW Reserve Port!
Each of the wineries stayed open late and offered special savings to those of us who wanted to purchase some wines. All in all, a good event, including some lessons learned to make the next such event even better.
Ed Schwier, TCWS Member
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