Story by Dominique Sabins, special to the Blog
The Phinney Neighborhood Association successfully hosted another Wine Taste in their Phinney Center. This was the 33rd annual Wine Taste, which featured a wide selection of northwest wines, a delicious selection of snacks, and live music.
The Wine Taste event originally started when a PNA member sought out an event to bring folks together to try the PNW’s impressive selection of wines. She organized the event for 10 years before passing it over to the PNA. Proceeds from the event go back to the PNA’s programs and activities.
Admission to the Wine Taste included 10 tickets to be used at any of the wine vendors. All of the wineries were located in Washington, notably, Eastern WA, Western WA, the San Juan Islands, and Seattle urban wineries. There were plenty of options here for guests to explore different wines with over 10 vendors present. From bold reds to sparkling whites there was something for everyone. This was the perfect way to get acquainted with a wide range of grapes to find a favorite.
Natural and fermented wines were even common to find. From our very own neighborhood, The Orcas Project brought a Co-Ferment wine from 2022 that blended Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley. What was unique about this wine is the process of fermenting the grapes together, which created a subtly sparkling wine that felt fruity and crisp. You can find the Orcas Project’s newest tasting room on NW 70th St and Greenwood Ave. Madrone Cellars & Cider also featured a Pét-Nat Cinsault from 2022 that used a natural fermentation process. The result was a light Cinsault with soft bubbles and notes of pear and apple.
The event was a beautiful way to slowly move around vendors, sip on some wine, and graze on snacks, all while hearing a soft guitar playing in the background. The event even featured a very knowledgeable cheesemonger who curated an impressive table of cheeses, sourced from all across the country. It was lovely to inquire about the cheeses and hear his in-depth descriptions. The cheesemonger gladly explained how each cheese was made and what ingredients were used in the process.
The PNA Wine Taste is a wonderful event for wine and food lovers to connect and learn. The event, which was hosted in their cozy Phinney Center, made for a fun night out and an easy way to meet new folks.
Make sure to look out next year for the 44th annual Wine Taste! If you would like to be notified when tickets go on sale, join the Wine Taste email list here.
