For four Mondays starting February 8th and ending March 1st Seattle’s The Local Vine will conduct a tasting series looking at Washington winemakers and the regions that made them famous. Classes – which will be limited to 12 people – will be from 6:00-7:00pm and cost $25 each ($80 for all four). Each class will feature four wines which will be served blind.

Information about the series is below. Call 206-280-1429 or e-mail [email protected] for reservations.

Monday, Feb 8th – Kimberly Bonebrake from Chateau Ste. Michelle will lead a tasting of two of Germany’s most revered Riesling producers, Ernst Loosen of Dr. Loosen and Armin Diel of Schlossgut Diel. See how their interpretation of Washington Riesling, arguably our two best, compares to some of Germany’s most hallowed vineyards.

– Dr. Loosen’s, neck-breakingly steep Graacher Himmelreich vineyard’s Spatlese from the Mosel river valley in Germany squares off against his Chateau Ste. Michelle collaboration “Eroica” from our Columbia Valley.
– Schlossgut Diel, Goldloch vineyard Kabinett, in the Nahe Germany butts heads with his small production Long Shadows Vintners “Poets Leap,” Columbia Valley Riesling

Monday, Feb 15th – This tasting highlights Washington wines made by two of Italy’s wine royalty. The Antinori and Folonari families have been making wines in Tuscany for over 600 years and now each has a foot firmly planted in Washington. Here are their interpretations of what our growing regions have to offer.

-Much revered Marchese Antinori’s Tenuta Guado Al Tasso from Bolgheri, Italy vs. Washington’s first “Super-Tuscan” Chateau Ste. Michelle Col Solare “Red Wine,” from the Columbia Valley
-One of the Folonari’s most prized estates, Tenute del Cabreo “Il Borgo,” Italy vs their Long Shadows Vintners “Saggi,” Columbia Valley

Monday, Feb 22nd – Join Erin Dobson, the National Sales Director for Long Shadows Vintners to lead a tasting of four of the United States finest wines.

Winemaker John Duval led Penfold’s Winery into the wine worlds limelight by crafting the iconic Australian wine Penfolds Grange for over 20 years. He has now set off on his own with the boutique sized John Duval Wines in the Barossa Valley, Australia and teamed up with Long Shadows to show us what Washington Syrah can do. French born wine-icon Philipe Melka was one of the original flying winemakers, having spent time honing his craft at Haut-Brion, Petrus, Dominus, Bryant Family, 100 Acre and what many consider to be his top project Quintessa. Philipe has seen the great potential in our states wine regions and has brought his talents to Long Shadows Vintners.

-Long Shadows Vintners “Pirouette,” Columbia Valley vs Quintessa “Red Wine,” Napa Valley California
-Long Shadows Vintners “Sequel,” Columbia Valley vs John Duval Wines “Entity” Shiraz, Barossa Valley Australia

Monday, March 1st – Comparing what many consider to be the top grapes in Washington-Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Randy Dunn of Dunn Vineyards has been working in Napa Valley for over 30 years and his wines ability to age is legendary. The Bookwalter family, longtime grape growers, are quickly establishing themselves as one of the states top wineries and the addition of legendary wine consultant Claude Gros ensures this winery’s position as
one of Washington’s elite for years to come.

-Bookwalter Merlot, Columbia Valley vs La Fleur Morange St-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux France -Long Shadows Vintners “Feather,” Columbia Valley vs Dunn Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley California