Three Things We’re Thankful for this Season

Harvest has wrapped up, busy season is slowing down, and the holidays are right around the corner. All of these signs point to Thanksgiving arriving very soon! Besides turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and butternut squash soup, we have a lot to be grateful for this season and we wanted to share our top three with you!

Our Incredible Team

We are told this all the time by our patrons and experience it every day ourselves, but we have the best team in the game. From John Patterson to our cellar team to our tasting room staff, we are beyond lucky to have such quality people representing Patterson Cellars.

With so much going on every day at our four of our tasting rooms, we would not be able to host industry nights, special events, or amazing daily tastings and experiences without the quality and quantity of our team’s work. So, glasses up to all of the amazing Patterson Cellars team members who we are oh so thankful for. Cheers to you!

A Successful Harvest and Fall Release

The 2019 harvest was bountiful and we could not be more excited to share what comes of it with you in the future. We brought in fruit from Red Mountain, Yakima Valley, Walla Walla Valley, and more.

We’re also very thankful for a successful fall release! Our wine club pick-up parties were so much fun and we had fantastic turnouts. Thank you to all the members who made fall release month one of the best we’ve had! We released six wines - 2016 Syrah Sirah, 2016 Malbec, 2017 Zinfandel (our first ever), 2016 Red Mountain Cuvée, 2016 Petit Verdot, and we also just released the 2018 Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Chardonnay for all of you sparkling fans out there. The Patterson Cellars team is so proud of these releases and hope you will get a chance to taste them very soon if you haven’t already!

All of You!

Choosing just the top three things we’re thankful for wasn’t easy, but we couldn’t put out a list that didn’t include you! We’d be nothing without your support as we love the process of making wine, but we love sharing it with the world more. A big thanks to everyone who has ever visited a Patterson Cellars tasting room, sat down for an experience, enjoyed a bottle of wine, or suggested us to your friends. We’re grateful to have created such an amazing, smart, and exquisite community in this little Northwest corner of the country that we call home. 

We could continue on with everything we are thankful for this year, but we’ll leave you with these top three. Hopefully, we’ve inspired you to reflect on what you’re thankful for. Cheers to a happy and healthy Thanksgiving and start to the holiday season!

Patterson Cellars Red Wines and Where They Come From

National Red Wine Day is August 28th this year, and even though we celebrate red wines daily here at Patterson Cellars, we thought we’d grace you with some new additions to the Patterson Cellars red wine family and a little behind-the-scenes about where they come from. Bust out the corkscrews and prepare for a journey starting at Red Mountain and ending with a glass of Patterson Cellars red wine in your hand.

2016 Red Mountain Cuvée

Red Mountain

First up on this exclusive list is our 2016 Red Mountain Cuvée. This wine is a gorgeous blend of 37% Cabernet Franc, 36% Merlot, and 27% Cabernet Sauvignon. All of the grapes are sourced from the Ciel du Cheval and Quintessence vineyards located in the Red Mountain AVA. 

The Ciel du Cheval vineyard was replanted in 2005 with a mission to “grow grapes that are the best reflection of the unique terroir and give a sense of place.” By focusing on soil conservation and environmentally friendly farming tactics, this vineyard grows some of the best grapes in Washington, and it shows in this wine. 

The Quintessence vineyard is on the younger side as the first phase of planting took place in 2010. The first harvest in 2012 blew people away with the quality of the grapes for such young vines. This vineyard sits on a slope angled to the Southeast facing the morning sun, allowing the grapes to ripen early in the Red Mountain AVA resulting in intense and extremely concentrated wines.

The grapes in our 2016 Red Mountain Cuvée were cold-soaked for two days followed by seven days of primary fermentation in stainless steel. They were then barreled down into French oak barrels. The steps taken from harvest to blending resulted in a new-world nod to classic right-bank Bordeaux wines. In the glass, it presents a dark purple color and opens with aromas of raspberries, dark cherry compote, bramble, and earth. Intense flavors of blackberry and pomegranate follow and are joined by plum, dark cherries, and firm tannins. The long finish features lingering dark fruits with hints of vanilla and dark chocolate making it the perfect partner for a hearty fall meal. This is an age-worthy wine that will evolve beautifully for years to come!

2017 Zinfandel

Horse Heaven Hills

Our 2017 Zinfandel is a Patterson Cellars first that will also be an exclusive wine for club members! This wine is made with 97% Zinfandel and 3% Syrah sourced from Alder Ridge Vineyard located in the Horse Heaven Hills Appellation. 

Horse Heaven Hills is naturally bound by the Yakima Valley AVA on the northside and the Columbia River on the southside. The Alder Ridge Vineyard consists of bone-dry desert soil that averages four inches of rain per year, making it the perfect climate to grow delicious, fruit-forward Zinfandel. 

Once the Zinfandel arrived at the winery it was carefully hand-sorted and fermented in 1.5-ton stainless steel fermenters and pressed earlier than usual to keep the tannins in check and preserve fruitier notes. Once dry, the wine was barreled into French oak and aged for 17 months before blending and bottling. 

This wine is a medium purple color in the glass that invites you in with aromas of ripe raspberries and dark cherries followed by hints of sagebrush, thyme, and warm caramel. Flavors of blackberry, tart black cherries, and a touch of bramble flood the mouth backed by smooth, supple tannins, and a finish that tastes of plums with notes of light leather. We could not be more proud and excited for wine club members to taste Patterson Cellars’ take on a classic. Perhaps with a simple burger or herb-crusted pork roast?

2016 Petit Verdot

Walla Walla Valley

Last but certainly not least on this special list, we’d like to tell you a bit about our 2016 Petit Verdot. This wine is made with 100% Petit Verdot and is a perfect example of a powerful wine with a softer side that can be produced with fruit from the Seven Hills Vineyard, one of the first commercial vineyards planted in the Walla Walla Valley AVA. 

Planted in 1980 and expanded in 1989, this vineyard has an elevation of 850 to 1,050 feet, with incredible soil and air drainage. Seven Hills Vineyard is one of the most technologically advanced in the industry, ensuring that the fruit reaches the highest quality it can. Fruit from this vineyard is generally soft and supple, making it the perfect place to cultivate a usually tannic and unforgiving grape. 

After the fruit was crushed during the 2016 harvest, it was cold-soaked for two days prior to inoculation. Fermentation was done in stainless steel bins for nine days. The wine was then barreled down into 100% French oak and racked once during aging. This wine was bottled in May 2018 and we are so excited for you to taste it! It opens with classic aromas of violets and dusty lavender joined by notes of vanilla, almond extract, and sage. Ripe plums, dark cherries, and marionberries dominate the intense flavor profile and smooth, fine tannins along with a lush mouthfeel eventually give way to a finish of lingering dark fruits and flowers. Pair this beauty with salty cheeses or grilled chicken thighs to bring out the best in both.

We’ve made it to the end–are you ready to sip on a glass of Patterson Cellars red wine in celebration of National Red Wine Day and the upcoming releases of these beautiful wines? Join the Patterson Cellars wine club today and get your hands on these top-tier selections. We’d love to welcome you as part of the family!

Washington Summer Wine and Food Pairings

Summer is in full swing and with it comes fresh food paired with gorgeous, bright Patterson Cellars wines! We believe in drinking and eating local, so enjoy these perfect Washington summer wine and food pairings. Let’s get cooking (and sipping)!

2017 Sparkling Rosé of Pinot Noir and King Salmon

First up is a fan favorite, our 2017 Sparkling Rosé of Pinot Noir, paired with fresh or smoked king salmon. This sparkling wine is a gorgeous light melon color that provides aromas and flavors of tangerine, apricot, and strawberry with hints of minerality, herbal tea, and green apples on the finish. While sparkling Rosé wines tend to be on the drier side, this wine complements the delicacy of salmon prepared in a variety of ways. Plate smoked salmon with cheese for an appetizer or small plate, bake a filet with garlic, lemon, and butter for dinner, or throw it on the grill for a heartier flavor. However you prepare it, your guests will swoon over this pairing.

2018 Chardonnay and Fried Chicken

Although this isn’t a classic or common combination, it is delicious and more than appropriate for summer. Full-bodied and balanced, this 2018 Chardonnay leads with aromas of vanilla and warm spices followed by fragrant honeysuckle, pears, and light citrus notes. Flavors of ripe pineapples, pears, and hints of honey fill the round palate while key limes and citrus zest linger on the finish complementing the buttermilk and salt of the fried chicken. This pairing will curb all of your rich and savory cravings without being too heavy for those hot and humid summer days. Together they make the perfect dish to take to your neighborhood barbeque or Sunday picnic in the park.

2016 Syrah and Carnitas Tacos

Substitute your summer cerveza or margarita with our 2016 Syrah to go with carnitas tacos on your weekly Taco Tuesday night. This lush, beautiful dark purple wine is made with 100% Syrah and will bring out the crisp, juiciness of the pork and lime with intense flavors of blackberry and raspberry and hints of white pepper and toasted spices. Its acidity and velvety soft tannins then lead into a long smooth finish featuring lingering fruit, cocoa, and a hint of minerality that will leave you feeling satisfied and refreshed. If you are more drawn to red wines and are in search of a quick, simple weeknight meal, this summer wine and food pairing is for you!

Patterson Cellars Wine Tasting Experiences for You!

Looking for a summer wine and food pairing that you don’t have to put together yourself? We got you covered! You can find wine and food pairing experiences at any of our four tasting rooms in Washington. Whether you’re in the mood for reds and dessert, or Rosés and pizza, Patterson Cellars has an experience that will make summer nights even more enjoyable with family and friends. 

Our new Vivi Pizzeria and Wine Experience is exclusive to our Hollywood Hill tasting room. This summer we’re featuring a poached pear pizza with Sicilian red sauce topped with light mozzarella cheese, French brie, walnuts, and a decadent balsamic glaze paired with a winemaker selection of Patterson Cellars summer white and Rosé wines. Enjoy this flight at a table on our outdoor patio.

If you’re looking for something a little lighter, we also offer wine and cheese experiences, as well as a roasted vegetable pairing experience. Both feature seasonal local cheeses and vegetables paired with a winemaker’s selection of summer favorites. 

From sparkling Rosé to white to red, we’ve provided an amazing Washington summer wine and food pairing for anyone. Book your private tasting experience with Patterson Cellars today!

Six Things to do in Woodinville and Seattle

Are you planning a trip to the great Pacific Northwest? Are you in search of the best ways to spend your time here? Or, are you local to Seattle and the surrounding area looking for new and exciting things to do with your free time? If you answered yes to any of these questions, read on for the top six things to do in Woodinville and Seattle!

Woodinville Wine Country

When most think of Woodinville, Washington, they think of wine. Despite the absence of vineyards, Woodinville is considered a wine mecca in the Northwest. With over 100 tasting rooms, gorgeous scenery, and of course, delicious, well-made wines, Woodinville should be at the top of your list. 

There are two main areas of Woodinville that each offer a unique experience. First, is the Hollywood Hill area. Here you’ll find gorgeous patios, fresh farm-to-table foods, and friendly pours. Grab a pizza from Vivi Pizzeria and enjoy our patio with a flight or glass of your favorite varietal. The other main area of Woodinville wine country is the Warehouse District, a great change of scenery with big, beautiful unassuming industrial spaces. Several wineries house their wine production here and it’s a unique area to host events. In our Warehouse tasting room, you can take a winery tour with our winemaker, John Patterson.

Woodinville Farmers Market

Once you get your wine and food fix, you might be inspired to do some cooking and pouring of your own. Put the Woodinville Farmers Market on your radar. Located in downtown Woodinville in DeYoung Park, the Woodinville Farmers Market is an open-air market offering fresh vegetables, fruit, flowers, handmade items, and so much more Saturdays from 9 am to 3 pm. With fun themes, hospitable locals, and amazing food and art, this farmer’s market is one you don’t want to miss.

Molbak’s Garden and Home

If you have a green thumb or just appreciate nature, Molbak’s Garden Home is where you want to go. Enjoy gorgeous, locally sourced floral arrangements, plants, garden gear, outdoor living equipment, community events, gifts, a cafe and wine bar!

Hike and Bike

Moving on to Seattle, the Emerald City. Take in the sites of the city and lush natural landscapes by hiking some local favorites. Kayak, walk, or jog around Green Lake, one of Seattle’s most beloved parks. If cycling is more your style, head over to Burk-Gilman Trail in North Seattle for greenery and a cool bike ride breeze. 

Urban Winery Events

If you’ve had enough of nature, we have the perfect plan to get you back into the city. Urban winery events are a fun, hip way to taste interesting wines and immerse yourself in the culture of Seattle. From food and wine to art and sports, urban winery events can incorporate it all. This month, we’re hosting two unique experiences at our SODO tasting room: Yoga Unwined and Wine for the Climb. 

The first ever Yoga Unwined event will be held on Thursday, June 27 at 7 pm. Your ticket includes an hour yoga session taught by Seattle-based yoga instructor, Donte Quinine. Donte is trained in vinyasa, restorative, yin, and hot hatha classes. He is also a life coach, speaker, and workshop facilitator that’s also given a TEDx Talk! 

Join us for Wine for the Climb on Saturday, June 29 from 12-6 pm. Our own Marina Rockinger, who you may know from the local radio stations, STAR 101.5 and KOMO News, is preparing to climb Mt. Rainier for the Climb to Fight, benefitting the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Come out and enjoy a wine tasting in support of Marina and her cause. She’ll be donating her shift, and 50% of our wine sales on this day will also be donated. If you can’t make it out but would like to support Marina, you can make a donation here.

Wine Adventure

After the events at our urban tasting room in the SODO area of Seattle, grab a couple of bottles and take the ferry to the Kitsap Peninsula! Poulsbo’s historic Little Norway is a popular and beautiful destination for travelers and locals, especially in the summer. Enjoy galleries, museums, shops, and amazing views for a day trip, or make a weekend out of it! Stay on the beach, crack open a bottle of your favorite Patterson Cellars wine, and treat yourself to a wine adventure for the books.

Photo by Mel MCC Photography

We hope we’ve taken some pressure off of your vacation planning and added some new places to your local to-do list with these six experiences in Woodinville and Seattle! 

We look forward to hosting you in one of our three tasting rooms while you’re in the area.