It’s Seafair weekend and you are going to need some libations. Whether it is welcoming August, toasting the big engines, or just calming the nerves left shattered from the noise of the screeching jets, you’re going to need a glass of wine. Maybe two. Here’s what we are pouring to go with the festivities.

Friday

2020 Famille Bruno Lafon, Le Fruit Défendu Blanc $12
60% Grenache, 40% Vermentino
Languedoc
Perfect summertime white. Bright notes of citrus and melon from the Grenache Blanc and Vermentino grapes are all carried through to the palate. Fresh, fruit forward.

Saturday

2023 La Bollina, Tinetta Chiaretto $15
100% Nebbiolo
Monferrato
This 100% Nebbiolo Rosato from Piedmont, Italy lifts from the glass with a bright display of exotic florals with fresh cherries, strawberries and melon. On the palate, the ripe fruit is perfectly balanced by refreshing acidity and minerality. The finish is long and zesty, closing with energy and ripe fruit flavors.

2018 Bodegas Renacer, Punto Final Malbec Reserva $15
The grapes for the Punto Final Reserva Malbec are sourced primarily from the Los Patos Vineyard in Perdriel, where the average age of the vines is 80 years. A serious Malbec with aromas of wild berries such as raspberry, strawberry and blueberry mingle with earthy and spicy notes. In the mouth, the wine is juicy and fruity, with round tannins, balanced acidity and a long finish.

Was $20, Now $15

Sunday

2022 Ontañón, Tempranillo Blanco $15
Rioja
Tempranillo Blanco is a separate varietal from its red cousin and is found only in the Rioja wine region of Spain and only a handful of wine growers in Rioja have these vines. This wine has tropical fruit aromas, with hints of pineapple, white flower and citrus. The palate has texture and balance with ripe stone fruit characters, crisp acidity and a lengthy finish.

2022 Santin, Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie $10

Amazingly tasty for an inexpensive Pinot Gris. Aromas of pear, apricot and white flowers. The fruity palate, with top notes of stone fruit, shows ripeness and roundness well supported by an elegant acidity and savoriness, ensuring a long, lingering finish.

We have a fun lineup for tasting this weekend, starting and ending with NW Field Blends. Field blends are where you pick the grapes in a vineyard and ferment them together. In the right hands the results are integrated and delicious. In-between these two we’ll be tasting a classic Provence Rosé and a juicy Southern French red. Something to sip on while you watch the Olympics. Stop in the shop and check them out.

Friday — Orange Wine

2022 Sonder, Orange Field Blend $15
Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier
Columbia Valley
90% white Rhone blend on skins for 6 weeks and then aged in neutral French puncheons with weekly batonnage. 10% direct pressed Viognier added to fermentation to add brightness and vibrancy. Citrus, Orange peel, Apricot, Mineral.

Was $22 Now $15

Saturday — Olympic Contenders

2023 Triennes, Provence Rosé $18
Cinsault – Syrah -Grenache – Merlot
A compelling bouquet of strawberries and white flowers with a touch of vanilla. Expressive and elegant, the palate offers mouthwatering freshness. An embodiment of the Mediterranean in the glass. Harvested at night to ensure cool arrival at the cellar. Organic

2020 Chateau de Segure, Fitou Vieilles Vignes $20
40% Carignan, 40% Grenache, 20% Syrah
This mouth filling red exhibits a heady bouquet of black fruits and garrigue, Rich and expansive on the palate, the 2020 Château de Segure offers a wealth of robust flavors in the form of black cherry, plum, tobacco, and woodsy notes from a 9-month stay in oak barrels.

Sunday –Out here in the fields

2021 Sokol Blosser, Evolution Lucky #9 $14
Field Blend – Riesling, Pinot Gris, Muller-Thurgau, Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Chardonnay
Willamette Valley
Aromatic wine with citrus notes of lychee and lime zest, hints of tropical fruit and just a touch melon. Bright acidity lingers on the finish to balance with residual sugar.

We have more beautiful weather this weekend before it cools down (just a bit) next week. We have a refreshing line up of wine to try while you enjoy the nice weather. Don’t miss Saturday’s two very different incarnations of Corvina from Northeast Italy. Or Friday’s Austrian rosé for that matter, or Sunday’s Greco Bianco either. You are going to have a busy weekend.

Friday

2022 Schlosskellerei, Gobelsburg Cisterncien Rosé $15
Pinot Noir, Zweigelt, Saint Laurent
Austria
Nicely made rosé, which shows great crisp freshness, but doesn’t lack in substance, featuring flavors of crushed strawberries , cherry and violet.

Was $20, Now $15

Saturday — Veronese, nice and easy

2023 Farina, Chiaretto Bardolino $15
60% Corvina, 25% Rondinella, 15% Molinara
Lake Garda, Verona
This distinct rosé is made from the same grapes as Amarone. But it is about as far from Amarone as you can get. Fresh and fruity on the nose with wild rose and violet, raspberries, peach, black cherry and hints of violet and vanilla. Light, salty and dry on the palate.

2020 Tenuta Santa Maria, Pràgal $20
60% Corvina, 20% Merlot, 20% Syrah
Verona
A fruity, spicy blend of Corvina, Merlot, and Syrah with full-bodied structure. Derived from low-yield vines, the wine is vinified with both fresh and partially dried grapes, and, after a lengthy maceration and fermentation period, refined in large oak barrels for six months. Hints of red fruit preserves, dried roses and black cherry with subtler tones of dark spice, tobacco and black pepper.

Sunday

2021 Santa Venere, Cirò Greco Bianco $14
Calabria

Made from organically cultivated grapes on a beautiful hillside vineyard overlooking the sea this is a delightful peach and lime-scented soft dry white.
Organic

We had a hard time deciding what to drink this weekend. The Tour de France is in full swing and Sunday is Bastille Day. Grab a baguette and come join us.

Friday

2023 La Genestiere, Les Gallets Rosé $16
20% Carignan, 20% Cinsault, 20% Clairette, 20% Grenache, 20% Syrah
A 5 grape rosé from the Languedoc that gives Provence a run for the money. Light body with dry, crisp flavors of citrus, peach, nectarine, and raspberry.

Saturday

2021 Jacky Marteau, Touraine Sauvignon Blanc $15
The Loire’s Touraine lies next door to prized and rather pricey Sancerre. Both specialize in Sauvignon Blanc, but from Touraine you spend a lot less. From a super vintage, this is a brilliantly fresh white. Forward grassy, citrusy aromas, the palate is very crisp and lemony, herbaceous notes with a creamy weight.

2016 Chateau La Haurte Claymore, Lussac Saint Emillon $20
75% Merlot, 15% Malbec, and 10% Cabernet Franc
This Saint Em satellite has a pure, precise, focused texture as well as some iron-laced blueberry, plum, graphite, violet, and subtle oak aromas and flavors. Showing the more pretty, elegant side of the vintage, yet with terrific fruit

Sunday

2021 Pères de L’église, Le Espirit de Pères de L’église $14
80% Grencahe, 20% Cinsault
Vin de France
This unoaked, fresh, yet substantial red feels like something you might be served in a carafe at a patio restaurant in Avignon – brimming with vibrant black

It is going to warm up this weekend. Find a bit of shade a sip a glass or two of chilled wine. Here’s what we’ll be tasting over the weekend. Don’t miss out on Sunday’s Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Viognier Blend. Jazz Odyssey what could be cooler than that.

Friday

2022 Cherubi, Rosato Trevenezi $13
70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot

Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Rosé all day! Smooth and medium bodied with refreshing acidity and a very pleasing lush and creamy finish. A perfect start for lunch or happy hour.

Saturday

2022 Banfi, Vermentino “La Pettegola” $20
100% Vermentino
From Tuscany, this white is delightfully fresh with an intense fruit forward bouquet of exotic fruit and spices typical of the Mediterranean coast. Its taste is fresh, crisp with well-balanced acidity and clean finish. 13% alcohol by volume

2022 Volcans d’Auvergne / Desprat, “Magma” Pinot Noir $18
100% Pinot Noir
A Loire PinotFrom grapes grown in basalt and pumice soils, this wine is silky and fruit-forward thanks to fermentation and aging all in stainless. Fleshy with bright acidity and notes of strawberry, cherry, pomegranate, and pronounced notes of minerals.

Sunday

2022 Teutonic Wine Company, ‘Jazz Odyssey’ White Wine $20
Riesling, Pinot Gris, Viognier
A tangy off-dry Willamette Valley blend perfect for quenching your thirst when eating hot & spicy foods. Refreshing with the perfect amount of acid. 11.8% alcohol by volume

2022 Laroche, La Chevaliere Rosé $15
Grenache, Syrah
An aromatic Languedoc pink with the aromas of fresh raspberries and exotic fruits. It continues on the palate with the delicious flavors of red berries and cherries

Take a break from the beer this 4th and crack open an ice cold bottle of Lambrusco. It is dark purple foamy and delicious with a slightly bitter finish that makes you want some more. We’ll be pouring one today so come and see for yourself.

Cantina Settecani Lambrusco Grasparosso di Castelvetro Secco $13
Emilia-Romagna
This dry red Italian sparkler’s taste is round, full-bodied, crisp and fruity; an explosion of ripe red fruit, persistent to the palate, fresh and enveloping.
10.5% alcohol by volume

Please note that the shop will be CLOSED on the 4th of July. We’ll see you again on Friday

We hope you all saw the full moon last night. We have a couple days of clear skies, long days and warm toasty weather this weekend. We’ll be pouring some cool refreshing wines to balance out the weekend activities. (Don’t miss trying the Greek wines on Saturday.) Enjoy the sun.

Friday

2023 Day Wines, ‘Vin de Days’ Blanc $20
23% Pinot Gris, 22% Riesling, 21% Pinot Blanc, 20% Müller Thurgau, 15% Muscat
Willamette Valley
An Alsatian-style white blend with harvest aromas of yellow and pink apple, juicy yellow peach and apricot, and exotic floral wildness which dominate the nose. The palate reflects the nose with the addition of spicy ginger, lemon oil, and cherry blossom also in play.

Saturday– Greek discounts

2021 Moraitis, Meltemi Aegean Sea White $15
80% Monemvassia and 20% Roditis
Aunique white wine from the Aegean Sea characterized by intense notes of white flowers and citrus, offering a refreshing and aromatics with a freshness and vibrancy.

Was $20 Now $15

2021 Alpha Estate, Hedgehog Rosé $15
Xinomavro
A medium-bodied, 100% Xinomavro rose, displaying an elegant nose of red cherries, grapefruit, nectarine and stones. Zesty and bright with a nice texture.

Was $22 Now $15

Sunday

2015 Domaine Sainte Catherine, Côtes du Roussillon Villages $15
35% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 30% Carignan
Languedoc-Roussillon
A rich Roussillon Red. Full of black cherry, berries and spice notes with a lot of depth. The age smoothes out the rough edges.

Was $20, Now $15

It’s another cooler weekend here in Madrona. But dodge those thunder showers and make it up to the shop. And try the weekend’s line up.

Friday— We are pouring a Rosé come see what’s open.

Saturday—Not free just Friuli

2020 Vignaioli Indipendenti, “Ronc dai Luchis” Friulano $14
100% Friulano
Friuli
The varietal is native to modern-day Friuli. This Fruilano is dry and delicate with slight undertones of wildflowers and almonds and good structure.

2016 Monviert, Schioppettino $20
100% Schioppettino
Friuli
This Italian red shows appealing notes of clove, cardamom and then plenty of cherry and cranberry on the nose. The palate has some grippy, hearty tannin, lots of juicy acidity, and white pepper on the finish.

Was $40, Now $20

Sunday—Pinot of a certain age.

2014 Alta Maria Vineyards, “Bien Nacido Block 1” Pinot Noir $25
Santa Maria Valley
A very nice aged Pinot for the Southern California coast. Beautifully balanced by freshness, bright, acidity, savory floral, notes of bougainvillea and rose petals, cinnamon stick, five spice. Secondary fruit, offers, rhubarb, sour cherry, along with anise seed and sassafras. Wet cobblestone and dolomitic limestone show the providence of location in minerality.

We have a great line up of tasting wines this weekend with some good deals from countries that start with an A.

Friday

2022 Baron de Montfaucon, “Les Gardettes” Rosé $12
30% Cinsault, 30% Grenache, 30% Carignan, 10% Counoise
Rhône
Fresh and bright, notes of cranberry, raspberry, and watermelon rind with a light, refreshing, mouthwatering finish.

Saturday

2022 Josef Fritz, Ried Mordthal $16
Roter Veltliner
Austria
Single Vineyard Roter Veltliner. From the loess comes the nutty spice, from limestone the fruit variety. A true olfactory experience. Wit and ripeness, brilliant on the palate with power and strength.

Was $22, Now $16

2016 Josef Fritz, Blauer Zweigelt Reserve $15
Austria
This lighter Austrian red has a slight spritz at the beginning but that quickly blows off and leaves excellent fruit focus flavors of cherry and spice. Velvety, with refined tannins and a mellow finish. Put a little chill on it for summer.

Was $26 Now $15

Sunday

Fox Creek Wines, ‘Maslin’ Red $14
Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Ruby Cabernet, Merlot (blend of vintages)
This red delivers aromas of dark chocolate, black olive, damson plum, cherry, ground pepper and bay, conjuring a winter-warming vibe. The palate is dense, with some alcohol heat and oak showing, but there’s a nice life of acidity, fruit and spice. Muscular tannins are on the chewy, impenetrable side.

Was $20 Now $14

It is Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial and early turning point from Spring to Summer. In true Seattle fashion we start out cool and damp and finish with a burst of warmth with 70 degrees predicted for Monday. You know you are going to need some wine in there, maybe a lot of wine.

We will be closed Monday Memorial day (like all Mondays) so grab some Rosé ahead of time.

Here is what we are pouring:

Friday

2021 Fratelli Revello, Barbera d’Alba $18
100% Barbera
Piemonte
From a small family winery in La Mora, this is a ripe, rich, silky Barbera with crushed berries and a velvety texture.

Saturday

2021 Peachy Canyon Winery, Paso Robles Petite Sirah $22
100% Petite Sirah
More complex than Zinfandel, the Peachy Petite has aromas of black fruits, fresh herbs and sweet toasted oak. The palate is loaded with blackberries and luxardo cherries and gives way to a long supple finish. only 13.4% alcohol by volume

Sunday

2020 Florent Rouve, Aligoté $20
Bourgogne
The other white Burgundy, this wine offers a nose of flowers and green pears. The palate is a pure expression of Aligoté, with a balance between acidity, citrus fruitiness and flinty minerality.

Was $25, Now $20