From: "Mike Libbee" To: "Friends of Claar" Subject: Claar Cellars Winter 2001 Newsletter Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2001 14:55:25 -0800 =20 Dear Friends,=20 We have changed our quarterly newsletter to e-mail text-only (see = below) to reduce the number of KBs and save you download time. I admit = it is not as pretty, but 4.5 KB vs 380 KB is significant. The basic = information is still there. If you really want the gussied-up version, = just drop me a line and I'll send you the MS Word document. =20 We are sending our newsletter to you because you signed up with = Claar Cellars to receive our winery-related correspondence. If, = however, you would like us to remove your name from our Friends of Claar = list, simply send me an e-mail with your request. As a matter of = principle, we do not sell or give our FOC list to any other business. Please feel free to respond to this newsletter. We are always happy = to hear from you. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at = Claar Cellars. =20 Sincerely, Mike Libbee Retail Sales Manager Claar Cellars *************************************************************************= ************ FRIENDS OF CLAAR, WINTER 2001 THE CLAAR CELLARS STORY Russell and Audrienne Claar began developing RC Farms in 1950 and = planted their first grapes in 1980. Son-in-law and daughter, Bob = Whitelatch and Crista Claar Whitelatch, left active duty naval careers = and joined the family business in 1983.=20 After 13 years of selling grapes throughout the country, Bob and Crista = took the steps to become an estate winery. With the 1997 crush, they = began processing and bottling Claar Cellars wine at their own 10,000 = square foot facility. They have since added a temperature and = humidity-controlled building that houses 1,000 French, Hungarian, and = American oak barrels.=20 Claar Cellars now has 80 acres of premium grapes on south-southwest = facing slopes high above the Columbia River in the White Bluffs = sub-region. The rocky and sandy soil, a 200+ day growing season of hot = days and cool nights, and a dedication to quality, allow Claar Cellars = to produce wines with exceptional fruitiness and varietal = characteristics.=20 NEW RELEASES Since our last newsletter, we have released three new wines: a 1998 = Cabernet-Merlot meritage, a 1999 Sangiovese, and our annual nouveau = wine. 1998 Cabernet-Merlot: Polished and supple, delivering generous = blackberry and currant aromas and flavors that extend into a smooth, = plush finish. Firm in texture, shaded with hints of green pepper and = fine-grained tannins. Aged in French oak for 28 months. 1999 Sangiovese: Delicate with moderate texture, showing light mellow = tannins and a ton of fruit-raspberries, cranberries, and signature = cherries. Enjoy with red pastas and lamb dishes. Capable of 6-8 years of = additional aging in the bottle.=20 2001 Nouveau Syrah: To our knowledge, we are the only Washington winery = producing a "new" wine in the Beaujolais tradition. Light and = fruity--big raspberry tones perfectly complement holiday fare. Claar = Cellars donates $1 from each bottle sold to advance enology and = viticulture studies in Washington State.=20 UPCOMING EVENTS RED WINE AND CHOCOLATE AFFAIR=20 The annual pairing of red wines and chocolate goodies will occur on = Presidents' Day weekend, 16-18 February 2002. Join us at the Tasting = Room for what is sure to be a great event. We have not yet finalized = plans for the chocolate half of the tandem, but our premium red wines, = including the award-winning 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon and 97 Reserve = Merlot, will be available for tasting and purchase at special prices. We = also anticipate having our 1998 reds ready for release that weekend.=20 Reminder: This is a Yakima Valley Winery Association event and member = wineries, including Claar Cellars, do not provide glasses for tasting. = You may bring your own, or purchase a commemorative glass at the door = for five dollars. The glass is good for free tasting at all Yakima = Valley wineries during Red Wine and Chocolate, Spring Barrel Tasting, = and Thanksgiving in Wine Country.=20 YAKIMA ENOLOGICAL SOCIETY (YES)=20 Claar Cellars will be the featured winery at the Yakima Enological = Society's February meeting. Members and their guests will enjoy five = wine courses, each complemented with foods provided by Deli de Pasta, a = renowned Yakima eatery. Our Nouveau Syrah, a snappy little number from = our first syrah harvest, will begin the festivities, followed by several = reds and our Gold Medal Late Harvest Riesling for dessert. Members of = any enological society are welcome to attend YES meetings. Additional = information is available on the society's website www.yakimawine.org=20 THE PRICE LIST It is not too late to order for Christmas delivery. UPS to the Seattle = area is less than $20 per case, including packaging. We can mix and = match...minimum order is three bottles.=20 00 Johannisberg Riesling $8.99/97.09=20 00 Late Harvest Riesling $8.99/97.09=20 00 Sauvignon Blanc $9.99/107.89=20 99 Chardonnay $9.99/107.89=20 Nouveau Syrah $7.99/86.29=20 97 Merlot $17.99/194.29 97 Reserve Merlot $24.99/269.89 98 Cabernet-Merlot $12.99/140.29 96 Cabernet Sauvignon $9.99/95.90=20 97 Cabernet Sauvignon $17.99/194.29 99 Sangiovese $17.99/194.29 CONTACT THE TASTING ROOM: ADDRESS: 1001 Vintage Valley Parkway, Zillah, WA 98953 PHONE: 509-829-6810 FAX: 509-829-6812 E-MAIL: zillah@claarcellars.com DIRECTIONS TO THE TASTING ROOM Exit 52 on Interstate 82. After leaving the highway, go north toward the = city of Zillah and take the first left, which is Vintage Valley Parkway. = The TR is about a quarter mile down the road on the right, immediately = behind the Comfort Inn.=20