Subject: Wilridge Winery Newsletter and 15th Anniversary Celebrations Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2003 12:30:56 -0700 WILRIDGE WINERY 15th ANNIVERSARY PARTY (1988-2003) -- October 24 You are invited to a party celebrating 15 years of Wilridge Winery on Friday, October 24 at 6:00 p.m. at the Columbia Tower Club on the 76th floor of the Bank of America Tower, 701 Fifth Avenue in Seattle. The party will feature the first and probably only time that older vintages from Wilridge's wine library will be presented at one grand tasting. Wines that will be poured at the event include Wilridge's first wine (the 1988 Cabernet Sauvignon), Wilridge's first Gold Medal wine (the 1991 Cabernet Sauvignon), and a vertical selection of Klipsun Vineyards Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Winemaker Paul Beveridge and Klipsun Vineyard owner Tricia Gelles will be on hand to provide commentary on the wines. The event will be a great opportunity to see how Paul's intense red wines develop with age. The Columbia Tower Club is preparing a six course dinner to complement the wines. The price is $95 per person and includes dinner, wines, and gratuity. Space is limited; please make a reservation by return e-mail or by calling 206-325-3051. Don't miss this once in 15 years opportunity to celebrate with Wilridge! WILRIDGE WINERY VINTAGE RELEASE PARTY -- October 14 and 15 By popular demand, Wilridge's annual vintage release party has been expanded to two nights: Tuesday and Wednesday, October 14 and 15, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Winery at 1416 34th Avenue in Seattle (just off Union in Madrona). The release party will feature a new vintage of Klipsun Nebbiolo, a brand new Melange (blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from four vineyards), and a brand new Syrah from Elephant Mountain Vineyard. Select wines from older vintages will also be sampled together with some special discounts available only at the party. There will be a 15% discount on case purchases made during the party. Please feel free to come either night and bring your friends. If you would like to volunteer to help at the party, please let us know. WINES OF WASHINGTON TASTING ROOM Wilridge is proud to be a founding winery in the Wines of Washington Tasting Room located at 1924 Post Alley in the Pike Place Market in Seattle (across from the Pink Door). Please drop in the next time you are in the Market. The Tasting Room is open from Noon to 8:00 p.m. daily and serves tastes of over 40 Washington wines. Participating wineries include Camaraderie Cellars, Harlequin Cellars, JM Cellars, Wilridge, and Wineglass Cellars. WHITE WINE Much to his chagrin, Wilridge Winemaker Paul Beveridge has succumbed to public pressure and is making his first commercial quantities of white wine this year. The wine, a blend of 75% Semillon and 25% Sauvignon Blanc is from Fred Artz's vineyard on Red Mountain (next door to Klipsun) and should be available in the Fall of 2004. Paul, who has long believed that the "first duty of wine is to be red," was convinced by the long, hot summer of 2003 that there is a time and place for a good, flavorful white wine. He chose Semillon for his first white because it isn't Chardonnay, ages more gracefully than most whites, and exhibits great varietal character when grown in Washington State. 2003 HARVEST REPORT The unbelievable and unprecedented warm weather during the summer of 2003 has been great for Washington State grapes. Recent night time cooling has preserved the grapes natural acidity and allowed sufficient "hang time" to develop full flavors. Winemaker Paul Beveridge says the hype over the 2003 vintage is justified but won't make that much difference for Wilridge: "Warm years are considered good years in Washington State because the warm weather allows all of the vineyards in the State to ripen fully, even vineyards in marginal locations. Wilridge works with outstanding vineyards in outstanding locations where the grapes get fully ripe every year. That's why you will not see much variation between vintages in the quality of Wilridge wines." Wilridge will continue to receive grapes through October. If you are interested in helping out during harvest, please respond by return e-mail or call 206-325-3051. Thanks again for your support of Wilridge Winery for the past 15 years. We could not do it without you. We look forward to seeing you at one or more of our events this Fall. WILRIDGE WINERY 1416 34th Avenue Seattle, WA 98122 tel.: 206.325.3051 fax: 206.515.8989 winery: http://www.wilridgewinery.com