The Wine Collaboration is a modern wine bar and bottle shop, born from a partnership between three notable Washington wineries: Wit Cellars (Gina Adams and Carolina Warwick), Hightower Cellars (Tim and Kelly Hightower), and Narratif Winery (J.J. Compeau).
The common label between the three wineries is called NW Wine Collaborative.
The concept stems from long-time friendships among former colleagues and industry veterans, each successful in developing their own brand. “These relationships allow us to deliver wine of quality and value to our customers,” says J.J. Compeau, owner of Narratif. “To us, quality is consistency and reliability. It’s tangible in the glass—you can taste it!”
He is quick to point out that the Roslyn, WA location is a wine bar experience, not individual tasting rooms, where a variety of exceptional wines are served under one roof and bottles can be purchased to go.
“Together, we offer a fresh take on the wine experience with curated tastings in a relaxed, welcoming setting,” he says.
Compeau says they will also explore a variety of comparative tastings. “We’re going to do comparative tastings from around the world—such as my Narratif Malbec tasted alongside world-class Malbecs from Argentina. And two of us make sparkling wines, so we’re going to do comparative tastings with Cava from Spain,” he says.
Compeau’s enthusiasm is contagious when he speaks about his mission to “educate tasters while they fall in love with Washington wines. And I think that’s the cool, geeky and unique evolution of where this industry is going right now,” he concludes.
Elevated food options are thoughtfully paired with the wines. One of the house’s signature sandwiches is served with grilled focaccia bread and filled with Italian coppa and other salumi, three types of European cheeses, sun-dried tomatoes, basil and arugula.
The wines are food-friendly as well as delightful on their own, exceptionally crafted and unpretentious, offering solid value and pleasure.
The Wine Collaboration is at 117 W Pennsylvania Ave in Roslyn, WA. Go online for hours at www.winecollaboration.com.
Below is a red wine we recently reviewed:
NW Wine Collaborative “Collaboration Red” (NV)
93 pts.
This is the third Collaboration red wine between the partner wineries: Narratif, Hightower and Wit Cellars. Highly expressive, leading with aromas of cherry, plum, baking spices and vanilla bean. There’s gorgeous weight and balance to the mouthfeel, with deep-set flavors of red cherry, blueberry and blackberry fruit that burst onto the silky palate with a hint of mocha. This non-vintage wine over-delivers for the price. $30
Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc