Copenhagen, Denmark – Treveri Cellars, a sparkling wine producer based in Yakima, Wash., continues to make inroads among diplomatic circles both nationally and internationally. Their sparkling wines have been served twice at the U.S. State Department in Washington D.C. by chef Jason L. Larkin. Once for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in December 2011 for her official diplomatic receptions at Christmas, and once for Secretary of State John Kerry in July 2013 for the Fourth of July Independence Day celebration at the rooftop reception area at the State Department.
Photo, left to right: Sommelier Keld Johnsen with the United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark, J. Rufus Gifford, during a Thanksgiving feast in Copenhagen.
On Thanksgiving Day 2013, Treveri wines were served to the United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark, J. Rufus Gifford, during a Thanksgiving feast held at the American Chamber of Commerce event in Copenhagen. Ambassador Gifford was greeted by Keld Johnsen, owner and sommelier of the Restaurant Diplomat, also the representative of Treveri wines in Denmark. The wine was served for over 250 guests, and Ambassador Gifford was presented with a bottle of the award-winning American sparkling wine. This marks the first time that Treveri has been poured at a diplomatic event outside the United States.
Treveri Cellars has been actively selling their wines in the Denmark market since 2012. “This is a huge honor for us, and we can’t thank our partner, Keld, enough for introducing our American-produced sparkling wine to the Danish people and to the American Ambassador,” said Juergen Grieb, the owner and winemaker of Treveri Cellars. “This shows that Washington wine is in demand, even in corners of Europe such as Denmark. We are thrilled that our wines are used for diplomatic purposes, having been served at the U.S. Department of State, and now at a diplomatic dinner in Copenhagen at the American Chamber.”
Treveri Cellars opened its doors in 2010. Juergen Grieb, a native of Trier, Germany, is a 31-year veteran of the Washington State wine industry.