September 1, 2016 — The Walter Clore Wine & Culinary Center in Prosser, Wash. was abuzz last Friday evening from 4pm to 9pm as staffers hosted the inaugural Rising Stars event to a packed house. Over 300 guests gathered from all corners of the state, and as far away as Idaho, for “a tasting experience of Washington’s newest wineries.”
Event-goers sampled wines from 40 participating wineries, which collectively poured a stunning array of 133 boutique wines. The public mingled with winery owners and vintners throughout the evening while noshing on scrumptious appetizers. Tom Douglas Restaurants served crowd-pleasing gourmet bites such as “Tom’s Tasty Tuna Sashimi and “Butterscotch Bacon Bites.”
By 5pm, the smoothly run affair was in full swing as wine-sipping patrons spilled outside into the pavilion to enjoy live music and territorial views under a beautiful red-and-purple-streaked summer sunset.
This notable event highlighted the remarkable diversity of the wine industry, and provided a snapshot of the faces and driving talent behind the state’s latest crop of wineries, which surprisingly includes a number of acclaimed veteran winemakers.
With over 20 Washington vintages under his belt, Coman “Co” Dinn (former head winemaker at Hogue Cellars) was on hand pouring several luxe wines under his exciting new label, Co Dinn Cellars, where he is intently focused on sourcing premium fruit exclusively from the Yakima Valley AVA. “This event was a great opportunity to taste the latest releases from tomorrow’s allocated wineries,” Co told Tasting Room Magazine. “The great wines, food and music took full advantage of the center’s facilities and ambience. I plan to be back next year.”
Another seasoned talent, Flint Nelson (former head winemaker at Kestrel Cellars), was a participant of Rising Stars, introducing guests to his latest venture, Wit Cellars, which recently opened a tasting room just down the street from The Clore Center. “I came to Prosser right after college in 1991. I figured this would be a good place to be a winemaker, and I’ve been here ever since,” says the 26-year industry veteran.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Sean and Libbey Tudor, owners of 2dor Wines, poured first-releases from their emerging Yakima Valley estate-grown winery. The Tudors have partnered with winemaking talent Robert Smasne of Smasne Cellars, and together the two entities have opened County Line Tasting Room in Prosser’s Vintners Village. “It was a fantastic evening of sharing our story and our wines with all who came, and connecting with our fellow participating wineries,” says Libbey.
Winemaker Karen Buckingham of Sol Stone was present, talking with guests and pouring craft wines that she and her husband, Boyd, produce together at their Woodinville-based winery and tasting room. “Many of the guests mentioned they were discovering new wineries and were impressed that so many winemakers were present. I enjoyed presenting our wines to such a knowledgeable and enthusiastic group,” she says.
Abbey Cameron, executive director of The Clore Center, points out how the Rising Stars event was the perfect example of how their mission to promote and celebrate Washington wine comes to life. “We are thrilled to be the destination where new wineries can meet interested consumers. It happens every day when guests cozy up to our tasting bar, and it was exhilarating to see it happen on a large scale during Rising Stars,” says Abbey. “We are very thankful to Washington Tasting Room Magazine for joining us in this vision and we look forward to this becoming a not-to-be-missed annual event.”
Article and photos by John Vitale/Washington Tasting Room Magazine