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Highlights of Revelry on Red Mountain

Guests arriving for Revelry on Red Mountain.
My wife and I were at Col Solare Winery last Saturday for our first Revelry on Red Mountain, a fund raising event for Seattle Children’s Hospital. In 2010, Seattle Children's provided a record $102 million to service nearly 100,000 patients in uncompensated care alone. The Auction of Washington Wines is responsible for organizing this fundraising event and several more later this year.

Wendi Warner - Col Solare Guest Services Manager.
Wendi Warner of Col Solare Winery was the perfect hostess and choreographer. There was a stunning array of Washington wines and a procession of food from Chef Magaña’s kitchen. We were also blessed with perfect outdoor weather; this year has been much cooler and wetter than normal, sunny days have been few. A beautiful afternoon became a beautiful evening.

Sunset detail at Col Solare Winery.
Highlights 
There were many familiar faces and bottles at Revelry on Red Mountain. I’d like to share some of my favorites. With 700 wineries in Washington State, it’s no wonder I made some new discoveries and friends.

Corvus Cellars 2008  Red Mountain Syrah-Petite Sirah.
Randall and Jennifer.

Corvus Cellars
I was impressed by the wines being poured by Corvus Cellars Winegrower, Randall Hopkins and his wife Jennifer Hopkins. Their 2008 Red Mountain Syrah-Petite Sirah (SPS) was a dark lovely wine, complex tastiness from 100% Red Mountain fruit. And their $14 Viognier impressed too, I can't believe it retails for only $14. Contact the winery for availability. Recommended.

Corvus Cellars, 596 Piper Avenue, Walla Walla, WA 99362

Mark Ryan 2007 Wild Eyed Syrah.
Mark Ryan Winery
I was into the Mark Ryan Winery 2007 Syrah, it's Syrah the way I like it, smoky, fruity with a funky edge. My glass emptied too quickly. Mark Ryan Winery has an impressive array of red wines. Recommended.

Mark Ryan Winery, LLC. 19501 144th Ave NE, Suite 900, Woodinville, WA 98072

Grand Reve Series II 2008 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard.
Grand Reve Vintners
Grand Reve Vintners poured from their 2008 Series II and III. I adored the Series II, but it's too cruel to pour someone such a stunning wine that's nearly impossible to purchase. I signed up on their registry, because that's the only way I'll get any of their 2009 vintages. Recommended (email me if you know where I can purchase some of their 2008 Series II).
 
Grand Reve Vintners 12514 130th Lane NE, Kirkland, Washington

Jim Holmes pouring Andrew Will wines.
Andrew Will Winery and Jim Holmes
It was a pleasure to visit with Mr. Jim Holmes last week. Jim is largely responsible for the Red Mountain AVA, he first planted grapes on Red Mountain in 1975. He manages and grows the grapes for his famous Ciel du Cheval vineyards. His fruit was in many of the wines I enjoyed at Revelry on Red Mountain.
 
Saturday, Jim was pouring wines for Andrew Will Winery. I was most impressed by the Andrew Will 2008 Sangiovese - 100% Sangiovese from Red Mountain fruit. A lovely medium body wine. Recommended.
 
Andrew Will Winery 12526 S.W. Bank Road, Vashon Island, WA 98070

Bookwalter Wines - some of Washingtons best wines.
Bookwalter Winery
Bookwalter was pouring on the patio with a spectacular sunset behind them. I was treated to some wonderful Bookwalter Winery wines and conversation. Bookwalter Winery has a Bistro which was awarded Sunset Magazines 2010 Winery Tasting Room of the year. It has been sometime since I tasted through all their wines. Recommended.
 
Bookwalter Winery 894 Tulip Ln, Richland, WA 99352

A Toast a Toast!

Thank you
Thank you to everyone involved who made last weekend’s Revelry on Red Mountain a great success and a lot of fun. I hope to see you all again. Cheers!
 
About Seattle Children’s Hospital

It’s a misconception that Seattle Children's Hospital treats children from the metropolitan Seattle area only—they are a regional hospital serving Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. Seattle Children’s serves as the pediatric and adolescent academic medical referral center for the largest landmass of any children's hospital in the country.

For a Washington statewide breakdown of the number of patients who were seen in 2010, click here.

Uncompensated care ensures that all children in our region receive the best medical care available, regardless of insurance coverage. With the current recession, more families are losing medical insurance and premiums are rising. These unexpected expenses can be quite devastating. When a hospital bill exceeds a family’s ability to pay, Seattle Children’s financial assistance program provides relief. For more information visit http://www.seattlechildrens.org/.

Thank you to Auction of Washington Wines.
The Auction of Washington Wines is the 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization of the Washington wine industry and has raised more than $24 million since its inception in 1988.

Auction of Washington Wines
1201 Western Avenue, Ste. 450
Seattle, WA 98101
info@auctionofwashingtonwines.org
206-326-5747

Some Additional Photos:

South entrance patio.

John Bookwalter welcomes everyone to Revelry on Red Mountain.
Southwest view from Col Solare.
Looking South from Col Solare (image-size is suitable for desktop wallpaper).
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