Libations on Location (LOL!) at Local 360

Lucas Schenck, Brian Gawthrop, Cathi Hatch, Ed Brennan, Supida Sanders,
Michael Roupp and Kate Holmes

Last night, a group of ZINO Society members and guests got together at Marcus Charles' Local 360 Cafe and Bar on First Avenue in Seattle for a ZINO Society Libations on Location! networking event.  It was my first visit to Local 360 and when I walked in, I realized that it is located in the old Flying Fish restaurant location.

Dr. Ben Conmy, Bernie Dochnahl,
Christine Gilbert

Cathi Hatch with Tim Narby,
:Note Bene Cellars

Karen Ducey, Mary Holmes,
Lucas Schenck

David Palmer, Carla Sanders,
Jeremy Ruby, Ricky Holm

ZINO Society plans several networking events such as this LOL! during the space of a year in addition to the eleven investment meetings and forums that occur every month except August.  These events give our investor members, our entrepreneur members (ZINOpreneurs), our sponsor/corporate members and our social members a chance to interact and connect.  It is always fun to see old friends and meet new ones at each of these events.

Ken Hatch, Randy Squires

Denny Dochnahl, Eric Blackstone

Local 360 provided delicious hors d'oeuvres including Bocorones and Soft Boiled Egg, Goat Cheese and Tapenade Crostinis, Rosti Potato with Smoked Salmon and Salmon Roe and my personal favorite, Pork Belly Rillette with Pickled Shallot.  The featured ZINO Society Wine Professional Member was Tim Narby of :Note Bene Cellars and he poured a selection of four of his wines which included his 2007 Syrah, and three Bordeaux blends; 2007 Abbinare, 2007 Miscella and 2008 Cheval du Ciel Vineyard.  Though I liked each of the wines, my two favorites were the Syrah and the Cheval du Ciel Vineyard blend which included a major component of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.

It was a great party once again!  Thank you Marcus and Tim!

Cool Yule, Cool Jazz, and a Baby Reindeer Too!

Patty Barrier and Cathi Hatch at Cool Yule

On Thursday, ZINO Society's annual Cool Yule Holiday Party was a memorable evening.  The theme this year was:  Unleash Your Inner Vixen (and Blitzen)!  First, we were in the "coolest" of showrooms at the new Barrier Mercedes of Bellevue.  Shiny red and black Mercedes automobiles were the backdrop for an evening of fun and frivolity.  Thank you to our dear friends and annual sponsors at Barrier Motors, Patty & Jimmy Barrier, Michael Vena, Kjell Schei and Lisa Hess!
 

Baby Rogue the Reindeer with Elf Handlers

Glasses were clinking, saxophones swaying and bold brush strokes of an artist at work were some of the sounds of this year's Cool Yule Holiday Party.  We welcomed Jazz Canvas as part of the evening's entertainment which blended live jazz musicians with live unrehearsed art in motion. The artist literally painted to the feeling of the music on a huge canvas that was raffled off at the end of the party.  Pike Brewing Company, O Wines, DeLille Cellars, Dineen Vineyards, Martinez & Martinez, Woodhouse Wine Estates and Sozo Planet while Ray's Boathouse & Catering provided the hors d'oeuvres.

We toasted one another and another successful year of angel investing, entrepreneurism and connecting having just surpassed $19 million in angel investing amongst our ZINO Society Seattle investor group.  For sipping and toasting, featured winemakers and beverages included

Cathi Hatch with Monte Regier of Sozo Friends.

Rogue (aka Blitzen), the baby reindeer was on hand with his two "elf" handlers for photo ops and was a real hit with everyone (except perhaps Pepper Payne, the Papipoo who was attending with mom Patti Payne, whom I am sure thought Rogue was just another big puppy).

Mary Holmes oversaw the entire event and made it a family affair convincing her husband, Jerry to pour wine and daughter Jacqueline who was there with friends to sell raffle tickets and hang up coats. 

Mary & Jerry Holmes

Christine Gilbert, our resident songster, along with assistance from creative mind, Jamee Nunnelee, developed the ZINO Society version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" now known as "The Twelve Days of ZINO" with apologies to English composer, Frederic Austin, which was performed with enthusiasm by the following ZINO Society cast of members including staff team, coaches, sponsors, investors, entrepreneurs and winemakers. We all donned reindeer antlers and gave it our best.  The vocal standout was definitely Christine, who had the "five wine rings" part and sounded like an opera singer.  Here are the lyrics:

On the First Day of Christmas, my ZINO gave to me: (All)

A year full of Opportunity!  (All)

Cathi Hatch and Gregg Bennett

On the Third Day of Christmas, my ZINO gave to me:
Three Nametag Ribbons (Cathi Hatch)

Two Mercedes Benz (Mary Holmes)

And a Year full of Opportunity

On the Sixth Day of Christmas, my ZINO gave to me:

Six Friends Connecting (Patty Barrier)
Fiiiiive Wiiii-iiine Riiiings (Christine Gilbert)
Four Passport Cards (Jamee Nunnelee)
Three Nametag Ribbons (Cathi Hatch)
Two Mercedes Benz (Mary Holmes)
And a Year full of Opportunity! (All)

On the Tenth Day of Christmas, my ZINO gave to me:  (All)
Ten Wineries Pouring (Andrew Martinez)
Nine Elevator Pitches (John Faccone)
Eight Investors Investing (Gregg Bennett)
Seven Funds a-funding (Kate DesRosier)
Six Friends Connecting (Patty Barrier)
Fiiiiive Wiiii-iiine Riiiings (Christine Gilbert)
Four Passport Cards (Jamee Nunnelee)
Three Nametag Ribbons (Cathi Hatch)
Two Mercedes Benz (Mary Holmes)
And a Year full of Opportunity! (All)

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas, my ZINO gave to me: (All)
Twelve Coaches Coaching (Chuck Roxin)
Eleven Angel Investors (Brian Vowinkel)
Ten Wineries Pouring (Andrew Martinez)
Nine Elevator Pitches (John Faccone)
Eight Investors Investing (Gregg Bennett)
Seven Funds a-funding (Kate DesRosier)
Six Friends Connecting (Patty Barrier)
Fiiiiive Wiii-iiiine Riiiiings (Christine Gilbert)
Four Passport Cards (Jamee Nunnelee)
Three Nametag Ribbons (Cathi Hatch)
Two Mercedes Benz (Mary Holmes)
And a Year full of Opportunity! (All)

We all got our "Blitzen" on and a great time was had by all!

This ZINO team is Kick A__!

ZINO Team Christine Gilbert, Mary Holmes, Cathi Hatch,
Kristie Lanum, Jamee Nunnelee

This coming Tuesday is our biggest ZINO Society event of the year, ZINO Zillionaire Investment Forum.  The ZINO Society team has been working VERY hard to get all the details ready so that everyone attending has a wonderful time!

Kristie Lanum, our Chief Dealflow Officer, has managed the overall task list for ZINO Zillionaire Investment Forum for our entire team and has worked specifically with all of our presenting entrepreneurs, most of which are now new ZINOpreneur Members for the upcoming year.  Kristie has overseen the screening and coaching processes and worked with our incredible list of coaches to ensure that each entrepreneur presenting on Tuesday will be the best that they can be in sharing a concise and compelling pitch.  This is akin to herding cats since there are so many people involved, but Kristie has done it with her usual aplomb and grace.

Mary Holmes, our Chief Marketing Officer, has recruited and communicated with over eighteen (18) panelists who will participate in three separate expert panels providing input and advice to entrepreneurs and investors.  Each panel should be fascinating including a Hospitality, Food, & Travel Panel, a VC & Angel Panel to provide input to our Back-of-the-Napkin presenting companies and a Due Diligence LIVE! Panel to ask questions of the six (6) fund finalists who will be selected by the ZINO Angel fund investors.  Mary has also worked to attract sponsors, develop new branding elements for ZZIF, overseen the press relationships and worked directly with our Co-Presentor, Puget Sound Business Journal, to produce a two-page ad coming out in today's issue.

Jamee Nunnelee, our VP of Membership, has communicated with ZINO Society members to get them the information they need to attend ZINO Zillionaire Investment Forum and invited many of our friends and membership prospects to join us as well.  She is offering a rebate on ZINO Society membership for those new members that join by the end of September.  Jamee has also worked to attract specific ZZIF sponsors and arranged for some of our Wine Professional Members to pour their wines at the Networking Reception at the end of the day.

Christine Gilbert, our Events Director, has worked tirelessly to design and produce our blast emails to notify everyone of the details of ZINO Zillionaire Investment Forum, design and produce the agenda and event program, taken reservations, answered endless questions, produced name tags, and panelist tent cards, arranged for prizes for fund finalists and ZINO Zenith Award winners, worked with MOHAI to arrange all the event details and the caterer to provide sustenance so we can all make it through the entire day with appropriate food, beverages and snacks to keep up our energy.

Please come see what we do!  I think you will be impressed with the quality of the entrepreneur pitches, the panelists, the food and wine, and all the details that make this a first-class event!  And then please do tell me what you think.

Raising a Glass of Wine at Virtual Vino LIVE!

Cathi Hatch, JJ McKay, Patty Barrier

Last week, I invited good friends, Patty Barrier and JJ McKay to join me at my home to taste wine with me on behalf of the new business I am co-founding with Blaine Millet, Virtual Vino LIVE!  This is an online blind wine tasting show featuring Washington wines and supporting local charities.  Because of my involvement with Wine Professional Members at ZINO Society and my background of serving on charitable boards, I know lots of winemakers and charities that we can invite to participate.

Patty and JJ and I served as panelists tasting wines and giving our non-sommelier opinions, while radio host and show facilitator, Brian Calvert, tried to herd us into a semblance of structure.  Brian was very good, but we kept finding topics that would take the conversation just a tiny bit (well maybe more than a tiny bit) off track.  Meanwhile, Blaine captured the fun on camera. ZiZi, our little Yorkshire terrier again took a lead role in providing a colorful sound track.




JJ McKay, Cathi Hatch, Patty Barrier, Brian Calvert
during VirtualVinoLIVE show.

This is still a new venture and I know we will get more polished at this as we go forward, but in the meantime, it is alot of fun!  You can see our Red Blend Wine Tasting Show by clicking HERE.  On that particular show, the favorite wine of the three panelists was the Dunham Cellars, Trutina 2007, which is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.  We also tasted some great wines by J. Bookwalter Winery, Goose Ridge and Brian Carter Cellars.

The charities that we featured in this show included ARCS, Hopelink and the 50th Anniversary of the Seattle Center

Can't wait until our next show together.  I think we will taste white blends . . .

Patty Barrier, oenophile

PEARL hosts "Libations on Location" to rave reviews.



PEARL Proprietors Mikel Rogers & Bradley Dickinson

Last night PEARL Bar & Dining owners, Bradley Dickinson and Mikel Rogers, hosted a great ZINO Society Libations on Location (LOL!) happy hour event at their upscale restaurant located in Lincoln Square in the heart of Bellevue.  ZINO Society members and guests were entertained with delicious hors d'oeuvres from PEARL's kitchen while ZINO Society Wine Professional member, winemaker Kara Castillo of Castillo de Feliciana Vineyard & Winery poured a selection of their excellent high-quality wines.

Michelle Kaufmann, Robin Carmichael
and Alex Camara

Everyone enjoyed connecting with one another in the high-energy cocktail area of PEARL.  Some of the ZINO Society members and guests attending included Patty & Jimmy Barrier, Carol Wright, Ken Hatch, Alex Camara, Heather Sullivan, Bob Wallace, Gary Ritner, Robin Carmichael, Kjell Schei, Dianna & Bill Fieldstead, Bernie & Denny Dochnahl, Ed Brennan, Pamela Rolfe, Michelle Kaufman, plus dozens of others. 

Mikel Rogers with server,
Bethany Stratton

The flavors of the hors d'oeuvres were fantastic.  I was having a hard time deciding which were my favorites, but the ones I woke up this morning still thinking about were the deep fried okra with a harissa-aioli sauce and a corn relish atop melt-in-your-mouth toasted brioche triangles. 
Bradley and Mikel are great examples of the classic story of local boys do well.  Their restaurant is located right across the driveway from the entrance to the Bellevue Westin Hotel and is one of the few non-national chain restaurants in the entertainment area of Bellevue.  Bradley and I have known each other for many years since our previous shared experience in Schwartz Brothers Restaurants in an earlier life. 

Patty Barrier, Pamela Rolfe, Carol Wright

Both Bradley and Mikel are looking forward to their new PEARL menu beginning this week which will include some delicious sounding new additions to their menu.  I look forward to going back and trying a few of the new menu items (if I can get past the yummy appetizers!).  See a sneak preview below:

 

Wild Arugula

Peaches, dates, champagne vinaigrette, parmesan

The ripe peaches balance well with the dates and dressing. Yum!

Five Onion Cream Bisque

Cheesy croutons

This is really caramelized Walla Walla’s with other goodies. A play on French Onion.

Dungeness Crab cake (appetizer)

Roasted corn-pepper relish, sweet corn sauce

Great sweet corn with a touch of truffle oil to bring up the sophistication just a notch

Hudson Valley Foie Gras

Brioche French toast, maple glaze, peach compote, herb salad

Here are those peaches again!

Salt Cod Fritters

Yukon gold potatoes, garlic, harissa aioli

Classic brandade, and the sauce is pretty good too!

Broiled Duck Breast

Chili spice rub, Bing cherry jus, wild rice pancakes

Washington Cherries, need I say more?

Alaskan King Salmon Filet

Cedar-planked, jasmine rice, Javanese sauce

The rice is embellished with Shiitake, Craisins, red peppers, ginger, garlic and more.

Small Lot - Size Does Matter!

David Riley, Jamee Nunnelee, Heather Sullivan, Rich Stillman

At the end of last week, ZINO Society and Bellevue Club collaborated on a wine tasting event featuring Small Lot.  It was a lovely party planned by Kaarin Keil of Bellevue Club and Mary Holmes of ZINO Society to introduce ZINO Society and the Bellevue Club to each others' constituents; some of whom already belong to both organizations.

Small Lot is a Co-Op designed with one thing in mind: to support the some of the best small producing and local wineries within Washington State. These wineries are uniform not only in their quality, but also in their passion for sharing the fruit that is of our terroir.



Alex Camara, Cathi Hatch, Ron Morford




Ann Morford, Melanie Corey-Ferrini, Debora Centioli



Rick Fisher, Nancy Harnasch, Greg Porter

ZINO Society members and guests and Bellevue Club members and guests joined us for an evening of tasting with five of the Small Lot wineries led by ZINO Society Wine Professional Member, Jeff Boyer.  Jeff is one of over 50 ZINO Society Wine Professional Members who provide wine education and tasting opportunities to our members.

The wines we tasted included Challenger Ridge, Kana Winery, Lodmell Cellars, Castillo de Feliciana, and Stina's Cellars served along with delectable appetizers prepared by the Bellevue Club.  Though small productions, these wines are of extraordinary proportions.

Seen at "Seen/Unseen" Scene

Robin DuBrin, Douglas Howe, Ron & Ann Morford

Last evening, there was a great ZINO Society social networking event hosted by ZINO Society member and 2009 PONCHO Artist of the Year, Judith Kindler.  The event was held in her studio for a preview of her work titled "Seen/Unseen" before it ships for a major show in Los Angeles later this month.

 

Kindler's studios are a treat for the senses! Everyone enjoyed seeing her new works and hearing the background psychology on what Judith is trying to tell the viewer with this body of her work.  There was much to see including works that are in progress and numerous studios devoted to the individual medias in which she works. It was a real behind the scenes unique libation, food and art experience.

Judith Kindler and husband, Kyle Johnson (also a ZINO Society member) are partners in William Ryan Distributors whose primary product line is the premium Aha Toro tequila line, so there was a tequila tasting comparing several premium levels of tequila with one another led by their business partner and tequila guru, Sang Chae.  Sang who attended with his wife, Connie, admitted that he decided to go "into" the tequila business when people told him that it was impossible for a Korean-American to be successful in selling tequila.  He decided to prove them wrong and was proud to announce to us last evening that in their third year of operation, Aha Toro has become a profitable business.

Michael Roupp, Ken, Dave Syferd, Cathi, Trudi Syferd

Nathan Godestad, John Christensen, Cathi

For non-tequila drinkers, wine was also served by ZINO Society Wine Professional Member, Scott Fivash of Fivash Cellars. Of course, a gourmet taco bar and traditional Mexican appetizers was the featured food for this casual evening.  A big hit was the small grilled sweet pepper poppers.

A few of the 60 ZINO Society members and guests enjoying the evening included Carol Wright, JJ McKay, Michael Roupp, Robin duBrin & Douglas Howe, John Midby, Chloe & Lance Mueller, Adam Hartzell and Michael Harman of JP Morgan Chase, past and present PNB principal ballet dancers, Stanko Milov, Olivier Wevers and Lucien Postlewaite, Ann & Ron Morford, Bob Nowlin, Helena Bierly, Trudi & Dave Syferd, Randy Squires, Vladlina & Eric Fulton, Andrea Mann, John Christensen & Nathan Goderstad, and Kathy & Mike McQuaid.

Michael Harman, Judith Kindler, Adam Hartzell

Thank you Judith & Kyle!  What a fun and intellectually stimulating evening!

Sang Chae, Kyle Johnson

Fine Food and Wine In the Shadow of the Fremont Bridge

Rick Fisher, Cathi Hatch, Cindy Hales,
Lisa Mikesell, Damien Wilson

Last evening, ZINO Society produced a lovely Master of Wine Monday at Ponti Seafood Grill in Seattle.  See my earlier blog posting here describing the setting and ambiance of Ponti.   Ponti's Rich Malia, owner, Alvin Binuya, Chef, and Brian Siry, Manager partnered with ZINO Society Wine Professional Member, John Bell, owner of Willis Hall Winery to offer a splendid evening of elegant wines made in the European tradition, camaraderie, and fine food.


 


Jamee Nunnelee, Michael Zachary



The ZINO Society members and guests were greeted with a Willis Hall 2009 Pinot Gris and a Treasure Cove oyster served with Tobiko and by the time we sat down for dinner had had the opportunity to meet and talk with one another.  The first course served at the table was a beautiful and delicious Shaved Fennel and Mango Salad which paired perfectly with the 2009 Willis Hall Roussanne.



Bernie Dochnahl commented on how much the Roussane reminded her of a fine French wine.  Denny & Bernie Dochnahl and Philip & Andrea Mann dicussed Antarctica travel experiences, both past and future and many joined in the discussion about dogs and how much we love our dogs, so we began planning the Dog Days of Summer Party for this coming August on the spot. 

Corned Pork Tenderloin with Lentils

Mary Holmes, Rich Malia

Ann Morford, Cindy Hales

Midway through the meal after the Corned Pork Tenderloin course, we did ask ten of the attendees to switch tables with one another to give everyone a chance to get to know one another.  It was shortly after the switch that Mary Holmes, ZINO Society Chief Marketing Officer, insisted that she saw a raccoon crawl down the wall just outside the window.  We of course tried to take her wine away saying that she was just seeing things, but she finally convinced us all that there really had been a raccoon.

Seven small plate courses were served paired with six different wines including a 2008 Late Harvest Pinot Gris served with dessert.  The entire group appeared to thoroughly enjoy the evening.  I heard lots of positive comments about how delicious and beautiful the food was and how much everyone was enjoying the Willis Hall wines as well.  My favorite food item of the night was a very small, quarter-size Polenta cake with Fontina Cheese.  I was hoping for seconds and thirds!  Chef Alvin is obviously a real culinary talent!  I think we can declare this a successful and fun event for all!

See full menu and pairings below.  All wines from Willis Hall Winery.

2009 Pinot Gris

Treasure Cove Oyster with Tobiko



L-R: Mark Soltys, Jamee Nunnelee,
Ron & Ann Morford



2009 Roussanne

Shaved Fennel-Mango Salad

2004 Merlot

Grilled Alaska White King Salmon

with Huckleberry Beurre Rouge

Corned Pork Tenderloin

2005 Cuvee Reserve

Five Spice Smoked Black Cod

Del Webber, Bernie Dochnahl,
John Bell

2005 Syrah

Washington Angus Flatiron Steak



2008 Late Harvest Pinot Gris

Meyer Lemon Cheesecake with Rhubarb Compote







Featured Wine Professional Member: Mike Conway of Latah Creek Wine Cellars

The Conway Family:  Ellena, Natalie and Mike

At our ZINO Life Investment Forum last week at the beautiful Pan Pacific Hotel, during the Awards Reception, we featured ZINO Society Wine Professional Member, Latah Creek Wine Cellars pouring a selection of their current releases. I particularly liked the Monarch Red Blend.  I asked Mike Conway, the Winemaker/Owner to answer a few questions about Latah Creek Wine Cellars that I would like to share with you here:

• How long has your winery been in business?  First production was in 1982 – opened our tasting room in 1983
• How many total wine cases did you produce last year? 16,000 cases
• What style(s) of wine do you produce?  70% off our production is light and fruity whites: Riesling, Muscat and Pinot Gris and Chardonnay. The balance is reds primarily Sangiovese and Merlot with a new Monarch Red blend and a few, small lot Monarch Series Reserve Reds.
• What made you decide to get into the wine business?  My first experience in wine dates back to 1972. After departing the Air Force, I restarted my college studies in central California, this time majoring in Microbiology. At the same time I was able to get a night shift job at the Gallo Winery in their Microbiology lab. My job there was to monitor the bottling lines and finished products for sterility. At this time in the wine industry there was a change going on; pasteurization and preservatives were being replaced by the brand new technology of sterile microfiltration. Three years later, with degree in hand, I accepted a position at the neighboring Franzia Bros. Winery and eventually became their head Microbiologist. The experience gained over the past five years gave me the confidence and opportunity to move northward to the Parducci Winery in Mendocino County where I oversaw the installation and use of their first sterile filtration system. It was during my three years at Parducci that I actually got involved in winemaking and where I realized a future in wine was possible. In 1980 my wife and I decided to make a bold move; go even further north to an almost unknown wine region - Washington State. At that time this fledgling wine industry had only 18 wineries. The rest is history.
• Share a funny, real life experience you have faced in the wine business.  I have this happen all the time, the last time just a few nights ago. We were at a nice restaurant in town and ordered an unknown-to-us bottle of wine from their “specials” list. The waitress brought the wine, unscrewed the top, and served me an “approval” sample. It was quite nice but I made the mistake of making a “screw top” comment. She went on for about five minutes elaborating on the benefits of screw tops: the wines age better, they are easier to open, etc., etc., etc. Not wanting to embarrass her, nothing was said about our being in the wine business. Unfortunately there was a friend of ours at the same restaurant who told her who we were. She came back to us with her shoulders shrugged, apologizing profusely for her misinformation. We have decided we should now have a “winemaker dining here” disclaimer when we first sit down at a restaurant.

• What ratings have any of your wines received? And from which experts?  Latah Creek’s wines have received numerous awards and accolades over the years, the most prestigious being three different Latah Creek wines selected in The Wine Spectator Magazine’s TOP 100 Wines of the Year in a three year period. We have also been given recognition as producing one of the Best Rieslings in the state year after year.

Featured Wine Professional Member: Jay DeWitt of Dumas Stations Winery

At our recent ZINO Society February Roundtable Investment Meeting, our featured winery was ZINO Society Wine Professional Member, Dumas Station Winery. Co-Owner, Jay DeWitt, was on hand to pour a selection of his current releases. I asked him a few questions about Dumas Station Winery that I would like to share with you here:


What is your position in the company? Jay DeWitt, Co-owner with Doug Harvey, winemaker and vineyard manager. I also do the dishes.

How long has your winery been in business? Our first vintage was 2003

How many total wine cases did you produce last year? 1,000 cases

What style(s) of wine do you produce? We are focused on Bordeaux, but also have made a little Syrah from time to time

What made you decide to get into the wine business? I have been involved with wine grape production for 20 years as a consultant and grower. But more importantly, I love great Cabernet Sauvignons, as does Doug. We made garage wine together prior to getting into this business.

What ratings have any of your wines received? And from which experts? Our wines have been very well received by the critics, the long list can be found on our website, http://www.dumasstation.com/. We are most pleased with the 93 point rating for our 2006 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon from The Wine Advocate; and 94 points from Wine Enthusiast for our 2006 Minnick Hills Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.

Please list your current year wine labels.
2007 Minnick Hills Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
2007 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
2007 Estate Merlot
2008 Cow Catcher Red

Where can consumers purchase your wine? Several options including from our website, Pete’s in Bellevue, Esquin, Compass, West Seattle Wine Shop, and several restaurants.

What is the biggest challenge you face? The Weather. We are vineyard oriented and our farming practices are science-based and very precise. Adjusting practices to fit each year’s weather is always the toughest part. This is also the most rewarding part of the business for me personally.

What is your favorite wine to drink other than your own? I am an explorer when it comes to wine, and my item of interest changes 3 or 4 times per year. Currently I am in pursuit of big, soft, over-oaked (by today’s standards) Chardonnays. Any recommendations?

February 2011 Roundtable Meeting Programming

February 2011 Roundtable Meeting Luncheon, Bellevue

This past week, we produced two successful ZINO Society Roundtable Investment meetings on Tuesday evening at our sponsor host of the evening, Foster Pepper and Thursday lunch at Harbor Club Bellevue to showcase four entrepreneurs who were seeking capital, mentoring and referrals by presenting their businesses to ZINO Society  Elite Roundtable Members, Associate Roundtable Members and Sponsor Members.  The four  featured ZINOpreneurs included Mhairi Veolsgen of BroVO Spirits, Damien Wilson of MyTown Inc., David Sypniewski of Skora Athletics, LLC and Bill Kallman of Scayl.

Bob Toomey, ZINOpreneur Damien Wilson, Gary Wilson

At the Tuesday evening event, we also showcased keynote speaker, John Kueber, COO/Group Publisher for Tiger Oak Media, a provider of regional media including Seattle Business Magazine and over a dozen other major events, web sites, and media projects on the west coast, who shared with us some of the trends, predictions and pitfalls facing business today.  His predictions included Governor Gregoire being re-elected, Mayor McGinn being defeated, and the Huskies winning their upcoming season 8-4. 

Ken Hatch and ZINOpreneur Mhairi Voelsgen

And we also featured new ZINO Society Wine Professional Member, Jay Dewitt of Dumas Station Wines, a small, family-owned winery focused on creating Bordeaux-varietal red wines with grapes from their estate Walla Walla vineyard. One of the wines being poured was their 2006 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon which received 93 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.

Featured Wine Professional Member : Freddy Arredondo of Cave B Cellars

Freddy Arredondo

At our recent ZINO Society January Roundtable Investment Meeting, our featured winery was ZINO Society Wine Professional Member, Cave B Estate Winery.  Winemaker, Freddy Arredondo, was on hand to pour a selection of his current releases.  I asked him a few questions about Cave B that I would like to share with you here:

• How long has your winery been in business?. . . Our first vintage was 2001 and our tasting room in Quincy opened in early 2004
• How many total wine cases did you produce last year?. . . A little over 5,000 cases
• What style(s) of wine do you produce?. . . We produce a wide array of varietals and wine styles from big Bordeaux reds to more esoteric varieties like Tempranillo and Barbera and even off-dry and dessert style wines.
•  What made you decide to get into the wine business?. . . I got into the wine business by way of food. I was a chef in my prior career and working with food initiated my interest in wine. The more I worked with wine pairings the more my interest began to shift to wine production.
•  What ratings have any of your wines received?. . . I currently don’t enter wines into a lot of competitions. The one wine competition that I always enter is the Seattle Wine Awards. In the most recent Seattle Wine Awards competition we did really well, earning One Double Gold, two Gold, three Silver and two Bronze medals.
•  And from which experts? . . . The experts were the judging panel for the Seattle wine awards.
•  Please list your current year wine labels. . . . We actually produce a large number of varietals. Blanc de Blanc Sparkling wine, Chardonnay, Semillon Viognier, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Tempranillo, Sangiovese, Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Riesling, Semillon Ice Wine and a few others.
•  Where can consumers purchase your wine? . . . We actually have a tasting room in the Seattle area at Urban Enoteca in Georgetown. So that is the best place to go for the widest selection of our wines. We also self distribute in the Seattle area and our wines can be found in many of the QFC stores, since they staff wine stewards.  We’re also in many of the specialty wine shops and many of the finer restaurants in Seattle.
• What is the biggest challenge you face?. . . I would say that my biggest challenge is trying to maintain a personal presence on the west side of the state while keeping up all of my responsibilities in the wine cellar here in Quincy.
•  What is your favorite wine to drink other than your own?. . . This is a tough question because my favorite changes with what it is that I’m eating. I am really big into food and wine pairing. There are truly so many fantastic producers of wine in the state so it is impossible for me to name one or even just a few.