Episode 40 | Chef Aaron Tekulve redefines expectations at Surrell
Chef Aaron Tekulve
Owner and Chef of Surrell on Madison
Chef Aaron Tekulve is one of Seattle’s up-and-coming culinary superstars, and his new restaurant Surrell on Madison is not stopping because of COVID19. In fact, it’s one of the bright spots in the city’s dining landscape. Join us to hear his journey from rock drummer, to working at some of Seattle’s most celebrated restaurants, and to hosting red-hot pop-ups around town. Today, Chef Aaron pairs Washington wines with his unique brand of cuisine in a setting made safe for socially distanced dining.
We also share our fabulous dining experience and what you can expect from an evening with this rising star Chef.
Make reservations or order take-out at Surrell
Episode 39 | Auction of Washington Wines 2020 Honorees
Auction of Washington Wines 2020
Since its inception in 1988, the Auction of Washington Wines has raised more than $50 million, benefitting Seattle Children’s and Washington State University Wine Science Research. Events hosted by AWW give wine lovers the chance to support the Washington wine industry and families in our communities around the region. The 2020 Auction of Washington Wines events will take place August 13-15, so check out the best of Washington wine and get your virtual bids ready here!
Your 2020 Honorees
Honorary Chair, Karen MacNeil is considered America’s foremost wine presenter, author of the international best-seller, “The Wine Bible, “Emmy winner as host of the PBS series “Wine, Food and Friends with Karen MacNeil” and the first Food and Wine Editor of USA Today. She has also earned the distinguished title of “Wine Professional of the Year” from the James Beard Foundation. And TIME Magazine has called her “America’s Missionary of the Vine.” It’s a true honor to have her join us on Decanted.
Learn about wine from Karen
Honorary Vintner, Mark McNeilly, founded the Mark Ryan Winery in 1999, starting as a self-taught winemaker with a few tons of fruit in a friend’s garage. Mark Ryan Winery has earned critical national and international acclaim, due to Mark’s winemaking expertise and utilizing some of Washington’s finest fruit. He has created destination tasting rooms in Woodinville and Walla Walla and has made significant contributions to the Washington wine community for the past 20 years.
Visit Mark Ryan Winery
Honorary Grower, Rob Mercer, was born and raised in Prosser and the Horse Heaven Hills area, where his family has farmed for generations, leading to the first wine grape plantings in 1972. Rob and his team grow 25+ varieties over 3,000 acres in the Horse Heaven Hills and Columbia Valley AVAs and provide fruit for a multitude of wineries in Washington state, including his seven brands.
Taste the Mercer wines
Episode 38 | Anna Maria Ponzi: Pinot Girl to President
Anna Maria Ponzi
Owner, President and Sales & Marketing Director of Ponzi Vineyards | Author of Pinot Girl: A Family. A Region. An Industry.
Anna Maria Ponzi is at the helm of one of Oregon’s most influential and celebrated wineries. Her new memoir, Pinot Girl: A Family. A Region. An Industry. is a heartfelt account of the hard work, persistence, ingenuity, and collaboration it took to help establish this now famed wine region.
In this episode, she shares stories about the first harvest, what she learned working on the farm, leaving for college and returning home to run the family business.
Maria’s parents, Dick and Nancy Ponzi and other pioneering wine families were on a mission to grow the best Pinot Noir and risked it all to pursue their vision. They blazed a trail for the Oregon wine industry and its place on the global stage. Anna Maria, along with her sister and winemaker Luisa, have continued their parents’ legacy and firmly engraving their mark with award-winning vintages and a thriving community of fans.
2020 also marks the 50th anniversary of Ponzi Vineyards and she tastes through 3 bottles you should check out!
Shop Ponzi Vineyards
Uplevel your Oregon wine region knowledge
Take your Oregon wine industry geek-dom to the next level. Dave and Sandi provide a brief overview of its wine pioneer history, why its called Nested AVAs, some facts behind their bottle labeling, their most produced varietals and … did you know that Oregon had its own “Judgement of Paris?” Tune in to hear the results!
Willamette Valley AVA and its Nested AVAs
- Chehalem Mountains AVA
- Ribbon Ridge AVA (inside the Chehalem Mountains AVA
- Laurelwood District AVA (new)
- Tualatin Hills AVA (new)
- Dundee Hills AVA
- McMinnville AVA
- Yamhill-Carlton AVA
- Eola-Amity Hills AVA
- Van Duzer Corridor AVA
Southern Oregon AVA’s Nested AVA
- Umpqua AVA and its Nested AVAs
- Elkton AVA
- Red Hill Douglas County AVA
- Rogue Valley AVA and its Nested AVA:
- Applegate Valley AVA
Northern Oregon AVA’s Nested AVAs
- Columbia Valley AVA and its Nested AVA:
- Walla Walla Valley AVA & its Nested AVA:
- The Rocks District AVA
- Walla Walla Valley AVA & its Nested AVA:
- Columbia Gorge AVA
Eastern Oregon AVA and Nested AVA
- Snake River Valley AVA
Episode 37 | Andrew Latta exemplifies the Rhône in Washington
Andrew Latta
Owner | Winemaker, Latta Wines
Born and raised in Kentucky, Andrew Latta began his adventure into the wine world waiting tables. Andrew’s passion for wine skyrocketed and he became a sommelier and a wine director at a five-star-resort in Phuket, Thailand. Later, he went on to study winemaking in Walla Walla and stayed in Washington and landed the distinguished position of working side-by-side with Charles Smith for nearly 10 years. Today, he is the owner and winemaker at Latta Wines where he produces some of the best examples of Rhône style wines in Washington state.
Andrew’s second label, Kind Stranger, is inspired by turning toward others around us. Proceeds from these wines benefit Mary’s Place at the local level and globally, the International Rescue Committee.
Shop and visit Latta Wines
Contribute and make a difference John June Lewis, Sr. Scholarship Fund
Learn more and donate Northwest Community Bail Fund
Rhône Valley and Washington
Dave and Sandi describe the terroir of the Rhône Valley in France, the varietals and flavor profiles that make vino enthusiasts obsess over these wines. There are top Washington and Oregon producers who’ve taken inspiration and planted on similar terrain to capture the essence and beauty of this famed style.
Photography by Matt Sumi
Episode 36 | Peter Devison’s journey to Washington winemaking
Peter Devison
Owner | Winemaker, Devison Vineyards
Originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Peter Devison has journeyed around the globe to develop his skills as a winemaker, including stints in the service industry in British Columbia, an education in Enology, Christchurch, New Zealand, where he ended up working several harvests and eventually to Eastern Washington, where he entered our wine scene working for notable names like Vin du Lac, Tsillan Cellars, Waterbrook, Precept, Willow Crest, Alder Ridge Wines, Cadaretta and EFESTE. Peter has now joined with his wife Kelsey, a force in wine sales, marketing, and importing, to create their own Devison Vintners label.
Shop Devison Vintners
Special code for Decanted listeners: Use DECANTED at checkout for 10% off wines! (Valid until 6/21/20) The Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc and Beneath the Stones are … superb.
Great deals on Washington Wine abound
As a result of the Covid19 crisis, many wineries are finding creative ways to overcome the estimated 75% drop in revenue due to the interruption of regular tasting room operations. Many are offering unheard of deals, enhanced distribution and pick-up, special tasting packages, live Zoom tastings and education, by appointment winery visits, and innovative media outreach to entice consumers. Let’s show our wonderful industry our love by supporting your favorite wineries!
Episode 35 | Passing Time’s winning team
Damon Huard & Chris Peterson
Managing Partner | Winemaker
The Passing Time team is a winning combination. Damon Huard and Dan Marino—former Miami Dolphins quarterbacks—partnered with alluded winemaker, Chris Peterson with the goal to make some of the best Cabernet Sauvignons in Washington. Damon and Chris joined us in the studio and shared their journeys to wine, their connection with Horse Heaven Hills and why Passing Time needs to be in your cellar and on your table.
Visit and shop Passing Time
How you can support Washington State wineries
It’s tempting to think that we may be able to go back to business-as-usual in a couple of months, but the wine industry is likely going to have to continue to innovate how they sell their product, for a little longer. Wineries are offering curb-side pick ups, free or discounted shipping, hosting virtual tastings to connect to their fans, giving back to our first responders and partnering with chefs. Ordering online and shipping direct has never been easier and ensures essential vino to get us through this pandemic.
