Join Our Newsletter

Sign up to receive timely, useful information in your inbox.

Instagram did not return a 200.

Follow Me!

Default – 3 Column

Morgan Lee, Two Vintners winemaker
Wine Events Winemaker Interviews

Episode 22 | Morgan Lee —A Tale of Two Vintners


Morgan Lee. Two Vintners and Covington CellarsMorgan Lee

Two Vintners, Owner & Winemaker
Covington Cellars, Winemaker

Morgan’s story is somewhat a tale of two vintners, as he actively oversees not only his own winery, aptly called Two Vintners, but he’s also head winemaker for the revered Covington Cellars label.

Morgan takes us back to his humble beginnings in the midwest and what sparked him to become a winemaker, his philosophy, family and what he’d like Washington State to be known for.

His work with these labels has earned Morgan numerous accolades from diverse sources like Sunset Magazine, Seattle Met, Great Wine, The Washington Wine Report, Wine Press Northwest, United Airlines Rhapsody Magazine and Seattle Magazine who named Morgan one of their Winemakers to Watch.

Visit Two Vintners
Visit Covington Cellars

It’s Wine Event Season!

To us, February and March is Wine Event Season. We celebrated the best of Washington at the Washington Wine Blog 2nd Annual Critics Choice where we met wine unicorn, Christophe Baron of Cayuse and enjoyed the Top 100 of 2018. We also attended the Walla Walla Wine Alliance event in Seattle and raided Amber LeBeau’s (Spitbucket.net) impressive wine collection.

Old World Meets New World

A first in a new series, we compare and contrast an old world Brunello Di Montalcino with Morgan’s new world Sangiovese. We use the Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine and if you haven’t heard of that, you can learn by listening to Episode 21 and check out an easy guide on the episode page.

Morgan Lee—The man, the myth, the winemaker.
Morgan Lee 2016 Washington State Wine Awards Winemaker to Watch along with Sommelier of the Year Tim O’Brien of Salty’s and Winemaker Michael Savage for Best Emerging Winery.
Morgan and Lola hanging out in the Woodinville tasting room. The 2015 Lola got 94 pts from Jeb Dunnuck.
Two Vintners line up
Yum in a bottle
Lola enshrined at the Two Vintners tasting room
Two Vintners and Covington Cellars tasting lineup
If you haven’t tried orange wine, check out the O.G
It’s bottling time at Two Vintners
The mark of hard work
Old school desk at Two Vintners tasting room
Where noted, images copyright of Marianna Jamadi
Richard Duval WA vineyard photography
Vineyards Wine Destinations Wine Education

Episode 21 | Richard Duval captures the heart of Northwest Wine Country


Richard Duval, Duval ImagesRichard Duval, Duval Images

In this episode of Decanted, we interview Richard Duval, who has become one of the most well-renowned photographers in the Washington wine scene. He recalls his adventures in some of the most awe-inspiring vineyards in our state, offers practical photography advice and lists his picks of the most scenic wine destinations.

Richard’s work is frequently found in Great Northwest Wine, Wine Press Northwest, Sean Sullivan’s Washington Wine Report, Wine Business Monthly, Good Fruit Grower, Wine Enthusiast, Wine Spectator and numerous blogs, wine sites and books. His images are used extensively in wine marketing guides for Walla Walla, Woodinville, Yakima Valley, Cascade Valley, the Columbia River Gorge and Red Mountain regions, the annual Washington Wine Guide, and he stages the “Art from the Vine” fine art exhibit in wine venues around Washington—well, you get the picture of Richard’s reach into Washington’s wine and art circles.

Learn more about Duval Images

Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine ®

We’ve mostly relied upon second-hand knowledge and gut instincts about how to react to the wines we’ve been served, which always kind of left us feeling like we were missing something. Over time, we’ve developed a palate by trial and error.

Learning the Systematic Approach helped us learn how to analyze the merits of a wine, regardless of what the winery, wine critics or other tasters think. This approach, we feel, will up your game and broaden your horizons through the understanding of BALANCE of certain criteria. Great wines have a good balance between acid and body, otherwise known as sweetness, which results in a superior wine. Too much acid and the wine becomes austere, too much sweetness or residual sugar and the wine becomes boring or “flabby.” In addition, a good structure with quality fruit and tannins (for reds) plays into creating a complex wine with different flavors activating your brain.

The Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Level 2 Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine is broken down into four basic categories, each with characteristics to analyze:

Appearance

  1. Clarity: clear or hazy?
  2. Intensity: pale, medium or deep?
  3. Color: White—lemon, gold or amber? Rosé—pink, salmon or orange? Red—Purple, ruby, garnet or tawny?

Nose

  1. Condition: clean or unclean?
  2. Intensity: light, medium or pronounced?
  3. Aroma characteristics: e.g. fruits, floral, vegetal, spices, oak, earth, etc? Try and find 3 characteristics.

Palate

  1. Sweetness: dry, off-dry, medium or sweet? Tip: Tasting fruit doesn’t mean it’s sweet.
  2. Acidity: low, medium or high? Is your mouth watering?
  3. Tannin: low, medium or high? Is your mouth drying out?
  4. Body: light, medium or full? Is it silky?
  5. Flavor characteristics: e.g. fruits, floral, vegetal, spices, oak flavors, smoke, meaty, etc?
  6. Finish: short, medium or long? Tip:

Conclusions

  1. Quality: faulty, poor, acceptable, good, very good or outstanding?

We walk you through this system and their sub-categories along with two tastings.

Learn more about the Wine & Spirits Education Trust WSET Global

Real Wine Alliance

This episode is sponsored by Real Wine Alliance. With over 100 years of combined winery expertise, they supercharge wineries with distribution, direct to consumer, marketing, branding, web development, eCommerce, photography and awesome events!

Supercharge Your Winery
Richard Duval with one of his incredible vineyard shots.
Washington wine country harvest, 2013
A starry dusk at Red Willow Vineyard. Yakima Valley, Washington
Winter vines in Walla Walla
Yakima Valley Spring Barrel time in 2015
A bird’s eye view of end of harvest on Red Mountain
Harvest season at Tidalstar Vineyard, a 200-acre Demeter Certified Biodynamic® and Stellar Certified Organic vineyard located in north Willamette Valley.
Richard shows off this sexy Sagemoor wine.
Merlot block at The Benches Vineyard in the Tri Cities, WA
RockWall Cellars Vineyard, Okanogan Valley, Omak.
The tower of Col Solare winery and vineyard on Red Mountain AVA in Eastern Washington.
Washington Wine Country is breathtaking
Our Systematic Approach to Tasting Wine subjects!

Images courtesy and copyright of Richard Duval Images.

JM Cellars at Bramble Bump
Winemaker Interviews

Episode 20 | John Bigelow celebrates the past​, present ​and future of JM Cellars


John Bigelow, winemaker for JM Cellars, Woodinville, WAJohn Bigelow, JM Cellars

In this one-year anniversary episode, winemaker, John Bigelow shares his transition from tech to wine and tells us about a day in the barrel room that ended in a medical emergency. He also reveals the collaboration and details of JM Cellars new tasting room and production facility, coming soon to Maltby, Washington.

We describe our experience at JM Cellars in Woodinville, WA on our first episode. The tasting room was voted The Best Tasting Room by Seattle Magazine in 2017—it is a beautiful converted 2-story home, hung with strings of lights, with multiple tasting rooms, a fire pit, wine barrel chairs and tables, and a cavernous members-only area gated by large doors wrapped in hammered metal sheets. The collective effect is an artistic and appealing feast for the eyes. The grounds and outdoor tasting area are dog-friendly so it’s OK to bring your Châteauneuf-du-PUP.

Visit JM Cellars

Decanted discusses Decanting

We deliver the whats, hows, and whys of decanting wine. Decanting has the power to make great and/or expensive red wine more refined or an adequate wine more enjoyable. Sometimes those cheap-o bottles can come down with a case of sulfur dioxide, so aerating can be the cure.

We’ve heard the “decanting” practice of uncorking a bottle and letting it sit out on the counter while cooking, believing that will do the trick. Ok, we’ve done it too. However, it is difficult for oxygen to reach the wine inside and will have minimal effect. Listen to more tips and about the wine aeration devices we use.

John Bigelow providing barrel tastings of the 2017 Loiusa
JM Cellars on Bramble Bump, Woodinville, WA
JM Cellars feels like your coolest friend’s home with interior spaces blurring into tranquil outdoor scenes. JM Cellars, Woodinville, WA
JM Cellars is a beautiful event location
Lounging in the Member’s Room
The main tasting room didn’t stay this way for long—as people quickly poured in (poured. Heh, get it?). A separate tasting room features a wine selection for club members only. JM Cellars, Woodinville, WA
Cozy fireplace in the members’ tasting room.
Sit down in one of these and never want to leave. JM Cellars, Woodinville, WA
So much more than two barrels and a log. JM Cellars, Woodinville, WA
Meander with your glass through the arboretum of Bramble Bump. JM Cellars, Woodinville, WA
Feeling at home at JM Cellars.
Door to the JM Cellars event space, complete with topiary.
A stash of library wine at JM Cellars

Wine decanting devices we love

Menu Wine Breather Carafe

This device includes a built-in, removable aerator at the top of the neck. Simply turn the empty carafe upside down, connect it to the bottle and flip everything over to watch the aerated wine gurgle down into the carafe. And you can flip it back over and put it BACK into the bottle…which we do at our wine parties when we want to serve from the bottle.

Le Chateau Decanter

This is a lovely, traditional, wide-bottomed decanter that is constructed of 100% hand-blown lead-free crystal. The wide diameter allows the maximum amount of aeration and it’ll look sexy while doing it.

Rabbit Wine Shower-Funnel with Strainer

Rest it on a decanter opening and pour—it strains and gives quick aeration.

Host Adjustable Aerator

Adjust the dial to represent the equivalent of 0-6 hours of decanting. We haven’t done a side by side comparison on those dial settings but before we used a traditional decanter it was the fastest way to aerate. Simply place it over your glass, pour through it and via la!

Riedel Amadeo Decanters (several varieties)

These feature a handblown, artistic “swan” type shape with dual spouts—one for pouring wine into the vessel and a skinnier spout for pouring into your glass. Be prepared for the price tag.
Wine Destinations Winemaker Interviews

Episode 19 | Year in Review 2018

A year to remember

On this episode, Dave and Sandi highlight some of the “best-of” interview clips from our first year.

Bart Fawbush (Episode 1)

Lisa Packer (Episode 5)

Chris Upchurch (Episode 8)

Jarrod & Ali Boyle (Episode 10)

Kent Waliser and Lacey Lybeck (Episode 12)

Seth & Audrey Kitske (Episode 17)

Roy Hersh (Episode 18)

We also share the growth of the wine concept hotel, The Lodge at Columbia Point and offer a few wine recommendations that are stocking our fridge.

Thanks, Dan

We feel much gratitude for the winemakers and wine industry professionals who have partnered with Decanted for our interviews or mini-episodes—we greatly appreciated your generosity.

Props to Spitbucket, Outwines, Equality 365, Aspiring Winos, Weekly Wine Show, Woodinville Wine Blog and all of our new, wine influencer friends—it’s nice to be in great company.

And lastly, we thank one of our listeners—Dan.

Recommended wines

Quinta do Mourão

S. Leonardo 20 Year Tawney

This is SUBLIME and one of the best port producers in the world.

Get the S. Leonardo

Upchurch

2016 Counterpart  |  65% Merlot  35% Cabernet Sauvignon

2016 LTL  |  100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Learn more about the new LTL

Sagemoor

2014 Stars in a Row, Cabernet Sauvignon  |  2016 Without Rehearsal, Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon  |  2016 Carving Blocks, Dry Riesling

Learn more about the Taste of Sagemoor

Bartholomew

2015 Reciprocity

Get the new Reciprocity
Douro Valley, Quinta do Noval
Wine Destinations Wine Education

Episode 18 | For the Love of Port

Roy Hersh, For the Love of Port

Roy Hersh

Founder—For the Love of Port  |  Port and Madiera Brotherhood 

Roy Hersh is a professional wine judge, writer and educator who generously shares his knowledge and passion for Port and Madeira. Yearly, he conducts unparalleled tours to Portugal where guests spend time with winemakers, taste exceptional Port, stroll through vineyards stomp on grapes and dine at first-rate restaurants.

On this episode, Roy Hersh recounts when his love of Port began and describes the kinds of memorable experiences his tour groups typically encounter. He also opens up about being the only person outside of the Portuguese wine industry who has been inducted into both the Port and Madeira Brotherhoods.

Learn more about Port wine at, For the Love of Port: Collective Port Wisdom

For the Love of Port

Port Harvest Tour 1, 2018

Our whirlwind tour took us through Porto, Gaia and the heart of the Douro Valley wine country. It’s an “eduvacation” that we highly recommend to anyone serious about learning about Port and table wine. Where else can you taste a Port from 1827 from the family home of multi-generation winemakers? Where else can you walk through one of the top 10 vineyards in the world or tread on grapes in the traditional way?

Join the next Ultimate Portugal Wine Experience

For more information or reservations, email: roy@fortheloveofport.com

We learned a stunning amount of information in 10 days and we are excited to share it. We break down the different types of Port so you can feel more confident when choosing a bottle to open with friends or age in the cellar. Port 101 is in session!

*See below for the Ports we liked, that are readily available in the U.S.
Roy Hersh spends much of his time assessing Ports.
Mario Ferreira is a master of logistics on the For Love of Port tours.
Roy Hersh has an extensive collection of old Port in a room he dubs, The Museum.
A view of Porto from across the river in Gaia.
Architecture in the historical district of Porto.
Historical district of Porto
At Villar d’Allen (The Allen Family home) where three generations live in what looks like a museum.
The Allen family cellar is filled with extremely old bottles, each with a sculpture of mold.
An 1827 Port pulled from the Allen cellar.
Grandfather and grandson pouring the filtered 1827 Port.
Open an old bottle of Port with heated tongs and then a cool towel.
This large Port barrel is called a Tonal. The ends of metal rods shown here go through the length of the barrel to keep it together.
Barrel tasting at the Borges family barrel room.
Luisa Borges was the youngest female winemaker in Portugal when she started. She created exceptional wines for her label, Vieira de Sousa.
The famed, Sandeman port tasting at Quinta do Seixo.
Lunch and tastings with José Maria Calém at his family home.
Boat ride down the Duoro River with views of century’s old terraced vineyards.
The quaint town of Pinhão in the Duoro Valley.
Dinner with Cristiano Van Zeller, another prominant winemaker of the Douro.
The blending artist for DR Port and S. Leonardo. Some of the BEST Ports we tasted.
An assortment of incredible dishes created by world class chefs on the tour.
Beautiful Niepoort tasting and tour.
We had a fantastic tasting in the Ferrerira Port house lab.
Enoteca 1756. old tawny Port from 1877 and halibut with potato.
Quinta do Panascal produces fruit for Fonseca. Chris Forbes guided us through a wonderful tasting lineup.
Quinta do Mourão is arguably one of the best wineries in the world. This is where we tasted the 100+ year old “mother” port, straight from the barrel.
Miguel Braga of S. Leonardo, at lunch on his patio discussing his 90-year Port.
Miguel Braga and Dave posing outside of the Quinta.
Caesar Pinacho, winemaker at Vista Alegre, showing us the steep, vineyard hillside.
Tour through Quinta do Noval’s Nacional vineyard, considered one of the top 10 in the world.
The lifeblood of the Douro Valley.
Winemaker at Quinta do Portal, Paulo Coutinho, uses the barrel thief to steal some mystery Port that was at least 100 years old. It. Was. Heaven.

Recommended Ports

Sandeman

10, 20, 30 and 40-year ports readily available in the U.S., all are good so choose the one that best serves your price range. If you’re feeling a little spendy, the 2000 vintage classic blend is excellent.

Visit Sandeman
Shop at Total Wine
Shop at Wine.com

Quinta do Noval

10 and 20-year tawny, Noval Black, the 2012 LBV, and the powerhouse 2015 Quinta Vintage Port.

Visit Quinta do Noval
Shop at Total Wine
Shop at Esquin Wine & Spirits

Fonseca

10 and 20-year tawny, the 2000 vintage port, the 2008 vintage port even though it is still pretty young and features gripping tannins, and the best of the best: the 1985 vintage port.

Visit Fonseca
Shop at Esquin Wine & Spirits

Kopke

There is a wide range of tawny, vintage and colheita port to explore here.

Shop at Esquin Wine & Spirits

 

Turk the Upsidedown Wine rescue dog
Wine Education Winemaker Interviews

Episode 17 | At the heart of Upsidedown Wine

Seth and Audrey Kitzke, Upsidedown Wine

Seth and Audrey Kitzke, Upsidedown Wine | Kitzke Family Vineyards

A young duo is carving out vineyards and spectacularly crafted wines from Candy Mountain. If you haven’t heard of Candy Mountain, it’s not the place where Halloween sweets are churned out. This unique terroir in Richland, WA is the birthplace for the Seth and Audrey Kitzke’s family vines and will soon be granted AVA status.

In this episode, Seth opens up about his dream of being a professional snowboarder and his call to become a winemaker. He and his wife Audrey talk about the history of their label, Upsidedown Wine, giving back, their tasting room in Hood River, OR, and how they’ve built an engaging social media presence.

Watch Seth and Audrey’s Instagram story at @USdoingWine

Join the Movement and Drink Upsidedown

Upsidedown Wine gives back 20% of their net proceeds with every bottle sold. That’s generous for a boutique winery, but Seth and Audrey’s giving spirit is at the heart of this passion project. Become a member, and they are able to give back double. Sounds like a good deal—you get great wine from an emerging, talented winemaker and you can support organizations that fight human trafficking, help youth fight cancer, and animal rescue.

Join and Drink Upsidedown

2018 Wine Bloggers Conference, Walla Walla, WA

The Wine Bloggers Conference gathered citizen bloggers, industry writers, new media innovators, and wine industry members and has been going strong for 11 years. This year’s event was held at the iconic, Marcus Whitman Hotel and Conference Center located in Walla Walla’s historic downtown. Attendees dove deep into what makes the Walla Walla AVA one of the most desired growing areas in the world, dined with winemakers and chose from numerous learning sessions. In this packed episode, we share our experiences, tips for pairing food with bubbly, and recommendations of wines to try.* 

*See below for the wines we loved at the Wine Bloggers Conference
Upsidedown tasting room in charming Hood River, OR
Upsidedown Artist Series featuring artist, Stephanie Severance. 20% goes to partner organizations.
Sleek and chic tasting room in Hood River, OR
From grape to bottle. Check out the 2018 releases that give back to do good.
Seth Kitzke, winemaker for Upsidedown and Kitzke take us on a vineyard tour. He’s learned his craft from some of the best winemakers in Washington.
The Kitzke Vineyards grapes on Candy Mountain days before harvest.
Birds get snacky. Netting is necessary since there aren’t other vineyards to shoo them away to.
The granite deposits on Candy Mountain work their magic on the vines that thrive here.
Audrey Kitzke knows her priorities during a vineyard tour. Eat grapes. Drink wine.
Love is Louder than Cancer. www.theyoungandthebrave.com give back
It feels like home at Kitzke Family Vineyards tasting room. Literally.
Turk’s happy is was rescued by Seth and Audrey. Upsidedown Wine Rescue Rosé gives back to the Humane Society.
Turk helps Upsidedown make some wine, because they helped him. Give back and make a difference.
What is cuter than the Magical Wonders Behold PetNat unicorn label? Not much … perhaps Turk, their pup. ONLY for Club Members so, what are you waiting for?
Fight modern day slavery. Upsidedown Wine Instagram giveback to www.A21.com
Marcus Whitman Hotel—home of the 2018 Wine Bloggers Conference
The chic, old world charm of the Marcus Whitman Hotel
Our mystery winemaker dinner excursion led us by limo to a vineyard warehouse in the The Rocks AVA. The amazing hosts, Watermill Winery.
Bubble and Bites pairing exploration with Gloria Ferrer and let by NY sommelier, Sarah Tracy.
Cheeses of Europe and wine pairing with the #cheesetwins

Wines we loved from the 2018 Wine Bloggers Conference

Cà Maiol Lugana DOC ITALY

100% Trebbiano | Carefully selected grapes from the oldest vines of the Molino vineyard. The crushed grapes are then held in stainless steel tanks at a low temperature, a process called cryomaceration, to develop its flavor.
Shop
Shop

2016 Bodegas As Laxas, Rias Baixas SPAIN

100% Albariño | Clear straw yellow color with green nuances. Fruity and floral aromas of apple, stone fruits, and apricot.
Shop
Shop

Paco & Lola Albariño, SPAIN

Crisp with peach and nectarine flavors.
Shop
Shop

2010 Gloria Ferrer Anniversary Cuvee

Blend | Rich and creamy with crème brûlée and stone fruit with a touch of ginger.
Shop

2010 Bodegas LAN Gran Reserva, SPAIN

100% Tempranillo | Dark fruit, leather, spearmint with medium tannins that lead to a medium finish.
Shop
Shop

2016 Bodegas LAN Edicion Limitada, SPAIN

100% Tempranillo | Black cherry, leather, rich earth, deep and satisfying with medium tannins and a long finish. (Could not find the 2016 readily available online)
Shop
Shop

Gard Cellars 2015 Grand Klasse Reserve Roussanne

Inspired by the French Grand Cru wine, this is full-bodied and complex with a beautiful use of oak.
Shop

L’Ecole No. 41 2017 Semillon

Flavors of apple and lemon and wonderfully balanced.
Shop

Peter Yealands 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, NEW ZEALAND

Tropical fruit, crisp minerality
Shop

 

Scroll to top