16 WAC Magazine | wac.net
taste
winemaker dinner
A gathering of greats
Taste Washington Winemaker Dinner set for March 25
John Williams and Jim Holmes bought
their first piece of land on the eastern
bank of the Yakima River 50 years ago.
"It was a good spot, and best of all, we
could afford it," Williams says. e duo
went on to plant the area's first grapes
and produce the first vintages under
their Kiona Vineyards label in 1980.
Twenty-one years later, Red Mountain
earned distinction as an American
Viticultural Area.
e start of Kiona Vineyards
represents just one of the origin stories
wine enthusiasts will enjoy at the
WAC's 14th annual Taste Washington
Winemaker Dinner, set for Friday,
March 25, in the Crystal Ballroom.
e 2022 event welcomes a group of
winemakers originally scheduled to
attend two years ago.
"We're thrilled to finally bring this
group of Washington state pioneers
together," says Peter Christian, WAC
Vice President Food & Beverage and an
accredited sommelier.
Other labels slated to attend this
year's dinner include Soos Creek Wine
Cellars, Domaine Pouillon, Fidélitas,
Pomum Cellars, and Betz Family
Winery. "is is truly a gathering of
greats," Peter says. "Not only do we get
to enjoy these wonderful wines, but we
also get to share a fantastic meal with the
people who make them. is dinner has
been two years in the making, and it's
going to be every bit worth the wait."
e multicourse dinner includes
pairings throughout. Guest chefs will
combine with the WAC kitchen on a
five-course meal that's sure to impress.
For details and to reserve your seat, visit
wac.net/taste-washington.
TOUR OF ITALY
Friday, January 28; 6–9 pm
Can't wait until March? Enjoy
a four-course dinner of Italian
regional food and wine, including
several 90-point vintages, at this
Italian-inspired dinner.
Buon appetito!
Event set for the Crystal Ballroom.
Cost: $125
wac.net/tour-of-italy
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