Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/1514247
20 WAC Magazine | wac.net For over 15 years, our Taste Washington Winemaker Dinner has showcased what makes Washington the second-largest wine-producing state in the nation. With over 400 grape growers, 20 unique regions, and 60,000 acres of wine grapes, Washington has cultivated a robust and unique wine scene. e annual WAC dinner returns to the Crystal Ballroom for its 16th year on Saturday, March 23, and is set to feature an illustrious lineup of some of the state's most prestigious wineries, including Yakima Valley's Côte Bonneville, which has been at the forefront of Washington winemaking for over two decades. e roots of Côte Bonneville start- ed in 1991 when Hugh Shiels and wife Kathy Shiels purchased an apple orchard that would soon become DuBrul Vine- yard. Aer planting their first grapes in 1992 and realizing the boundless po- tential of their vineyard, the couple was determined to make the transition from grape-growers to winemakers. Côte Bonneville opened in 2001. Twenty-two years later, the winery produces about 2,500 cases—just 30,000 bottles—per year. at boutique output allows them to work closely with every barrel, and the Shiels family prides itself on illuminating the varietals and terroirs within their vineyard. Côte Bonneville's current owner and winemaker is Kerry Shiels, daughter of Kathy and Hugh. Kerry took over in 2009 aer a career transition brought her back to the family business. "I grew up with Washington wine all around me, which is a unique and special position to be in," Kerry says. She made her first wine as part of a science project in seventh grade. "Even then, I knew a good wine is as much about the terroir and grapes as it is about the wine- making process itself," she says. Côte Bonneville has firmly es- tablished itself for excellence among Washington winemakers and consistent- ly earns 90-point scores for many of its vintages. e winery's Carriage House Red Blend will be featured at this year's Taste Washington Winemaker Dinner. "It's a truly rich, beautifully textured, elegant red blend," WAC Vice President of Food & Beverage Peter Christian says. Taste Washington Annual winemaker dinner returns to the Crystal Ballroom this spring Taste Washington Winemaker Dinner Saturday, March 23 6 pm; Crystal Ballroom $175 members, $195 guests Featured wineries • Côte Bonneville • Ambassador Wines • Eight Bells Winery • Dossier Wine Collective • Rocky Pond Estate Winery • Force Majeure • Gramercy Cellars taste taste washington Reserve on the WAC app. u Côte Bonneville's DuBrul Vineyard is the growing field for the winery's award-winning vintages. Winemaker Kerry Shiels is slated to attend the WAC's Taste Washington Winemaker Dinner. C O U R T E S Y C Ô T E B O N N E V I L L E