Barnyard Bordeaux

Research supported by Auction of Washington Wines helps avoid wine spoilage.

Sweaty gym socks, rancid cheese, horse stables, barnyards or Band-Aid smells. Not enticing aromas for a bottle of wine you just uncorked. Years ago, wine spoilage was sometimes an issue for Washington’s young wine industry. It’s rarely a problem anymore, due in part to the longstanding support of research by the Auction of Washington Wines.

Dr. Charles Edwards, food scientist and wine microbiologist for Washington State University, teaches wine classes as part of WSU’s Viticulture and Enology program. In addition, for more than two decades, he has focused research on alcoholic fermentations and spoilage microorganisms of concern to winemakers, including Brettanomyces, a wild yeast that poses major threat to red wine quality. Commonly called Brett, the yeast can produce sensory compounds that alter the palate and bouquet of wine. If you’ve ever heard a wine called “Barnyard Bordeaux,” it wasn’t given as a compliment.

Yeasts are needed in winemaking to convert the grape sugars into alcohol—they’re the reason the end product is wine and not grape juice. Many types of yeast live on the skins of fruit, including Brett. In small doses, native yeasts can be beneficial. Some winemakers purposely encourage the growth of wild yeasts as a way to improve mouth feel and provide unique and desirable sensory qualities. But there’s a risk to wine quality if undesirable yeasts, like Brett, take over and dominate fermentations. Brett is most associated with barrel aged red wines.

By better understanding how Brett grows in wine, Edwards was able to develop recommendations to help wineries limit spoilage situations. He currently has a barrel trial underway in which he’s taking Brett-contaminated barrels apart to learn the depth of wood penetration by the microorganism and determine the most effective method of barrel sterilization.

The research program of Edwards has helped Washington winemakers improve wine quality and spare countless wines from becoming Barnyard Bordeaux.

 
Melissa Hansen
Research Program Manager

The Auction of Washington Wines is pleased to announce the lineup of honorees for its 29th annual weekend of events August 18-20, 2016. Mike Januik, founder of Januik Winery is Honorary Vintner and Todd Newhouse, founder of Upland Vineyards is Honorary Grower.

“For nearly 30 years, the Auction of Washington Wines has been very fortunate to have such impressive leadership to recognize – and this year is no different,” said Sam Baker, Board President and partner with Oles Morrison Rinker & Baker. “The 2016 honorees are true masters of their craft with deep roots in our state, from forging new wine regions to developing programs and innovations. They have made significant contributions to our industry.”

“This year we honor two individuals who have greatly influenced our industry, from mentoring fellow winemakers to upholding their family’s legacy,” said Norm McKibben of Pepper Bridge Winery and co-chair of this year’s Auction of Washington Wines. “Both Mike and Todd are well-respected and we are thrilled to honor them this year.”

Mike Januik, 2016 Honorary Vintner:

Since his first harvest in the Columbia Valley in 1984, Mike Januik has been at the forefront of Washington wine quality and innovation. One of the most honored winemakers in the state, Washington Wine Report editor Sean Sullivan wrote, “Few in the Washington wine industry can claim the extraordinary level of success that has followed Mike Januik throughout his career.” With literally hundreds of 90+ ratings to his credit, Mike’s wines have appeared on Wine Spectator’s prestigious “Top 100” list a dozen times, and in 2011, Wine & Spirits magazine named Januik “Winery of the Year.”

It is no surprise then that one of the world’s ten “Masters of Merlot,” as Wine Enthusiast magazine deemed him, has also mentored countless rising Washington winemakers, many who worked alongside him during his ten years at Chateau Ste. Michelle. During his time there he established the winery’s single vineyard and reserve programs.

Mike crushed his first grapes under the Januik Winery in 1999, the same year he began consulting on vineyard plantings at Novelty Hill’s estate vineyard Stillwater Creek. It was at Mike’s urging that the vineyard was planted with one of the most innovative clonal selections in the state. He has been making Novelty Hill’s wines since the winery’s first vintage in 2000.

Todd Newhouse, 2016 Honorary Grower:

Todd Newhouse is the latest of a long generation of farmers in the Yakima Valley with a rich history of agriculture. The patriarch of the Yakima Valley Newhouse’s family, Todd’s great-grandfather John Newhouse, first settled in the area and labored in the fields and irrigation canals more than 100 years ago.

After taking over the family business in 2008, Todd filed to name the Snipes Mountain growing region as a distinct American Viticultural Area (AVA). In 2009, the federal government formally recognized the region, thanks to the joint efforts of Todd and Washington State University scientist Joan Davenport. This gave the area and the Newhouse family significant recognition and credence as a thriving AVA in Washington state.

Today, you can find Todd on the farm. He serves as the vineyard manager at Upland Vineyards, where he operates vineyards and orchards on the land once plotted by agricultural visionary W.B. Bridgman in 1917. They grow and produce wine grapes for more than 30 different wineries, from small tasting rooms to some of the largest operations in the state. Todd, along with his wife Amber, own Upland Winery, which was started in 2007.

Todd values the history and legacy of the Washington state wine industry, but also the future. He has served on the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers for several years.

Just announced! John Popper, known for his unique vocal sound and harmonica skills, and Ben Wilson, the man behind the ivories, will be making their way to the big tent at the Auction of Washington Wines for an exclusive performance on Saturday, August 15th. Blues Traveler released their 12th album, “Blow Up the Moon,” this past April. Tickets to the Winemaker Gala are $500 per person and seating is limited.

El Gaucho Hosts DeLille Legacy Winemaker Dinner

Six of Washington State’s Acclaimed Vintners Honor DeLille Cellars’ Chris Upchurch

PORTLAND, OR – June 11, 2015 – On June 10th, El Gaucho Portland was the site for an evening of celebration, reflection and fine wine and cuisine, as six of Washington State’s premier winemakers came together to honor the leadership and innovation of DeLille Cellars and its Co-Founder and Executive Winemaker, Chris Upchurch.

DeLille Cellars has been honored by the Auction of Washington Wines as the 2015 Vintner of the Year. Chris Upchurch mentored and created career-launching opportunities for numerous apprentice winemakers including Chris Peterson of Avennia, Lisa Baer of Baer Winery, Louis Skinner of Betz Winery, Jason Gorski of DeLille Cellars, and Kit Singh of Lauren Ashton Cellars.

“I am frequently asked if I mind that some of our top people have moved on to other wineries,” said Chris Upchurch, Co-Founder and Executive Winemaker, DeLille Cellars. “On the contrary – I am thrilled that DeLille has set the bar for helping create great Washington State winemakers.”

These six vintners joined together with El Gaucho Portland Executive Chef Steve Cain to produce a one of a kind 5-course winemaker dinner event. They were joined by emcee Andy Perdue, noted columnist for the Seattle Times and Auction of Washington Wines 2015 Honorary Chair. 100 guests gathered to toast the leadership of DeLille Cellars, the contributions of Chris Upchurch and savor a special menu paired with exceptional wines.

“El Gaucho was proud to host a spectacular evening celebrating Chris’ and DeLille’s heritage, while raising a glass to the future of the Washington wine industry,” said Chad Mackay, President and COO, El Gaucho Hospitality

The catalyst for this event is the non-profit organization, Auction of Washington Wines, whose mission is to promote Washington wine, while raising money to provide financial support for uncompensated care at Seattle Children’s Hospital. The organization also generously invests in viticulture and enology research and education in Washington State and has raised more than $30 million since 1988.

DeLille was named the 2015 Vintner of the Year due to their leadership and the impact they have made on the Washington wine. “Each year the Auction of Washington Wines recognizes a vintner who has shown leadership in our industry, not only through their commitment to produce quality wines that represent our region, but also through their endeavor to educate others about our region,” says Sherri Swingle, Director of the Auction of Washington Wines.

Winemaker Quotes from the El Gaucho Gridiron Blog and Event Photographs Photos of the event are available here. Full text of the quotes are here

Chris Peterson, Avennia
“Chris always wanted to do the best for the wine, and was against compromising quality for any reason. He was also about ‘less is more’ in the cellar. ‘Don’t do things to the wines that you don’t need to,’ he would say. It was pretty hands-off winemaking. If anything, I’ve tried to take that a step further with Avennia, but I gained confidence in the theory there.”

Lisa Baer, Baer Winery

“Woodinville is such a collegial wine community, and Chris has generously fostered the growth of this group of wineries to the benefit of us all.”

Louis Skinner, Betz Winery
“We are kindred spirits, as we both have a background in wine retail sales and have weeded through the vast world of wine, and concentrate only on the very best. The search for the greatest bottles of wine is top priority in our lives, and this carries over into our winemaking philosophies.”

Jason Gorski, DeLille Cellars
“He always dares to be extraordinarily ambitious – he teaches that if we are going to do something, we are going to do it right in every way, and endeavor to be world-class. This spirit is completely contagious.”

Kit Singh, Lauren Ashton Cellars
“Chris taught me that you find an audience for your wine – people that like your style. I respect how Chris has shaped Washington wine and has had an influence on many other wineries that way.”

El Gaucho® is the Northwest’s steakhouse legacy focused on elegant, old-school, tableside service for people celebrating their lives. The menu highlights 28-Day Dry-Aged Certified Angus Beef® brand

Prime steaks and cutting-edge fresh seafood selections, all prepared in the wide open exhibition kitchen over flaming charcoal grills. Visit the legendary steakhouse in Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, or Portland. Enjoy fresh seafood and panoramic views of Seattle’s waterfront at the steakhouse’s sister restaurant, AQUA by El Gaucho.

For overnight accommodations, visit the Inn at El Gaucho, located directly above El Gaucho Seattle in bustling Belltown.

For more information, please visit www.elgaucho.com ###

Media Contact:

Beth Herrell Silverberg 206-352-1450 x177 bsilverberg@elgaucho.com

Auction of Washington Wines is headed south to make new friends and share some great wines. If you are in the area, please join us at two upcoming private events.

Reidel Tasting to be held at Boca Woods Country Club on Tuesday, April 28th at 7:00pm hosted by Tom and Teri Ferraro. Taste Erath Pinot Noir and special wines from J. Bookwalter Winery and take home your own set of Reidels.

Wine Dinner at Shula’s in Miami Lakes on Wednesday, April 29th at 6:30pm, featuring J. Bookwalter Winery. Limited seating is available. Tickets are $100 per person and reservations can be made by emailing rboesch@ciemail.com or calling 305.820.8136.

We look forward to seeing you there!