Spring Valley Vineyard at Semiahmoo Resort

Screen Shot 2016-07-31 at 9.08.36 AMThe July Winemaker Dinner at the scenic Semiahmoo Resort featured impressive Spring Valley Vineyard wines paired with a delicious five-course meal designed by the creative Chef Bruno.

Throughout the meal, winemaker Serge Laville entertained the crowd with stories about the vineyard and each of the wines.

Spring Valley, located in Walla Walla, is known for producing only reds, but a special release of 2014 Viognier was also poured at the dinner. Serge explained that there was Viognier remaining from his co-ferment with the Nina Lee Syrah, so he decided to add a white wine to his portfolio. If you like Viognier, you will love this one — although it likely can’t be found anywhere but the winery itself and at special occasions such as winemaker dinners like this one.

Screen Shot 2016-07-31 at 9.07.57 AMAs Serge visited with each table during the five courses, he was asked to name the wine of which he was the most proud. His response: his Syrah from the tough growing season in 2011. The  entire harvest took place in November (much later than usual) and was completed in 17 days instead of the typical 40-day period.

We enjoyed the Syrah, but we also appreciated the Cabernet Franc, the winery’s best-selling Uriah, and the lovely Frederick.

Here is the full menu of dinner courses and wine pairings, listed on a unique wooden menu at each place setting.

Menu

First Course
Goat Cheese Panna Cotta, Micro Herbs, Brioche Toast, Sockeye Salmon Ceviche, Pickled Cucumber, with Spring Valley Vineyard 2014 Viognier

Second Course
Pan Seared Foie Gras, Crispy Pork Belly Bacon, Creamy Polenta with Pecorino, Fresh Cherries, with Spring Valley Vineyard Katherine Corkrum 2010 Cabernet Franc

Screen Shot 2016-07-31 at 9.09.37 AM

Third Course
Roasted Halibut, Spot Prawns, Braised Heirloom Tomatoes, Black Olive & Fresh Thyme Vinaigrette with Spring Valley Vineyard Uriah 2013 Red Blend

Fourth Course
Japanese Wagyu Beef Ribeye, Smoked Rainbow Carrots, Red Wine Jus with Spring Valley Vineyard Frederick 2012 Red Blend

Dessert
Vanilla Cremeux & Washington Berry Trifle with Spring Valley Vineyard Nina Lee 2012 Syrah

Semiahmoo Resort holds winemaker dinners each month  so mark your calendar for these upcoming events.

  • August 25: Wagner Family Wine featuring Caymus
  • Sept. 8: Rodney Strong
  • Oct. 4: Cakebread Cellars
  • Nov. 3: Stags Leap
  • Feb. 10, 2017: Second Annual DeLille Cellars Dinner
  • May 11, 2017: Joe Dobbes

Whether you live in Washington state, British Columbia, or anywhere else, Semiahmoo Resort is a great weekend getaway with breathtaking scenery, kayaking, birdwatching, swimming and lots of other activities in addition to the winemaker dinners. We are lucky to live nearby!

Cheers!
Margot and Dave

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About Margot

Margot has been writing about wine since 1997 at KOIN-TV in Portland, Oregon; ten years later, she created this blog. Write for Wine focuses on the fine wines of Washington state, with additional posts about Oregon, B.C., California, ANZ, France, Italy, Spain and more. A former national journalist in Canada and the U.S., Margot has been a Washington wine enthusiast since moving to Seattle in 1999. Her motto: “It’s wine o’clock somewhere.”