We have a long history with Ali and Jarrod Boyle, owners of Alexandria Nicole Cellars (ANC), so we didn’t stop smiling when we saw them again recently and tasted their wines. We first wrote about ANC when we launched this site in 2007, inspired by some fabulous wine at ANC’s new (at the time) Woodinville tasting room. Subsequently, we were among the initial members of their original wine club, and attended many of their harvest parties. We first visited Destiny Ridge Vineyard in 2009, and we glamped there in 2011, when most people hadn’t even heard the word “glamping” yet. And we drank ANC Quarry Butte as our go-to wine during the Seahawks’ road to their Super Bowl win in 2014. From day one, we’ve always said it’s the people, the wines and the events that make a winery special. And ANC continues to check off all those boxes.
Tag Archives: Jarrod Boyle
Bayernmoor Cellars – a New WA Winery
Bayernmoor Cellars is a new, small winery that opened up recently in Stanwood in western Washington. First, attorney Larry Harris and his family established a six-acre vineyard of Pinot Noir. Next, other grapes were sourced from premium Washington vineyards Destiny Ridge, Otis, Klipsun and Celio.
The family decided to focus on European-style wines that showcase the beautiful grapes grown here, and asked pioneer Washington winemaker Brian Carter to join their team.
Recently, we were fortunate to taste three lovely Bayernmoor wines: 2018 Rosé, 2017 Chardonnay and 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon.
Time to Party with Alexandria Nicole Cellars
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: the wonderful people at Alexandria Nicole Cellars know how to party! And even better, they know how to throw a great party too.
Every year, ANC holds a Harvest Party in the Vines for wine club members at their estate Destiny Ridge Vineyard.
Every year, the party is a resounding success.
This year’s Harvest Party is on Sept. 13 and will be a special celebration of the Decade of Destiny – ten years since ANC opened the doors to their first tasting room in Prosser.
At that time, they celebrated the wines created from grapes first planted in 1998 at Destiny Ridge. Now, 16 years later, and with a second tasting room in Woodinville, ANC produces 10,000 cases of wine with more than 23 varietals planted in 267 acres of vineyard.
And that’s where the Harvest Party takes place!
The fun begins and the wine starts to flow on buses that take you to the vineyard. No worries about finding a designated driver for this party.
When you arrive, there are pours of the most recent ANC wines, while you can watch or participate in hilarious activities such as a grape stomp, wine balloon toss and skeet shooting. The vineyard and production team also compete in a barrel-rolling contest, cheered on by their fans.
Then there is an amazing dinner of steak and jumbo prawns, followed by dancing to a live big band.
So bring your dancing shoes!
We’ve been wine club members since 2007, inspired by some fabulous wine during our first visit to their Prosser tasting room, and further nudged by a Seattle Times article written by Washington state wine expert Paul Gregutt, who rated the ANC wine club as number 1.
Over the years, we’ve written about ANC wine often. We’ve also been lucky enough to become friends with winery owners Jarrod (winemaker) and Ali Boyle.
What, you’re not a wine club member? It’s not too late to sign up and grab tickets to the Harvest Party and save a space on the buses, which leave from Tri-Cities, Yakima and Prosser. Don’t live in the area? No problem — the Richland Courtyard Marriott and the Yakima Hilton Garden Inn both have special offers for wine club members.
We hope to see you there.
Cheers!
Go Hawks & Go Quarry Butte!
Congratulations to the Seattle Seahawks and their Super Bowl win! What an exciting time to be a Seahawks fan/12th Man.
What was in our glasses during the game? Quarry Butte from Alexandria Nicole Cellars!
The 2010 vintage — a double gold winner at Seattle Wine Awards — is a beautiful blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 12% Syrah, 9% Malbec, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.
At $25, it’s a perfect showcase for ANC’s theme of “Approachable Elegance.”
We have been fans of Quarry Butte since 2007, when we first tasted the 2004 and 2005 vintages.
More recently, we opened a bottle of 2010 Quarry Butte during the Jan. 19 game between the Seahawks and 49ers, and the Hawks won. Being superstitious, it seemed fitting to also open a bottle during the Super Bowl. The Hawks won!
Go HAWKS!
We also heard that the recently released 2011 Quarry Butte is a winner!
Regardless of vintage, Quarry Butte has always been a complex wine with bold flavors. It drinks well with a rich steak or a robust beef stew.
But best of all, it drinks well with a winning Seahawks team!
Go Seahawks!
Go Quarry Butte!
Cheers!