Tag Archives: Stags Leap

Stag’s Leap at Semiahmoo

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img_0136We’ve been fans of Stag’s Leap wines for years, so we were delighted to find out the winery was holding a dinner on Nov. 3 at nearby Semiahmoo Resort. What an evening of taste sensations!

Chef Bruno paired each of Stag’s Leaps wines with a delicious five-course meal, while Kirk Grace, Stag’s Leap director of California vineyard operations, talked about the winery’s history and  winemaking. He made time to talk to everyone throughout the evening, and we learned that Stag’s Leap is one of California’s earliest wine estates, growing grapes in Napa Valley since the 1880s.

img_0150We enjoyed the company of two couples from Semiahmoo and Bellingham at our table, with a beautiful sunset forming a backdrop to the festivities at the scenic resort.

We are fortunate to live in this beautiful part of Washington state, and so close to friends and family in B.C. too.

Now onto the explosions of tastes that we enjoyed that night!

First Course: In a word, heaven.
Maple Cured Sockeye Salmon, Smoked Salmon Roe Pickled Cucumber, Red Miso Mayonnaise
— 2015 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars “Aveta” Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, CA

img_0137Second Course: A wonderful pairing
Pan Seared Neah Bay Black Cod Penn Cove Mussels “Paella”
— 2014 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars “Karia” Chardonnay, Napa Valley, CA

Third Course: A lovely red blend
Foie Gras Terrine, Candied Purple Grapes
Sour Apple & Charred Blood Orange
— 2013 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars “Hands of Time” Red Blend, Napa Valley, CA

img_0147Fourth Course: Absolutely delicious – our favorite course and favorite wine
Japanese Wagyu Beef Tenderloin
Black Truffle Spätzle, Chanterelles, Red Wine Jus
— 2013 Stag’s Leap Cellars “Artemis”, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA

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Dessert: Yummy!
Warm Roasted Plum Tart, Pomegranate Sauce
— Chateau St. Michelle Late Harvest Ethos Riesling, WA

Congratulations to Stag’s Leap and Semiahmoo Resort for a special evening.

This event was part of the resort’s Vintner’s Dinner Series.

Cheers!
Margot and Dave

 

 

Semiahmoo Resort’s Oenophile Club

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Screen Shot 2016-03-20 at 12.45.13 PMSemiahmoo Resort launched a unique wine club this month, targeted at wine aficionados in Washington state and British Columbia.

The Oenophile Club features six wine tastings annually, plus reduced pricing for a number of events at the spectacular resort.

  • Six wine tastings annually; additional tastings throughout the year are reduced to $15 per tasting (full price is $20)
  • No corkage fee on one bottle per visit, per week, at Pierside Kitchen or Packers Oyster Bar
  • Advanced notice of all vintner and winemaker dinner dates — including Spring Valley (July 28), Cakebread Cellars (Oct. 4), Stag’s Leap (Nov. 3) and more. See more details in our previous blog post.
    • Preferred vintner and winemaker dinner reservations at 10% off
    • Special reserved seating for eight guests and 10% off entire reservation (when using one member card)
  • Access to private wine storage in resort wine room, subject to availability; maximum five bottles
  • Access to private cooking classes, and wine pairings, at Pierside Kitchen with the resort chef
  • Preferred resort room rates on vintner and winemaker dinner nights, subject to availability
  • Personalized Oenophile Club card

The annual cost is $225 — which works out to be less than $20 per month.

So now you have an opportunity to support your local resort – and have fun doing it!

We hope to see you there!

Cheers!
Margot and Dave

Winemaker Dinners at Semiahmoo Resort

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Screen Shot 2016-03-20 at 12.45.13 PMBring out your calendar and mark the dates for these winemaker dinners at the spectacular Semiahmoo Resort. Whether you live in Washington state, British Columbia, or anywhere, really, 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!

July 28: Spring Valley Vineyards, WA
This dinner will feature Spring Valley wines paired with a mouth-watering five-course meal created by the resort’s Executive Chef Bruno. Dinner includes Japanese Wagu Beef Ribeye, along with other tasty courses. Winemaker Serge Laville will be available to answer your questions.

Save the dates for these upcoming dinners in the Vintners Series:

  • 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

For locals, the dinner price is $99 per person for Spring Valley, $125 for Rodney Strong, $135 for Cakebread Cellars, and $150 for Caymus and Stag’s Leap.

For those wanting a weekend getaway, dinner and resort packages and pricing will be available on Semiahmoo Resort‘s website closer to the date of each dinner.

We are looking forward to this series of events, and hope to see you there.

Cheers,
Margot and Dave

What’s in Our Glasses?

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Screen Shot 2016-04-17 at 3.40.36 PMWe’ve had many reasons to celebrate in recent weeks — birthdays, anniversaries and vacations. What better times to pull out a bottle of fine Washington state and/or California wine from our collection?

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For example, on our anniversary we enjoyed two Washington state beauties, Obelisco 2012 Electrum Cabernet Sauvignon and Force Majeure 2010 Collaboration V, Estate Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon.

Yes, these are definitely special-occasion wines.

In the last few months, we also opened some good-value reds — how can you miss at $15?

So here are some of the wines in our glasses lately — at a wide range of prices, from $15-$70 — in alphabetical order. Some of these were small pours at wine events; others were glasses at restaurants or bottles shared with friends.

Note: Sometimes you can find lower prices at Costco, through wine apps or wine stores.

  • Alexandria Nicole Cellars 2012 Destiny, $48
  • Ambassador 2012 Plenipotentiary Cabernet Sauvignon, $50
  • Avennia 2010 Sestina, $50
  • Bartholomew Primitivo 2013, $24
  • Columbia Crest 2013 H3 Cabernet Sauvignon, $15
  • Corliss 2012 Secret Squirrel Cabernet Sauvignon, $25
  • Decoy 2013 Red Wine, $24
  • Des Voigne 2012 The Duke Zinfandel, $30
  • Double Canyon 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, $65
  • Eagle Eye 2007 Proprietary Red Limited Edition Heritage, $50
  • Efeste 2010 Big Papa Cabernet Sauvignon, $54
  • Force Majeure 2010 Estate Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, $65
  • Guardian Cellars 2012 The Wanted, $37
  • Lauren Ashton 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, $50
  • Mercer Estates 2011 Ode to Brothers GSM, $42
  • Michael David 2013 Petite Petit, $17
  • Oak Ridge 2013 OZV Zin, $14
  • Obelisco 2012 Electrum Cabernet Sauvignon, $70
  • Seghesio 2014 Sonoma Zinfandel, $26
  • Seven Falls 2013 Jones Vineyard Zinfandel, $40
  • Stags’ Leap 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, $50
  • William Church Winery 2010 Bishop’s Blend, $22
  • The Woodhouse Wine Estates 2012 Darighe, $65

We hope you also have a chance to taste some of these delicious wines; if the above vintages are sold out, chances are the next ones are very drinkable too.

Special thanks to Lauren Ashton, Double Canyon and Oak Ridge for the samples to taste.

Cheers!
Margot and Dave