UPDATED: Oct 16. New information about a special wine made by Betz Family Winery for Taste of Tulalip.
This November 8 and 9, is the 5th Annual Taste of Tulalip, held at the Tulalip Resort Casino in Washington state. I’ve attended the last 2 events as Media and I can tell you that the wine and food experience is outstanding. The Magnum Party where you are poured glasses of wine from magnums from top Bordeaux and Tuscan producers to iconic Napa Cabernets, Australian Shiraz, and top notch Washington wines. It really is a unique experience.
Part of the experience of Taste of Tulalip is the Honorary Winemaker, who produces a red wine especially for the Taste of Tulalip. Each year a different Washington state winemaker is selected, with the grapes also coming from Washington. This year the winemaker is Bob Betz, MW from Betz Family Winery, and the grapes they use come from Washington’s Columbia Valley Appellation and smaller appellations within it: The Yakima Valley, the Horse Heaven Hills and Red Mountain.
You can purchase a bottle of this specially made wine at the Taste of Tulalip. You can identify the bottle as it will have a special First Nations carving/design on the bottle. The picture attached to this article is the bottle from last year.
About the Betz Family Winery
In 1974 Bob and his wife Cathy received a year of training in the vineyards of France, Italy and Germany. Bob in the following year is hired by WA state’s Chateau Ste. Michelle winery where he stayed for 28 years. In 1988 Bob receives his Master of Wine degree, one of only 278 MW’s in the world. Skipping forward to 1997 Bob and Cathy crush their first vintage of 150 cases of Betz Family wines in Woodinville. In 2011 Bob and Cathy sell Betz Family Winery to Steve and Bridgit Griessel with Bob remaining as the winery’s “patriarch” and winemaker for the next 5 years. So 3 years to go, and then where will the adventure lead Bob and Cathy?
I have tried their Pere de Famille, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 and would recommend this wine for you to try too. It was one of my favourite reds from last year’s Magnum Party. The 2010 vintage is currently current and is featured at the upcoming Taste of Tulalip. Here is a link to my Taste of Tulalip 2012 Magnum Party review.
I hope I’ve whet your appetite for some wonderful Washington state wine, and wines from around the world. Make sure you buy your Taste of Tulalip tickets soon, as some event tickets are already sold out. Enjoy!
New Information
Sommelier Tom Thompson is pleased to announce the Taste of Tulalip’s 5th anniversary wine, a collaboration between honorary winemaker Bob Betz and the Tulalip wine team. For the first time, Betz Family Winery crafted a distinctive signature wine from their best barrels for a specific event, and worked closely with Tulalip on the process. The commemorative blend will be introduced during the November 8, Friday night Celebration Dinner. This annual 2-day Taste focuses on the enjoyment of food, wine and tradition.
“This blend is a collaboration between two individuals who embrace a true passion for excellence. Bob Betz and Tommy Thompson have a mutual interest for creating an unparalleled wine from Washington’s best grapes, which can be experienced in every sip of this 5th Anniversary wine,” says Lisa Severn, Food and Beverage Director.
The Wine
Tulalip’s one-of-a-kind anniversary blend is composed of 75% Bordeaux varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon dominant) and 25% Syrah. These grapes were sourced from Washington state’s top AVA vineyards: Red Mountain (52%), Yakima Valley (33%), and Horse Heaven Hills (15%). This wine was matured in 100% French oak barrels (with 80% in new oak), for 16 months. “We are very pleased with this new blend featuring penetrating Cabernet Sauvignon aromatics — yet a supple mouthfeel from Syrah,” says Betz.
