All the Happenings: Upcoming Events - Fall 2013

Well the fall “wine season” is upon us and you know what that means? Well it’s harvest time for starters, those 2013 grapes are ripening up and about to start making their way toward wineries all over the state. I hear that a record harvest could be on the horizon for 2013! That means more wine and less sell-outs from your favorite winery when it comes time for the 2013 wines to hit the shelf! The fall season also brings a whole slew of events, both wine and beer related (and don’t forget our old pal cider!) worthy of mentioning. So mark your calendars and get your tickets, these events are sure to sell out.

Wine in the Pines, Swiftwater Cellars, Suncadia Resort, 8/31/2013 – I attended this event back in 2011 and it was pretty amazing. Set against the valley backdrop of trees and mountains at Suncadia Resort outside of Cle Elum, Swiftwater hosts wineries and restaurants (and, it appears this year, breweries and distilleries!) for their annual event. I’m headed up Saturday for the event and look forward to sipping some vino overlooking Washington’s great outdoors. Get your tickets here.

NOTE: We’re still looking for somewhere to crash post-event, there doesn’t seem to be a hotel/motel room to be had in the area for Saturday night. Anyone have a place in Cle Elum, Roslyn or Suncadia and have an extra room they’re willing to share? I’ll totally bring wine. I’m serious people. Help a wine girl out! 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

An Evening of Wine, Sheraton Seattle Hotel, 9/6/13 – The Pacific Northwest Diabetes Research Institute is putting on this event, which showcases wines from some well known Washington wineries poured by the winemakers themselves, a blind wine tasting game, a fabulous dinner with more Washington wines, and a live auction featuring more than 25 unique packages. The man himself, wine expert and sommelier Yashar Shayan of Impulse Wine is even participating in the event, leading guests through a blind wine tasting game. Come drink wine and support a great cause at this event coming up next week. Get your tickets here.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Washington Cider Week, various events, 9/5 to 9/15/2013 – Here at Sips & the City, we love all things wine, beer and CIDER. The often pushed aside step child, Cider is making a huge name for itself in the Pacific Northwest, with cider on tap at many Seattle area restaurants and bars. Capitol Cider, which opened in May, also has dedicated itself to this tasty beverage, and I can speak from experience when I say you should check the place out. This year’s Washington Cider Week showcases Ciders through specials at restaurants, special tastings, and a list of events a mile long (seriously, look at this list!). Cider Summit is a tasting event held at the South Lake Union Discovery Center on 9/6 and 9/7 where you can tempt your taste buds with ciders from various different vendors all at once. And this is an outdoor event that is completely dog friendly! I attended this last year and had a great time with my friends and some friendly pooches.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Sheraton Seattle Social Hours, various events, daily – The Sheraton continues to host their popular “Social Hour”, offering guests a specially curated menu of premium wines by the glass and weekly tasting events.  In North America, the program features Sheraton Selects, an upgraded premium wine menu comprised of a rotation of eight or more wines by the glass, all rated by Wine Spectator. All Sheraton Selects wines will be rated above 85 and at least four offerings will be rated 90+. The program features renowned wineries such as Chateau Ste. Michelle, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Northstar, Columbia Crest, Antinori, Col Solare, Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte and Eroica.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Craft Beer + Food, Tyee Yacht Club, 9/25/13 – This ever popular event returns, showcasing the Seattle area’s finest craft beer and cuisine, presented by the Washington Beer Blog. Featuring delicious dishes from ten of the area’s best restaurants paired with beers from ten of the area’s best breweries. This event has a huge draw and will definitely sell out as soon as tickets hit the interwebs. Keep your eyes peeled for when this occurs and don’t miss out!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Seattle Lamb Jam, The Foundry (SODO), 11/3/13 – It’s baaaaaaahhck! The North American Lamb Jam tour makes its way back to Seattle in early November for one heck of a delicious event. I attended back in 2011 and WOW. I was completely blown away by the caliber of the dishes prepared by local restaurants and by the selection of wines poured at the event. I am SO excited that this event is back. More info and tickets (both VIP and general admission) can be found here. Get your lamb jam on in November, I sure will be!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Taste of Tulalip, Tulalip Resort, 11/8 & 11/9/2013 – This continues to be the “it” event of the year, featuring wineries that you seldom see pour at ANY events and some of the best dishes around prepared by the resort restaurants. I have attended this event twice, in 2010 and 2011 (missed last year since I was out of town) and the hospitality, wines, and food offerings are second to none. My goal is to actually get a chance to stay in the resort for the event one of these times, I’ve heard the rooms are stunning. More on this event as it gets closer, but mark your calendar and get your tickets here.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

20something: The New Vintage, Fremont Studios, 11/23/2013 - 20something is back, November 23rd. Catch your favorite Washington winemakers pouring some of their favorites, taste culinary treats from Seattle’s top restaurants, and get down with the DJ and party with The New Vintage. More on this event as it gets closer, but another one to mark on the calendar and secure your tickets in advance (it’s notorious for selling out early).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

There you have it! There's enough on this list to keep you busy for awhile and keep your taste buds satisfied with Washington wine, beer and cider. These are all events that I will be or would like to be checking out myself, so you know they will be a good time. Cheers and I'll see you out there!