Upcoming Event: 5th Annual WSU Wine Symposium - 7/25/13 - Palace Ballroom - Seattle

Tis the season for wine and COUGS! Every year, I help organize the Washington State University Wine Symposium, put on through the King County Cougs chapter of the WSU Alumni Association. We're back this year on July 25th and in the same venue, Tom Douglas' Palace Ballroom, which was an excellent space for our event last year. I really love this event because it not only combines two of my passions (wine and WSU), it also showcases some of the amazing talent that produces wine in our great state. Cougs love supporting other Cougs and this is one of my favorite ways to make that happen on an annual basis.

The details:

The What: The 5th Annual WSU Wine Symposium
The When: Thursday, July 25th, 2013, 7-10pm
The Where: Palace Ballroom - 2100 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121
The Who: WSU owned or affiliated wineries pouring the goods for alumni & other wine lovers
The Why: Because Cougs love Cougs. Enough said. Also, we love wine.

This year's winery line-up is sure to please, with some familiar faces from past years back at it again (we just can't get enough of them!) and some new wineries joining the line-up. We will be showcasing 8-10 Cougar affiliated wineries at this year's event, as well as some other Cougar vendors that will be on hand to sell their goods onsite as well.

As is the case every year, this event WILL SELL OUT. While we are a fun and delightful bunch, the Cougs are year after year proving to be procrastinators as well. Do yourself a favor and don't be the one emailing me asking why you can't get a ticket 2 days before because it's sold out. Visit the registration page now and secure your spot at the Coug wine event of the summer! Cheers and GO COUGS!

Upcoming Event: 3rd Annual WSU Wine Symposium - Columbia Tower Club - Seattle, WA

Well if you know me at all, you know that two of my loves have to do with anything WSU related and anything wine related. And as we’ve learned in the past (read my write-up on the Grape Cup here), when the two are combined I get pretty excited about it! I’m so happy to once again be participating in putting on the 3rd Annual Washington State University Wine Symposium. This yearly event, organized by the Alumni Association and its trusty team of volunteers (that’s me!), is a showcase for Coug owned and affiliated wineries in Washington State. Cougs love supporting other Cougs and this is a great way to discover some fantastic wines that happen to be made by fellow alumni!

Upcoming Event: Grape Cup 2010 - 415 Westlake, Seattle, WA

I don't think I have ever been so excited for an event. This 2nd annual tasting event combines my two passions: wine and the WSU Cougars. This coming Thursday 9/16/2010 there will be over 20 (last I heard up to 24!) wineries and breweries going grape to grape (and hops to hops!) to battle it out for bragging rights. Just like the Apple Cup decides who is the best at football annually, the Grape Cup answers the question: Who makes better wines, Husky alums or Cougar alums? The Cougs won last year, with Robert Smasne of Smasne Cellars taking first place. This year's event will be held at a new venue, 415 Westlake, near South Lake Union. Even better than just knowing your Alma Mater makes the best juice, this event benefits the Washington State Farmworker Housing Trust. And what goes better with a rivalry than tailgate food? Reknowned Chef Tom Black and Mark Huston will be there to provide great food to accompany the wine and beer tasting. Click here for photos of the 2009 event by Nityia Przewlocki.

So who's coming? Ladies and gentlemen, here's the line-up:

Cougars:

Edmonds Winery
Goose Ridge Estate Winery
Kana Winery
Mercer Estates
Palouse Winery
Plaza Winery
St. Laurent Estate Winery
Skylite Cellars
Smasne Cellars
Tempest Sol Winery
Tulip Valley Orchard + Red Barn Cider + Burroloco Cider
William Church Winery
Willow Crest

Huskies:

Brian Carter Cellars
Georgetown Brewing Co
Gilbert Cellars
Pandora Cellars
Nicholas Cole Cellars
Nota Bene Cellars
Red Hook Ale Brewery
Snoqualmie Falls Brewing Co.
Wilridge Winery
WineGirl Wines
Two Mountain Winery
Madsen Family Cellars

In order to get some more excitement going about this awesome upcoming event, yesterday I came up with a Top 10 list for reasons why everyone needs to attend. I posted them all to twitter, but here they are again, the full list!

Reason #10 to attend #GrapeCup: Cool new venue this year, 415 Westlake

Reason #9 to attend #GrapeCup: It benefits the Washington State Farmworker Housing Trust

Reason #8 to attend #GrapeCup: Because there will be 20+ wineries and breweries there!

Reason #7 to attend #GrapeCup: Because football is just one game a year for #WSU and #UW. A wine is forever (or until you drink it).

Reason #6 to attend #GrapeCup: Two words. TAILGATE FOOD!

Reason #5 to attend #GrapeCup: For only $40 you get food, wine, AND beer

Reason #4 to attend #GrapeCup: Learn which fantastic wine & beer makers are #WSU and #UW alumni

Reason #3 to attend #GrapeCup: Because wine is crimson. And grapes are purple.

Reason #2 to attend #GrapeCup: Because you get to wear your favorite #WSU and #UW gear. From head to toe.

And reason #1 to attend #GrapeCup: Bragging rights! (aka smack talking) Get your tix and I'll see you there!

Get your tickets by clicking HERE! I'll see you there (I'll be in crimson.. ;) GO COUGS!