DeLille Cellars Blog

The Lounge Restaurant Featured Cocktail: Pride Month

Celebrate Pride Month at The Lounge Restaurant

Available Thursday, June 23rd - Sunday, June 26th

We're celebrating Pride Month at The Lounge with a special cocktail: the Honey Lavender Lemonade. This cocktail is made with Empress 1908 Gin, Lavender Honey Syrup, and Lemonde. $5 from every cocktail sold will be donated to The Trevor Project, an organization dedicated to ending suicide among LGBTQ+ youth through crisis services, peer support, research, public education, and advocacy to build a safer, more inclusive world. Make a reservation at The Lounge today. 

Honey Lavender Lemonade Cocktail Recipe

2oz Empress 1908 Gin

1oz Lavender Honey Syrup

2oz Lemonade

Combine Lemonade and Lavender Honey Syrup in cocktail shaker and shake over ice.  Double strain into rocks glass filled with crushed ice.  Using the back of a bar spoon, layer the Empress Gin on top and fill glass with crushed ice.  Garnish with a lavender sprig.

Lavender Honey Syrup:

Combine equal parts water and honey in a small sauce pan and heat until honey is dissolved.  Add 2 Tbsp of dried lavender buds and let steep for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes.  Strain the syrup and store in an air-tight container for up to two weeks in the refrigerator. 

Visit The Lounge Restaurant in Woodinville

Visit us in Woodinville! Located conveniently off the Sammamish River Trail and next door to our Tasting Room, The Lounge is the perfect stop for dinner on your adventure through Woodinville wine country. Walk-ins are welcome, however, we do recommend making a reservation. We offer indoor and weather-dependent reservations for outdoor patio seating on The Deck. Looking for a traditional wine tasting experience? Visit our Tasting Room next door for a 45-minute tasting of our acclaimed Bordeaux and Rhone-style wines.

Spring Releases at our Woodinville Tasting Room

Long days and summer weather has us reaching for a bottle of crisp rosé or refreshing chardonnay. Welcome summer with our spring release wines alongside some of our favorite pairing dishes. Not sure which to try first? Visit our Woodinville Tasting Room for a traditional, seated wine tasting. 

2021 Rosé

Our 2021 Rosé’s pink salmon hue is a shade lighter than past vintages.  There is a delectable weight and mouthfeel for a wine built without oak or much skin contact.  Watermelon Jolly Rancher, passion fruit, nectarine and orange blossom all pop from the glass.  The rich, ripe flavors work perfectly with the sturdy acidity, resulting in a lush, balanced finish.  Blending some of our warmer and cooler vineyard sites results in a wine with a personality that will pair with a wide range of foods.

In his recent Rosé vertical tasting, Owen Bargreen wrote "Showing off a more orange hue, the 2021 DeLille Cellars is a silky blend of 49% Grenache with 46% Mourvedre and the remainder Cinsault. Aromatically very vibrant this reveals salmonberry and ripe melon tones that combine with shades of nectarine skin. The palate displays dazzling finesse with a soft mouthfeel. The pretty red fruits from the Grenache is really shining through here. Dazzling at this juncture, this has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2022-2030- 93"

Pair with: 

• Fresh seafood: grilled salmon, fried calamari, shellfish and seared tuna
• Burgers and fatty meats

2021 Roussanne

The 2021 vintage offered plenty of sun and warmth for the Roussanne at Ciel du Cheval to reach its full potential.  Lemongrass, Granny Smith apple and chamomile intertwine seamlessly.  Crushed stone and a creamy, honey-like texture is enjoyed on the palate.  There is serious concentration and noticeable weight compared to recent vintages.  The slightly structured finish balances perfectly with the juicy acid and savory undertones.  Pair with your favorite mild Asian dish now or cellar for up to 10+ years.

Pair with: 

• Butter meats such as lobster, crab, foie gras, and pate

• Roussanne also pairs well with spicy flavors such as those found in Asian cuisine, roasted chicken, and a vast array of different hard and soft cheese and cream sauces

 

2020 Le Dessein

In its youth, 2020 Le Dessein (formerly called Métier) is showing dark, brambly fruits that are offered up by Mourvèdre (44%) and Syrah (20%), with Grenache (36%) adding Bing Cherry and strawberry leaf. There is a serious meaty, bacon fat component to things wine that is accentuated by notes of black pepper, violets and cranberry. The silky structure is lifted by wonderful acidity, bringing a sense of freshness to the palate. This wine always drinks well on release and can be cellared for 12+ years.

Pair with: Wild boar, pork chops, and roasted, spice-driven dishes like Morrocan chicken or smoked cauliflower steaks.

2020 Roofline Chardonnay

The 2020 Roofline Chardonnay opens with aromas of cucumber, Asian pear, lemon rind and wet stone.  The slight hint of reduction, subtle oak presence, low alcohol, and racy acidity give this Willamette Valley cuvée an old-world feel, with a freshness and liveliness that make this wine very appealing in its youth.  This will easily pair with your favorite grilled seafood or summer cheese plate.  Enjoy now or cellar for up to seven years.

Pair with: Grilled seafood or your favorite summer cheese plate. 

Coming Soon: Chaleur Blanc

Blanc is almost back! Watch out for the release of 2021 Chaleur Blanc in July.

About DeLille Cellars

DeLille Cellars is the third oldest operating winery in Woodinville, WA, founded in 1992. Known for pioneering Bordeaux-style blends from Washington State, the winery has maintained a tradition of quality and excellence with over 700 individual 90+ ratings from leading publications. DeLille Cellars focuses on the Red Mountain AVA and sources grapes from Washington’s most acclaimed vineyards. The winery is recognized by notable wine critics and influencers, including Robert Parker, as one of the top producers in the state.

An Interview with Woodinville Wine Country Scholarship Recipient Andrea Hernandez

In 2021, DeLille Cellars partnered with Woodinville Wine Country and Chateau Ste. Michelle to create the Woodinville Wine Country Diversity Scholarship supporting Washington State University School of Viticulture and Enology. The scholarship supports minority and under-represented students within the program who demonstrate passion and dedication to the winemaking craft. 

“This is a small but important step to creating more inclusivity and diversity within our wine community,” said Tom Dugan, CEO of DeLille Cellars. “WSU has a world-class viticulture and enology program, and we’re honored to partner with Chateau Ste. Michelle and Woodinville Wine Country in creating this scholarship. It reflects the great collaboration and community of Washington wine.”

We interviewed 2021 scholarship recipient Andrea Hernandez about her experience and future goals within the wine industry. 

Can you tell us about your background and how you first became interested in wine?

I am a first-generation student from Saint Helena, California, attending Washington State University. I knew from the start that I wanted to do something that required me to be outside. So, when I was in high school, I joined FFA and was able to take viticulture classes, which ignited my interest in wine.

What aspects of your wine education so far have you found most interesting?

I've developed a passion for chemistry, which has piqued my curiosity in the fermentation process, but I'm also fascinated by the entomology side of vineyard management.

What do you find the most challenging?

The most difficult aspect for me was remembering. I didn't realize how important internships were until I worked for Wilbur Ellis. I was then able to connect with my lectures and retain the information when I had more hands-on experience 

What advice would you give others interested in pursuing an education in enology & viticulture? 

Go to class, and make sure you master the fundamentals from the start. Over the summer, go out and hunt for internships to build your network.

What are your goals after graduating from the program?

After interning with vineyard management companies the past two summers, I hope to intern with a winery and learn more from the winemakers once I graduate.

Do you have a favorite wine memory?

My favorite memory is seeing the movie Bottle Shock for the first time, which was a significant inspiration for me to start making wine. I recall wanting to know what it's like to make such a flawless wine.

What advice/insight would you tell an incoming student about the wine program?

Don’t be scared to reach out and because we are such a small group, making friends with my classmates has been quite beneficial, as has talking with the students on the tri-cities campus during field trips. 

Support the Woodinville Wine Country Diversity Scholarship

The Woodinville Wine Country Diversity Scholarship supports minority and under-represented students in the Enology & Viticultural program, with the goal of fostering diversity and inclusion within the wine industry. Community members who would like to make a donation to grow the endowment fund for the Woodinville Wine Country Diversity Fund can donate here. 

About Woodinville Wine Country Association

Woodinville Wine Country Association is a group of vintners and affiliates who represents the growing presence of the Washington state wine industry in the Greater Woodinville area. The association’s mission is to create a world-class wine destination and a supportive and profitable environment for Washington vintners and affiliates.

About Chateau Ste. Michelle

Founded in 1934, Chateau Ste. Michelle pioneered vinifera grape growing in Washington State and has been producing classic European varietal wines under the Ste. Michelle label since 1967. The winery combines an ongoing dedication to research with a commitment to classic winemaking traditions. The winery owns 3,900 acres of vineyards in the Columbia Valley of Eastern Washington, including Canoe Ridge Estate and Cold Creek, which are LIVE and Salmon Safe certified. Chateau Ste. Michelle enjoys winemaking partnerships with some of the world’s most distinguished vintners. Col Solare is an alliance with Tuscany’s Piero Antinori, Eroica Riesling is a partnership with the Mosel’s Ernst Loosen and Tenet is a collaboration with Michel Gassier and Philippe Cambie of France.

About DeLille Cellars

DeLille Cellars is the third oldest operating winery in Woodinville, WA, founded in 1992. Known for pioneering Bordeaux-style blends from Washington State, the winery has maintained a tradition of quality and excellence with over 700 individual 90+ ratings from leading international critics. DeLille Cellars focuses on the Red Mountain AVA and sources grapes from Washington's most acclaimed vineyards. The winery is recognized by notable wine critics and influencers, including Robert Parker, as one of the top producers in the state. In 2019, DeLille Cellars moved all operations to the old Redhook Brewery in Woodinville.

June at The Lounge Restaurant - Celebrate with Us!

June is here and although summer weather is yet to fully arrive in Woodinville, The Lounge is ready to celebrate all that June has to offer. Between the restaurant’s one-year anniversary on June 17th, Father’s Day Weekend, and Pride Month, there is plenty of opportunities to join in on the festivities. Make an indoor or outdoor reservation and visit Woodinville’s wine-centric restaurant, conveniently located next door to the Tasting Room.

The Lounge One-Year Anniversary

Friday, June 17th

The Lounge opened its doors one year ago this Friday! Celebrate one year of hand-crafted fare and local cuisine with all-day glass pour specials.

Father's Day Weekend

Thursday, June 16th - Sunday, June 19th

Treat Dad to a steak and Cabernet Sauvignon dinner at The Lounge restaurant. Enjoy a special discount from Thursday, June 16th through Sunday, June 19th.

Celebrate Pride - Cocktail Special

Available Thursday, June 23rd - Sunday, June 26th

The Honey Lavender Lemonade Cocktail is made with Empress 1908 Gin, Lavender Honey Syrup and Lemonde. $5 from every cocktail sold will be donated to The Trevor Project, an organization dedicated to ending suicide among LGBTQ+ youth through crisis services, peer support, research, public education, and advocacy to build a safer, more inclusive world.

Date Night at The Lounge

Every Wednesday 3-9 pm

A take on DeLille Cellar’s Date Night pick-up meals throughout the course of 2020, Wednesday night Date Nights at The Lounge are the perfect opportunity to enjoy local cuisine paired with DeLille Cellars wine. The date night menu changes weekly, and New American-style dishes are crafted by Executive Chef Michael C. Toni. Main courses range from Pan-Seared Black Cod to Grilled Pork Tenderloin to Fresh Gnochetti Sardi Pasta. 

The Date Night menu includes a three-course dinner for two (starter, entree, and dessert) and a bottle of wine. Choose from four bottle choices including Chaleur Blanc, D2, Panther Creek Pinot Noir, and Panther Creek Chardonnay. Follow our Facebook page for menu updates and Date Night information at The Lounge.

Live Music at The Lounge

Every Thursday 5:30-8:30 pm 

Join The Lounge at DeLille Cellars Thursday evenings from 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm for live music at our Woodinville restaurant. We feature local artists whose styles range from acoustic folk and indie to soft rock and pop. Check out the live music schedule here. 

Happy Hour

Every Wednesday through Friday 3-5pm

Enjoy Happy Hour specials at The Lounge Wednesday through Friday from 3 pm to 5 pm. Guests can enjoy $10 glass pours on select wine including D2, Triennes Rose, Panther Creek Chardonnay, Jean Baptiste Roussanne, and Panther Creek Pinot Noir. Looking for a different beverage? No problem! Our Woodinville restaurant features a wide selection of beer and cider on tap, including ales from Fair Isle Brewing, Black Raven, and Sumerian Brewing.

Visit our Woodinville Restaurant

Visit us in Woodinville! Located conveniently off the Sammamish River Trail and next door to our Tasting Room, The Lounge is the perfect stop for dinner on your adventure through Woodinville wine country. Walk-ins are welcome, however, we do recommend making a reservation. We offer indoor and weather-dependent reservations for outdoor patio seating on The Deck. Looking for a traditional wine tasting experience? Visit our Tasting Room next door for a 45-minute tasting of our acclaimed Bordeaux and Rhone-style wines.

 

Rosé Vertical Tasting | Owen Bargreen

In May, Wine Critic Owen Bargreen sat down with DeLille’s Director of Winemaking Jason Gorski for a vertical tasting of rosé. 

True to DeLille’s old-world approach, Rosé is crafted in the traditional Bandol style of Southern France.  The fruit is specifically selected to be a part of this blend long before harvest, & our methods are intentional - making it what we call an “honest” Rosé. This is a balanced style of Rosé that retains crisp acidity & begs to be served al fresco. DeLille Cellars Rosé is known for standing ‘the test of time’ with its long aging potential. 

Tasting Notes

2015 Rosé

"A blend of 53% Grenache with 34% Mouvedre and the remainder Cinsault, this shows off wild mushroom and bergamot with melon fruits and strawberry on the nose. The palate is soft and inviting with surprisingly good acidity and wonderfully earthy tones. This is mature Washington Rose that is shockingly good considering the heat of the vintage. Drink 2022-2025- 91"

2017 Rosé

"Presenting with slightly less damp earth, and wonderfully bright, the 2017 DeLille Cellars Rose is a sensational wine by Jason Gorski. The palate is ultra-bright with vibrant minerality. Guava puree, white grapefruit and shades of cremini mushroom all come together magically on the palate, with stony minerals. The combination of weight and finesse deftly walks the tightrope here. Drink 2022-2028- 93"

2019 Rosé

"A blend of 47% Grenache, 45% Mouvedre and just a touch of Cinsault. This vintage was the first to have included Red Heaven Vineyard Mourvedre and no Mourvedre from Stone Tree Vineyard. The wine is considerably more bright than the 2017 or 2015. The texture is outstanding here and bright with very pretty red cherry, red raspberry and shades of thyme. Complex and utterly delicious, warm this up a bit for more mouthfeel and serious length. Drink 2022-2028- 93"

2020 Rosé

"The 2020 DeLille Cellars Rose is really hitting its stride now one year in the bottle. This blends 52% Mourvedre with 43% Grenache and a touch of Cinsault. This is already beautifully evolved, with serious weight and rocking earthy tones. Wild mushroom and forest floor flavor combine with ripe Yakima cherry and honeydew melon flavors. The weight is outstanding here as this beautifully evolved wine is best consumed over the next few years. Drink 2022-2026- 92"

2021 Rosé

"Showing off a more orange hue, the 2021 DeLille Cellars is a silky blend of 49% Grenache with 46% Mourvedre and the remainder Cinsault. Aromatically very vibrant this reveals salmonberry and ripe melon tones that combine with shades of nectarine skin. The palate displays dazzling finesse with a soft mouthfeel. The pretty red fruits from the Grenache is really shining through here. Dazzling at this juncture, this has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2022-2030- 93"

Read Owen Bargreen's full blog post here. 

Shop DeLille Cellars Rosé

DeLille Cellars is regarded as a top producer of Washington wine, showcasing a tradition of quality and excellence over its 30-year history. DeLille remains a principal influence in establishing Washington State as a premier viticultural region, with a focus on the Red Mountain AVA and other prestigious vineyard sites throughout the Columbia Valley. Shop the newest vintage of Rosé wine here.

Barrel Aged Beans

Barrel Aged Beans: A collaboration between Sidekick Coffee & Woodinville Wine Country

Local Woodinville businesses are working together to combine two of our favorite things: wine and coffee. Barrel aged beans is a collaboration between Woodinville Wine Country and Sidekick Coffee using a DeLille Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon barrel to age single-origin Burundi coffee beans.

Shop Wine and Coffee Sets Here

Woodinville Wine Country Executive Director Adam Acampora planted the idea of a collaboration between Woodinville coffee and wine, two industries that bring people together over hand-crafted beverages. The city of Woodinville sees over two million visitors a year and is known for its innovation among wineries, breweries, and distilleries. 

From earth to bag, let’s follow the journey of these barrel aged beans.

The Beans

The team at Sidekick picked a Burundi single-origin coffee because its tasting notes would pair nicely with Cabernet Sauvignon flavors passed on through the barrel aging process.  

East Africa has a reputation for producing high-quality coffee beans and Burundi is no exception. Located south of Rwanda and west of Tanzania, Burundi is a small player in the African coffee industry and produces about 16,000 tons of green (unroasted) coffee each year.

The beans typically have a clean delicate flavor, rich body, and bright acidity. Burundi coffee can also exhibit fruity flavors including notes of floral, citrus, blueberry, and pineapple.

The Process

Once the coffee beans arrived in Woodinville, the team at Sidekick got in touch with local coffee roasters at Hermiker Coffee. The team picked up a DeLille Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon barrel and aged the green coffee in the barrel for just over two weeks. During this period, they were rotated every other day to balance out the aging process and properly distribute moisture. This is an essential step in the aging process as it allows the beans to soak up the flavors and fragrances of the barrel.

The Barrel

Wine barrels play an integral role in adding flavor compounds to wine and other beverages, including notes of vanilla, spice, cedar, and tobacco. DeLille’s Harrison Hill is aged in 100% new French oak, resulting in complex flavors and aromas of red currants, tobacco leaf, and sous bois (notes of forest floor, undergrowth, vegetation).

Barrels tend to lose potency as they are reused. However, older barrels can still add rich textures to wine while allowing softer, fruity characteristics to show. Four Flags Cabernet Sauvignon is aged for 20 months in 80% new French oak, which gently supports the complex matrix of fruit, spice, herbs, and umami flavors. 

After several uses, the barrels have reached the end of their useful life at DeLille Cellars and are passed on. In fact, Sidekick isn’t the only local business that repurposes oak barrels once they have reached the end of their useful life at DeLille Cellars. Seattle’s Fast Penny Spirits and Fair Isle Brewing also reuse the winery’s barrels to impart flavors in their amaro and beer. Reused barrels not only contribute a minor oak presence but also contribute flavors of whatever wine was aged within the barrel. 

The Wine

The specific barrel used in this collaboration held 2020 Harrison Hill Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 8 from a small block planted in 1993. Clone 8 originates from Château Margaux in Bordeaux, France, and was introduced to California vineyards in 1893. It is the most widely planted Cabernet Sauvignon clone in Washington State and is known for reflecting the unique terroir of the vineyard site.

Harrison Hill Vineyard, located in the Snipes Mountain AVA, is known for showing distinctiveness and elegance. Snipes Mountain is distinctive with an elevated topography and unique soils not found elsewhere in the Yakima Valley AVA. Wines from this region are complex, expressive, and exhibit “somewhereness”. Tended with great care from owner Steve Newhouse, it’s no surprise these Harrison Hill Cabernet Sauvignon grapes left great flavor behind on the barrel that housed them for 20 months. 

A Match Made in Heaven

Next time you’re in Woodinville, pick up your bag of Barrel Aged Beans while they last! Available at Sidekick Coffee or Woodinville Wine Country. 

Shop Barrel Aged Beans Gift Sets

2019 Four Flags & Barrel Aged Beans

2019 Four Flags is loaded with its hallmark red and dark fruit aromas. Along with vibrant fruit, this vintage offers a uniquely savory quality. Olive tapenade, star anise, and juniper play with aromas of wild huckleberry, red licorice and Bing cherry.  The mouthfeel is delicately textured, with fine, dusty Red Mountain tannins.  80% new French oak gently supports the complex matrix of fruit, spice, herbs, and umami flavors.  

 

2019 Harrison Hill & Barrel Aged Beans

The lighter ruby red color looks more like Pinot Noir or Grenache then a Cabernet-dominant blend.  The riveting nose showing red currants, tobacco leaf, and sous bois could be blindly mistaken for Bordeaux.  There is a silky texture that effortlessly leads way to an elegant finish that does not seem to end.  Impeccably balanced and oozing with personality, the 2019 Harrison Hill reconfirms why, year after year, it’s one of our favorites

About DeLille Cellars

DeLille Cellars is the third oldest operating winery in Woodinville, WA, founded in 1992. Known for pioneering Bordeaux-style blends from Washington State, the winery has maintained a tradition of quality and excellence with over 700 individual 90+ ratings from leading publications. DeLille Cellars focuses on the Red Mountain AVA and sources grapes from Washington’s most acclaimed vineyards. The winery is recognized by notable wine critics and influencers, including Robert Parker, as one of the top producers in the state.

About Sidekick Coffee

Sidekick Coffee is Woodinville’s long-awaited independent coffee shop. Locally owned and community-minded, you can rely on us for warmth, hospitality, and great coffee. We proudly serve Herkimer roasted coffee, pastries baked in-house, and locally sourced tasty eats. Take a coffee and treat with you on your adventure or sit down and stay awhile in our bright and refreshing space. Coffee makes a great sidekick. #coffeeisyourfriend.

About Woodinville Wine Country

Woodinville Wine Country Association is a group of vintners and affiliates who represents the growing presence of the Washington state wine industry in the Greater Woodinville area. The association’s mission is to create a world-class wine destination and a supportive and profitable environment for Washington vintners and affiliates.