NEWS

December 2011

We're in a festive mood, with the full monty of new wines from every fascinating varietal to blossom from the Yakima Valley - visit the "Buy Wine" page to see what I mean!
The Proprietor's Limited Release includes limited bottlings of some exciting lots blended and supervised by eldest son Maitland, who has developed his own successful career in the Willamette Valley.

As promised, the Market Cellar Winery has released Randy Finley's carefully crafted Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon for its Seattle Premiere. The Western Avenue location in Pike Place Market gives us a well-received Seattle presence.

There are two new directions in the cellar this year.
One is our just bottled, soon to be released 2005 Syrah Port from Red Mountain, which we aged in oak for six years, with distillate from 2003 Red Mountain Syrah and body from the 2005 Red Mountain Syrah.

The other is a non-fermented, green juice called Verjus. Long a staple in fine French kitchens as a replacement for common acids such as vinegar or lemon, verjus is enjoying an explosion in the world of fusion cuisine. In salad dressing, marinade, sauce, or deglaze, the delicate acid of verjus is far superior, providing a bite and sour impression that won't clash or alter the taste of the wine served with the meal. It is also a wonderful substitution for whisky sour in cocktails.

We look forward to entertaining all our customers over the next year as we share our experience and development as a well-established Washington State Winery.

Thank you for participating and joining us as we work to show you a good time, great wine, and excellent value.

January 2011

Mount Baker Vineyards participates in the wine industry in a wide range of activities, including its proprietary label, private labels, bulk wine sales, and special services within the wine industy. The major events last year were launch of the Mount Baker Vineyards Wine Club, and Randy Finley's partnership venture with John Farias and the Pike Place Market Cellar Winery, in Seattle. These two new venues will expand our activities the in the coming year.

PIKE PLACE MARKET CELLAR WINERY:

The tasting room and winery space at the Market have been completely remodeled by Randy and friends. It is a new exhibition space for wife, Patricia Clark-Finley, and will function as an elegant and comfortable Seattle presence for Mount Baker Vineyards. Our Seattle area customers will have a more convenient space to buy or pick-up wine and wine club shipments.

Randy Finley will be producing several Reserve Reds and a very good Chardonnay at the Market Cellar Winery over the next 18 months. Partner John Farias will continue to sell wines and beer and winemaking supplies. John is open most days, and the new tasting room/winery is presently open most weekends, with Randy and Patricia enjoying the new space and greeting new customers and old friends.

Pike Place Market Cellar Winery: Sales-Shop (206) 622-1880

Tasting Room & WInery: (360) 303-6142

1432 Western Avenue

Seattle, WA 98101

MOUNT BAKER VINEYARDS WINE CLUB:

Launch of the WIne Club has been an enthusiastic success, with two shipments out and many satisfied members. Seattle area members can save shipping costs by picking up their shipments at the Pike Place Market Cellar Winery. Members receive first choice of many limited quantity, specialty bottlings, and a greaat opportunity to determine which wines they wish to purchase by the case for their cellars.

Sign up for the wine club by following the links on the "HOME" page.

WINES:

Spring releases from the 2010 harvest whites include Chardonnay, Late Harvest Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Riesling, and a new Estate Sparkling Chasselas. These will be in bottle sometime in April or May.

2010 reds are aging now, in barrels of French, Hungarian, or American oak and will be coaxed throughout the year for bottlings beginning in 2012. The 2010 harvest reds include a Cabernet Sauvignon,, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah.

Some unique reds from 2008 and 2009 will be ready for bottling in 50 to 100 case lots between April and August. These include a 2008 Barbera, a 2008 Petit Verdot, a 2008 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, and a 2009 Petit Syrah. Generous bottlings of 2008 Tempranillo and a 2009 Cabernet Franc are also anticipated. These are two big hits in our Proprietor's Limited Release label and with Private Label clients.

Right now, we are happy to say there are about 2,100 cases of red wines and about 1,400 cases of whites in our warehouses. We should make special mention of the Pinot Gris, which was a great buy for us and we are passing on the savings. We have 300 cases in bottle and another 1000 gallons in bulk. There are screaming good deals in the tasting room on this excellent white. See our "BUY WINE" page for all the details.

June 2010

A late spring gives us healthy leaves and canes but few bud breaks. In the estate vineyard short-cropping and bud selection is underway as we determine which canes to use for the 2010 vintage. A paltry prediction for 2010 estate harvest yields is made-up for by the 1800 to 2000 cases of 2009 whites we are now in the process of releasing.

The new whites, of course, are from both the estate vineyard and the Yakima Valley growers we are so proud to be working with. Special kudos have gone to our Riesling, the Gewurztraminer and our Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc blend. We are currently bottling a Reserve Chardonnay and a Rosetta Blanc to round-out what is becoming a prominent offering of whites for every palate.

Long a favorite, with plenty of stock on hand, we are offering terrific discounts on Viognier and Pinot Gris.

The last of the 2007 and 2008 vintage reds are also in current release. To answer the whites, there are 4500 to 5000 cases of reds available. Tempranillo and Zinfandel are wonderful additions to our cellar. As our winemaking staff continues to work with whatever exciting grapes they find, no matter how limited the supply, we often produce as few as 40 cases of something and it turns out to be fabulous and also gone in a heartbeat.

After many requests, the Mount Baker Vineyards Wine Club has been launched to give our regular customers and new friends, as well, first choice at many of our most interesting and rare wines, as well as old favorites and great bargains. You can sign up for the Wine Club from the links on this page.

Looking for a bright spot in a gloomy economy ?

Visit the tasting room to try the new releases from our winter and spring bottlings. These are great new wines at very reasonable prices - from Spaghetti Red to top-of-the-line Reserve and Limited Releases.

NEW RELEASES

2007 DOLCETTO, Proprietor's Limited Release

2008 ZINFANDEL, Proprietor's Limited Release

2007 CABERNET FRANC, Proprietor's Limited Release

2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON, Barrel Select

2008 PINOT GRIS, Barrel Select

2007 PETIT VERDOT, Proprietor's Limited Release

2007 VIOGNIER, Proprietor's Limited Release

2007 MARSANNE, Proprietor's Limited Release

2007 VIOGNIER, Washington State

2007 SYRAH, Washington State

2008 SEMI-SAUV, Reserve

2009 RIESLING, Proprietor's Limited Release

2008 GEWURZTRAMINER, Proprietor's Limited Release

2009 CHARDONNAY, Reserve