Last Sunday, my friend Serret from Serretabella Images joined me for a day of wine tasting in the Woodinville Warehouse District. I am always eager to explore tasting rooms in the warehouse district when I get a chance – most are only open on weekends, and my weekends are super busy usually. We were delighted to have a girls day out tasting wine!
We agreed to head to Warr-King Wines first, right after lunch. Jen and I had the honor of meeting the owner and winemaker, Lisa Warr-King Packer, at a wine event earlier this summer (Sisters of the Vinifera Revolution.)
We were warmly greeted by the tasting room associates, Erin and Serena. We appreciate how gracious they were, and how much time they spent teaching us about Warr-King Wines.
Our first tasting pour was the 2015 Riesling. (I notice we have the 2014 bottle for the bottle shot!) The grapes for this were grown in a vineyard I hadn’t heard of yet: Rosebud Vineyards, on the Wahluke Slope. I loved the citrusy notes.
Next, we tasted the 2016 Roussanne, sourced from the Gamache Vineyard. Serret and I both thought it smelled incredible! It had a really nice mouth feel, as well as tasting great. This may be my favorite Washington Roussanne so far!
Erin mentioned they’d just opened the last case of Warr-King Rosé! There had been a limited number of cases made. I’m glad I bought two bottles earlier this summer when I had the chance! (It’s been really hard not to open one – I’m trying to save them for August!)
The Rosé is made from 100% Syrah grapes. It’s dry, which Serret was really grateful for.
We asked about the name – Marie Noelle is a French winemaker who helped advise Lisa Warr-King Packer on how to make Rosé.
Next, Serena poured the 2015 Syrah. It tasted soft, almost buttery (but not in a Chardonnay kind of way!) Erin recommended the syrah for burgers or barbecues.
The Syrah was followed by the 2014 Merlot. The grapes for this wine were grown in the Red Mountain AVA, at Kiona Vineyards. Serret and I both smelled berries, and found this wine outstanding.
Our final tasting was the 2015 Grand Rouge, a 50/50 Cabernet/Merlot blend. It’s also from Red Mountain’s Kiona Vineyards. Erin recommended we pair it with beef dishes. I probably should have picked up a bottle of this as well for one of my next parties – I like to serve Cab/Merlot blends for my red wine drinking guests.
Before we left, Serret and I took a minute to snoop around and geek out at the wine barrel storage area!
After I got home, having purchased the Merlot, I kicked myself and wished I’d picked up the Syrah as well. Oh, I can always go back next weekend if I decide I really need to stockpile and cellar some more Warr-King wines.
Stop by Warr-King Wines to enjoy the current tasting lineup for yourself!
Warr-King Wines is currently open Fridays 4pm – 7pm, Saturdays Noon – 5pm, and Sundays 1pm – 5pm. The tasting room is located at 19501 144th Ave NE Ste D700, Woodinville, WA 98072.
-Carrie
RESOURCES:
Warr-King Wines Woodinville Tasting Room on Yelp
Seattle Refined: Meet Lisa Packer, the Brain Behind Warr-King Wines
Warr-King Wines at Washington Wine Blog
