A few weeks back, Carrie, Valerie and I met up for a tasting at Otis Kenyon Winery in Woodinville’s Apple Farm Village. I was thrilled to find a few blooming Japanese Cherry trees that had not lost all of their flowers due to rain and had to grab a photo of it!
Here is the tasting lineup that included the 2014 Matchless. This vintage is a blend of 73% Syrah, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 13% Petite Verdot sourced from the Walla Walla Valley. It’s a goes-down-easy red blend that you could serve to guests with confidence, for under $25. It has a nose of cinnamon and blackberry with a cigar box, cherry, and chocolate finish – a delicious Saturday night wine.
Our first pour was Otis Kenyon’s 2017 Rousanne. This “white wine for red wine drinkers” is from Lawrence Vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA. It is a 100% Roussanne that I found very smooth but with a complexity that would pair well with all kinds of food.
It was our chance to celebrate with our friend Valerie on her birthday and here you see her with Carrie tasting a delicious 2015 Merlot. Carrie and I always appreciate 100% varietals, which Otis Kenyon is known for. This one, from Pepper Bridge Estate Vineyard, had a Bing cherry nose with raspberry and huckleberry. The mouthfeel on this was velvety with a chocolate and tart plum finish.
Here is a photo of the tasting room seating area, a cozy yet spacious. I was excited to hear that Otis Kenyon will be releasing a Carmenere in 2020. On the third Thursday of the month, you can join them for sip and shop events. These are a fun way to sip wine and shop various from vendors (such as Stella and Dot).
Carrie and I had to stop and pose in front of the gorgeous flowering Chery trees. It’s one my my favorite parts of the Spring season here in the PNW and we are lucky to find so many of these beautiful blooms in Woodinville.
The label bears the silhouette of James Otis Kenyon, the father of owner Steven Otis Kenyon, for whom the winery pays tribute. Carrie and I first heard the Otis Kenyon family story from Muriel Kenyon when we met her the Wine Blogger’s conference in Walla Walla last fall. You can read more about that fascinating story here. It will shed some light on why the wine club (an all red wine selection that ships three times per year) is named “Matchless”. I won’t spoil it for you!
Tasting room hours are Thursday through Saturday, 12-6 pm, and Sunday from 12-5 pm. They are located at: 14525 148th Ave, Woodinville, WA in the Apple Farm Village.
~Jen
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