Less than a week until the Red Wine and Chocolate Tour!

The Red Wine and Chocolate tours are taking place the next two weekends of the month: February 9 & 10 and 16 & 17. We are so excited for this fun annual event! If you haven’t made plans for a romantic Valentine’s Day weekend, we would like to invite you to the Olympic Peninsula to taste some fine Washington Wine and enjoy the stunning natural beauty of our corner of the nation.

Tickets may be purchased at participating wineries during the event. The $30 ticket and glass package entitles you to a special commemorative wine glass, complimentary wine tasting and delectable samples of chocolate at each winery during the Red Wine & Chocolate Weekends. Note: this event does not take place at one location, but at each individual winery, so you can visit those you are interested in exploring.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Red Wine and Chocolate.

Tickets are not required to attend this event. A $5.00 wine tasting fee will be charged at each winery for non-ticketed visitors.

Here are some of the fun pairings you can look forward to experiencing during your Washington Wine and Chocolate Tour:

Fairwinds Winery: Experience the tallest chocolate fountain on the Peninsula – back by popular demand – with a delicious assortment of fruits and sweets for dipping. The rich dark chocolate pairs exceptionally well with Fairwinds’ Port O’ Call, a mellow port wine. Visitors can also taste the latest vintages of Gewürztraminer and Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend, and taste barrel samples of the soon to be released 2005 Champeaux Vineyards Cabernet and a 2005 Merlot.

Harbinger Winery: This year Harbinger Winery is thinking outside the box! Sample some out-of-this-world chocolate desserts with new releases and old favorites. Experience the “other taste” – umami – a Japanese word for savory, with the winery’s holy trinity sample, the award-winning Dynamo Red paired with Harbingers’ own chocolate potato chip creation. Afterwards, taste the Petit Sarah-infused “chocolate rocket,” and share your “dirty little wine secrets” in the “Confession Room” while trying a secret bonus pairing that inspires one to be a better wine drinker! Bar Hop Brewery, co-located at the winery, will treat beer lovers to their annual Venezuelan Chocolate Porter.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

 

Red Wine & Chocolate in Washington State

Next month is our big red wine and chocolate tour!

Liven up your winter with an amazing trip to the Olympic Peninsula for a weekend of delicious wines and creamy chocolate.

Featuring a host of unique sweet and savory combinations, the Red Wine & Chocolate Tour takes place two weekends in February,  Feb. 9-10 and Feb. 16-18 (Presidents’ Day Weekend) from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Of course, this is a wonderful event for couples to share. Take a weekend to relax on the scenic Olympic Peninsula and enjoy trying some award-winning Washington wines. Meet the vintners and other wine lovers. Have a unique, romantic Valentine’s weekend.

Tickets may be purchased at participating wineries during the event or beforehand on the Olympic Peninsula Wineries website.  The $30 ticket and glass package entitles you to a special commemorative wine glass, complimentary wine tasting and delectable samples of chocolate at each winery during the Red Wine & Chocolate Weekends.

washington wine tours

The 2012 Red Wine & Chocolate tour featured a chocolate fountain at Fair Winds Winery in Port Townsend.

Highlights from Red Wine and Chocolate Tour 2012

Fair Winds Winery: Last year, Fair Winds released their latest vintages of its Gewürztraminer, Port O’ Call and a Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend. Guests experienced the tallest chocolate fountain on the Peninsula with an assortment of fruits and sweets to dip in the rich dark chocolate. Patrons had the opportunity to tour the winery and its operations, with occasional barrel tastings.

Camaraderie Cellars: Featured a Syrah, paired with a cocoa spice-rubbed pulled pork, cooked on site in the winery’s wood-fired oven. The winery debuted the 2009 Syrah, along with some red blends and the ever popular Cabernet and Merlot varietals. Last year marked Camaraderie Cellar’s 20th year and special taste treats included Molly Baby chocolate shortbread cookies, Equal Exchange Fair Trade chocolate bars and a savory chocolate bruschetta. Special pricing for the event weekends should help you stock your red wine supply.