Semiahmoo Resort, Golf & Spa, an iconic seaside resort on the pristine shores of Semiahmoo Bay and Drayton Harbor located just 90 minutes north of Seattle, is proud to announce the second annual Northwest Wine Encounter, Friday, April 28 through Sunday, April 30, 2017. “This is a young event in a beautiful setting with a lineup of some of the Pacific Northwest’s most famous winemakers,” said host Andy Perdue, wine writer for The Seattle Times. “The venue lends itself to a relaxing weekend, and our guests will socialize with these talented winemakers and learn about their wines during the course of three delicious days at Semiahmoo.” Registration is available for $475 per person, including two nights stay and resort fees, Friday night’s wine tasting and beach bonfire, vintner-hosted tasting seminars. Guests can also enjoy 15% off spa treatments and golf rounds during their stay. “We’re onto something here in Washington, Oregon and Canada,” said Chris Upchurch, of Woodinville’s DeLille Cellars. “Our unique topography and climate, coupled with our combined sense of passion and curiosity, enable us all to make wines that are unique, expressive and delicious. The second annual Northwest Wine Encounter opens with the Winemaker’s Reception, where guests can familiarize themselves with participating wineries during a casual open tasting. Once the sun begins to set, guests are invited to follow the glow of the bonfire to indulge in gourmet s’mores, soaking in the seaside environs from the immaculate beaches of Semiahmoo Resort. Tasters will have the unique opportunity to taste wines one-on-one with participating winemakers at Saturday’s Wine Speed Dating. Take the opportunity to sip wines with the trained palates of Chris Figgins, Andy Perdue and Chris Upchurch. Friday’s vintners will join viticulturist Mike Sauer of historic Yakima Valley’s Red Willow Vineyard on the panel for educational seminars designed to expand tasters’ knowledge of Pacific Northwest wine country and the nuances of their exceptional wines. Acclaimed retailer and collector Doug Charles of Compass Wines will serve as the keynote speaker, and Andy Perdue, wine writer for The Seattle Times, will moderate the panels. Saturday culminates with an intimate Vintner’s Dinner Gala expertly crafted by Bruno Feldeisen, executive chef at Semiahmoo Resort’s Pierside Kitchen, and celebrity chef Roy Breiman of Coastal Hotels. During this carefully curated five-course meal, guests can enjoy conversation with the wine luminary seated at each table while savoring perfectly-paired wines from all wineries in attendance. “Some of the best product I’ve seen from all over the world is right here under our hands,” said Bruno Feldeisen, Executive Chef of Pierside Kitchen. “In our beautiful corner of the Pacific Northwest, we’re surrounded by hardworking farmers and fishermen whose bounty we’re honored to showcase this weekend alongside the finest wines of our region.” The final seminar on Sunday, Importance of Place, asks the question: How important is a single vineyard or single location within that vineyard? DeLille’s answer may be the key to their national success. Chris Upchurch and Mike Sauer will explore these questions together as a pair of Washington’s premier growers. Northwest Wine Encounter is made possible by its participating sponsors; Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® card and Mileage Plan, Seattle Magazine, Talking Rain, Beecher’s and jcoco. For more information regarding Semiahmoo Resort and the second annual Northwest Wine Encounter, please visit www.semiahmoo.com
