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Graham Edition
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September 02, 2010
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| 2/13/2008 5:26:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article |
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| Sonie Hansen, a wine rep for Stina’s Cellars, pours a glass of Merlot at the Austin Chase wine-toasting event in Graham. |
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Graham's first wine bar opens
by Bruce Smith
With growth comes change, and Graham took a new turn last week with the opening of its first wine bar. It's not a new pub, but rather an expansion of services by the Austin Chase coffee shop on Meridian that has already made its mark as a popular java spot. Now, besides espresso, owners Julie and Birk Stutzke serve premium wines from local vintners.
"It's about time, "said Julie, "that Graham gets a place to relax, meet friends and enjoy great wine. Graham's as upscale as anywhere else - but don't let that secret get out!"
On Friday night, the Stutzkes hosted their first evening of wine tasting, and they plan to make such events a regular part of their wine bar experience.
Serving about 40 wine-loving customers, they featured a variety of red and white wines from Stina's Cellars, the label of Perry Preston, a long-time winemaker from University Place. Preston has recently gained the permits to sell commercially, and he estimates he will produce about 1,000 cases a year.
Tom Grabski, wine steward of the Fred Meyer at 176th and Meridian, also attended and announced that his store has developed a boutique wine shelf, offering premium wines produced by local winemakers such as Preston.
The growth of homemade wine has exploded in Washington and is now a major component of the state's agricultural sector. Typically, local vintners buy grapes from Yakima Valley growers, truck them home on a weekend and press them into juice in their driveways or backyards. Then they pour the liquid into barrels, roll them into their garages or an out buildings, and begin the fermentation process. For many it's an art, for some a hobby, and now for a growing number, a business.
"Wine production is a $3 billion industry in Washington," said Duane Pemberton, a wine aficionado who attended the Austin Chase wine tasting with his friend Edd Laville, another home wine-maker from South Hill.
The wine tastings at Austin Chase are scheduled for Fridays from 6-8 p.m. In addition, Austin Chase is offering live music on Saturday nights, and "North Cady and Trevor Hansen" launched this endeavor last weekend.
Wine lovers received more good news at the wine tasting: the Puyallup Fair is having a "Winter Wine Festival" on Saturday, Feb. 23 from 2 until 8 p.m. The festival will feature wine tastings from twelve different Washington wineries, including local favorites Scatter Creek and Heymann Wineries. In addition, live music will entertain the gathering.
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