Art Chowder January | February 2017, Issue 7

“SAILS IN A STORM” Scratch Board Art by Maren Wands M uch has happened in the last 35 years. Investments from national and international companies have bettered the equipment we have to work with, research at WSU’s Wine School has inspired bankers to write loans to this still-young industry, and wine drinkers have become enthusiastic about the next time any Northwest winery releases its latest wine. Since 1977 more than 1,500 new wineries have opened their doors in the Northwest. They are diverse wineries like: Ken Wright in Oregon whose dedication to single-vineyard wine of any kind is unparalleled (but he focuses on Pinot Noir), Barnard-Griffin who makes a broad variety of wines across an intermediate price range at an ever-increasing volume of cases and Charles Smith whose down-home appreciation for what most people like to drink (and pay) is matched only by his outgoing personality. Most of the wineries however, share one common element; they are centered on a single person or small team, dedicated to elevating the experience of wine with their own workmanship. Northwest wineries starting up today have solid competition! Winemakers like Mike Januik of Januik Winery or Charlie Hoppes of Fidelitas, cut their teeth in the big wineries of the state and have moved on to their own projects, their own visions, making more Washington wine than anyone else. Most Northwest winemakers have not had such bounty of experience before launching their own label. Pend Oreille Cellars in Sandpoint, Chinook Wines and Thurston-Wolfe Winery in Prosser, Cayuse Vineyards and Gramercy Cellars in Walla Walla, Abacela Winery and King Estate Winery in Southern Oregon, Cinder Wines and Clearwater Canyon Cellars in Central Idaho, Nodland Cellars and Robert Karl Cellars in Spokane, along with hundreds of others from the great Northwest, all started small. They were all begun with no more than two people who had a vision for what their technique with wine could contribute to good taste. They also all have experienced palates and they know what they like and what they do not. That has been the point, building good taste. Our winemakers continue to craft good taste in a range of styles, prices and availability. Wines released by any region’s early wineries would not pass muster among their current wines—in this, the Pacific Northwest is no different but our range is greater. The preferences of our wine-drinking public have become a driving force for more diverse, well-crafted wines. Like consumers of all art, we have our wine drinkers to thank for their patronage, inspiring our Northwest wineries to achieve ongoing excellence. Available At Geez-Loueez Artistry 1514 E. South Perry Spokane, WA Watercolors Collage Mixed Media ﬁnd more at Avenue West Gallery on ﬂootie.com and on facebook Cheryl Halverson mountainplacearts.com 208.274.2455 January|February 2017 37

Art Chowder January | February 2017, Issue 7 | Page 37