Sip Northwest, Winter 2015
1 4 DISCOVERIES DIVERSIONS THE SAN JUAN ISLANDS The gourmet archipelago is transforming into a tasting paradise PHOTO BY MARK GARDNER I t used to be that visitors to Lopez Orcas and San Juan Islands and liquid loving locals would have to cart in their own cases and kegs But in the past few years new wines spirits brews and bitters have joined the small but dedicated cadre of tasty options LOPE Z I S L AND V INEYARDS For years Brent Charnley owner and winemaker for Lopez Island Vineyards was a lone island winegrower farming organically and making varietal wines from obscure grapes no one knew how to pronounce Fast forward 20 something years Charnley may still be alone on Lopez but his wines have found many fans Best are the estate grown wines Madeleine Angevine a white Loire Valley grape and Siegerrebe meaning victory vine in German an aromatic cross of Gewürztraminer and Madeleine Angevine Lopez Island Vineyards Pinot Noir in the tasting room only is one of the best Washington Pinots available rich with lovely red fruit yet austere with minerality and good acidity 724 Fisherman Bay Rd Lopez Island 360 468 3644 lopezislandvineyards com SAN JUAN V INEYARDS San Juan Vineyards is one of the most picturesque vineyards in the state overlooking a historic schoolhouseturned winery and a beautiful chapel Winemaker Chris Primus grows the classic island grapes of Siegerrebe and Madeline Angevine and over the years has developed a style to show the fruit at its best whether from his estate or reds from respected vineyards in Yakima or Walla Walla Valley with low use of oak and little manipulation I want my wines to be honest he says Any time you manipulate a wine youre taking something away 3136 Roche Harbor Rd Friday Harbor 360 378 9463 sanjuanvineyards com SPOTLIGHT BY SHANNON BORG SIPNORTHWEST COM Fisherman Bay at Lopez Island
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