October 20, 2000

Fall festival of wines and microbrews

EVERETT -- The Everett Community College Foundation will present its fifth annual Fall Festival of Northwest Wines and Microbrews on Oct. 28, 3-9 p.m., in the Ballroom at the Monte Cristo, 1507 Wall St., in Everett. Admission is $25 per couple, or $15 individually, with a free wineglass and six tasting coupons.  The Foundation sponsors the festival, with all proceeds benefiting the student scholarship fund at the college.  A silent auction of wines, wine-related items, and art will round out the evening.

Wine connoisseurs know the names Quilceda Creek Vintners, Canoe Ridge Vineyard, and Woodward Canyon Winery.  All three wineries will be represented, along with many other Northwest wines at the fifth annual festival, described as the biggest fall wine tasting event north of Seattle. Guests also will have the opportunity to taste a regional beer selection.

Quilceda Creek's cabernets have won international acclaim. Woodward Canyon of Lowden, Wash., won similar acclaim with its award-winning cabernets.  A 1997 Cabernet from Quilceda, and a 1998 Artist’s Series Cabernet from Canoe Ridge will be featured side-by-side at the festival, poured by staff from the local wine shop, Wick-Ed Cellars. Canoe Ridge, a small Walla Walla vineyard, will be pouring its highly-touted Chardonnay.

Many other wineries will be pouring featured wines, as well.  They include Chateau Ste. Michelle, Arbor Crest, Preston, Covey Run and Eola Hills.  Six craft brewers will round out the sampling tables, including Everett’s own Scuttlebutt Brewing Co., Flying Pig, and festival newcomer Big Sky Brewing from Missoula, Mont.