Newsletters
Read about Carpenter Creek Winery news, the latest wine releases, upcoming events and more by clicking on the available newsletter links below.
Recent Press
Mount Vernon winery matures Bellingham Herald June 11, 2007
"Following the progress of a newer winery can be a bit like watching a rambunctious teenager mature into a responsible adult. Such is the case with Mount Vernon’s Carpenter Creek Winery, which is now in its seventh year of production.
Since my last visit about three years ago, the tasting room has expanded, a picnic area has been added, and the wines, which were good then, have gotten even better.
Owner/winemaker Jeff Hammer and his wife Tara are making all the right moves, keeping their operations relatively small and producing a number of wines with a distinctive, European style that places less emphasis on heavy-handed fruit flavors and encourages wine drinkers to pair them with food.
The 2005 Chardonnay (about $15) is full-bodied and complex with hints of vanilla, butterscotch, caramel and a mildly creamy finish. Slightly sweet with flavors of citrus and green apple, the 2006 Riesling (about $13) is refreshingly unique and will pair well with a variety of spicy foods.
Red wine offerings include the 2004 Meritage (about $13), a well-priced, cabernet-based blend with dark currant flavors and touches of smoke and spice. A 2004 Reserve Merlot (about $24) and an outstanding 2004 Cabernet Franc (about $32) are also available, but only at the tasting room, which is well worth the 30-minute drive from Bellingham.
Also watch for the 2004 Syrah, which will be released later this summer. I had a sneak preview of this awesome wine, and it’s loaded with dark fruit flavors and touches of black pepper. I think it’s easily Hammer’s best effort to date.
Carpenter Creek wines are available locally at Food Pavilion and Haggen stores and at Purple Smile Wines in Fairhaven. They can also be sampled at the tasting room, which is open Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and by appointment. " This article can be found here.
Skagit County boasting quality wines Bellingham Herald June 4, 2007
"Skagit County — home to dairy farms, strawberry fields, acres of tulips, and wineries. Wineries?
Yes, the wine industry is taking off in Skagit County, which now boasts seven wineries and 24 grape growers. Pinot noir grapes dominate the plantings, with siegerrebe, Madeleine Angevine and a host of lesserknown white wine varietals also taking root. While I don’t think the tulip industry has anything to worry about at this point, the increase in the valley’s acreage dedicated to wine production is certainly worth noting.
I’d keep an eye on Challenger Ridge Vineyard, located in the eastern part of the county just outside the town of Concrete. The winery recently hired Randy Bonaventura, formerly of Mount Baker Vineyards, as its head winemaker. Bonaventura has a knack for coming up with just the right percentages in his blends of grapes, and if he can work his magic at Challenger, the wines will definitely be worth a taste.
If you enjoy fruit-based wines, Pasek Cellars, located in Conway, has several options available, with off-dry cranberry and raspberry wines heading the list. The winery also produces chardonnay, a cabernetbased blend, and the newly released arabica, a delicious wine made from arabica coffee beans that tastes a bit like a lighter style Kahlua.
Next week, we’ll take a look at Carpenter Creek Winery, which touts itself as Western Washington’s premier boutique winery and is arguably making some of the best wines in Skagit County." This article can be found here.
