What’s more fun than playing hookey on a cloudy weekday afternoon with a good friend? My friend Valerie let me kidnap her out to a nice lunch, and then we went to explore some tasting rooms in Woodinville!
Neither of us had ever been to Pepper Bridge and Amavi’s joint tasting room, and were curious, so in we went!
I had to stop to admire their outdoor patio (if you’ve been reading this blog any amount of time you know how patio-obsessed I am!) Can’t wait to check it out this summer!
Inside, we were greeted by the extremely friendly wine steward, Chris. We loved chatting with her and learning about wine from her! I immediately asked my favorite question – is this tasting room dog friendly? Yes it is!
After I asked how to pronounce Amavi (I’m never ashamed to ask a dumb question!) Chris told me to pronounce it like “Ah-mah-vee.” It stands for “Amor” (love) and “Vita vinum” (“life” and “wine.”)
She showed us this beautiful photograph of the stunning Amavi Cellars Walla Walla tasting room. Can’t wait to visit it in person – Jen and I really need to get a Walla Walla trip onto our joint calendar!
Chris explained that Amavi specializes in using neutral oak for younger vibes, a softer, more approachable wine. She mentioned how involved Pepper Bridge is in the SeVein vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley.
Our first tasting pour was the 2016 Sémillon from Amavi Cellars. I don’t know much about Sémillon and have only tasted a few during my Woodinville winery explorations. I’m going to read up on it over at Wine Folly.
As we tasted, Chris talked about the winemaker, Jean-Francois, who is from Switzerland.
Our next tasting was the 2015 Amavi Syrah. Chris pointed out that this wine has a higher than normal percentage of Grenache.
Next we tried the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon from Amavi. It was fascinating to then compare it with the Pepper Bridge Cab Sauv!
The Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon is aged in French Oak, and they use a higher number of newer barrels for this wine. It’s a 100% estate wine. Chris told us that the 2017 harvest marked Pepper Bridge’s 20th year of production!
Next we tried the 2013 Trine. (Rhymes with “wine.”) It’s named as a tribute to the three families involved in Pepper Bridge – the McKibbens, Goffs and Pellets. I especially enjoyed this wine.
Our final tasting was the 2015 Pepper Bridge Merlot, which I immediately decided to buy and hold onto until my next dinner party. It’s another entirely estate wine. It’s comprised of 15% Cabernet Franc, 7% Malbec and the rest is 78% Merlot.
As we savored our last pour, the Merlot, Valerie and I began exploring the tasting room.
There are a couple little tables for small groups, and a few small seating areas with comfy chairs.
A family photograph of the vineyard owners is displayed proudly.
You can pick up plenty of pamphlets and info on the Walla Walla estate and vineyards.
The tasting room is rentable for small groups – the capacity is just 20 people. Catering would be handled by Frank at the Hollywood Schoolhouse.
I love it when wineries produce wine-scented candles to use in their tasting rooms and to sell to us wine lovers!
This cozy seating area made us want to linger a while longer!
Chris and I chatted about our leftover poinsettias from Christmas – she was as reluctant to throw out living plants from the tasting room as I am from my home! So our February visit to this tasting room was still a little Christmasy.
This tasting room has the best collection of snacks available for sale that I’ve come across so far.
It would definitely be handy to be able to purchase some nuts and snacks to prolong one’s wine tasting enjoyment if you were trying to visit more than two places in one afternoon!
They even have a refrigerated case so they can make cheese and meat plates available, and fizzy drinks to refresh the designated drivers in your party.
Love their “Vino” sign – it made the tasting room so festive!
The gift shop area offers branded hats and some of their candles.
Wine glass charms are available as well.
The Pepper Bridge/Amavi tasting room also carries caramels and chocolates from Wellington Chocolates, a local Woodinville company.
Their gift shop area also offers Pepper Bridge hats and clothing.
I’ll definitely be back this summer to taste more of their wines and enjoy a wine pour on their patio!
-Carrie
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