Recently, Jen and I managed to schedule time with our friend Joanna to taste more wine in Woodinville together.
We were excited to visit Long Shadows, who were featured in the Spring 2018 Wine Press Northwest magazine as “Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year.”
We met Norm, the lead wine educator at Long Shadows. We learned so much from him! I think I asked more questions than I normally do at our wine tastings, because Norm always had the answer for us. I really need to perfect my note taking – Norm imparted so much information and I could barely keep up with everything I wanted to remember.
We also met Ryan, the son of founder Allen, but didn’t manage to cajole him into letting us take his photo!
We began our tasting with the 2016 Julia’s Dazzle. This Rosé wine is named after the founder’s granddaughter. It’s a 100% Pinot Gris Rosé. All three of us were enamored with it and purchased a bottle each to take home. (That way we didn’t have to fight over it, which would be unladylike!)
It’s made with limited skin contact with the grapes, lasting for just one day. This results in an orange hue to the wine.
Our second tasting pour was the 2016 Poet’s Leap, an off-dry Riesling. Wine Spectator rated this among their “Top Value Light Whites” for 2017 and Wine Enthusiast gave it a 90 point score.
As an off-dry wine, it tastes a bit sweet – in a good way! Joanna and I both purchased a bottle of this to take home.
My next tasting was Saggi, a 2015 Sangiovese red blend (a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah). It’s a Super Tuscan wine. I’m thinking I need to stop back by the tasting room and get this to serve at my next dinner party.
Norm kindly lined up the Long Shadows bottles for us, pointing out that each winemaker designs their own label.
My next tasting was the 2014 Pedestal, a Bordeaux style Merlot blend. I was really impressed, and lingered over this one.
Jen enjoyed the 2015 Feather, a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that Norm says is “Designed to slap you with a velvet glove.”
We next tasted the 2015 Pirouette, a Bordeaux style wine, made with 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 11% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec. Loved it! This is the red I purchased to take home. It’s the winemaker’s first wine for Washington State.
Norm poured me Sequel next, a 2014 Syrah. This wine has its roots in Australia, where winemaker John Duval used to make wine for Penfolds Grange. Norm tried to explain how this winemaker uses “rack and return” for color perfection without tannins, but I’m going to have to read up more on that, it went over my head! Norm also taught us about micro oxygenation.
Joanna was in the mood for whites still, so tried the 2016 Dance Chardonnay after her Rosé tasting.
We had the tasting room, and Norm, to ourselves for the better part of an hour. We appreciated him taking so much time with us, and were glad other customers weren’t around to be bothered by our photograph taking and pestering questions.
We began to explore the tasting room in between pours. Norm graciously let us snoop around.
There are several tables available for small groups. Like any tasting room, Long Shadows would prefer if you make an appointment ahead of time if your wine tasting group consists of six or more people.
Joanna and I chatted with Norm a lot about food pairings, and which wines are perfect for grilling.
The 2017 Julia’s Dazzle Rosé wasn’t out yet for us to taste, but we didn’t care, as the 2016 was amazing. I’m planning to run down and buy more bottles of either vintage to enjoy as the summer continues.
Here’s the entry to The Library, the wine club members-only area.
We peeked into the dark, mysterious barrel room.
The Barrel Room is rentable for private events, and seats 12 if I am counting correctly.
Besides showing off these impressive magnums, Long Shadows sells a few demi size bottles. I love that!
This wine shelf displays the current wine releases.
This Woodinville tasting room is incredibly spacious, perhaps one of the largest ones in Woodinville. I haven’t been by on a weekend to know if it gets super crowded.
The event capacity is 60 for the whole tasting room, or a more intimate private room that holds just eighteen people. Long Shadows is dog-friendly outside on the patio, but not indoors.
Here’s the Riedel display, for anyone looking to upgrade their wine glasses.
We didn’t have time, busily taking notes and learning from Norm, to relax on any of the comfy-looking leather couches.
Long Shadows has three wine clubs: The Winery Key Club, the Cellar Key Club, and the Vault Key Club.
We snuck a picture of the cozy Library members-only room. I imagine it’s very pleasurable for club members to come pick up their wine shipments, and take a moment to relax with a wine pour in this agreeable space.
While we were chatting about wine, I mentioned how many parties I throw on weekends. Norm recommended I look into Tritan wine glasses.
Joanna and I took our final tasting pours out to enjoy on the sunny patio. Love this time of year!
Norm asked where we might taste next, and recommended we visit Kevin White Winery in the warehouse district (open on weekends).
Long Shadows is located in the Hollywood District, at 14450 Woodinville-Redmond Road, #105, Woodinville, WA, 98072. Stop by if you are interested in tasting high quality, award winning wines and intriguing red blends.
-Carrie
RESOURCES:
Long Shadows Woodinville Tasting Room on Yelp
