By Laurelle Walsh
Family Wineries of Washington State — an organization that advocates for small wineries around the state — the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce, and Lost River Winery have resurrected the Winthrop Wine Festival, which has been on hiatus for the last two years, according to Lost River Winery owner John Morgan.
“People come into the winery wondering what ever happened to the festival,” Morgan said. “It just needed someone with the energy to take it on.”
The festival is this Saturday (July 12) from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. in Winthrop’s Mack Lloyd Park.
Tickets are $15 at the gate, which gives the holder 12 tastings from the participating wineries.
Seattle’s Cloudlift Cellars, Ellensburg Canyon Winery on the Yakima River, Frenchman Hills Winery of Royal City, OS Winery from Seattle, Masquerade Wine Company of Bellingham, Piccola Wine Co. from Woodinville, White Heron Cellars with its vineyard above the Columbia River, Willis Hall Winery from Marysville, and Wilridge Winery of Seattle join the Methow Valley Ciderhouse and Lost River Winery in offering tastings of their creations.
Morgan expects renewed interest in the festival from Methow Valley locals, as well as good attendance from out-of-town guests, who have learned about the event from the visiting wineries’ social media sites and wine club newsletters.
Each winery will be bringing three of its wines to sample. Methow Valley Ciderhouse, which makes hard cider from Chewuch Valley-grown apples, will be offering samples of three apple cider varieties, “technically a kind of wine,” according to Morgan.
Lost River Winery — Winthrop’s one and only winery — will be pouring its Pinot Gris, Rosé and Cedarosa wines at the festival.
Bart and Sue Northcott of B-S Bar-B-Que will provide on-site catering.
Arrowleaf Bistro, Freestone Inn and Sun Mountain Lodge will be offering special food/wine pairings to highlight the participating wineries over the weekend.
Both the Wine Shed in Winthrop and Lost River Winery will be offering discounts on wines for the festival weekend.
For more information contact Lost River Winery at 996-2888.
