Wineries of Bainbridge Island form alliance, plan tours

With the inaugural releases from the two newest wineries on Bainbridge Island bringing the total number of wineries on the island to six, Kitsap area residents can now enjoy a great day of wine tasting at wineries in their own back yard.
“We felt that we had finally achieved the critical mass necessary to make a fun day out for people looking to taste some great wines, so we decided to get organized,” said alliance President Matt Albee. The wineries, which are generally not open otherwise, will all be open for tasting one weekend each month, exclusive of harvest season (September – October), starting with the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend, May 23-25. Tasting hours are noon to 5 p.m.

Participating wineries include: Eagle Harbor Wine Company, Eleven, Perennial Vintners, Rolling Bay Winery and Victor Alexander. These small, artisanal wineries are all one- or two-person operations, so unlike wine touring in more developed areas, visitors to wineries on Bainbridge Island will be served by the winemaker personally and have the chance to learn about the wines from the person who made them. Four of the five participating wineries make wine from grapes grown in Eastern Washington, and Perennial Vintners makes wine from estate-grown grapes.
Directions and additional information will be available on the Winery Alliance Web site at www.BainbridgeWineries.com, currently under development.

Visitors are also encouraged to visit island wine pioneers and renowned curmudgeons Gerard and JoAnn Bentryn of Bainbridge Island Vineyards and Winery, who have elected not to participate in the alliance.

Winery Alliance members are:

Eagle Harbor Wine Company
Winemaker/owner: Hugh Remash, (206) 227-4310. 2009 releases: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Raptor (red blend), Goldfinch (white blend)

Eleven
Winemaker/owner: Matt Albee,
(206) 780-0905. Web site, www.ElevenWinery.com, 2009 releases: Syrah, Malbec, Petit Verdot, La Ronde (red blend), Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, La Primavera (rosé), Pinot Gris Port, Sweet Syrah port-style dessert wine.

Perennial Vintners
Winemaker/owners: Mike Lempriere, Beth Schoenberg, (206) 200-5902. Web site, www.PerennialVintners.com. 2009 releases: Muller-Thurgau, Madeleine Angevine, Ichigo (strawberry dessert wine), Frambelle (raspberry dessert wine), Melon de Bourgogne

Rolling Bay Winery
Winemaker/owner: Alphonse deKlerk, (206) 419-3355. 2009 releases: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris

Victor Alexander
Winemaker/owner: Charlie Merrill, (206) 234-8845. 2009 releases: Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Merlot, Pinot Gris.