Kim Hendrickson Forging Forward To Bigger and Better On Momentum of Success
Kim Hendrickson Uncorks Bainbridge Island Wines
Terrific local wines and tasty morsels of local food highlighted the first “Bainbridge Uncorked” festival this past Saturday evening. A large tent next to Doc’s Marina Grill restaurant on the water front showcased the event which featured new releases from local Bainbridge Island wineries.
Delectable munchies from Sweets and Savories
The evening was a roaring success with a sel1-out crowd of 175 participants and organizer Kim Hendrickson said she had to turn another 75 people away.
“It’s all about community – the coming together of the people in the community to celebrate and enjoy the food and beverages that’s produced by the people in their community,” says Hendrickson.
Kim, who now lives on Bainbridge Island, hailed originally from Washington D. C. where she was a teacher. Because she feels so strongly about the support of local food and beverage producers, she answered the call when a friend requested help in putting on this event. A Bainbridge Wine Weekend is planned for October 1 -3. More information and tickets can be found at: www.islandwineweekend.com
Eight Bainbridge Island based wineries provided 15 sumptuous wines for tasting and a delectable assortment of goodies were on hand for generous sampling. All of the tasted wines are available and Town and Country Market and Harbor Square Wine Shop most have web sites where more information can be found about individual wineries.
One of the hits of the evening was the 2009 Frambelle, a raspberry dessert wine made by Mike Lempriere of Perennial Vintners, one of two local wineries who grow their own grapes…or in this case, local raspberries from neighboring Suyematsu Farms. The wine was infused with a crisp, delicate raspberry flavor and paired with chocolate from festival vendor Bon Bon Confections, it makes the perfect dessert.
KCAA Member Mike Lempriere of Perennial Vintners
Across the tent was the other winery that grows their own grapes – Bainbridge Island Vineyards and Winery. Russ Berg and Steve Zawoysky were offering tastes of the winery’s well-known 2007 Muller-Thurgau and a 2007 Rose that was one of the best I’ve tasted. Sparkling and refreshing, it was light and not too sweet.
Russ Berg (l) and Steve Zawoysky (r) of Bainbridge Island Vineyards and Winery exhibit a bottle of one of their fabulous fruit wines
Sharing a table was a couple of other vintners with excellent wines. Dave Prigmore, a former sommelier and wine buyer for many years at the Metropolitan Grill in Seattle, was also an apprentice under famous wine makers Jerry Bookwalter and Mike Januik. He brought his Liberty Bay Cellars winery 2006 Stillwater Creek Cabernet, full-bodied, complex Cab, one of the best at the festival.
Dave Prigmore of Liberty Bay Cellars and Jill Jean of Victor Alexander Winery shared a table at the Bainbridge Uncorked new wine release tasting festival on April 24.
At the same table, Jill Jean and partner Charlie Merrill, of Victor Alexander Winery, were tasting a delightful 2007 Cabernet. They produce several nice wines and have a very accessible tasting room at 120 Madison Avenue on Bainbridge.
Rolling Bay Winery produced an interesting white wine called 2008 Fusion. A blend of 80 per cent Pinot Gris and 20 per cent Chardonnay, it was the brain child of wine maker Alphonse de Klerk of Rolling Bay Winery who started as a home wine maker, then brought his skills to start this winery. He also brought a nice red blend – Rolling Bay’s Manitou Red which is comprised of cabernet, syrah and merlot.
Alphonse de Klerk of Rolling Bay Winery exhibits a bottle of one of his new releases
Brian and Kathy Taylor (left) share a glass with their friends, Hugh and Cynthia Remash (right), owners of Eagle Harbor Wine Company
Nearby, Cynthia and Hugh Remash enjoyed a glass of their 2009 Goldfinch, a delicious blend of chardonnay and viognier with friends Kathy and Bryan Turner. The couple is in their sixth year of production for Eagle Harbor Wine Company; on hand too, was their fine red blend of 50/50 cabernet and syrah called Condor.
Another couple, Jim and Sharon Wilford, of Fletcher Bay Winery, got into wine making somewhat by accident. They’ve just released their first vintages in February of this year. A 2009 Pinot Grigio and a red blend 2008 Valvano were their selections for the festival.
“I was commuting on the ferry one time and had nothing to read so started reading the ferry literature about all the wineries on the Olympic Peninsula so, since I’ve always liked wine, I started thinking about the possibilities,” said Jim with a grin.
Perhaps the “greenest” Bainbridge winery is the Eleven Winery, owned by Matt and Sarah Albee. Makers of red, white and dessert wines, their tasting room is an easy walk from the ferry at 287 Winslow Way.
Matt and Sarah Albee pour some of their Eleven Cellars Malbec red.
Many things make this winery unique – it’s the first carbon-neutral winery in the state; their natural corks are saved and recycled; their capsules are pure recyclable tin; and their labels and bottles are 100 per cent recycled.
“We donate all our profits to charity because companies that are a force for good instead of for profit will make the world a better place,” reads the Eleven Winery brochure.
But what festival would be complete without some taste treats to tickle the palate?
Chef Jon Williams and assistant John Morrow were on hand from Doc’s Marine Grill next door with a feathery crab puffed pastry and delectable seafood bisque; Seasons of Thyme had an assortment of fantastic finger food and Sweetlife Farm brought some of their delicious jellies. One of the tastiest items, a duck pate topped by black lava salt, was made by the soon-to-open Hitchcock Restaurant. If this dish was any indication, this will be a restaurant to top the must-explore list.
John Morrow (l) and chef Jon Williams (r) with one of their tasty crab puff pastries from Doc's Marina Grill
By all accounts, enthusiastic festival attendees enjoyed the evening immensely, which also included live music. And the October festival should produce more of the same fine wines and interesting food that Bainbridge Island has to offer.
This was a great event. Great food, great wine, and great conversations. I look forward to participating in more events like this.
By the way, the dry Rose pictured with Russ and I is made from 100% Pinot Noir.