Adjusting

THE VINE

Outdoor tables at Cairdeas Winery in Manson are spread out to maintain a safe distance between groups.

Provided photo

Safely pour wine and stay open

Provided photo Crayelle Cellars co-owner/winemaker Craig Mitrakul masks up in the winery’s downtown Wenatchee tasting room.

Editor’s note: The reporting on this story was done in July. Rules and regulations mentioned in the story are specific to that time. State guidelines may not be the same today. Visit your favorite winery’s website or call the tasting room for the latest information.

Wineries and tasting rooms were set for a booming summer before the coronavirus led to far more restrictive plans for social gatherings. Starting in March, the region’s growing number of wineries have been reined in by often-changing regulations that have kept them from fully opening. The regulations were put in place by Gov. Jay Inslee and the state public health department to limit the spread of COVID-19.

In response, owners and managers of North Central Washington wineries have come up with creative ways to sell and distribute their spirits and offer safe social gatherings that customers are craving more than ever. And those wine-loving customers have responded appreciatively.

Provided photos Jones of Washington has tasting rooms in the Pybus Public Market in Wenatchee and Quincy Public Market, seen here. In July, both were open for bottle and glass sales with separated seating.

Chilled wine slushies have been a hot sell this summer for Jones of Washington.

Winery picnics on the lawn, virtual wine and appetizer tastings, driveup service, home deliveries and free shipping are some of the ways wineries are trying to expand sales and keep their establishments afloat while safely offering customers their delicious elixirs of happiness during trying times.

Wineries and tasting rooms with outdoor seating have a clear advantage. As of July 30, tasting rooms in Chelan, Douglas, Grant and Okanogan counties could seat up to five customers to an outdoor table to 50 percent of its normal outdoor seating capacity with tables set at least six feet apart. No indoor or bar tastings could be offered. All staff and customers were required to wear masks except when seated at tables and drinking or eating.

“We’re trying to do whatever we can do in the safest way possible,” said Preston Sullivan, direct to consumer manager and wine tasting rooms manager for Jones of Washington. Jones has tasting rooms in Pybus Public Market in Wenatchee and Quincy Public Market, but as of July 30, Sullivan wasn’t sure if they would remain open.

“It’s been a huge blow for us to not do wine tastings. We have some great new wines and we want people to taste them,” he said. Curbside and home delivery wine sales are up, how ever, he said.

Allan Williams, marketing director for Jones, said the winery is fortunate that it also sells wine wholesale to distributors in 15 states. Those sales started off the year way above years past, he said.

“We had our best quarter ever, but then came March,” Williams said. People are buying more wine than ever, but he said competition is fierce on the wholesale side.

Most local wineries are dependent on customers coming to their tasting rooms. Indoor wine tasting has largely been ruled out much of this summer.

“Our wine club members have come to the rescue,” said Danielle Mitrakul, co-owner of Crayelle Cellars, along with husband Craig.

She said Crayelle’s new downtown Wenatchee location is great, but limited because there’s no room for outdoor seating.

The COVID-19 lockdown came right before the winery was scheduled to deliver its first shipments of wine to wine club members. Members came to the location for curbside pickup and many purchased more than their re quired allotment to stock up and help the winery.

“They’ve helped us weather the storm,” Mitrakul said.

Up Stemilt Hill at Malaga Springs Winery, co-owner and winemaker Allen Matthews said Chelan County’s move to Phase 1.5 of the state’s reopening plan has enabled him invite customers to the winery for outdoor picnics and music events. Outdoor music events were shut down again in mid-July by changing state regulations in light of an increase in positive corona virus numbers, but Matthews was hopeful safe events will return before summer’s end.

“Our sales were down 66 percent during Phase 1. Now we’re doing 50 to 60 percent of normal,” he said in July. “Holy cow, we’re doing good compared to some businesses that have been savaged by this. I’m not complaining.”

Matthews said he’s been closely following health district rules for sanitary

Oly Mingo photo Under state orders, indoor service at bars and tasting rooms were restricted in late July. Wineries with outdoor seating areas, like Cairdeas Winery in Manson, were able to continue serving customers with outdoor service.

cleanup, mask wearing, capacity and safe distancing. Wine club sales, web sales and off-premise sales through local wine shops, restaurants and golf courses have helped keep sales mov ing. He also offers free delivery to local customers.

“We’re trying to cover all the bases, to be safe and sell a little wine,” he said.

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Cave B’s grape-covered piazza is perfectly suited for socially distanced tasting.

The grapecovered piazza at Cave B offers shade even on the sunniest of days.

Provided photos

Charlie Lybecker, co-owner and winemaker for Cairdeas Winery in Manson, said much the same.

“We’re trying to be safe and play by the rules. We want to stay open,” he said. Business has been good with increases in web and phone sales. All business at the winery is done outside, with tasting and glass and bottle sales at tables spread out to maintain a safe distance.

Lybecker has also created ways to get people to order wine. He put together six-packs of mixed Cairdeas varieties. He has also boosted web sales with virtual tastings on Zoom and free UPS ground shipping of six bottles of more of any of its wines.

“The online stuff we’ve done has really helped. Sales are way up,” he said. “We’re happy to be doing as good as we are.”

Several other Lake Chelan-area wineries including Karma, Tsillan Cel-

lars, Benson Vineyards and Fielding Hills have been able to take advantage of the summer tourist season to some degree with outdoor seating and picnic areas.

Leavenworth wineries lucky enough to have larger tasting rooms and outdoor seating — including Ryan Patrick and Milbrandt Vineyards downtown, and Icicle Ridge Winery and Silvara Vineyards a few miles to the east — have been able to safely serve small tasting groups from the abundant flow of tourists.

Cave B Estate Vineyards in Quincy also offers only outdoor tastings and only by reservation, said Carrie Arredondo, Cave B events and marketing director. Customers are encouraged to bring a picnic and enjoy their drinks on the lawns overlooking the Cave B vineyards and the Columbia Gorge.

Arredondo said the winery was gearing up this year for an extensive slate of music and entertainment on its outdoor stage.

Those plans have pretty much dis solved. But customers have enjoyed the outdoor tastings and picnics and been very supportive of whatever can

Cave B offers outdoor tastings by reservation.

Provided photo

be done to enjoy their wine, she said. “There’s a lot of hard things and a lot of beautiful things that will come out of this,” she said. “It shows what people can do when they believe in each other.” F

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Siren Song 2016 Reserve La Contessa Francesca Estate, $42

Overlooking scenic Lake Chelan, Siren Song Winery is a perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine on a warm late-summer afternoon. If you are a red wine lover, make sure to try this Syrah. The grapes for this wine are grown at the property and exhibit black plum and incense on the assertive nose. The fabric of dark fruits, florals and licorice are woven into silky smoothness. There is a pleasant, slight bite of dark chocolate on the finish. Make sure you take a bottle home and enjoy it with grilled lamb chops sprinkled with fresh rosemary

Jones of Washington 2017 Pinot Gris, $14

The Ancient Lakes AVA near Quincy is known for stunning white wines with razor-focused fruit and minerality. Jones of Washington saw the quality of the fruit in this area early on and has been producing high-quality wines at a fair price for more than a decade. Melon, pear and a note of limoncello greet your senses before your mouth even reaches the glass. These flavors are echoed on the palate and enhanced by the mineral notes left from the Missoula flood toward the finish. It’s a fresh and lively sipper that is perfect while you enjoy the last of the summer cricket song.

Eagle Creek 2018 Muscat Canelli, $32

Muscat Canelli is grown all over the world and is known by different names, including Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains in France and Moscato di Canelli in Italy where it is used for Asti Spumante and Moscato d’Asti. It is also grown all over the U.S. West Coast. In fact, there are 200 varieties of the Muscat grape. Eagle Creek and winemaker Paul Sharpe are following a long line of vintners bringing this wine to the delighted. The Eagle Creek Muscat is off dry with pretty Meyer lemon, honey and sweet and spicy florals. The finish is nicely crisp and balanced. It would be lovely at a reception with wedding cake, or with a fruit-andcheese platter while picnicking.

Barb Robertson

City: Wenatchee Credentials: Earned advanced certification through London-based Wine and Spirit Education Trust; currently working toward higher-level diploma through WSET. Earned degree in marketing from Central Washington University. Owned The Wine Bin retail shop in Wenatchee for five years, as well as the Mission Street Bistro Wine Bar for 14 years. Has worked in the Northwest wine industry for more than 15 years, including sales, production and marketing. Was a judge for the 2011-18 North Central Washington Wine Awards competition, the 2017 and 2018 Cascadia Wine Competition and the Washington State Fair 2015-16.