10 minute read
Tribute
Mike and Judi Scott share a toast on one of the patios at MartinScott Winery.
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Tribute to a great partnership
Judi Scott loved a good rosé. A fresh, fragrant blush wine with just a hint of sweetness was one of her favorite wines to drink and to make.
Judi was the chemist and co-winemaker with husband Mike for Martin Scott Winery, the East Wenatchee winery they started in 2000. Martin is Judi’s maiden name, hence the winery was named for their partnership in business and in marriage.
Above: One of Judi Scott’s favorite pasttimes was growing flower gardens around her home and the winery grounds.
Right: Martin-Scott Winery 2019 Tribute Rosé of Sangiovese, dedicated to life and memory of Judi Scott.
Mike Scott and Judi Martin met while camping in Northern California and began a two-year, long-distance courtship before marrying in 1968. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2018.
Judi died unexpectedly Jan. 16, 2019, following a surgical operation.
Martin Scott Winery will release its 2019 Tribute Rosé of Sangiovese this summer in her honor. All proceeds from sale of the 325-case bottling will go to the Confluence Health Foundation. Judi worked for Central Washington Hospital and Confluence Health as a bacteriologist and later as hospital laboratory manager.
“Judi worked for the hospital for more than 30 years, my mother worked for Deaconess Hospital, and Becky, our son Tim’s wife, works for Confluence now, so we’re very connected to the hospital,” Mike said.
“I want to support what they do, but for me, this is a way of celebrating my wife,” he added.
The Sangiovese grapes for the wine were harvested last fall from French 44 Foothills July / August 2020
man Hills Vineyard near Othello. Mike had the grapes picked slightly earlier than usual to create a wine with brighter acidity and intense fragrance.
This past winter, he traveled to California’s Central Coast to visit wineries in the Paso Robles area. He researched and tasted blush wine interpretations at more than a dozen area wineries.
“I wanted to see if I was on the right track. My wine was already made and aging, but it helped me cement my ideas about a label and the finished color of the wine,” Scott said.
He redesigned the Martin Scott label for the new wine over a background of dahlia blooms. Judi was known for her flower gardens around the home and tasting room. Dahlias were her favorite flower. In the right bottom corner of the label is a circle with the letter “J” and the words “For Her” and “Judi.”
Mike adjusted the final color of the pale pink wine with the addition of about 2 percent Cabernet Sauvignon at blending to mimic the color of the dahlias on the label. The wine was bottled in a taller, more tapered bottle than previous vintages of Martin Scott Rosé.
Plans to kick off sales of the new wine with a dinner and case sale for Confluence Health patrons around Memorial Day were squashed due to the state mandate that left tasting rooms closed for regular business.
Mike said to check the winery’s website and social media channels to find out when the Tribute wine will go on sale.
Martin Scott produces 19 different wines.
White wines are sourced from es-
tate vineyards around the winery. Reds are sourced from estate vineyards as well as Jones Vineyards in Mattawa and Red Mountain areas.
A renowned apple and cherry horticulturist, Mike became one of the region’s wine grape pioneers when he oversaw conversion of hundreds of acres in former potato and onion farms near Mattawa for Jones Produce Inc. in the mid-1990s. The new vineyards produced grapes for Ste. Michelle Estates and later Jones of Washington and other wineries.
Mike and Judi married in 1968 and attended Washington State University together. Mike earned his degree in horticulture and ag economics, Judi graduated in bacteriology. When they decided to start a winery in 1999, they took winemaking courses together at University of California at Davis.
Mike and Judi began growing grapes and making wine in 2000. Their wines have been perennial award winners.
Mike planted well-known grape varieties in their estate vineyards: Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc and others. He also later planted varietals that few others were growing: Mourvèdre, Counoise, Barbera, Grenache, Cinsault, Montepulciano and Graciano among them.
Judi loved white wines. Mike loves the reds.
“We worked well together. I was out digging ditches. She did all the lab work,” he said.
Mike and Judi had many lengthy discussions before agreeing to open a tasting room in their house nearly 20 years ago.
“We had a 5,000-square-foot house and were only using half of it,” he said. They built the tasting room in the basement with a private entrance and patio overlooking the Columbia River. The arrangement wouldn’t be possible under current zoning rules, but was grandfathered in with changes to sepa rate private and public space, he said.
The couple’s two sons, Tim and Chris, and later their wives, Becky and Paula, and their children, have all participated in growing the boutique winery endeavor. They called the effort their legacy winery.
Mike said the Tribute wine is a celebration of a harmonious working relationship and 50-year marriage with Judi.
“It was a great partnership,” he said. F
Dahlias were Judi’s favorite flower. They are represented on the 2019 Tribute Rosé of Sangiovese that Martin-Scott Winery will sell in her honor, with sale proceeds benefiting the Confluence Health Foundation.
Crayelle Cellars 2018 Monastrell, $35
I had been eager to try Craig Mitrakul’s first vintage of Monastrell since he released it. He’s done such a great job with other Spanish varietals, including Tempranillo and fan favorite Albariño. The grapes are grown at the Stone Tree Vineyard on the warm Wahluke Slope near Mattawa. Monastrell, also known as Mourvèdre in France, can be a big wine, full of tannins. It was tightly woven the first evening I tried it, but on the second day it really came into its own. Sun-warmed blackberries, thyme and shadowed dark florals effortlessly lifted out of the glass and were joined by warm spices and licorice in the mouth. The texture has a smooth, juicy quality due to the body being more medium weight rather than heavy. The flavors linger and are joined with black tea on the finish. Although thoroughly drinkable when first opened, I would recommend aerating the Monastrell or decanting it a few hours before enjoying it. Your patience will be rewarded! We thought our rib dinner was a great pairing. ¡Salud!
Ancient Lakes 2018 Alki Cabernet Sauvignon, $19.99
Many of you are probably familiar with the local Milbrandt wines. They’ve been delivering solid valueoriented wines for two decades out of their Mattawa winery. But what you may not know is that several years ago, they built the Ancient Lakes facility in George, near I-90 and Cave B winery. It’s a custom crush facility right in the heart of the Ancient Lakes AVA. They also produce their own wines and the Alki brand is one of them. Alki’s meaning is “hope for the future,” and it is the Washington state motto. Washington is becoming well known for its elegant and flavorful Cabernets and I’m happy to report that the Ancient Lakes team produced an excellent, classic cabernet that won’t break the bank. Black currant, cherry and pencil shavings are released with the first swirl of the glass. The mouthfeel is full, with a sweet lushness of fruit enhanced by integrated tannins that coat the mouth. Cigar box, rose and dark chocolate give the wine complexity and remain on the satisfying finish long after the wine is gone. Lamb shanks or elk will stand up nicely to the Alki Cabernet.
Succession 2019 Viognier, $28
First, I need to tell you about how they named the winery because it’s inspirational and fitting for the times that we live in. Brock and Erica Lindsay had dabbled in wine as hobbyists when they lost their home in the Carlton Complex Fire in 2014. The devastation brought them to reevaluate how they wanted to live. Of course, this included wine, but it was also about spending more time together as a family and being mindful of moments. They chose their name as a testament to humble beginnings and as a reminder that amazing things can happen when you treat adversity as an opportunity and continue to move forward in a positive way. The Succession Viognier is a burst of luxuriant stone fruits and florals. It’s not shy and, in fact, demands attention. Peach, tangerine and honeysuckle are woven together, creating a silky consistency. Something simple, such as a margherita pizza with fresh basil would be best with this viognier, because it wants to be center stage. Succession wines often sell out, so don’t delay on making your purchase.
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 July / August 2020
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.
The Scott family has been making rosé for many years, but they truly outdid themselves with this lovely offering. It’s a fitting tribute to Judi Scott, who passed away last year. Judi was the co-founder, the heart and the brains behind Martin-Scott Winery. The rebranded packaging features pretty dahlia flowers that play with the color of the wine. It sets the tone for what’s inside. I’m not sure why, but when I put my nose in the glass, I thought of Southern belles holding umbrellas to shield them from the sun as they walked through orchards and gardens. The aromas and flavors are dominated with nectarine, apricot florals, raspberry and honey. The palate is off dry and fruity, but finishes clean with a pleasant crispness. A soft cheese and fruit plate make a nice pairing. I could also see this rosé paired up with grilled shrimp and scallops because of the slight sweetness and texture of the shellfish would mingle well with the fruity wine. I hear bottling the Tribute was a family event including the grandkids participating where they could, and that makes this bottle even more special.
— Barb Robertson
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