Vintners Annex is a new tasting room that has opened in Ballard, it is a combination of 5 wineries:
Alta Cellars | Barrage Cellars | Cuillin Hills Winery | Des Voigne Cellars | Flying Dreams Winery .
Cuillin Hills has a warm place in my heart and is right up there in my list of incredible washington wines.
Their Claret was a feature at my thanksgiving last year and their Dungeon Syrah is one of my favorite Syrahs on the planet. During my tasting last monday I was introduced to the white wine they have created, Eve and Ole -I think I'm remembering the name right, and I think I'm remembering that it was a blend of Viognier and Roussane - in any case it was delicious, light, buttery, fantastic.
Des Voigne is another fantastic winery in this space, my favorites are the Duke ( tones of berries, pomegranate, black tea and toffee) a blend of 41% Zinfandel, 21% Cabernet Franc, 21% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petite Verdot and the Untitled... another red blend which is new and delicious, I can only tell you I thought it tasted of lots of berries and vanilla and was quite smooth.
from Alta I tried and loved the Escape red blend (what can I say I like my red blends) This one a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon; 43% Merlot; and 6%Petit Verdot. So yummy and sexy, the lable reflects its sexiness believe me. Its smooth and medium bodied. I loved it so much I bought a bottle and took it to my my friends that night and we joyously split the bottle between us.
I have to confess our visit here (again my trusty friend Heather once again joined me on the jaunt) was a spontanious trip and I didnt have my journal to take notes....
I know we tasted several more wines and I was generally impressed with all of them. (I will go back and take more notes I swear)
You should go and check them out though... they have a few stools to sit on and are working on having some munchies. you can get a 2oz "taste" for only $1 and a they have a variety of taste flights ranging in price up to $10.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Culture and Theatre
When I was a young girl, (about 5th grade I think) we had a heritage day, we were supposed to dress up as whatever our family back ground was. I went to my father and asked the question, what are we? what do I go as? He told me to go as the International states building. My grandfather has told me at various times that we are related to Irish kings and Egyptian pharaohs (what girl doesn't want to be a princess?). Who knows, maybe its true. I do know on my mothers side I'm related to William "Buffalo bill" Cody. Mostly its European mutt, English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Russian, German etc, but I suspect somewhere there's some middle eastern as well. So really I'm just a bit of a gypsy. I've claimed that as my own, the Celtic gypsy. But I have a large amount of envy for people who have their strong heritage and know their culture. Where am I going with all of this?
Recently a friend of mine had a play reading, he's starting a new company Ese Teatro, for Dia De Los Muertos they did a lovely reading of a play Volver, Volver, Volver. It was held and the Rainier Cultural Center. I'm excited for this new company, even though I am not Latin and have no Spanish whatsoever. Ok thats not entirely true. I did take two years in High School and recognize the odd word and phrase, but despite my fabulous youthful appearance high school was quite some time ago.... coming up on a 15 year reunion here and if thats not frightening I'm just not sure what is. But I digress. Donde es el banya? and Quanto questo? are about what I remember and yes I am ashamed to admit it. I wish I were multi-lingual. ... I digress again. It's late.
Culture and Theatre. It is through storytelling that theatre began, various cultures telling their stories. You can go all over the world and what strikes me is not our differences but our similarities. The use of music and dance, the roles of men and women. The play, had the character of the Bruja (witch essentially) and the 3 generations of women. The same can be found in celtic/druid/pagan faiths... mother, maiden, crone, women in touch with nature and the spiritual beyond. very fitting for Dia De Los Muertos. The idea that we can communicate beyond our present plane. I like this idea. I like the idea too that theatre is a window into culture, and we can learn not only about our own (whatever that is) but others as well.
I hope Ese Teatro does well, and if they ever need a curvacious white girl... they know were to find me :-)
Recently a friend of mine had a play reading, he's starting a new company Ese Teatro, for Dia De Los Muertos they did a lovely reading of a play Volver, Volver, Volver. It was held and the Rainier Cultural Center. I'm excited for this new company, even though I am not Latin and have no Spanish whatsoever. Ok thats not entirely true. I did take two years in High School and recognize the odd word and phrase, but despite my fabulous youthful appearance high school was quite some time ago.... coming up on a 15 year reunion here and if thats not frightening I'm just not sure what is. But I digress. Donde es el banya? and Quanto questo? are about what I remember and yes I am ashamed to admit it. I wish I were multi-lingual. ... I digress again. It's late.
Culture and Theatre. It is through storytelling that theatre began, various cultures telling their stories. You can go all over the world and what strikes me is not our differences but our similarities. The use of music and dance, the roles of men and women. The play, had the character of the Bruja (witch essentially) and the 3 generations of women. The same can be found in celtic/druid/pagan faiths... mother, maiden, crone, women in touch with nature and the spiritual beyond. very fitting for Dia De Los Muertos. The idea that we can communicate beyond our present plane. I like this idea. I like the idea too that theatre is a window into culture, and we can learn not only about our own (whatever that is) but others as well.
I hope Ese Teatro does well, and if they ever need a curvacious white girl... they know were to find me :-)
Monday, November 1, 2010
Macbeth and Pickman's Model
Ah Fall time for spooky scary things. Seattle Theatre has embraced this whole heartily and I had the good fortune to see two very fun productions this last week.
Greenstage's Macbeth:
Ken Holmes directed the Scottish Play gone Steam punk, in Greenstage's "Hard Bard" production.
What worked: Ryan Spikard was a very strong and clear and connected Macbeth. The witches were delightful ( and I will concede that the casting was good on this... I originally auditioned for one of the witches). Sam Hagen was very strong as Banquo and the Doctor and did some really specific, connected lovely work. Tom Dewy and Patrick Bentley provided many chuckles and were very specific as always (I'm always impressed by both these men). Helen Parsons was adorable in all her incarnations of little boys, though I would have liked a bit stronger variance in physicality and character. Erin Day was a strong MacDuff right up until the sword fighting where she faltered. Costumes by Janessa Styk were stunning. The amount of Gore was just right, not over the top like last years Titus, but still enough to make you squirm and make one audience member run away as she got splashed for the second time. The fight choreography in general was well choreographed and executed, again Ryan gets extra gold stars for throwing himself down stairs and over tables face first into a pie.
What sort of worked: The barber shop trio, I liked the concept, Matthew Gilbert had a nice strong clear voice, the others struggled to match his clarity of pitch and strength. If you are going to do it, do it with good strong voices that can sing on pitch. The song choices were clever. Aaron Allshouse I know stepped in rather late in the game to replace an injured Paul Ray in the role of Duncan/Siward and maybe it was the teddy bear but his Duncan didn't quite work for me, I thoroughly enjoyed the Siward with the walker though.
What could have worked better: (this is the section where I cringe a little because I don't want to hurt feelings) Amelia Meckler (who I love and consider a good friend) fell a little flat as Lady M, I know she's been fighting an illness for a while, and I'm sure that contributed, but I just wanted her to go further and make stronger choices. She felt weak next to Ryans Macbeth, when she should be the driving force behind him. I wanted her to bring more of that sexiness which I know she has, and more of the forcefulness which I also know she has. Last year Amelia stole the show as the bloody wench (in my opinion). I wished my dear friend Julia Griffin had brought a bit more spunk to her maid role (this year's bloody wench) because again, I know she has it. My two powerful friends needed to show it a bit more in this show, and that is said full of love and admiration for both of them.
In general I enjoyed the show very much. I love Greenstage and everyone involved and consider them family so go see their shows, they are good and bring Shakespeare to the masses for FREE! So go, donate and enjoy.
Open Circle's Pickman's Model:
Directed by John McKenna
OK it's not Shakespeare, it's not mind blowing life altering theatre, really its just a good bit of fun: creepy good fluff. I enjoyed myself thoroughly. This might have been in part to the rowdy group of people behind me. It reminded me of going to camp and having scary stories told about the fire. Simple in its devices, but well executed. They incorporate masks, there is a scene done pretty much entirely in pitch dark with occasional flashes from a camera, creepy high pitched noises and a variety of other fun devices.
Don MacEllis and Simon Astor were delightfully creepy. Kenna Kettrick is sweet and lovely and
Marianna De Fazio, Jennifer Pratt, Colin Shreiber ,Liz Cortez and Casandra Moselle all do a fine job in executing this spooky tale based on the writings of H.P. Lovecraft.
Greenstage's Macbeth:
Ken Holmes directed the Scottish Play gone Steam punk, in Greenstage's "Hard Bard" production.
What worked: Ryan Spikard was a very strong and clear and connected Macbeth. The witches were delightful ( and I will concede that the casting was good on this... I originally auditioned for one of the witches). Sam Hagen was very strong as Banquo and the Doctor and did some really specific, connected lovely work. Tom Dewy and Patrick Bentley provided many chuckles and were very specific as always (I'm always impressed by both these men). Helen Parsons was adorable in all her incarnations of little boys, though I would have liked a bit stronger variance in physicality and character. Erin Day was a strong MacDuff right up until the sword fighting where she faltered. Costumes by Janessa Styk were stunning. The amount of Gore was just right, not over the top like last years Titus, but still enough to make you squirm and make one audience member run away as she got splashed for the second time. The fight choreography in general was well choreographed and executed, again Ryan gets extra gold stars for throwing himself down stairs and over tables face first into a pie.
What sort of worked: The barber shop trio, I liked the concept, Matthew Gilbert had a nice strong clear voice, the others struggled to match his clarity of pitch and strength. If you are going to do it, do it with good strong voices that can sing on pitch. The song choices were clever. Aaron Allshouse I know stepped in rather late in the game to replace an injured Paul Ray in the role of Duncan/Siward and maybe it was the teddy bear but his Duncan didn't quite work for me, I thoroughly enjoyed the Siward with the walker though.
What could have worked better: (this is the section where I cringe a little because I don't want to hurt feelings) Amelia Meckler (who I love and consider a good friend) fell a little flat as Lady M, I know she's been fighting an illness for a while, and I'm sure that contributed, but I just wanted her to go further and make stronger choices. She felt weak next to Ryans Macbeth, when she should be the driving force behind him. I wanted her to bring more of that sexiness which I know she has, and more of the forcefulness which I also know she has. Last year Amelia stole the show as the bloody wench (in my opinion). I wished my dear friend Julia Griffin had brought a bit more spunk to her maid role (this year's bloody wench) because again, I know she has it. My two powerful friends needed to show it a bit more in this show, and that is said full of love and admiration for both of them.
In general I enjoyed the show very much. I love Greenstage and everyone involved and consider them family so go see their shows, they are good and bring Shakespeare to the masses for FREE! So go, donate and enjoy.
Open Circle's Pickman's Model:
Directed by John McKenna
OK it's not Shakespeare, it's not mind blowing life altering theatre, really its just a good bit of fun: creepy good fluff. I enjoyed myself thoroughly. This might have been in part to the rowdy group of people behind me. It reminded me of going to camp and having scary stories told about the fire. Simple in its devices, but well executed. They incorporate masks, there is a scene done pretty much entirely in pitch dark with occasional flashes from a camera, creepy high pitched noises and a variety of other fun devices.
Don MacEllis and Simon Astor were delightfully creepy. Kenna Kettrick is sweet and lovely and
Marianna De Fazio, Jennifer Pratt, Colin Shreiber ,Liz Cortez and Casandra Moselle all do a fine job in executing this spooky tale based on the writings of H.P. Lovecraft.
Theatre Reviews... a preface and explaination.
Here's my conundrum folks... I have opinions, I will try to voice them gently. I love theatre, I'm in theatre (at least in theory ... somehow the community hasn't quite figured out to do with me yet...and that's a growing source of frustration and a topic I won't overwhelm you with).
I have friends in pretty much every show I see. I will talk about shows here and I want to be honest and I don't want to hurt feelings. So to those friends I say take it with a grain of salt, if I criticise its only that I know you can do better. One of the things I learned from my teacher Bonnie Cohen at Cornish was that through all her critical scolding of me she was shaping me into something stronger and brilliant. I cried a lot, then I grew. I love theatre, I want it to thrive, I want it to grow, and lets be honest its struggling for life. ( I have opinions on that too but that's a topic for another time)
I also learned at Cornish that by the critical analysis of the things I see we are able as artists to hopefully take steps to improve. It took me a long time to figure this out, I liked to go by the thumper rule of thumb and not say anything if I didn't have anything nice to say. I've come to realize this doesn't serve anyone. How can we improve if we don't know what we are doing wrong? This said opinions are opinions and I may hate something that other people love and visa versa.
"ya gotta take it with a grain of salt"
I have friends in pretty much every show I see. I will talk about shows here and I want to be honest and I don't want to hurt feelings. So to those friends I say take it with a grain of salt, if I criticise its only that I know you can do better. One of the things I learned from my teacher Bonnie Cohen at Cornish was that through all her critical scolding of me she was shaping me into something stronger and brilliant. I cried a lot, then I grew. I love theatre, I want it to thrive, I want it to grow, and lets be honest its struggling for life. ( I have opinions on that too but that's a topic for another time)
I also learned at Cornish that by the critical analysis of the things I see we are able as artists to hopefully take steps to improve. It took me a long time to figure this out, I liked to go by the thumper rule of thumb and not say anything if I didn't have anything nice to say. I've come to realize this doesn't serve anyone. How can we improve if we don't know what we are doing wrong? This said opinions are opinions and I may hate something that other people love and visa versa.
"ya gotta take it with a grain of salt"
Wine Reviews
Ladies and gentlemen, last week was a good week in celebrating all things Dionysus style!
Monday the 25th started with going to an Industry wine tasting hosted by Small Lot Co-op Wine distributors at re:public bar and restaurant on Westlake. I tasted over 50 wines I kid you not over the space of 4 hours. One of the many things I love about Small Lots is they focus on Washington only. I am all about supporting Local, especially since we have so many brilliant local Washington wines. Now I would like to say I was responsible and spit... oh no... I caved to peer pressure. No one was spitting! but one scary old guy and everyone was giving him dirty looks. I took a friend with me and we paced ourselves, tasting some wine, eating some food prepared by re:public . The food was delicious and some of it was quite exotic (pates, foie grois, and oxtail oh my) and I definitely want to go back for dinner some time. It was lovely morning.
Wines of note:
Mark Ryan Winery ok I love every wine Mark Ryan McNeilly makes; red, white, doesn't matter they are all delightful! He's my wine maker crush and I appropriately act like a giddy school girl every time I get to drink his luscious wine.... ok I know you want some names, if I have to pick favorites... His Chardonnay is my favorite Chardonnay ever.... its amazing... serious. For Reds its tough I think I have to go with the Water Witch, this is a red blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon and 43% Merlot. It's Yummy! His wines are a bit of a splurge and tend to run on the more expensive side but let me tell you they are SO worth it! If you ever want to get me a present... just saying.
Now I'm going to tell you about something I'm very excited about its the Seattle 100 project. Terra Blanca Winery , Small Lot Co Op, Theo Chocolate and Chase Jarvis a local Seattle artist have come together and released a fantastic book and collection of wines to support 4Culture, a local company that supports art and culture in Seattle. I recommend you run out and buy this beautiful book and these fantastic wines! They are affordable and beautiful. The Red blend if medium bodied and tastes of blackberry currant and musk. The Chardonnay is very crisp with apple and pear and a hint of oak.
I will stop rambling and just give you a list of my absolute favorites already alphabetically not by preference:
Des Voigne Cellars : The Duke and Untitled (both red blends, both awesome)
Eleven Winery: Pinot Gris Port (it's a white port, very complex and yummy)
Gorman Winery: (I pretty much loved everything this winery had out for tasting) The Evil Twin (another red blend but yummy), The Cry Baby Late Harvest Chenin Blanc (another dessert wine, its full of pear and honey)
Heaven's Cave: Icicles Ice (dessert wine, not sticky sweet but lovely. The guy behind the counter joked " apply topically, remove orally"... yes please.
Lodmell Cellars: Sublime Red blend (lots of fruit and pepper), and Saignee (it's a rose made from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, it has a sweet start and a peppery finish very very versatile and tasty), I also quite liked there Sauvignon Blanc.
Plumb Cellars: Damn Straight Blend. (yum! Cinnamon, black currant and blackberry and a touch of cedar)
Sapolil Cellars: Gandy Dancer (red blend of Syrah, Sangiovese and Malbec ... 3 of my favorites)
Smasne Cellars: Konner Ray Red Wine (another red blend, yes I love them... this one of Petit Verdot, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere. Very smooth with tones of raspberry and chocolate) I also quite like their Cabernet Sauvignon and their Rosella Rose (this is full of cherry, raspberry and strawberry flavors, its a blend of Sangiovese and Black Muscat)
Upland Estates: Gewurztraminer (yum! honey and pear and very light), Sauvignon Blanc (complex and lovely, lemon grass and fig)
Wawawai Canyon Winery: Walla Walla Valley Carmenere Rose (this was crisp and dry with a hint of strawberry and oak), Wahluke Slope Syrah-Barbera Blend (blackberry and vanilla, big and jammy)
Willis Hall Winery: (ok I'm going to gush again, next to Mark Ryan this is my second favorite winery. John Bell has been labeled the "best new winemaker in Washington" for a reason. His wines are good and you should try them all)
Now that I've inundated you with Wine recommendations you may ask yourself, where do I get these awesome wines? Well the place where I work will shortly be carrying many of them. Kitchen N' Things in Ballard. So come visit.
Monday the 25th started with going to an Industry wine tasting hosted by Small Lot Co-op Wine distributors at re:public bar and restaurant on Westlake. I tasted over 50 wines I kid you not over the space of 4 hours. One of the many things I love about Small Lots is they focus on Washington only. I am all about supporting Local, especially since we have so many brilliant local Washington wines. Now I would like to say I was responsible and spit... oh no... I caved to peer pressure. No one was spitting! but one scary old guy and everyone was giving him dirty looks. I took a friend with me and we paced ourselves, tasting some wine, eating some food prepared by re:public . The food was delicious and some of it was quite exotic (pates, foie grois, and oxtail oh my) and I definitely want to go back for dinner some time. It was lovely morning.
Wines of note:
Mark Ryan Winery ok I love every wine Mark Ryan McNeilly makes; red, white, doesn't matter they are all delightful! He's my wine maker crush and I appropriately act like a giddy school girl every time I get to drink his luscious wine.... ok I know you want some names, if I have to pick favorites... His Chardonnay is my favorite Chardonnay ever.... its amazing... serious. For Reds its tough I think I have to go with the Water Witch, this is a red blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon and 43% Merlot. It's Yummy! His wines are a bit of a splurge and tend to run on the more expensive side but let me tell you they are SO worth it! If you ever want to get me a present... just saying.
Now I'm going to tell you about something I'm very excited about its the Seattle 100 project. Terra Blanca Winery , Small Lot Co Op, Theo Chocolate and Chase Jarvis a local Seattle artist have come together and released a fantastic book and collection of wines to support 4Culture, a local company that supports art and culture in Seattle. I recommend you run out and buy this beautiful book and these fantastic wines! They are affordable and beautiful. The Red blend if medium bodied and tastes of blackberry currant and musk. The Chardonnay is very crisp with apple and pear and a hint of oak.
I will stop rambling and just give you a list of my absolute favorites already alphabetically not by preference:
Des Voigne Cellars : The Duke and Untitled (both red blends, both awesome)
Eleven Winery: Pinot Gris Port (it's a white port, very complex and yummy)
Gorman Winery: (I pretty much loved everything this winery had out for tasting) The Evil Twin (another red blend but yummy), The Cry Baby Late Harvest Chenin Blanc (another dessert wine, its full of pear and honey)
Heaven's Cave: Icicles Ice (dessert wine, not sticky sweet but lovely. The guy behind the counter joked " apply topically, remove orally"... yes please.
Lodmell Cellars: Sublime Red blend (lots of fruit and pepper), and Saignee (it's a rose made from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, it has a sweet start and a peppery finish very very versatile and tasty), I also quite liked there Sauvignon Blanc.
Plumb Cellars: Damn Straight Blend. (yum! Cinnamon, black currant and blackberry and a touch of cedar)
Sapolil Cellars: Gandy Dancer (red blend of Syrah, Sangiovese and Malbec ... 3 of my favorites)
Smasne Cellars: Konner Ray Red Wine (another red blend, yes I love them... this one of Petit Verdot, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere. Very smooth with tones of raspberry and chocolate) I also quite like their Cabernet Sauvignon and their Rosella Rose (this is full of cherry, raspberry and strawberry flavors, its a blend of Sangiovese and Black Muscat)
Upland Estates: Gewurztraminer (yum! honey and pear and very light), Sauvignon Blanc (complex and lovely, lemon grass and fig)
Wawawai Canyon Winery: Walla Walla Valley Carmenere Rose (this was crisp and dry with a hint of strawberry and oak), Wahluke Slope Syrah-Barbera Blend (blackberry and vanilla, big and jammy)
Willis Hall Winery: (ok I'm going to gush again, next to Mark Ryan this is my second favorite winery. John Bell has been labeled the "best new winemaker in Washington" for a reason. His wines are good and you should try them all)
Now that I've inundated you with Wine recommendations you may ask yourself, where do I get these awesome wines? Well the place where I work will shortly be carrying many of them. Kitchen N' Things in Ballard. So come visit.
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