After a late lunch at the nearby Commons Kitchen and Bar, my friend Claudette (the leader of Eastside Social Club) and I walked over to the nearby Brian Carter Cellars tasting room here in Woodinville. She was eager to try their wines, and we were both glad to play hooky for an afternoon and spend time together catching up.
Christine, the tasting room steward, was very welcoming and we really enjoyed getting to know her. What a character! I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard at a wine tasting. (Not at her of course, with her!) She was very knowledgeable about Brian Carter’s wines and the Washington wine industry in general. I took notes as fast as I could, hoping to remember all the great info she shared with us.
She understandably didn’t want me taking her picture (we’d just walked in with no appointment and surprised her), but let me take a tour of the Brian Carter Cellars wine club room.
I was delighted to be allowed to snoop around in there and check it out! I hadn’t managed to take a tour of it last time I visited.
They host a lot of events in this space for their club members. Sometimes I drive by at night and see festive lights on, tons of cars packing the driveway, and wonder what’s going on! I guess I should join the club to find out!
Here’s a cozy little club room table for two.
I begged Claudette to pose for a photo, and Christine ran into the other room to set her up with her first tasting pour, the 2013 Tuttorosso, a Super Tuscan style wine.
Wines that have won medals and awards are proudly displayed in the wine club room. Did you know that Brian Carter Cellars opened 11 years ago, and was just the eighth tasting room to open in Woodinville!
You can shop for Brian Carter Cellars gifts in the wine club room too.
Christine explained that the tasting room is dog friendly, for well-behaved, leashed dogs.
Claudette clearly enjoyed her wine pour! She’s had Brian Carter Cellars wines (usually Corrida or Abracadabra) at my house parties in the past.
The current tasting menu lineup includes Oriana, Tuttorosso, Byzance, Corrida, Le Coursier, Abracadabra Red, and Opulento (a port wine style dessert wine). Your $15 tasting fee is waived with the purchase of two bottles.
The limited edition and seasonal wines include Solesce (sold out), Trentenaire (I love Petit Verdot blends so must prioritize buying one of these soon!), Ace (a Cabernet/Syrah blend), and the legendary Abracadabra Rosé that I can’t stop buying every time I stop by!
Our second tasting was the 2012 Byzance, which is French for “luxurious.” It’s a Southern Rhone style blend that’s heavy on the Grenache.
Next we tried the 2013 Corrida, their Tempranillo. I’m really into Tempranillos lately, so I purchased a bottle to take home.
Next we tasted the 2012 Le Coursier. (That’s French for “The Steed.”) It’s a “Right Bank” style Bordeaux blend, and very Merlot dominant. If I remember correctly, this is the wine Claudette loved and she took home a bottle of it.
The tasting room has a little gift shop area where you can purchase Brian Carter branded bags, accessories and candles.
This glorious magnum is “Solesce” from 2009.
Next we tried the 2013 Trentenaire, which was originally released to celebrate Brian Carter’s 30 years as a winemaker. It’s now in its ninth release year. It’s made with an astonishing (and delicious) amount of Petit Verdot (62%!), 18% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Claudette tried the Opulento dessert wine while I admired the medals some of these wines had won.
Then Christine announced that the winemaker himself had just driven up and parked in front of the tasting room.
I panicked, suddenly starstruck and shy, but Brian Carter graciously agreed to post for a photo with me. I appreciated that he took the time!
I don’t think he’d been planning on drinking that afternoon (well, who knows?) but Christine thought he should have a “prop” of a glass of wine, and soon enough he was sipping it! We were honored to get to meet him.
On our way out, I lingered to admire their spectacular outdoor landscaping. Can’t wait for their equally gorgeous patio to be open this summer!
They’ll release their next Rosé in late April or early May – I can hardly wait! I’d better put aside some $ in my budget to purchase multiple bottles!
Read the Brian Carter Cellars newsletter to get info on their Spring Barrel Release on March 31!
Thank you Christine for spending so much time with us during our visit, it was a pleasure!
-Carrie
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