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It has long been rumored that the few rows of vines at the entrance to Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville, Wash., were required so the winery could be called a "chateau."
PROSSER -- Construction is expected to start soon on the next phase of what backers say will be the state's premier educational and promotional center for Washington's wines and food products.
DiStefano, a small Woodinville winery, had its genesis in its creator Mark Newton's fondness for sparkling wine.
But now its forte is classic Bordeaux reds.
Newton, whose day job is designing computer hardware at Microsoft in Redmond, became interested in food and wine while in California. His favorite was sparkling wine.
He took a short course on sparkling wine at the University of California at Davis in 1983, where he met Cheryl Jones Barber, who is now a winemaker for Silver Lake in Bothell.
Jones Barber, who grew up in Richland, told Newton and his brother Jeff, a California wine grape grower, about the promise of pinot noir grapes in Oregon. Pinot noir is the major grape for making sparkling wine.
The brothers produced sparkling wines in Seattle from Oregon grapes and got rave reviews. They wanted to call it Newton and Newton, but another winery in Napa, Calif., was already using the Newton name.
In 1990, his interest shifted to reds such as cabernet sauvignon, merlot and more recently, cabernet franc. A syrah is in the works.
He's changed the name of the winery to wife, Donna's, maiden name, DiStefano, and moved operations to Woodinville.
The wines and the tiny winery have been a hit. The dining and tasting room, decorated with antiques, is particularly popular for private catered dinners.
Eventually, Newton plans on giving up his day job at Microsoft and concentrating on the winery. DiStefano's fans include Newton's boss Bill Gates and other Microsoft people.
The winery is at 12280 Woodinville Drive. The telephone number is 425-487-1648. E-mail is distefan@gte.net.
1998 cabernet franc Columbia Valley - An outstanding red with beautiful full fruit flavors and smoky oak aromas. This wine has a multitude of complex components that are rich and satisfying. Suggested price: $25.
1998 cabernet sauvignon, Columbia Valley - Vanilla spices followed by bright fruit of cherries and plums. Chalky dry with good tannins. Suggested price: $25.
1999 sauvignon blanc - Green apples, some herbs and a slightly tart, crisp finish. Suggested price: $10.
New releases
L'Ecole No. 41 1998 cabernet sauvignon Columbia Valley - An outstanding red with a smooth, tasty finish and touches of blackberries and tobacco, vanilla oak and well-balanced tannins. Suggested price: $30.
Tefft Cellars nonvintage cabernet merlot Yakima Valley - Cedar and tar with rich berry fruit and good tannins. Suggested price: $10.
Arbor Crest Wine Cellars 1998 Cameo Reserve cabernet franc - An outstanding big, rich red with lush berry and chocolate flavors and others including black pepper, coffee and tobacco. Suggested price: $15.
Snoqualmie 1998 cabernet sauvignon, Columbia Valley - Nice all-around qualities including a jamlike berry and cherry flavors with oak aromas. Suggested price: $15.
Sawtooth 1998 cabernet sauvignon Idaho - Smoky oak aromas with a rich, flavorful berry milkshakelike feel. A smooth, easy-drinking cabernet. Suggested price: $15.
Arbor Crest 1997 cabernet sauvignon, Cameo Reserve - An outstanding, tasty wine with concentrated berry and plum flavors, hints of tobacco and a smooth, easy-drinking finish. Suggested price: $15.
Wyvern Cellars 1998 merlot, Washington - Formerly Worden. A very fruity merlot with smooth tannins and a soft, tasty finish. Suggested price: $16.
Arbor Crest 1997 merlot Cameo Reserve - Rich and smooth with bits of black pepper spice and nice fruit and tannins in the finish. Suggested price: $11.
Columbia Winery 1999 chardonnay Woodburne Cuvee, Columbia Valley - Toasty oak aromas, nice chardonnay fruit including a touch of tropical and a slight bite at the finish that would make it good with most foods. Suggested price: $14.
Columbia Winery 1999 semillon Columbia Valley - Lots of interesting characteristics. Herbs, spice, figs, oak vanilla and a bit of citrus. Good with oysters. Suggested price: $9.
Barnard Griffin 1998 cabernet sauvignon, Columbia Valley - A full-bodied, rich cabernet with a great pedigree. Bits of chocolate combine with raspberries and a pleasant tannin finish. Suggested price: $20.
Covey Run 1999 lemberger Yakima Valley - Light and fruity with plum jam components. Great with pizza. Suggested price: $7.
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