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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.
Vin du Lac is French that translates into "wine by the lake," and this emerging Chelan-area winery also translates it into some mighty tasty moderately priced wines.
Vin du Lac Winery on Lake Chelan is one of those Northcentral Washington wineries to watch and visit.
The 7-year-old winery is winning its share of notice, including a Wine Press Northwest double platinum for its 2003 Cabernet Franc.
Vin du Lac is the creation of Larry Lehmbecker of Bellevue, who started making home brew beer and wines.
After a trip to France, he found a location just outside scenic Chelan along the shores of the lake that bears the town's name. He opted for a French bistro-style theme on his labels and winery.
Vin du Lac, like several other Chelan wineries, offers some of the most picturesque tasting rooms in all of Washington. The winery overlooks the vineyards and the lake and offers light meals such as salad, soup, sandwiches and appetizers from the deck, along with a growing list of wines.
Current vintages use the Columbia Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA), but future wines will sport the new Lake Chelan AVA.
The innovative Lehmbecker especially grabbed my attention with his Pinot Noir. It's nonvintage, made from grapes grown in the Chelan and Okanogan areas, and is as good as many Oregon Pinots I've tasted. The price is right at $19.99. It opens with cedar and light cherry aromas and yields to silky smooth unsweetened cherry flavors with great acids. Wait for Copper River salmon to match with this wine.
Les Amis 2008 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $17.99 -- This wine is easy to like, with orchard blossom aromas and crisp apple, peach and apricot flavors. Great with spicy chicken or turkey sausage.
Vie 2008 Viognier, Columbia Valley, $17.99 -- This sports flavors of oranges and canned peaches, with a rich mouth feel with lingering savory spices. Try it with chicken cordon bleu.
Red Cafe 2007 Syrah, Columbia Valley, $19.99 -- This is a delicious, easy-drinking red wine offering aromas of bacon and berry flavors. Try it with a panini. This already has won a gold medal in 2010 at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
Red Cafe 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, $19.99 -- An excellent combination of oak and berries that's juicy and flavorful makes this a great match with a grilled burger.
-- www.vindulac.com
*Bob Woehler has been writing about Pacific Northwest wines since 1978. E-mail him at bwoehler@ charter.net or check out his past columns at www.winepressnw.com.
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