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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Holiday Wine Festival toasts 29th year this weekend in the Cork District

For the 29th year, the wineries of the Cork District and Spokane Wine Association are celebrating the Holiday Wine Festival from Friday through Sunday. In its first year, the Holiday Wine Festival featured six wineries; this holiday season, 20 wineries are participating in the festivities.

The Holiday Wine Festival is one of the larger wine events in the city and region, many of the wineries are featuring new releases, specials and pairings in the ever-growing wine destination. For Holiday Wine Festival weekend, all tasting rooms will be open from 12-5 p.m. Friday through Sunday unless otherwise noted.

The Cork District includes wine tastings, walking tours, restaurants, entertainment and shopping. For more information, go to corkdistrict.com.

“Holiday Wine Festival is one of our two premier events each year,” said Michael Allen, director of the Cork District. “It’s such an amazing opportunity for wine tasters from beginning to experienced to learn more about our award-winning local wineries, but also education, as many have food pairings.

“Plus most have art and entertainment to enjoy with the wine.” Here are more details of the 2019 Wine Festival Weekend and what each location is offering:

Arbor Crest Wine Cellars (4705 N. Fruit Hill Road, Spokane Valley; 509-927-9463 and arborcrest.com): Specials on the holiday white and red, plus a tasting flight with a souvenir logo glass for $12.

Barili Cellars (608 W. Second Ave.; 509-979-5830 and barilicellars.com): Purchase three bottles of chardonnay and receive 20% off. Plus local art, jewelry and gifts.

Barrister Winery (1213 W. Railroad Ave.; 509-465-3591 and barristerwinery.com): The featured wines are 2017 Cabernet Franc and two new releases, the 2016 Bacchus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and Seven Hills Vineyard “Rough Justice.”

Bridge Press Cellars (39 W. Pacific Ave.; 509-838-7815 and bridgepresscellars.com): New releases of cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc, plus Seattle-based blues vocalist and keyboardist Jesse Weston will be performing.

Cougar Crest Winery (8 N. Post St.; 509-241-3850 and cougarcrestwinery.com): Six wine tastings (three red, two white and one rose) for $10, plus open until 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 6 p.m. Sunday.

Craftsman Cellars Tasting Room (1194 W. Summit Parkway; 509-413-2434 and craftsmanwinery.com): New release 2016 Malbec, 20% off a six-pack and music by the Dirt Band from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday.

Helix Wines (824 W. Sprague Ave.; 509-242-3190 and helixwine.com): New offerings from Reininger, plus snacks and a $5 white wine tasting.

Latah Creek Wine Cellars (13030 E. Indiana Ave., Spokane Valley; 509-926-0164 and latahcreek.com): New release white wine blend “A Toast to Best Friends; 15% off 2016 Malbec bottles; 30% 2016 Malbec cases; up to 25% off Mike’s Reserve Red; 25% off mulling spice bags and other spices; plus the usual food and wine pairings.

Liberty Lake Wine Cellars (23110 E. Knox Ave., Liberty Lake; 509-255-9205 and libertylakewinecellars.com): New releases 2016 Heritage Reserve Red Blend, 2017 Carmenere and 2017 Zinfandel; four-pack sampler for $75 (valued at $110); pottery by Caryn Adaryn and paintings by Karen Kirkley Conrad; plus $6 mimosas and chocolate samples.

Maryhill Winery (1303 W. Summit Parkway; 509-443-3832 and maryhillwinery.com): Holiday Open House and Wine Sale is through Dec. 1. Up to 50% off select cases and 35% off select wine.

Renegade by MonteScarlatto (822 W. Sprague Ave.; 509-290-6583 and montescarlatto.com/renegade): Tasting fee waived with bottle purchase, and wine club members’ flights are waived for as many as four guests.

Nodland Cellars (11616 E. Montgomery Drive, Spokane Valley; 509-927-7770 and nodlandcellars.com): The private winery is open to the public during the Holiday Wine Festival.

Overbluff Cellars (304 W. Pacific Ave.; 509-991-4781 and overbluffcellars.com): Overbluff Cellars is open and pouring in the Washington Cracker Building.

Robert Karl Cellars (115 W. Pacific Ave.; 509-363-1353 and robertkarl.com): New releases of 2016 Claret, 2015 Merlot and 2015 Inspiration, work by German artist Irene Dahl and jewelry by beadwork artist Sue Olsen.

Tempus Cellars (8 N. Post St.; 509-279-1576 and tempuscellars.com): Two-bottle purchase of 2015 Grenache or 2018 Dry Evergreen Vineyard Riesling (25% off); case purchase of 2015 Sagemoor Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (25% off); and case purchase of 2016 Columbia Valley Red Bordeaux Blend (25% off).

Terra Blanca Winery (926 W. Sprague Ave.; 509-340-9140 and terrablanca.com): 2018 Arch Terrace Rose ($75 for six bottles or $125 for a case) and 2016 Arch Terrace Triple Threat ($99 for six bottles or $150 for a case). Holiday open house from 5-8 p.m. Friday; RSVP required.

Townshend Cellars (8022 E. Greenbluff Road, Colbert; 509-238-1400 and townshendcellar.com): Largest case sale of the year, with as much as 40% off select cases of wine, and Rapid Fire Pizza Co. will be serving food on the patio from 1-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

V du V Wines (12 S. Scott St.; 509-747-3200 and vduvwines.com): Featuring 2016 Columbia Valley Malbec and 2018 Joie de V Bordeaux white and 30% off all syrah.

Va Piano Tasting Room Spokane (10 S. Post St.; 509-838-0236 and vapianovineyards.com): Half-price case sale on Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon and French Creek Chardonnay.

Winescape Winery (6011 E. 32nd Ave.; (509) 474-0150 and winescapewine.com): New releases of 2017 Marmot Incarnate and 2017 Malbec, and case sale on red wines, including GSM, with case discounts 20% for non-wine club members and 30% for Winescapers club members.