The Wine Knows

Granted, this falls under the category of shameless self-promotion, but there will be some real stars attending the Platinum Wine Dinner on Friday in Seattle.

Kerry Johnson, wine steward at the Columbia Tower Club, gave me the list of RSVPs today. Check out the winemakers scheduled to be there:

Eric Dunham (Dunham Cellars)
Chuck Reininger (Helix by Reininger)
Scott Williams (Kiona Vineyards Winery)
Chuck Devlin (Ste. Chapelle)

There's also Steve Kenyon and Deborah Dunbar, owners of Otis Kenyon Wines in Walla Walla, Lorrie Norman, GM of Sweet Cheeks Winery in Crow, Ore., and Mike and Winnie Alberg (Stillwater Creek Vineyards).

Eric produced the Dunham Cellars 2004 Syrah, Columbia Valley, which won a double platinum. Chuck Reininger's Helix 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, was one of seven Walla Walla Valley wineries to pick up a platinum. Scott's sleek Kiona 2006 Chenin Blanc, Columbia Valley, earned platinum. And Chuck Devlin represents what our judges believed was the best Idaho wine of 2007 -- his Ste. Chapelle 2005 Skyline Vineyard Riesling Ice Wine.

The Kenyon/Dunbar team made the Otis Kenyon 2005 Seven Hills Vineyard Reserve Merlot, which won Platinum before its release.

Norman will be traveling from Eugene. I hope that I can get the PG-rated version of how the winery's namesake vineyard came to be named.

The Albergs grew the Cabernet Franc that went into the Saviah Cellars 2004 Une Vallee, one of two Platinum wines by Richard Funk.

And then there's Braiden Rex-Johnson, Wine Press Northwest columnist and author of "Pacific Northwest Wining and Dining." She will be there promoting and signing the new book that our photographer, Jackie Johnston, so beautifully illustrated.

If I got the lineup correct, the Dunham Syrah, Kiona Chenin Blanc, Otis Kenyon Merlot, Sweet Cheeks Riesling, Helix Cab and Ste. Chapelle ice wine will be paired with the meal. The reception wines are the Maryhill Winery 2006 Rose of Sangiovese (Columbia Valley) and Barnard Griffin Winery's 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2005 Merlot -- both Columbia Valley.

The event kicks off at 6 p.m. with a wine and hors d'oeuvre reception. Guests will be seated at 7 p.m. for a five-course dinner paired with wines, prepared by Columbia Tower Club executive chef James Hassell.

The CTC is at 701 Fifth Ave. Cost: $130, plus tax and gratuity, including a one-year subscription to Wine Press Northwest. You can request seat assignments when calling.

I was told that dress is semi-formal to formal, but I've also been told that since it's Friday night, it will be "after-work attire." I guess that means suits and sport coats.

I'll be serving as Andy's fill-in master of ceremonies, so I'll be the guy in the basic black tux. My wife Traci will be divine in her new black dress.

As the Seattle SuperSonics are no doubt saying these days, "Plenty of good seats are available." And tickets can be purchased by calling the Columbia Tower Club concierge at (206) 622-2010.

— Eric Degerman, managing editor, Wine Press Northwest