Wine Wednesday | Otis Kenyon | The Cottage

Wine Wednesday No. 13. Each week we’ll be featuring a local winery for tastings…$5 buys you 3 tastings! Retail bottles will be available; the tasting fee will be applied toward your purchase, or enjoy a bottle with dinner for a $15 corkage fee. Reservations (https://resy.com/cities/bol/the-cottage-bothell) recommended but not required.

Reminiscent of the remarkable transformation of Vitis vinifera into fine wine, the Otis Kenyon family story continues to evolve with the introduction of each new generation. It begins in the Walla Walla Valley in the early 1900s. A young man, James Otis Kenyon, was a struggling dentist practicing in Milton-Freewater, Oregon. When a new dentist moved to town, James, for reasons that remain a mystery, burned his competitor’s office to the ground. After much speculation and a lengthy investigation, James spent a short period of time providing superb dental care to the staff and patients at a nearby hospital. Ostracized by his wife and presumed dead by his two sons, the family moved to Walla Walla, Washington. Robert Otis Kenyon, the eldest son, never spoke of his father even to his son, Stephen Otis Kenyon.

Yet, almost exactly 50 years after the incident that began the family legend, Steve discovered his grandfather living quietly on the Oregon coast. James was reunited with his sons and became a joyful part of their families living long enough to witness the birth of his first great grandchild, Muriel. Although he passed on at age 101, James would have delighted in the birth and naming of his great grandson, Samuel Otis Kenyon. Otis Kenyon CabSauv labelToday, in tribute to four generations of Otis Kenyons each with strong ties to the Walla Walla Valley, owner Stephen Otis Kenyon has returned to the area to make wine. Guided by an unyielding commitment to excellence, and dedicated to sustainable and bio-diverse viticultural practices, he is a passionate grower and producer of elegantly structured and affordable Bordeaux and Rhone varietal wines. In honor of James Otis Kenyon, the label bears his silhouette. https://www.otiskenyonwine.com/

ABOUT THE COTTAGE The Cottage is a full-service restaurant specializing in local, farm-to-table fare on a rotating, seasonal menu. Almost everything is made in-house, and we frequently know the farm from which the ingredients hail! Our full bar features a number of offerings from small, local purveyors including beer, wine, and craft cocktails. We pride ourselves on our customer service, and aim to create an experience unlike anywhere else. https://thecottagebothell.com/