In case you missed it, we kicked off our “At The Tasting Room” series with Jaine Cottage last week. This week we joined Patterson Cellars at their Hollywood and Warehouse tasting rooms locations. Yes, both. Keep reading to learn more about Patterson Cellars and our experience.
THE STORY
Founded in 2000 by Owner & Winemaker, John Patterson, Patterson Cellars crafts approachable Washington State wines that reflect the new world style in winemaking. Their diverse collection of wine offerings includes robust red blends, elegant single varietals, classic whites, lively rosés sparkling wines and lush dessert wines.
Drawn to the science behind the art of winemaking, Patterson considers the craft to be, “a unique puzzle as you approach harvest to produce wines that are consistent from year to year,” which speaks to the quality and caliber of the wines from Patterson Cellars.
John worked harvest at Quilceda Creek for 13 years then decided on a career change. He started Patterson Cellars in the year 2000 and now produces over 19,000 cases of wine each year in the Warehouse Winery District of Woodinville. He opened a second tasting room in Woodinville’s Hollywood Hill Winery District in 2012, then a third in the Bavarian town of Leavenworth in 2017. Most recently, he opened a fourth tasting room in Seattle’s Sodo neighborhood.
THE SPACE
As mentioned above, our team member, Amber, visited both the Hollywood and the Warehouse District locations. We thought it would be fun to visit both locations in one afternoon and to highlight the differences in each experience. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it. 😉
First up? Hollywood District. This Patterson Cellars tasting room is located in the heart of the Hollywood District. If you have never visited Woodinville before, there is a round-a-bout intersection that acts as the heart of this district. Patterson Cellars and a handful of other tasting rooms are located adjacent to this intersection.
Their Hollywood District tasting room shares a unique space with Gorman Winery and Vivi Pizzeria. If you wanted to get technical, this building is called the Hollywood Station. For a bit of a history lesson- in 1924 George Peterson built the Homestead Grocery at the intersection of Woodinville-Redmond Road and today’s NE 145th Street, on land his parents homesteaded in 1876. Peterson operated the business until 1953 when he sold it. The store and gas pumps continued to serve Hollywood residents and motorists until destroyed by fire in 1965. A new service station was built on the site and operated until 2011 when the building was remodeled into a restaurant and wine-tasting room to serve Woodinville’s burgeoning winery culture
Next up is the Warehouse District. Patterson Cellars is located in building D and a bit tucked away in this district. A few of Patterson Cellars’ Warehouse neighbors include Love That Red Winery and Warr-King Wines. Their Warehouse space is unique in its own ways. They are one of the few tasting rooms in this district with such expansive outdoor seating at this time.
Their Warehouse location is similar in style to their Hollywood location, but has its own personality and feel. At this location, you can expect to see the winemaking team in action while sipping on your glass of wine. We always say the best way to meet a winemaker is to visit the Warehouse District.
Recently, Patterson Cellars has placed large windows in their tasting room that overlook their barrel room. Being that our team has visited this space before the window renovations, we think the addition truly elevates your experience as you can take a look at all the behind the scenes action at any time.
In addition to the barrel room windows, they are also creating a private club room within their Warehouse location. They will be able to host club members in their own exclusive space and offer library tastings here too. I took a peek into the unfinished space. Their team has done a great job creating a cozy and welcoming feel. Definitely a great addition to their wine club membership perks.
OUR EXPERIENCE
Before I dive into my visit, let’s talk reservations. Reservations are highly recommended, but not required. The Hollywood location is quite busy throughout the week, but especially on weekends or fair weather days. This location is mainly first come, first serve but all Patterson Cellars’ Experiences require a reservation. Their Warehouse location also experiences steady traffic, but they have more space at this location to accommodate both reservations and walk-in guests. If you have not planned a trip to the Warehouse District lately, I recommend you do. Weekends are best for this district as most tasting rooms are open during this time of the week.
I began my afternoon at their Hollywood location. I absolutely love it here. It is hard to explain the feeling I get when I walk into this space. It reminds me of summer nights sitting on their patio with a glass of Rosé in hand. I was greeted by their staff (Lisa is amazing!) and was able to sit at a large, live-edge wood table facing the patio.
Very quickly I had wine in hand and was ready for my Wine + Chocolate Experience. Buckle up, I have so much to share about my experience but I promise it is worth the read.
The Patterson Cellars Wine + Chocolate Experience is a decadent flight featuring five winemaker-selected wines paired with distinctive, culinary-inspired chocolates from Seattle chocolate company, jcoco. Let me tell you… this blew my mind. I have been a long time Patterson wine lover, but somehow never knew of this tasting experience.
It is $25 per person + local sales tax. This pairing is priced extremely well! I would go as far to say it is a steal of a deal. Their team even walks you through each pairing for an educational and unique wine tasting experience.
I had the chance to sit down with Heidi West, Manager of Operations for Patterson Cellars, to discuss the pairings and even try out some new ideas. Before Patterson Cellars landed on a partnership with jcoco, they tested chocolates from all over the country. West stated, “It was an easy decision to work with jcoco as they are a local, women owned business with outstanding chocolate. No other chocolatiers could compare.”
I cannot forget to mention that jcoco has donated a percentage of all sales to organizations providing meals to people in need. They have donated more than 3.5 million servings across the United States. One bar = one serving to one in need. How cool is that?
LET’S TALK WINE (& chocolate)
- Melange Blanc + Cayenne Veracruz Orange in White Chocolate
Amber’s notes~ This pairing is THE perfect start to this experience. The Cayenne Veracruz Orange bar leads with a citrusy nose, melts into a creamy, dreamsicle sensation and finishes with a kick of red pepper. It’s a match made in heaven with a crisp white wine.
Roussanne once again provides the core of this vintage, providing classic aromas and flavors of honeycomb, fresh-cut ripe pear and chamomile tea. Viognier provides aromas and flavors of white peach, apricot and flowers, with a mineral note that starts on the nose and follows all the way through to the long finish. Finally, the Chardonnay in the blend provides citrus and green apple notes, just a hint of cinnamon from the barrels, and rounds out the mouthfeel.
- Forbidden Rosé + Mango Plantain OR Cayenne Veracruz
Amber’s notes~ The Mango Plantain bar seemed odd to me at first, but give it a try. It combines crunchy-chewy bits of mango/plantain smothered in 43% milk chocolate. It worked extremely well with the rosé. Pairing rosé and chocolate is a difficult feat. They encourage you to try other chocolates with the selected wines. I really loved the Cayenne Veracruz bar with the rosé as well.
“Forbidden Rosé is both a red and white wine-lover’s Rosé. Specially selected grapes used to produce this wine provide a robust and full-bodied combination of fresh fruit, spices, and herbal notes. This perfected Rosé wine lingers on the palate for a long, satin finish.”
- Merlot + Alaskan Smoked Sea Salt in 60% Cacao Dark Chocolate
Amber’s notes~ YUM! I immediately was in love with this pairing. I am a huge sea salt and chocolate fan so naturally I was drawn to this pair. This bar is made by smoking Alaska pure salt flakes over burning Alder wood, this unique ingredient lends a complex yet balanced flavor to their smooth, dark chocolate, making for a bite that is both decadent and delicious.
This bar is featured in the Alaska Airlines’ MVP Gold Program. I believe it is a limited time offer which gives you all the more reason to book an experience now to try it for yourself.
Starting with the dark ruby red color, our 2017 Merlot highlights this classic varietal from Washington State. Merlot from famed Boushey and Red Willow Vineyards in the Yakima Valley compliments the backbone of Red Mountain fruit from Red Heaven to produce intense aromas of plum, blackberry bramble and vanilla latte, followed by lighter notes of dried herbs and lilacs. Flavors of ripe raspberries, dark cherry, blackberry, and plum dominate on the palate. Mouthwatering acidity and supple tannins lead to the long finish where the blackberry and latte aromas from the opening reappear and linger, joined by a closing hint of dark chocolate covered caramels.
- Cabernet Sauvignon + Black Fig Pistachio in 72% Dark Chocolate
Amber’s notes~ This might be my favorite pairing of them all. Bold statement, I know. It is a match made in heaven. This bar is an elevated spin on the classic fruit and nut combination. The texture of this chocolate makes all the difference.
Dark ruby in color, our 2017 Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon opens with an enticing nose featuring dark chocolate brownies, blackberries, blueberries and hints of sweet caramel. Intense flavors of ripe raspberry and dark cherries explode onto the palate and linger into the long finish, where they are joined by pomegranate, black currants, and light notes of spiced vanilla latte.
- Port + Orange Blossom Espresso in 60% Dark Chocolate
Amber’s notes~ Last but certainly not least. We all know you are supposed to take in the aromatics of a wine, but be sure to do so with this chocolate as well. The aroma of orange blossom is overwhelming in the best way possible.
Featuring Washington state plantings of the traditionally Portuguese varietals Touriga Nacional, Souzão, and Tinta Cão, our deep red 2018 Ruby Port style wine opens with intense aromas of dark cherries, warm vanilla sauce, orange zest and a spice box filled with cinnamon, clove, sage and thyme. Juicy black cherries dominate the flavor, joined by abundant ripe blueberries and hints of toffee, all lingering long into the finish that eventually closes with delicate notes of cedar and coffee.
That wraps up my Patterson Cellars Wine + Chocolate Experience at their Hollywood location. I cannot recommend this enough. *Insider tip: if you have a chocolate bar left over and would like to revisit a wine they are happy to accommodate. I definitely had chocolate left over so it was fun to taste a bit more in different combinations.
The goal of this experience is to encourage you to try pairings at home. The team at Patterson Cellars has created several experiences like this one with intent for their guests to gain confidence replicating pairings at home. If you have tried this experience out in the past, you should revisit. The chocolates changes with wine vintages. For the most part they try and keep pairings consistent, but it is common to see different chocolates with familiar wines.
If you are interested in other tasting experiences offered by Patterson Cellars click the following links: Wine + Cheese Experience or even Patterson Cellars’ Recipes. Their Vivi Pizzeria + Wine Experience will be returning later this month. Be on the lookout for that as well.
Even though I visited the Hollywood location for the Wine + Chocolate experience it is available at their Warehouse location as well. More information can be found here.
I am going to wrap up my long winded piece here, but I encourage you to try new tasting room locations and experiences. I have lived and worked in Woodinville for quite some time now, but these moments are what make this area truly remarkable.
Love Patterson Cellars? Give them a follow/shoutout on social media: Instagram | Facebook
~ Written by Amber Schmitt, Marketing Director of Woodinville Wine Country