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Earlier this week the annual Wine Bloggers Conference was held in Penticton, British Columbia.  This annual event was (3) days long bringing both citizen and industry wine bloggers together from around the world.  This event should be attended by anyone interested in or currently writing a blog, both industry and individuals, new media innovators or social media interactions.

The 2013 Wine Blog Awards were reveled and a full list is available here: 2013 Wine Blog Awards

Make sure you mark you calendar for the upcoming 2014 Wine Bloggger's Conference which will be held July 11th - 13th in Santa Barbara County, California.

 
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It is getting to be that time for tours and passports!  Coming up April 12th through 14th is the Columbia Gorge Passport Weekend..... You will have 25+ wineries to choose from with exclusive offerings and discounts to passport holders only.

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Passports are on-sale now for $15 through Local Wine Events and you will receive your passport by mail.  There is also a Passport Weekend Kick-off Event April 8th in Portland where you will be able to visit all participating wineries in one location.  It will be helpd at The Good Mod, 1313 West Burnside St, Portland OR 97209 from 4PM to 7PM.  (Trade Tasting will be 1PM to 4PM same day)  Tickets for this event are $25 and include a Passport for the upcoming weekend.

 
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This event is the "premier wine & food" weekend for anyone who enjoys good wine and great food!  With more that 225 wineries from the region present, you have the ability to taste your favorites and experience some new ones.  For the food lover there will be more than 60 restaurants to tempt your palate with their culinary experience.

You will also be able to peruse exhibitors from the regions local business scene.  This is an event worth attending!

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Tickets are on-sale now, be sure to click the Taste Washington 2-Day image to buy yours before they are sold out.  They offer a General Admission 1 or 2 day ticket as well as a LIMITED VIP Ticket for 1 or 2 days that includes early admission, access the Barrel Room and VIP Lounge, a VIP Swag bag and special giveaways for VIP's during the early admission time segment.  

 
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I absolutely LOVE this program!  Washington Wine Country Taste and Tote - sponsored by Alaska Airlines and Enterprise Car Rental.  Alaska Airlines passengers flying out of the Pasco/Tri-Cities, Walla Walla, or Yakima airports will be able to check one case (with up to twelve standard 750 ml. bottles in one case) of Washington wine as baggage at no charge.Drop-off fees for vehicles rented from Enterprise Rent-A-Car will be waived (details below).


In addition, Alaska Airlines passengers can taste wine at participating wineries in Washington Wine Country at no charge when they present their Alaska Airlines in-bound boarding pass to one of the three cities.

Why couldn't everything be this simple, with a dedicated site for your wine trip planning offering benefits and perks!  Who could ask for anything more... so when you are considering your next wine country excursion, don't forget the northwest has plenty of great wines, vineyards, and wineries to experience.  Plan yours today!

 
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In keeping with the sharing theme, I came across a nice list put together by SeattleMet.  This article showcases the "Best Washington Wines for 2012" and includes descriptions and prices....  

Take a look and see how many you have tried or what ones you would like to add to your wine cellar.  Just proof that Washington State has their fair share of great wines!
2012 Washingtons Best Wine List 

 
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As you may or may not know, Washington State is 2nd in premium wine production only to California.  I came across this article I thought I would share that gives some statistics and even a few wine recommendations with food pairings.  

Free Times Article 

 
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Every year The Seattle Wine Awards gets a little bit bigger. This year their event will be held on Sunday July 21st at the Rainier Club.  They offer both a General Admission ticket as well as a VIP ticket experience. Their tasting panel features the top local and national wine professionals consisting of highly respected wine buyers, sommeliers, directors and journalists. The wines that earn recognition in the Seattle Wine Awards must achieve professional consensus where they earn one of the following in their respective price/wine categories: Double Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze Grand Awards of Excellence These honors are of the highest recognition a winery can earn in the state of Washington.

 
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The how-to's of weekend wine tasting... I stumbled across this article from Wild 4 Washington Wine and thought I would share.  I know being in the tasting room myself, behind the wine bar, many people are curious as to what/how the process works, what to do and why...

Just thought this helped simplify that process for anyone who is set to embark on a weekend of wine tasting.... Enjoy!