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In this Issue:

 Spring 2010

» Winter at the Winery

» Wine Club News

» Spring Release Details

» Vineyard Update

» The Perfect Match:  Sangiovese & Penne alla Vodka

» Calendar of Events

Recent Accolades:

⟩ JUST IN:  Seattle Magazine rates ‘07 Cali “Best Proprietary Red Blend under $20”!

⟩NW Wine Press rates  ‘07 Sangio “Outstanding!”

⟩NW Wine Press gives Double Gold to ‘07 Sangio & ‘06 Merlot

⟩San Francisco Wine Chronicle awards Silver to ‘07 Sangio & ‘07 Cali

Special Feature:  Welcome Lucy!

Introducing the newest member of the Mannina family – Lucy (the Lab) Redman!  Yes, that is correct, Mrs. Winemaker, Nicole Redman, finally, after 15 years of marriage, let Don have a dog.  Those of you that know Nicole are probably still having a hard time believing it.  She is not a dog person, to say the least. 

Lucy, a three-year-old purebred black Labrador Retriever, came from a breeder in the Tri Cities.  After three litters of pups, she is now ready to retire and live the good life as Don’s sidekick.  She is already enjoying the perks of being a vineyard dog, racing Don on the four wheeler around the vineyard, and hanging out at the winery with pooch pal, Stella, while Don and Jason tinker with the wine. 

She loves to stand up on tables, counters, railings, anything that will give her more height and better visibility to the interesting world around her.  Frisbee is a favorite game, and especially fun at the vineyard where Don cleared out the weeds and planted native grasses.  And above all, like any good Lab, she LOVES to eat.  There’s no lingering over breakfast or dinner for Lucy, and the kids have quickly learned to keep their snacks held high when Lucy is around.

Lucy immediately embraced the family’s passion for hiking, taking bi-weekly hikes to Pike’s Peak, where she enjoys foraging the trail ahead as the family follows behind.  Except for that time she rolled in something smelly, (we won’t mention the unpleasant details) the family is happy to have her along.

While Lucy definitely has some “manners” to learn, she a very sweet dog with the perfect, mellow temperament, and is simply a joy to have around the winery and vineyard.  Be sure to stop by sometime and meet her in person!

Introducing Lucy!

Aww, just look at that face.

Joel loving the love from Lucy.

Winter at the Winery

The ‘08s are Bottled

For the first time in too long, all of the Mannina Cellars partners were together for Mannina’s first ever hand bottling event.  The VanderSchalies and Griepps camped out at the Redman homestead for a long weekend in January.  While all seven kids entertained themselves around the winery, the grown-ups hand bottled the 2008 Cab and 2009 Rosè, a total of 134 cases in all.  Luckily the labels hadn’t come in yet, otherwise you might have been able to tell these were hand bottled based on the evidence of slightly crooked and wrinkled labels.  Fortunately we were able to run the bottles through the big truck labeler when the rest of the 2008 vintage was bottled in February.

Speaking of bottling in February, even the last minute delivery of glass couldn’t rattle Don at February’s “Big Bottling” day.  Although the whole bottling process is stressful in itself, and even after just returning from Seattle’s Taste Walla Walla event, Don was calm and ready when the big truck pulled up, and the crew of friends and family volunteers went to work bottling our 2008 Cali, Sangiovese, and Birch Creek Merlot.  A total of 1,892 cases ran through the “Laverne & Shirley” production line, and are now waiting to complete the “bottle shock” process before being released in just a few weeks.

Going, Going, (Almost) Gone!

The Tasting Room is nearly sold out!  Aside from the 2007 RoseAnne’s Red released last fall, the Tasting Room is out of wine.  But don’t worry, more is coming soon as Spring Release weekend is approaching fast.  Until then, check your local grocery store or favorite wine shop if your Mannina stock is running low.  Feel free to email us if you’re having trouble finding your favorite Mannina wines, and we can help track some down at a store near you. 

The Mannina families:  Chad & Teri Griepp, Don & Nicole Redman, and Marc & Holly VanderSchalie, and all the kids.

Hand bottling the Maddily.

Asst. Winemaker, Jason, on Big Bottling Day.

Wine Club News

Reserve Your Rosè Now!

There’s still time to reserve your 2009 Maddily Rosè!  Made from 100% Sangiovese grapes, the Maddily is a refreshingly light, off-dry Rosè, perfect served chilled on a hot summer day.  Despite its light pink color and feminine label, it’s been a big hit with even the manliest of men, as well as the ladies.

Until May 1st we are taking pre-orders of the Maddily Rosè exclusively from Wine Club Members.  You may reserve up to one case to be picked up or shipped on May 1st, at 15% off the regular price of $15.00 per bottle.  (Your credit card will be charged on May 1, plus applicable taxes and shipping.)  Sales are open to the public on May 1st, and as you may remember, the Maddily sold out Spring Release weekend last year.  Be sure to contact us soon if you want some before it’s gone again!

RSVP by April 15^th:  April 30 Spring Release Open House

We hope to see you all at our Second Annual Wine Club Open House on Friday, April 30 at 6:30 pm at the Tasting Room.  Graze Catering will be preparing a variety of delicious heavy hors d'oeuvres expertly paired with each of our new releases. In addition, enjoy live music by local band, Torch & Burn, mingle with other Wine Club members, and meet the Winemaker family Don and Nicole Redman, and co-owners Chad and Teri Griepp.  

Please RSVP to Nicole Redman by April 15, so that we can plan the menu accordingly.  (You can pick up your Maddily and Spring Wine Club order while you’re here!)  This event is free and exclusively for Wine Club Members and their guests.  Space is limited so we ask that guests are limited to two per Wine Club Member. 

Spring Wine Club Orders to be Shipped May 10

For all of you out-of-town members, please email us and let us know by May 1^st if you plan to be in Walla Walla during the month of May.  Otherwise we’ll be shipping all non-local orders the week of May 10^th.  

Not a Wine Club member and want to get in on the action?  Click here to sign up.  It’s free, plus you’ll get an exclusive invitation to the Spring Release Open House, first right of refusal on limited releases (like the in-demand Maddily Rosè), and all of the newest Mannina wines delivered right to your door, twice a year, at 15% off retail prices.

Spring Release Details

More Mannina is Coming Soon!

Spring Release is coming soon, along with another 2,000 cases of Mannina!  The Tasting Room will be open 10am-5pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday for Spring Release weekend, complete with yummy meats and cheeses to sample along with our new releases.  Hope to see you then! 

2008 Birch Creek Cabernet

2008 Cali

2008 Seven Hills Sangiovese

2009 Maddily Rosè

2008 Birch Creek Merlot

Smooth and round showing hints of currant and red plum fruit, shaded with hints of tobacco and mocha as the finish pushes through a fine layer of tannins, lingering beautifully on the finish.

Vineyard: Birch Creek

39% new Hungarian and American Oak barrels

98 cases

$30

Polished and focused with silky texture, ripe blackberry and plum flavors linger with an expressive finish.  Round supple tannins make it an inviting and approachable wine.

Vineyards:  Les Collines, Pepper Bridge, Birch Creek and Seven Hills

18%  new Hungarian, American and French barrels.

1434 cases

$17

A classic Sangiovese with a nose of strawberry and prunes.  Fruit forward and well balanced, with nice acidity and hints of dried cherry and stone fruits on the palate, and a long finish.

Vineyard:  Seven Hills

Neutral French and Hungarian barrels

302 cases

$22 

A 100% Sangiovese Rosè, the Maddily is a rich off-dry Rosè that is crisp and refreshing.  Serve chilled on a hot summer day.  Sold through Wine Club pre-order and at the Tasting Room only.

Vineyard:  Seven Hills

Neutral French and Hungarian barrels

36 cases

$15

Dense, supple, round and distinctive, with black currant and blackberry flavors, persisting impressively on the complex finish.  Beautifully polished in texture with lovely floral accents and a toasty finish.

Vineyard: Birch Creek

37% new Hungarian oak barrels

156 cases

$24

Vineyard Update

Cali Turns Two

Cali Vineyards has come a long way in the past two years.  After a year of planning and preparation, planting began last spring, and since then we’ve seen the vines begin to grow, peeking over the tops of their little green grow tubes.  We planted Sheep Fescue between the rows of vines to help control weeds and soil erosion, and the unplanted 18 acres were cleared of weeds and seeded with native grasses to reduce weeds and attract beneficial insects, decreasing the need to use pesticides in the vineyard.

It was a stressful winter as we had some worries about the mild spring-like weather and late winter frost harming some of the vines, however after consulting with a few experts we are hopeful that soon we’ll see new spring growth from the dormant vines.

Recently the family has spent many hours pruning in the vineyard, cutting the vines down to the ground to allow more root growth this year.  We will then train the vines to the cordon wire once we see some growth later this spring and summer. 

Be sure to join our Facebook page to see more pictures and get the latest scoop on what’s happening around the vineyard.

Another day of pruning in the vineyard for the Redman family
(which, as you can tell,  eleven-year-old Maddy especially enjoys.) 

The Perfect Match:  2007 Sangiovese and Penne alla Vodka

Photo courtesy of Chef Eric Guido.

These two Italian greats are so good together, you and your guests will be instantly delighted!  As most of you know, our 2007 Sangiovese is always a huge hit.  Pair it with this delicious (and simple!) Penne alla Vodka dish, and it’s a match made in heaven.  The sauce has just a little kick of spiciness (we used ½ tsp red pepper flakes, but you can use more if you like a lot of heat) and the pancetta is a nice touch, adding a bit of smokiness that really brings out the cherry flavors of the Sangio.  Don even went back for seconds and thirds as a late night snack!  Click here to view the recipe, courtesy of Chef Eric Guido and Snooth.com, and for more great wine pairing tips and recipes click here to check out Eric’s blog.

Calendar of Events

Hope to see you at these upcoming events!

April 10 – Feast Walla Walla 1-4pm Walla Walla Valley's finest purveyors gather together to make an unforgettable event each year. By bringing together both big names and newcomers to the food, wine and art industries, Feast offers a unique opportunity for residents and visitors to experience the amazing variety of the area.
Attendees can also make on-site purchases of bottles and/or cases of most wines served at the event.  Click here for more information.

April 30 – Wine Club Spring Release Open House, Tasting Room Walla Walla, WA  6:30 pm  We can’t wait to host this event again this year.  RSVP now, and hope to see you then!  Click here for directions/map.

May 1-2 - Spring Release Weekend!  Walla Walla, WA  Come experience our new releases at one of the biggest wine events in Walla Walla.   The Tasting Room will be open 10am-5pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Be sure to make reservations for your accommodations early, as for many wine lovers this is an annual trip to stock up on some great Walla Walla wines.

June 18 – Vintage Walla Walla  More info coming soon.  Click here for future details.

July 16-18 – Kirkland Uncorked, Marina Park, Kirkland, WA  Wine, Dine and Design on the Waterfront as Kirkland Uncorked celebrates the finest Washington wine and food, paired with exquisite Northwest art on the picturesque shores of Lake Washington in Kirkland, Washington. At the event, guests experience the wonders of Northwest luxury while supporting the festival beneficiary Hope Heart Institute. Visit the Kirkland Uncorked website for more information.

August 14 – Kitsap Wine Festival, Harborside Fountain Park, Bremerton, WA  The second annual Kitsap Wine Festival at Harborside Fountain Park is a celebration of food and wine on Bremerton’s scenic waterfront, benefiting Harrison Medical Center Foundation.  The first annual outdoor walk-around event featured wine tasting from thirty Northwest wineries and cuisine provided by Chef Marsha Henry of Kitsap Conference Center and Chef Shawn Walker of Anthony’s at Sinclair Inlet.  Tickets go on sale May 14. Click here for ticket information.