Ah, summertime — the season of sun-kissed afternoons, lazy beach days and the tantalizing sip of a chilled glass of rosé. With its delicate hues and lively flavors, rosé embodies the essence of summer in a single glass. Let’s explore some locally made rosé wines that are sure to elevate your summer experience.
First up on our rosé escapade is Rolling Bay Winery’s 2022 Clementine Rosé. Crafted from grenache grapes, this dry rosé is a true testament to the artistry of winemaking. After a meticulous process of crushing, the juice undergoes 24 hours of skin contact, extracting just the right amount of pigment to achieve its beautiful pink hue. Named after the owner and winemaker’s granddaughter, Clementine, this rosé carries a personal touch that resonates with every sip. With its delicate balance of flavors and crisp finish, it’s the perfect companion for a leisurely afternoon picnic or a sunset viewing.
Next on the list is State 42 Wines Grenache Rosé. Made from 100% grenache, this rosé boasts lively acidity and bright red fruit flavors that dance on your palate with each sip. It’s like a burst of summer in a glass, capturing the essence of warm days and cool breezes. This grenache rosé is a crowd-pleaser and can often be found in glasses on a packed patio at State 42’s Front Street Poulsbo tasting room.
With winery tasting notes that read like poetry, Eleven Winery’s 2023 La Primavera is, indeed, the epitome of a playful wine. Winner of a silver medal at the Savor Northwest Wine Awards with its light pink color, delicate nose of tart raspberries and fresh herbs, every sip is an adventure waiting to unfold. Lively acidity dances on your tongue, teasing you with nuances and subtleties that emerge with each sip. It’s a wine that begs to be savored.
Rounding out the rosés is Fletcher Bay Winery’s 2022 Rosé of Sharon. Named after the delicate flower and the owner and winemaker’s wife, Sharon, this rosé captivates with its floral aromas and crisp, clean finish. It’s the kind of wine that effortlessly transitions from a casual afternoon gathering to al fresco dinner.
To experience all these rosés and more, hit the water on Saturday, July 27, for a winemaker’s cruise, Wine Around The Rock, all the way around Bainbridge Island. Join six Kitsap wineries — Eagle Harbor Wine Co., Eleven Winery, Fletcher Bay Winery, Hard Hat Winery, Rolling Bay Winery and State 42 Wines — for a four-hour sunset sailing aboard a two-story Argosy ship, including a seasonally inspired buffet dinner and an open wine bar.
The ship boards in Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge Island at 4:30 p.m. and cruises from 5 to 9 p.m. around the island. Enjoy a view of Bainbridge that most have never seen as the boat cruises around the island. Take in the sights while sipping wines made on the Kitsap Peninsula. The winemakers will be on board sharing details about their wines and what makes them so unique and delicious. Catered dinner from chef Mat Ritualo of Sauced and an open wine bar, plus nonalcoholic beverages, are included for the duration of the cruise.
Just to sweeten the event, all attendees will receive a complimentary wine tasting and 20% off all bottle purchases the day after the cruise, July 28, at any of these six wineries. The perfect excuse to stay the night and explore Kitsap.
This will be the third annual wine cruise and those who attend should come ready to have a good time. The ship holds 250 and if past events are any indicator, tickets will sell out and the cruise will be at capacity, so get ready to mix and mingle with a night on the water. Get tickets and more information at kitsapwineries.com.
Happy sailing and happy sipping!
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