Cheers to 2011!
With 2011 coming to a close, we wanted to take a look back at the year of wine and some of the big stories that shaped the Northwest this year:
January
1/28 – Walla Walla’s Whitman Cellars close its doors.
February
2/14 – Washington’s second largest wine company, Precept Wine acquires two Washington wineries, Sagelands and Canoe Ridge Estate.
March
3/21 – L’Ecole No. 41, one of Walla Walla’s founding wineries, introduces new, “grown-up” label.
April
4/7 – Woodinville’s Betz Family Winery is sold to an Arizona couple. Winemaker and “godfather” of Washington wine, Bob Betz will remain on as winemaker.
June
6/13 – Jeanette Morgan steps down as Executive Director of the Oregon Wine Board after less than eight months on the job.
July
7/29 – The International Pinot Noir Festival, held annually in McMinnville, OR celebrates 25 years.
September
9/11 – Washington Wine Executive Glenn Coogan dies of a heart attack.
October
10/6 – Robin Pollard, the Executive Director of the Washington Wine Commission steps down. The search is currently on for her replacement.
November
11/9 – Washington state voters pass Initiative 1183, privatizing liquor sales.
December
12/6 – Tom Danowski named Executive Director of the Oregon Wine Board and Oregon Winegrowers Association.
Now tell us, what wine related news or event are you looking forward to in 2012?
