Olympic Peninsula Wineries will include a walk on the savory side during its annual Red Wine & Chocolate Tour, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 7-8 and 14-16, President’s Day weekend.
Chocolate mole and a chocolate mole chili will be featured along with the tallest chocolate fountain in Washington, blindfolded wine and chocolate pairings and a variety of sweet chocolate delights
Cedar Creek Restaurant in Sequim hosts a winemaker dinner on Feb. 7 showcasing the "Best of the Olympic Peninsula."
The French-inspired menu will feature five wines with the main course. A total of nine wines will be poured throughout the meal, each crafted by one of the peninsula’s seven award-winning wineries.
The four-course dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $85 per person. For reservations, call 683-3983.
Advance tickets for the self-guided winery tour are available online for $25. They entitle the holder to a commemorative wine glass and free wine tasting.
Independently, each winery charges a $5 tasting fee. Visit www.olympicpeninsulawineries.org or call 800-785-5495 for more information.
Individual winery events
_ Black Diamond Winery, Port Angeles. Black Diamond specializes in a variety of fruit wines produced with estate and locally-grown fruits.
The winery will feature its raspberry and loganberry dessert wines along with other current vintages for the Red Wine & Chocolate celebration. Chocolate truffles will be available.
For more information, call 457-0748 or see black diamondwinery.com.
_ Camaraderie Cellars, Port Angeles. Camaraderie Cellars returns with savory chocolate – a chocolate mole sauce.
The winery also will feature fair-traded chocolates, which pair beautifully with a selection of award-winning red wines.
Camaraderie hosts a Savory Chocolate Seminar Sunday, Feb. 8, featuring chocolate in dishes other than dessert.
For more information, call 417-3564 or see cama raderiecellars.com.
_ FairWinds Winery, Port Townsend. The tallest chocolate fountain in Washington state will flow again this year!
Visitors can experience the award-winning Port o’ Call with a selection of fruits and cake dipped in flowing European chocolate. Six additional wines will be available for tasting.
For more information call 360-385-6899 or see fairwinds winery.com.
_ Harbinger Winery, Port Angeles. Harbinger will feature Theo Chocolates, made by the only fair-trade and organic chocolate manufacturer in the U.S.
In theme with Valentine’s Day, the winery will hold blindfolded wine and chocolate pairings in its VIP room. Several new wines will be released, including the 2006 Petit Syrah and the 2008 Raspberry Bliss.
Harpist Ingrid Alexander will perform from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, and Sunday, Feb. 15.
For more information, call 452-4262 or see harbin gerwinery.com/index.html.
_ Lost Mountain Winery, Sequim. Lost Mountain will pair syrah with French chocolate truffles.
Visitors can sample the 2005 WildFire Red, released for Red Wine & Chocolate, along with a number of other delicious varieties.
For more information, call 683-5229 or see lostmountain.com.
_ Olympic Cellars, Port Angeles. Olympic Cellars will debut its La Dolce Vida 2006 Petit Verdot. Chocolate lovers can indulge in truffles infused with the winery’s own My Sweet Syrah, custom created by CBC Chocolates of Poulsbo.
Then, "pound out a heart" and inscribe it to someone special with copper artisan Walter Massey in the cellar grotto while enjoying wines specifically paired with a scrumptious chocolate mole chili.
For more information, call 452-0160 or see olympiccellars.com.
_ Sorensen Cellars, Port Townsend. Sorensen Cellars will have Yvonne on site from Yvonne’s Chocolates in Sequim, sampling truffles and assorted chocolates. Most of the chocolates will be available for purchase throughout the Red Wine & Chocolate event. Light appetizers will be served.
For more information call 360-379-6416 or visit
sorensencellars.com.
