tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91695347795279360002011-12-17T10:26:53.326-08:00Leo Daedalusnoreply@blogger.comBlogger421100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-12695931554250941692011-12-17T10:18:00.000-08:002011-12-17T10:26:53.347-08:00

If you're still shopping for the wine lover in your life, don't forget about WSA gift certificates, which can be used toward any class, tasting or wine purchase. Order now and we'll mail your certificate sealed in a velum envelope and wrapped in ribbon (gift certificates are also available by email).You can make your purchase online here: http://www.wineandspiritarchive.com/resources/gift.html

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-4677541416141984732011-12-06T19:08:00.000-08:002011-12-06T19:20:28.544-08:00

The schedule for the 2012 Wine Passport Series has been posted and registration is open! It's time to get out those pens and start inking up your 2012 planner. Put it on your "wish list," purchase a class as a gift for someone else . . . you can check the entire schedule out here: http://www.wineandspiritarchive.com/classes/winepassport2012.htmlEach month features a class on a different wine

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-634952357829045482011-10-21T16:37:00.000-07:002011-10-21T16:45:44.743-07:00

WSA Grad: Brooke ParkerWSET Intermediate Certificate Spring, 2011Position: Tasting Room Associate, Dobbes Family EstateWhile working full-time in the IT industry, Brooke was looking for a way to deepen her knowledge of wine. After testing the waters with a couple of WSA classes, Brooke signed up for the WSET Intermediate Certificate course in the Spring of 2011. The knowledge she gained there,

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-8344418975618594322011-10-16T19:41:00.000-07:002011-10-16T19:46:55.385-07:00

As you may have guessed if you’ve seen me lately, Adam and I are getting ready for the arrival of our second baby sometime around January 1st (no tax jokes please!). In order to ensure that the WSA continues to tick along with fabulous programming and events even in the months immediately following his arrival, I’m looking for some additional help around here! If you’re interested in

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-16139043240605823362011-09-17T12:28:00.000-07:002011-09-17T12:40:26.189-07:00

WSA Grad: Deborah StilwellWSET Intermediate Certificate, 2007 and Advanced Certificate, Summer 2008Position: Weekend Lead and Wine Educator, DeLille Cellars Carriage HouseIt was a lack of basic information and training available at previous winery jobs that led Deb Stilwell to seek out the WSET program. Deb began her studies for the Intermediate Certificate program independently and exclaims, “It

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-75265138735453461432011-09-01T13:16:00.001-07:002011-09-01T13:21:47.631-07:00

This is the first post in a regular series profiling WSA alums. Allow us to introduce you to . . . David Rosenthal WSET Advanced Certificate, Spring 2008 Position: Assistant Winemaker, Chateau Ste. Michelle David Rosenthal began his wine career as a laboratory technician. As his passion for wine grew, he realized he needed to develop his palate and broaden his understanding of the world of

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-72859131636802241982011-08-06T09:43:00.000-07:002011-08-06T09:50:05.840-07:00

Thankfully there are still a few old school Rioja produces out there making the heavily oxidized, American oak-influenced Riojas that defined this historic region. And Lopez de Heredia is certainly on top of that pack. In this tasting we will explore this unique winemaker's line up from white to rosé to Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva reds. If you haven't tasted Old School Rioja before, prepare

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-54026733590306293252011-01-16T13:48:00.000-08:002011-01-16T13:52:18.270-08:00

It was selected as a great holiday idea, but we think it's a good thing to have on hand year round. Pick up our "12 @ $12" Wine Case for yourself and you'll be learning more every time you open a bottle! Each of our seasonal selections comes with a neck tag with info about the wine's region, grape variety and producer.See what Mix Magazine has to say: http://www.oregonlive.com/mix/index.ssf/

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-10542497883011692372011-01-06T14:51:00.001-08:002011-01-06T15:05:59.426-08:00

This year, take your self-improvement resolutions beyond the standard fare of "eating healthier" and "exercising more" - both respectable goals, but not always so much fun . . .Why not resolve to "expand your palate" or "drink better" or "enjoy yourself more?" If you agree to accept this challenge, we'd like to help!We think the best way to make 2011 the year you Learn More About Wine is to

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-37438154040688096902010-06-19T16:11:00.000-07:002010-08-02T19:14:02.294-07:00

OK WSET Alums, it's time again to drink some wine, eat some food, see old friends and meet some new ones. We sincerely hope you'll join us for one or both of these events!Portland Alumni PartyWednesday, July 7, 6pmThe Wine & Spirit Archive, 828 SE Ash Street #204Seattle Alumni PartySunday, August 8, 5pmDeLille Cellars, Woodinville, WADon't forget to RSVP!

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-80651379079636335162010-06-15T10:30:00.000-07:002010-06-15T10:38:08.500-07:00

If you're ready to take your knowledge of wine to the next level - or maybe even launch a new beverage industry career - WSET Wine Certification Courses are a great way to establish a strong foundation of wine knowledge, make industry connections, and learn to taste wine like a professional. To insure that these classes are available to everyone, we offer installment plans that allow students to

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-51047848223906046932010-06-08T16:25:00.000-07:002010-06-08T16:32:40.618-07:00

If you're a frequent wine-buyer or class-taker, you can't afford to NOT become a WSA Member. Join the club and receive invitations to member-only events and great deals on wine, tastings, and classes.Annual membership is just $30 - so once you've attended your free Friday Night Tasting and purchased a few bottles of wine, you're already in the black. For our WSET alums, the math is even easier

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-66617599453749222692010-04-27T11:06:00.000-07:002010-04-27T11:18:19.093-07:00

Our first installation is up - work by Portland-based photography, Paul Cunningham who recently documented harvest and crush in the Willamette Valley.Drop in anytime over the next month to view Paul's work or - better yet - join us for the show's opening on Friday, May 7 (4 to 7pm) when we'll be pouring a selection of our favorite French "oddities" (unique wines from strange places)!

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-59416385884660177952010-02-08T18:55:00.000-08:002010-02-08T19:13:39.330-08:00

It's a fact. After 3.5 years of toting wine and glassware to various sites around town, we've finally landed at our permanent home: 828 SE Ash Street, Suite #204!The building is known as Pine Street Studios or - for the food-minded among you - "that building that houses Simpatica and Biwa." Needless to say, we look forward to eating very, very well over the next few years. And we don't mind

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-91706461896233853622010-01-04T21:15:00.000-08:002010-01-04T21:28:04.119-08:00

If your resolution for 2010 is to learn more about wine, join us as a "Frequent Flyer" in our 2010 Wine Passport Series. We asked 12 of our favorite Portland-based wine professionals to join us for this series and asked each to select the wine region they are most passionate about. Their interests spanned the globe from the dry-farmed vineyards of the Barossa Zone to the steep, schistous rock

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-69931601987187433272009-11-26T11:24:00.000-08:002009-11-26T13:21:40.531-08:00

As Thanksgiving's roast turkeys become the weekend's turkey sandwiches, it's time to start thinking about the next holiday on the calendar . . . Do you have a wine lover on your shopping list? A wine class or one of our packaged wine boxes make perfect gifts.We offer flexible gift certificates available for specific classes, specific wine boxes, or pick any amount of your choice and allow your

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-25328680230877178272009-09-07T14:02:00.000-07:002009-09-07T14:19:47.256-07:00

The WSA is headed out of the classroom and into your home with our new "Wine Class in a Box" Program! Join us each month as we hand select our favorite wines to create a collection of portable "classes" that are delivered right to your door. Each six-bottle "class" is delivered in a carrying tote, complete with producer / wine style / regional information, maps, serving suggestions and WSA

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-42597347340094573822009-06-30T08:10:00.000-07:002009-06-30T08:26:33.138-07:00

Of all the Mix Magazine tastings we participated in, the Beaujolais tasting was probably the most disappointing. These light-bodied, summer-appropriate reds have crept up in price, but not in complexity. Much of what we tried was dull, uninteresting and not worth the price. Enter Oregon gamay-based wines! Katherine Cole snuck a few of these into the tasting and they immediately stood out,

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-66161581741653707162009-06-30T07:50:00.000-07:002009-06-30T08:05:13.785-07:00

Interested in taking a WSET Wine Certification Course this fall, but struggling to get the financing together? Payment plans continue to be available for these courses at no additional cost to students. Here's how they work: 1) we break the tuition costs into 2 to 4 monthly installments, 2) you make a monthly payment on either the 1st or 15th of the month, and 3) as soon as your first payment

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-87807631385628666432009-06-22T15:39:00.000-07:002009-06-22T16:19:08.928-07:00

As part of our most recent WSET Advanced Course, we took our students - as well as a few alums - down to the Willamette Valley to tour the vineyards and wineries of Trisaetum and Anne Amie Vineyards. At Trisaetum - a new winery located in the Ribbon Ridge AVA - we toured the winery's newly constructed, state of the art facility. The winery's top flight technologies included an air filtration

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-21246028728922795682009-05-11T16:32:00.000-07:002009-05-11T16:41:50.784-07:00

This month WSA alums are getting serious about tasting and are launching tasting groups in both Portland and Seattle. The objective: hone tasting skills, connect/reconnect with other WSA alumni and to taste some delicious wines!How The Tastings Are Organized:Well . . . that all depends on which alum is hosting this month. Some tastings might focus on a specific region, others on a specific

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-44503313401752629822009-04-24T14:02:00.001-07:002009-05-11T16:42:27.588-07:00

Want to know more about Greek wines? Check out Mimi Martin's (Wine & Spirit Archive owner) interview in the Oregonian's FOODday section.

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-56487741767161995662009-04-12T15:53:00.000-07:002009-04-12T16:14:01.512-07:00

On Saturday, April 4 we celebrated our second annual WSA Alumni Party - this time at Anne Amie Vineyards. It was a great chance to catch up with past students and to introduce students from different classes to one another. It didn't hurt that the weather was sunny, warm and near perfect, allowing us to open up the doors to Anne Amie for a gorgeous view of the valley and several different AVAs.

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-85771148151046888422009-04-07T16:45:00.000-07:002009-04-07T16:52:07.692-07:00

Join WSA co-owner, Adam Rhynard as he takes us on a tour of the Wines of Austria. We'll begin with a discussion of the terraced-hillsides above the Danube River, tasting the area's mineral-rich Rieslings and savory, complex Grüner Veltliners, but the delicate reds of Burgenland and botrytized sweet wines of the Neusiedlersee will not be neglected. After this course, it will be easy to see why

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-66637379726164893422009-03-24T16:27:00.000-07:002009-03-24T16:45:00.929-07:00

Ready to get a strong foundation in wine tasting basics? Then our three-part Introduction to Wine Series is for you.In this fun and interactive series, we'll guide you through the world's major wine styles and will fill your toolbox with the wine terminology you need to confidently understand any wine list. This is a tasting-focused class, so come prepared swirl, sniff and spit. By class end

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-5939313113364227782009-02-20T07:48:00.001-08:002009-02-20T08:00:41.084-08:00

Everyone at WSA is looking forward to our upcoming Wines of Piedmont Class scheduled for next Saturday, February 28.  The class will be taught by Darryl Joannides, owner of cork: a bottle shop and formerly chef/owner of Assagio Restaurant.  Class Description: Piedmont's rolling hillsides, nestled at the base of the Alps, provide ideal growing conditions for some of the world's most prestigious

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-5652064134040607212009-02-11T17:42:00.000-08:002009-02-11T17:49:00.818-08:00

It's official.  After much hesitation, WSA is now up on Facebook.  It would be a shame - now that we're up - for you not to visit us! Visit us here to become a friend . . . And here to become a fan . . . 

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-23887490870996188862009-02-03T15:09:00.000-08:002009-02-03T15:24:05.761-08:00

Congratulations to WSA alums who have either been recently promoted or have moved on to bigger and better things. Down in wine country, you'll find WSET Advanced Graduates Morgan Ennis and Mich Nelson in new tasting room positions.  Morgan recently left her position at Cork - A Bottle Shop to become Tasting Room Manager at Daedalus Cellars and Mich recently left Stoller Vineyards to join the

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-17634692553896851942009-01-21T09:17:00.000-08:002009-01-21T09:29:30.353-08:00

We love to keep track of our alums and catch up on what they're up to and - with well over 100 WSET graduates - our annual WSA alumni party is always the easiest way to that.  If you're an alum or current student, we sincerely hope you'll join us Saturday, April 4, at 4:30p.m. down in Carlton, OR.  A huge thank you to alums Ksandek Podbielski and Kim McLeod for offering space out at their

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-40451829753034814242009-01-12T09:37:00.000-08:002009-01-12T09:48:15.474-08:00

For many of our students - particularly those seeking to enter the beverage industry - WSET certification courses are a big investment.    If you're interested in registering for a WSET wine certification course, but can't swing the tuition in one lump sum, contact us about payment plans.  Payment can be spread over 2, 3, or 4 monthly installments at no additional charge.  

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-21842576487304477102008-11-13T18:04:00.000-08:002008-11-13T18:17:15.074-08:00

A friendly reminder that wine classes make a great holiday gift for the wine lover in your life. Information on gift certificates can be found here, or contact us for more details.  This spring we will once again offer our popular Introduction to Wine Series, a great option for someone who wants to get familiar with wine tasting and wine terminology in a fun and interactive class.  Register for

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-70949520308184383382008-11-13T17:50:00.000-08:002009-01-12T09:49:10.362-08:00

Details of the 2009 International Wine Passport Series have now been finalized and the full program can be found here.  We selected the 12 Portland wine professionals we would most like to learn from and asked them to put together a class on a wine region they are passionate about (well, in truth we asked only 10 Portland wine professionals to join us - 2 of the classes will be taught by us!).

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-64629069189309911292008-08-15T11:06:00.000-07:002008-08-15T11:53:59.950-07:00

This summer we again worked with the USDA Cochran Fellowship Program to host a group of international wine professionals and introduce them to American wines and winemaking practices.  This year's crew included three Croatian wine professionals: a wine-interested botanist and two government employees responsible for evaluating and ensuring wine quality.I kicked off our two day program with a

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-10132019706982646592008-06-30T21:39:00.000-07:002008-07-01T15:09:21.513-07:00

A quick congratulations to several WSA alums who recently stepped into new positions:After several years at Soter Vineyards, Chris Poulos (AC 2007) was asked by North Berkeley Imports to come aboard as a sales representative covering the Pacific Northwest, midwest, and parts Northern California.  A huge territory to be sure, which means that Chris finds himself traveling quite a bit.  Chris says

Mimi Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14484096757639545680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-88579873053661389172008-06-08T12:58:00.000-07:002008-06-11T10:15:22.238-07:00

by Leo DaedalusThe no. 2 pencil dust hasn't even settled on our final exams, but the WSA spring '08 Advanced alumni have already revived their study group. After all that hard work, "I don't want to lose my momentum," explained Barnyard Action co-founder Bob Martin. The group takes its ignoble name from a late-night tasting note tossed off during the initial meeting.It all began in the midst of

Leo Daedalusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-64309771148608728812008-04-13T14:17:00.000-07:002008-04-16T14:34:11.611-07:00

Want to make wine your profession? Join us in Seattle on Saturday, May 10, 2008 for a daylong symposium exploring career paths and opportunities in the wine industry. Panelists, representing many of Washington's top wine professionals, will discuss their personal experiences entering and working in the wine trade, insights into where the industry is heading, and suggestions for those just

Leo Daedalusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-22227441452712756912008-04-12T11:09:00.000-07:002008-04-16T13:50:28.856-07:00

In celebration of graduating our 100th WSET student, in early February we filled our house with Oregon-based WSA alumni for our first ever alumni party. The party was a great opportunity to connect students from various classes and to catch up with students we haven’t heard from in awhile. We found out that Mich Nelson just started a new job at Stoller Vineyards, that Chris Poulos has already

Leo Daedalusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-26597229062956780242008-04-12T10:15:00.000-07:002008-04-16T13:51:02.134-07:00

Congratulations to Leo Daedalus who received a perfect 100 on his WSET Intermediate Certificate exam. Leo's perfect score is the first for the WSA and is a tremendous achievement.

Leo Daedalusnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-76891319148665729682008-03-21T16:00:00.000-07:002008-04-16T14:32:22.539-07:00

This spring we got our WSET Advanced Certificate students out of the classroom and into the field with three winery visits. AC students Lisa Marcus and Mich Nelson share their thoughts on the field trips to Cristom Vineyards, Cameron Winery, and Stoller Vineyards below.

Leo Daedalusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-14095549068866144702008-03-21T15:00:00.000-07:002008-04-16T13:52:39.302-07:00

by Lisa MarcusPart 1 of a three-winery field trip organized by the WSA for the Spring 2008 WSET Advanced Certification course.It is morning in the winery. The hills surrounding are six Cristom vineyards, all named after relatives of owner Paul Gerrie. This fall they will bear pinot noir, pinot gris and syrah – the first estate-grown of its kind in the Willamette Valley. For now the vines are

Leo Daedalusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-25794853259173476782008-03-21T14:00:00.000-07:002008-04-16T13:52:57.064-07:00

by Lisa MarcusPart 2 of a three-winery field trip organized by the WSA for the Spring 2008 WSET Advanced Certification course.The gates are open for us today. We drive up the long gravel driveway surrounded by the Cameron Estate Vineyard. We find John Paul working hard at grafting vines. I can’t help but see him as an ex-hippy meets mad scientist meets grape grower, and I laugh to myself at how

Leo Daedalusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9169534779527936000.post-76916975960981779162008-03-21T13:00:00.000-07:002008-04-17T14:18:13.242-07:00

by Mich NelsonPart 3 of a three-winery field trip organized by the WSA for the Spring 2008 WSET Advanced Certification course.After visiting Cristom and Cameron earlier in the day, the WSET Advance Certificate students headed to Stoller Vineyards. Stoller Vineyards is a 373-acre parcel located on the southern slopes of the Dundee Hills AVA in Yamhill County, Oregon. A turkey farm from the 1940s

Leo Daedalusnoreply@blogger.com