WSA Gift Certificates

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 or by phone (503-764-7698).

Happy Holidays!

2012 Wine Passport Series - It's Official!

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.html

Each month features a class on a different wine region, each taught by a different Portland wine professional, with several instructor favorites returning to the roster and - as always - a few new additions as well.

See you in 2012!

Meet WSA Alum, Brooke Parker

WSA Grad: Brooke Parker
WSET Intermediate Certificate Spring, 2011
Position: Tasting Room Associate, Dobbes Family Estate

While 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, along with the tremendous enthusiasm it fostered, helped her land a seasonal job in the tasting room at Dobbes Family Estate in Dundee. The preparation she received in the IC course allowed her to "hit the ground running." While Brooke is not quite ready to leave her IT job, she plans to use her new-found knowledge to "help change the wine world, one person at a time, and to focus on the fun, beauty, and deliciousness that is the real reason we pop the cork!"

Help Wanted!

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 1^st (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 getting more involved with the WSA in exchange for wine education, please get in touch! The positions listed below are a rough outline of the type of help that could come in handy, but if you have other skills you think might be useful, let me know. These positions are flexible and can be tailored to your schedule, but ideally I’m looking for a commitment of a couple of hours per week over a 2-month period.

Position 1: Course Assistant Course assistants help with classroom set up, wine pouring (servers permit required) and clean up in exchange for reduced tuition for certification classes and free tuition for recreational classes. If you’re applying for this position, please note for which classes you’d like to be considered. Position 2: Programming Intern The programming intern will have the opportunity to develop and implement educational programming. The ideal candidate for this position brings some event planning experience as well as ideas for unique wine-related events (possible events include: advanced level wine seminars, lecture series, wine career symposium, etc.). Please note that this is NOT a teaching position. Position 3: Marketing and Visual Education Intern (for lack of a better term) Ideally, the MVE intern is visually minded with strong graphic design skills. This individual will create and install interactive visual displays at the WSA to increase casual learning opportunities at the school (this might include maps, soil samples, regional displays, etc.). HOW TO APPLY: Send an email inquiry to cheers@wineandspiritarchive.com. Please include in our email: 1). why you are interested in the position and how you will use your education credits, and 2). the skills you bring to the position and any past relevant jobs/experiences. Review of applicants will begin November 1, 2011.

Meet WSA Alum, Deb Stilwell

WSA Grad: Deborah Stilwell
WSET Intermediate Certificate, 2007 and Advanced Certificate, Summer 2008
Position: Weekend Lead and Wine Educator, DeLille Cellars Carriage House

It 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 was the first time in my life I came across a subject where I realized how much there was to know and that I had SO much to learn. I didn't find this depressing but rather, exciting.” After sitting the IC exam with the WSA in Portland, she dove right into the Advanced Certificate program in a Seattle class. Deb now conducts wine education classes both in her position as the Weekend Lead and Wine Educator at DeLille Cellars in Woodinville, WA, and while conducting staff training for the new Wines of Washington tasting room in Snohomish, WA. She has also taught a Wine Basics class at the Seattle branch of Le Cordon Bleu and plans to continue teaching there. Deb is a real testament to the power of a WSET education!

Meet WSA Alum, David Rosenthal

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 wine. That led him to the WSA and the WSET Advanced Certificate program. David says that the WSET program is “dynamic, thorough, and well respected,” and that the knowledge he gained has helped him define his approach to making wine. In his current position as Assistant Winemaker at Chateau Ste. Michelle, David uses what he learned through WSET to make decisions about fermentation, blending, and overall wine style. David adds, “I am grateful to the WSA for helping to advance my career and for making wine education fun and interesting.”

Special WSA Member Tasting - The Wines of Lopez de Heredia

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 to have your wine world rocked!

As a special thank you to our WSA members, this tasting will only be $5 ($20 for everyone else). We hope you can make it!

Friday, August 19, 2011. 5-7pm. Drop in anytime and stay as long as you like.

* Can you identify this picture? These are Lopez de Heredia wine bottles undergoing extended (and dusty aging). They are released when the producer determines they are ready to drink - the Old School Rioja way!

Mix Magazine Features Our "Wine Class in a Box"

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/people-events-stuff/our-good-gift-ideas-for-the-holidays.html

Make 2011 the Year to "Learn More About Wine"

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 enroll in our 2011 Wine Passport Series and join us each month for a class focusing on the wines from a specific region. A monthly class guarantees that you get your wine fix 12 times a year (smaller memberships are also available).

Or if you want to learn at home, pick up our seasonal "12 @ $12" Wine Case. Each bottle is tagged with information about the region, grape and producer so with every bottle you open, you know you'll be learning something!