Subscribe to Vin GrottoMay. 6, 2009 at 8:32am
Uncork the Possibilities
Tacoma Wine Classic to benefit the scholarship program at T.C.C.
Posted by Kris Blondin in Events, Tacoma
No comments
Apr. 29, 2009 at 8:17am
There's wine in my hair salon
Azarra Salon and Wine combines two of my favorite things together at last!
Posted by Kris Blondin in Tacoma, Wine Industry
No comments
As we all know, times are tough, so the smart businessperson must think outside the box to make a buck. The stylists of Azarra Salon are no exception. They now include “wine” in their business name. As of last week, the NEW salon is now Azarra Salon and Wine.
Why wine and beauty, you ask? According to Aura Mae, owner, stylist, author (Get Some Hairapy) and wine lover, “We are in touch with the needs of our customer and know most of them enjoy wine. Our clients turn to us for advice on many levels. They trust us. Why wouldn’t they trust us for their wine? And with our newly expanded space, we now have room to offer this service.”
Read moreFeb. 28, 2009 at 3:30pm
Argentina meets Washington wine
Whitman and Corvus Cellars wine dinner at Asado rocked my world
Posted by Kris Blondin in Tacoma, Wine Tasting
No comments
Last Thursday night it was my great honor to attend a wine dinner at Asado featuring wines from Whitman Cellars in Walla Walla and Corvus Cellars. Not only did I attend the event, I was fortunate to be seated with Stephen Lessard, winemaker for both wineries, and partner Randall Hopkins in Corvus.
Stephen has 20 plus years of winemaking experience and has made wine for such reputable establishments as Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars (Napa), Hacienda Winery (Sonoma), Hedges Cellars (Red Mountain), and most recently Whitman Cellars (Walla Walla). Together Stephen and Randall strive to showcase Corvus Cabernet as a wine with balance and depth while trying to embrace the local terroir.
Read moreFeb. 22, 2009 at 4:24pm
Changes at Cork! A Wine Bar
Partnership dissolved at 6th avenue wine bar
Posted by Kris Blondin in Tacoma, Wine Industry
Comments (3)
Rumors have been buzzing around about Cork! wine bar lately. I couldn't confirm anything until today when I received this email in my inbox:
Read moreFeb. 6, 2009 at 6:00pm
Pont 21 Winery
North Tacoma wine maker is ready to pour
Posted by Kris Blondin in Tacoma, Wine Industry
Comments (7)
One of my very first customers at Vin Grotto was Philip Coates. After some wine and conversation he told me that he was wine maker and intended to release his wine to the public someday. His goal was to become Tacoma’s first full production winery.
Now this was 2003, and I saw Philip a few more times after our initial encounter and I never really heard anything more about his wine venture. You know how it is, people can talk a good game with the best of intentions, but they usually never follow through. This is not the case for Philip Coates.
Read moreJan. 18, 2009 at 2:02pm
Big, Beautiful Reds: A lovely South Sound Eats wine tasting
30 wines you will fall in love over!
Posted by Kris Blondin in Red Wine, Tacoma, Wine Tasting
Comments (1)
I am not much of a fan for Valentine’s Day. Cards, candy and flowers – all pushed on the consumer by the big retail-marketing machine. However, there is nothing more romantic than finding that one perfect wine to share with your love. I am here to help you find it.
Dec. 17, 2008 at 6:54pm
Wine IS food to some of us...
A first look at Merende's wine list.
Posted by Kris Blondin in Tacoma
No comments
Ed and I made a visit to Il Trattoria di Merende last Friday night, and I was hesitant. As you may or may not know, the Merende space was at one time mine when I owned Vin Grotto Café and Wine Bar. It was weird being there, but not terrible. The changes made to the space were so extreme I hardly recognized it. This gave me some comfort.
Read moreDec. 6, 2008 at 2:43pm
Bubbles, bubbles and more bubbles! South Sound Eats' sparkling wine tasting
Preview the wines for SSE sparkling tasting
Posted by Kris Blondin in Sparkling Wine, Tacoma, Wine Tasting
Comments (5)
Nothing says the holidays like bubbles. They tickle your nose and brighten your day. On Tuesday, Dec. 16 my friend Lilli Marlene and I will break out some very cool sparkling wines at Maxwell's Speakeasy + Lounge in Tacoma.
