Submitted by Westport Winery
Westport Winery received a coveted Chairman’s Award at the Riverside International Wine Competition in Temecula, California on May 8 for their vineyard designated 2011 Surfer’s Syrah. The grapes for this unanimous gold-medal winning wine were grown by Milo and Kay May at Discovery Vineyards in Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills AVA. This new vintage is now available to sample exclusively at the winery’s tasting room.
The label features a photograph from the 1970s when winery co-owner Blain Roberts was a nationally-rated surfer. The shot was taken at Honolua Bay on the northwest shore of Maui, the island where Roberts founded Lahaina Divers.
His son, winemaker Dana Roberts said, “We love the style of grape productions at Discovery. The Mays’ careful growing practices are reflected in the incredible quality of this wine in what was considered a challenging year in Washington.” Westport also sources Cabernet Sauvignon from Discovery. In March, the winery invited some of their wine club members to participate in the blending of these two varietals from Discovery for their new ultra-premium wine named Nirvana. This wine will be released later this summer.
Each of Westport’s wines benefit different local charitable organizations. A portion of the proceeds from Surfer benefits Westport’s South Beach EMS program. Additionally, the winery commissions local artists to commemorate each of their thirty-three wines with a sculpture in their display gardens.
Lighthouse White, featuring grapes from Red Willow Vineyard in the Yakima Valley AVA, earned a bronze medal at this event. This wine benefits the Grays Harbor Lighthouse Restoration Fund and the Westport Maritime Museum. The label features an original watercolor by wine co-owner Blain Roberts’ surfing partner, Darryl Easter of Camarillo, California.
In addition to the release this week of the 2011 Syrah, Westport will offer a new vintage of Bog Berry Blush with a new label featuring a watercolor by Tokeland artist Wally Mann. A portion of the proceeds from this wine benefits the WSU Cranberry Research Station and Museum in Long Beach, Washington.
Westport Winery and Vineyards By-the-Sea with its unique sculpture garden, lavender labyrinth, musical fence, 9-hole executive golf course, giant chess set, outdoor scrabble game, and grape maze, is located on the corner of Highway 105 and South Arbor Road halfway between Aberdeen and Westport.
Westport’s award-winning wines are exclusively available at the winery. The tasting room, gift shop, produce market, plant nursery and bakery are open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The restaurant is open for lunch daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and for dinner on Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information contact Westport Winery at 360-648-2224 or visit the website at www.westportwinery.com.
