Submitted by Westport Winery
Rapture of the Deep, Westport Winery’s sparkling cranberry wine, earned Best of Class at the third annual Great Northwest Wine Competition held last week in Hood River, Oregon. This has been the winery’s most decorated wine having earned numerous double gold and platinum medals in international competitions. It has been rated one of the top 100 wines in the Northwest for two years and was poured at the annual Christmas tree lighting at the nation’s capital in 2012.
The winery’s tasting notes capture its essence with the description, “Purity of fruit, joyous and angelic.” It is suggested you enjoy this sparkler in the winery’s restaurant with Chicken Cordon Gold (featuring Washington State University’s Cougar Gold sharp cheddar wrapped with maple-smoked ham in a breaded chicken breast). The tasting notes also offer a musical pairing with each wine. They suggest this one is best enjoyed while listening to Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus.
Each of Westport’s wines benefits a different local charity, in this case Aberdeen’s Driftwood Theater. The label features one of winery co-owner Blain Roberts’, iconic underwater photographs of an octopus from his time as founder and owner of Lahaina Divers on Maui. The sculpture commemorating this wine in the gardens was created by Johnny and Darlene Camp of Opal Art Glass in Cosmopolis. It is located under the black gazebo on the winery’s patio.
When you visit Westport Winery Garden Resort be sure to explore the unique sculpture garden, lavender labyrinth, musical fence, 9-hole executive golf course, giant chess set, outdoor scrabble game, and grape maze, all located on the corner of Highway 105 and South Arbor Road halfway between Aberdeen and Westport. You will see why four times this has been voted Best of the Northwest Wine Destination.
These award-winning wines are exclusively available at the resort. The tasting room, gift shop, produce market, plant nursery, bakery and gardens, 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 Garden Resort at 360-648-2224 or visit the website atwww.westportwinery.com.
