Cyber Monday @ Walter Dacon Wines

November 29, 2001
Cyber Monday at Walter Dacon Wines - we're offering a 15% discount on a case of wine (your choice) and a 25% discount on two cases of wine - today (cyber Monday only)!

To place your order go to our secure website @ walterdaconwines.com and click on the Order tab at the top of the screen.

Have a great day!

Cheers!

Lloyd & Ann Anderson
Walter Dacon Wines
360 426-5913

Who's making your wine?

With the recent influx of "virtual" wineries in Washington State, can you be sure your favorite winery is a bricks and mortor operation?

The Making of Port - Vin a' Dessert

Ann made a speed trip to downtown Portland, Oregon today to purchase grape neutral spirits at the Clear Creek Distillery.  What a wonderful place. She backed her little car into the warehouse, opened the back hatch, and they filled a 15 gallon stainless container for the trip back to Washington.  Oh, yes, she had to pay for it.  So, the port (we can't call it port) will have the brandy introduced tomorrow, and then it will be aged in French and American oak barrels for a year or more!  Yummy!

WA State Initiatives 1100 and 1105: Privatization

Washington State Initiatives 1100 and 1105: Privatization

On the surface, the passage of I-1100 and I-1105 look very simple – getting the state out of the retail liquor business. But, as with most everything involving politics, there are a lot of hidden and often not discussed issues that have far reaching affects.

We at Walter Dacon Wines are worried about the effect these initiatives will have on our small business. There are three issues in I-1100 that bother us:
It allows wine, beer and spirits to be sold on credit e.g. 30, 60, 90 days. Currently, alcohol sales are paid for on delivery. For a small business like ours, cash flow is paramount. Further, if a retailer goes out of business without paying, it would be devastating.

It allows retailers to charge for shelf space (currently not allowed) and sets up a "pay to play" scenario. For example, restaurants would be allowed to charge a winery the cost to reprint their wine list in exchange for listing that winery's wines. It also allows gifts of substance e.g. "I'll buy X cases of your wine if you will give me Y cases as a gift. Currently, only small gifts of little value like coasters and t-shirts are allowed.

It allows volume discounts which will give the largest in-state, out of state and out of country wineries with millions of cases to sell, an advantage over small local producers.

I-1105 is the wholesale distributor's counter to I-1100 and requires all spirits sales go through a wholesale liquor distributor. Unlike Washington retailer's ability to deal directly with wine producers, spirits producers would be required to work within a three-tier system which would separate manufacturing, distributing and retailing and not allow any reciprocal interests. I-1105 is less onerous in that, while also privatizing the sale of liquor, it keeps most of the existing alcohol regulations in place. I-1105 repeals all liquor taxes and directs the legislature to make up the difference with new taxes. The state Office of Financial Management estimates the total revenue loss to the state general fund to be between $128 and $136 million per year.

Think it through, but please ask yourself whether lower prices and easier access to alcohol is worth the guaranteed financial loss to the state, cities and counties not to mention the potential harm to small wineries.

We're voting NO on both I-1100 and I-1105!

If the goal is to close state liquor stores and allow for privatization, then let's work with our elected officials to reach this end goal.

Cheers!

Lloyd & Ann Anderson
50 SE Skookum Inlet Rd
Shelton WA 98584
360 426-5913

Walter Dacon pouring for Washington Trust for Historic Preservation @ Stimson-Green Mansion, Seattle

Walter Dacon Wines has the privilege to pour wines for the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation at the historic Stimson-Green Mansion on Minor Avenue, Seattle this afternoon.  We will be pouring the 2009 Viognier, 2007 C'est Syrah Belle, 2007 C'est Syrah Beaux and the 2007 Sangiovese.

Barrel Tasting @ Walter Dacon Wines & OysterFest, Shelton, WA

October is shaping up to be a busy month for Walter Dacon Wines. 

Our first event is OysterFest at the Mason County Fairgrounds, October 2 and 3, Saturday 10 am - 6 pm and Sunday 10 am - 5 pm.  Walter Dacon Wines, with a host of other Washington State Wineries, will be there pouring for all the wine enthusiasts.  For the friendliest people and freshest seasfood in the region, attend one or both days.  Go to their website to check out the entertainment schedule, oyster shucking contest and other activities at OysterFest.

October 9th and 10th, we'll roll out several of our 2009 wine varietals and with thieves in hand we'll dip samples straight from the barrels.  The two day food menu will be clam chowder, wild mushroom soup and rustic french bread, all provided by Chef Treacy Kreger of Vern's.  The cost:  $10 (Le Grand Crew - wine club $4). 

So, dress for the weather, join us at OysterFest and our annual barrel tasting at Walter Dacon.

Labor Day Weekend at Walter Dacon Wines, Shelton, WA

The sun is shining here in Shelton, live music is playing, award winning wine is flowing - come out and join us at 50 SE Skookum Inlet Road!

Labor Day @ Walter Dacon Wines Reminder

Labor Day weekend Reminder!

Invite your friends and stop in: September 4th, 5th and 6th ~ noon to 6 pm Live Music by “Teacher”

Fresh steamer clams (done Walter style) from Taylor Shellfish Farms,

Wonderful hot rustic French bread along with

Hummus, celery, olives and flat bread

Fee: $15 (Le Grand Crew ~ $5)

Help us welcome Doug and Kim McCrea's new Tasting Room to down town Olympia (just off Capitol on Fifth @ 116 5th Avenue). The Olympia Wine and Tasting Bar is open 1-6 pm Thursday through Saturday and 1-4 pm Sundays. Stop in to purchase great wine and tell them Walter Dacon recommended them.

Cheers!

Walter Dacon Looks back (just for a second) and Looks Ahead!

Since our 5th anniversary celebration (Le Grand Crew Dinner Party) at the end of July, it has been a whirlwind of activity for us.  It seems we've been on the go constantly.  I just looked at the calendar and the long days of summer are wanning.

But the good news keeps coming for Walter Dacon:

• Wine Spectator, in the latest edition (September issue) gave our 2007 C'est Syrah Magnifique 93 points!
• This follows on the heals of Wine Spectator's August edition giving C'est Syrah Beaux 92 points
• Appanage 91 points
• C'est Syrah Belle 90 points

We poured at Auction of Washington Wines and Picnic with the Winemakers, Thursday, August 19th, at Chateau Ste. Michelle, Woodinville, to benefit uncompensated care at Seattle Children's Hospital and the Washington Wine Education Foundation.

• We're also very pleased to welcome Salida Wines (by Doug and Kim McCrea) new tasting room in downtown Olympia, located in the New Caldonia Building, 116 5th Ave.  They are open for tastings and sales Thursday through Saturday 1 pm to 6 pm and Sunday from 1 pm to 4 pm.  Stop in and tell Kim and Doug that Walter Dacon suggested you drop by.

Friends of Olympia Farmer's Market is holding the 11th annual "Taste of the Market" on Tuesday the 24th of August, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  Walter Dacon will be there pouring Voignier, Belle and Beaux.  Tickets can be purchased at the Farmers Market Office or online at Farmers Market.  Come out and support our local farmers and vendors!

• We also want to invite everyone to join us over the Labor Day Weekend to listen to live music by Teacher, drink great wines and feast on Taylor Shellfish Farms fresh steamer clams done Walter style.  Noon to 6 pm Saturday, Sunday and Monday, September 4th, 5th and 6th.

Walter Dacon at Wines in the Pines - Suncadia and More Terrific Scores

Walter Dacon Wines was privileged to be selected to pour wine at Suncadia Lodge, July 31st, for the third annual "Wine in the Pines" event. 

More good news for Walter Dacon; new wine scores from Wine Spectator magazine are in:

• 92 C'est Syrah Beaux
• 91 C'est Syrah Appanage
• 90 C'est Syrah Belle

Look for the September issue of Seattle Metropolitan magazine - Appanage made the top 100 list - we just don't know the exact number!  So, it will be a surprise to us too.  We're just honored that of all the wineries in Washington (close to 700) - we made the top 100.  Hurray!

Walter Dacon Le Grand Crew Dinner Party and Dance

July 24th was a terrific afternoon at Walter Dacon Wines.  The weather was perfect as over 100 wine club members, Le Grand Crew, gathered on the lawn to celebrate our 5th year anniversary and partake in a cedar planked salmon dinner with all the trimmings prepared by Randy McIntosh and Vern's Restaurant.  The dance floor was ready as our band from Tacoma, The High Rollers, performed amazing dance music.  Everyone was up and dancing.  BJ a 95 year old guest from Hartstine Island and a former Radio City Rockette, danced every dance. Thanks to everyone for helping us celebrate our fifth year milestone.  To commemorate our fifth year, we introduced 2007 C'est Syrah Belle magnums, personally signed by the winemaker.  Again, thanks to everyone for making the wine club dinner and our 5th anniversary very memorable.

Walter Dacon pouring at Sunshine & Wine, State Fair Park, Yakima, Washington

Lloyd and Ann are heading to Yakima for the annual Sunshine & Wine event at the State Fair Park today, Saturday, June 26th.  The event starts at 1 pm and runs until 5 pm.  This is the fifth year Walter Dacon has poured wine at this event which is the culmination of the Washington State Wine Competition..  It's always a fun event with live music, fabulous food, and tremendous award winning wines from across the state - all on the lawn.  The temperature is forecast to be 84 degrees today in Yakima - we can hardly wait!  Walter Dacon will be pouring C'est Syrah Magnifique. So, jump in your car, take the 2.5 hour drive, say hi and soak up some rays.

Grand Opening, Sullivan's Steakhouse and Walter Dacon Wines, Seattle

Lloyd and Ann recently had the opportunity to attend the pre-launch of Sullivan's Steakhouse, a fabulous affair on June 17th at 621 Union Street, Seattle.  The venue is perfect, the food scrumptious, and with newly renovated space, everything is in place for a pleasurable dining experience. Schuyler Adams, the General Manager, is ready to greet guests at the restaurant tonight (6/19/2010) for their Grand Opening.  Check out the wine list when you visit.  You might find one of your favorites.

Walter Dacon Wines attend the 2010 Seattle Wine Awards at Seattle's Historic Rainier Club

Walter Dacon Wines were honored to receive two gold medals (C'est Syrah Magnfique and Appanage) at the Seattle Wine Awards conducted by Christopher Chan, Sommelier at the Rainier Club, Seattle. 

The event, held this past Sunday, brought 90 of the best wineries in the state of Washington together for a grand tasting.  The wines and food were fabulous, and the historic venue was awsome. 

Look for next year's event in June of 2011.

Washington Governor's Mansion Foundation and Walter Dacon Wines

June 8th was a spectacular evening for Walter Dacon Wines.  We were privileged to be invited to the Governor's Mansion to participate in a fund raiser sponsored by the non-partisan Governor's Mansion Foundation.

The wine tasting event was a 'first' for the mansion and will probably become an annual event based on its success.  The Governor, Chris Gregoire, was on hand to welcome several hundred participants and share stories about how the Foundation was started by then First Lady, Nancy Evans, in 1972.

As the evening was winding down and the governor departed to a private meeting, a security person for the Governor approached Lloyd and Ann.  She indicated that the Governor had requested Walter Dacon and "would we please follow her to the private area?"  As we arrived at the door to the private area, another security person came out and said, "Oh, I'm sorry, she requested Walter Dacon wine, not the winemaker".  Needless to say, everyone erupted in laughter and even more laughter.  Lloyd said he would get lots of mileage in the future telling this story!

Facebook LIKES for Walter Dacon Wines, Shelton, Washington

 Karan Wade-James of Olympia became Walter Dacon's 500th follower on Facebook, April 11th 2010, three months after our page went live.  We now have 576 and we can't wait to congratulate number 1,000. Any guesses on when that might be? Post your guess here; whomever comes closest to the actual date we hit 1,000 will be invited to the winery for a photo-op with the winemaker and a bottle of Walter Dacon Syrah to take home!

Walter Dacon Wines, Shelton, WA Bring Home Fabulous Ratings from Wine Enthusiast Magazine

Wow! We just received advance word from the editors of Wine Enthusiast Magazine. They recently reviewed our wines and gave us the following scores:
Editors’ Choice * 2007 Boushey Vineyard - Appanage 92 (50 cases)

2007 C’est Syrah Magnifique 91 (77 cases)

2007 C’est Syrah Belle 91 (250 cases)

2007 C’est Syrah Beaux 90 (22 cases) 2007 Sangiovese 90 (85 cases)

So, look for the August 2010 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine the end of July on a newsstand near you.

Cheers!

Lloyd and Ann Anderson
Walter Dacon Wines

* Special Designations: Editors’ Choice wines are those that offer excellent quality at a price above our Best Buy range, or a wine at any price with unique qualities that merit special attention.

Memorial Day Weekend - Seminar Series, June 2nd All at Walter Dacon Wines, Shelton, WA

Please join Lloyd and Ann Anderson

at the winery for our

Memorial Day weekend event, May 29th, 30th and 31st,

noon to 6 pm each day

Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

We welcome back, by popular demand, Teacher, our very talented local musical sensations for the three day weekend.

We’ll be serving our traditional

Walter’s Steamed Clams,

all fresh from Taylor Shellfish Farms, rustic French bread and humus – yummy – something for everyone!

Bring your friends, relax on the patio, sip delightful Walter Dacon wines, enjoy fabulous music and nibble on wonderful steamed clams.

Le Grand Crew – $5
Walter’s Friends – $10

Join us for our next Seminar June 2nd, 6:30 pm at the winery

Olive Oil - Why does it make a Difference?

Cold Pressed, Virgin, Extra Virgin, France, Spain, Italy!

What is the difference, and how do I use these different olive oils? 

We will be talking and tasting Olive Oil!
Please, no scents or perfumes, as we will be relying on our sense of smell for this event.

The cost is $20.  Seminars are limited to 20 members and fill up early, so please RSVP (we only have 6 spaces left).  Call 360 426-5913 or email ann@walterdaconwines.com

You will be treated to a glass of wine, artisan breads and gourmet cheeses during the seminar.

Join Walter Dacon In the Vineyard - It's All about Terroir -

Please Join Us at Walter Dacon Wines for our Third Seminar:

May 5th, 6:30 – 8 pm

“In the Vineyard – It’s All about Terroir”

Here in Washington State, wine grapes have a legacy reaching back nearly 17,000 years when catastrophic ice age floods began carving the rugged terrain where today’s grape vines thrive. Lloyd (Andy) will help us experience the Missoula Floods through animations and learn how wine is a reflection of terroir (the interaction of geology, soil, climate and human intervention – a sense of place. We have no one word that translates the French word terroir).

We will taste wine from different vineyards, aged in barrels of the same cooperage and toast levels. You will see and taste the vast difference. We’re sure you will be amazed at the differing flavor profiles.

Please sign up early, there are only 20 spaces. You’ll receive a glass of Walter Dacon wine, nibble on gourmet cheeses along with artisan breads for a cost of $20.

Our last seminar on stemware was sold out.

You can go to Facebook, search for Walter Dacon, click on Events to RSVP to the seminar, give us a call @ 360 426-5913 or email us at ann@walterdaconwines.com.

Cheers!

Lloyd and Ann Anderson
Walter Dacon Wines

Wine Barrel Tasting - Walter Dacon Wines, Shelton, WA

Spring  Run  Off – When  It  Rains,  We  Pour!

Mason County-wide Lodging and Dining Specials all Month

- check it out at:
Hood Canal Wines

Please join us at Walter Dacon Wines for this

First Annual County-wide event April 24th and 25th, noon to 6 pm.

We will be ‘thieving’ our 2008 Syrah wine directly from the barrel. Come; evaluate our new wine!

Something new for this event only:
Pre-order wine on our website Walter Dacon Wines and you’ll receive a 10% discount. In addition, there will be no waiting to check out. We’ll box up your order and have it ready for you to pick up.

We’ll have hot ‘comfort food’ - wild mushroom soup, clam chowder and rustic French bread all prepared by award winning Chef Treacy @ Vern’s Restaurant.  Our patio heaters will be on to help keep you warm, but this event will be in the barrel room and on the crush pad so please dress for the weather - do the sunshine dance.

A portion of your wine purchases will be donated to the four food banks in Mason County.

Fee - $10/plus tax
Le Grand Crew $5/plus tax

Cheers!
Lloyd and Ann Anderson