A Much Needed Reminder

We had a pallet of wine leave for Japan today and it reminded me, which I need from time to time, that our wines are actually consumed by real people. I sometimes forget our wines are consumed in a context outside of our winery.

It is inspiring to know that roughy 40,000 times a year someone choose our wine to make their dinner with friends, or family, a little more special or to end the occasional 'day from hell.' To be honest, your support not only helps to justify my overwhleiming-love-bordering-on-fetish for Excel spreadsheets but makes those long dusty days on the tractor and seemingly endless cold October nights working the press all worth it.

Plus, without being able to chase the four-wheeler the wine dogs would all be a little more 'healthy' (read fat) than they currently are. I think without the constant attention Gus gets from tasting guests he would have holed up somewhere thinking nobody loves him, painting his nails black, wearing a studded collar and listening to death metal.

Thanks for the inspiration.

It is hot!!! I am not sure what else to say. The wine farm is a little slow with the heat as the crew is going home at 10am to avoid getting cooked. Luckily the winery is a refreshing 65.

We are spending a lot of time right now working on the 'darkside' of the wine business. Finishing budgets for the next fiscal year, working distribution alotments and generally getting caught up on inside jobs (not all bad with heat). We do not expect a big impact on the vines from this heat but are keeping a close eye on everything. A little water does wonders to keep the vines moving and healthy.

If you live in the Seattle area we are doing a tasting at Picnic (Phinney Ridge) tomrrow from 5:30-7:30. More information at http://www.picnicseattle.com/. We will be pouring Riesling and Rose (both of which we are out of in the tasting room) as well as a few reds. Perfects wines for hot day. Hopefully we will see you there.

Catching Up and Summer Update

Well we have been not so good about posting on a regular basis but hope to do a better job moving forward.


Life on the wine farm has been very busy for the past three or four months. The grapes are growing like mad, actually we just now starting to slow them down. We expect to begin to see verasion (when they change color) in another two to three weeks and will be begin harvest in 60-75 days. Thus far the growing season has been good at the heat spell we are in experiencing is a good thing (provided it does not get much hotter).

Crop loads look great and we anticipate another stellar year for Washington wine. However, prayers, animal sacrifices, knocking on wood, voodoo dolls or anything else you feel might help would be much appreciated. When Mother Nature is at the helm one never knows for sure.

The crew is finishing up with leaf stripping and will get a much needed break very shortly to rest up for harvest.

We will soon be bottling the 2007 vintage and from what Matt has let me taste thus far I am excited to get these wines into a bottle. Matt is busy putting the finishing touches on the final blends and will start fining and filtration very soon.

TMW is excited to announce our wines will now be distributed in the greater Chicago area as well as the state of South Carolina. If you live in or are visting either of these locations just ask your favorite wine shop or wine steward and they can get them for you. Your support is much appreciated.

The annual Chalk Party to benefit The Pegasus Project was huge succes and we, as well as the children your Rose' purchases support, cannot thank you enough. In fact we are down to the last five cases so be sure to pick some up. This photo is of this year's winning drawing, which will be the label for the 2009 Rose'.






If you are looking for one more fun thing to do this summer there are still a few tickets left for both of the Dinner and Movie showings. August 1st and September 5th we will open up the lawn, break out the barbeque and projector and enjoy the wonderful summer evenings Mother Nature gives here in wine country. More information and tickets available at http://www.twomountainwinery.com/ or 509.829.3900. FYI limited tickets available.



We hope you are having a wonderful summer and will hopefully see you soon.

Promising to be better about posting,

Patrick T. Rawn