Working Girl

I Am What I Am

2018-04-16T19:35:00.000-07:00

Two months ago I almost shouted off the page when I posted a new Working Girl blog … “I’m in the groove”. Felt like writing again and I finally was ready to tackle Amazon book marketing.

It didn’t take me long - my elation was short lived. I needed to take my own advice - if a skill is critical to your success and you don’t have it, then HIRE IT. But this time it was more easily said than done.

My goal for this book was to sell lots of books and donate all my royalties carrying on the commitment of the Working Girls and Olympic Cellars… Created by Women, In Support of Women.

But just like the early days of the winery, there is a very small budget for marketing.

. . .Give me just a minute. There’s more to this story.

I live in Sequim, Washington and the first Friday every month is Art Walk. I love art and a rule I follow (or should follow) is when you see something you want, walk away. If it won’t leave your mind and you’re still thinking about it a few days later then consider buying it.

Well not this First Friday Art Walk. I only had about 15 minutes before meeting a friend for dinner. Walking around the Blue Whole Gallery a funky sculpture captured my attention. The name on the white card was “I Am What I Am” by Nancy Lawrence. I bought it immediately and blamed this impulse on art in general. When it reaches out to you and somehow touches you personally, well just open your purse.

The sculpture was a female bird, with three legs wearing boots and the expression on her face as she looked me in the eyes was challenging, “You Are What You Are”.

Did that dang funky bird just give me an Out? You won’t sell many books but It’s OK that you don’t know how to market on Amazon.

Or, is she challenging me to step up? Get you butt in gear and learn how or find another way Kathy.

That Bird has been taunting me ever since she moved into my office, giving me that look each day and expecting an answer. Today she got it.

I Am What I Am.

A Working Girl and Damn Proud of It.

So, I’m Getting to Work.

The Five Balls of Life

2018-01-31T20:18:00.001-08:00

After the long months of writing, editing and finally publishing my book I had no words left. And I knew that my biggest job lay ahead… marketing my book on Amazon. Geez, just put me behind the bar again and let me sell wine.

OK Kathy, stop whining, you can do this.

As I’m grumping about Amazon marketing my dear friend is launching her women’s coaching business and she asked for my input on website design, content, logo, mission and marketing. Yea, I can do this. She would send me long emails and I provided feedback. It felt really good and then I realized she had given me a gift - it had got me thinking beyond my current projects on my desk - I felt in the groove again.

When I was at Olympic Cellars and communicating with my customers a common overarching theme was my Working Girl approach to owning a small business and also living life . . . as a mother, wife, grandmother, sister, friend, colleague and team leader. Of course, I sold wine too!

Tonight, looking around my office my eyes settled on five balls.

I had read or someone told me about juggling the 5 balls of your life . . . Family, Health, Friends, Spirit and Work. The five balls symbolized work-life balance. Work was a rubber ball. If you dropped it, it would bounce right back. But the other four were made of glass and you know what happens when glass hit’s the floor.

Since I’m a visual person, I wanted my own set of balls displayed in my office. So I asked a local glass blower for four glass balls and then I sprayed a tennis ball black and blocked out the word WORK.

My balls are set on a high window sill in my office close to the edge . . . think I was getting a bit carried away with the symbolism. But it has been a reminder to me over the years of what is important in life.

I’ve never liked the three words, work-life-balance, because to me it implied a 50-50 balance. Life changes constantly and different balls may get more priority than the others… but sometimes I do take a racket and hit that work ball right out of the park!!!

And, it's 7:30 and I'm still having my glass of wine with my computer. Old habits never die.

Cheers to all,
Kathy, A Working Girl

Author: Working Girl - Behind the Cellar Door
An Entrepreneur’s Journey from a Bankrupt Winery to Gold Medals

Eat That Frog First

2018-01-14T14:42:00.000-08:00

It’s the New Year and like many of you I’m having fleeting thoughts of New Year’s Resolutions. You know. All the oh-so- familiar, year-in-and-year-out ones… update business plan, set goals, eat better, eat less sweets, exercise more, work harder, take more time off… and so forth. None of these have hit the written page yet… as if that helped before.

My husband has always made me a bit crazy because he’s always talking about something that he’s “gonna, should of, need to” DO almost every day. And, then tells me I “should” too.

Well, I’m just a stubborn cuss… Don’t tell me what to do! Or maybe it’s after too many broken New Year’s Resolutions that I decided to stop beating up on myself.

I keep telling my husband, “WHEN I’m ready, I’ll do it but I’m not going to talk about it ‘til then.” That’s just a recipe for guilt. And, as a mother (or is it just being of the female gender) that we’re genetically born with guilt so why add to it.

Lisa, the owner now of Olympic Cellars Winery, once exclaimed when we were together at the winery, “I got to get home, I didn’t eat my frog”. I made an about face and called after her “what the heck are you talking about?”

As the door closed all I could hear was her parting words, Google It.

So I did. It’s an old saying… If the first thing you do each morning is to eat a live frog, you can go through the day with the satisfaction of knowing that is probably the worst thing that is going to happen to you all day long! It has also been said, if you have to eat two frogs, eat the ugliest one first!

The FROGis the thing you’re most likely to procrastinate on if you don't do something about it now! It is also the one task that can have the greatest positive impact on your life and/or business results at the moment.

Right now I’m looking for a wacky Frog to sit on my desk daring me to EAT it every day.

So instead of a long list of goals and to do’s, I’m going to approach this year one day at a time, eating That Frog each day and making it matter.

Cheers to all in 2018,

Kathy, A Working Girl

Author: Working Girl - Behind the Cellar Door
An Entrepreneur’s Journey from a Bankrupt Winery to Gold Medals

A Rainy Day Fund

2017-09-17T14:32:00.001-07:00

Today after a long, dry summer we have a forecast for wet weather. Thought I would never say I'm looking forward to the rain, but the weather forecast got me thinking.

My15 years of owning Olympic Cellars taught me so much. Coming from a corporate environment, I didn't think about cash flow... just profit and stock price. But it didn't take me long to learn CASH was King in a small business. And after a few years when tourism was down due to early fall rains or the closing of Hood Canal Bridge during the summer, the importance of having a Rainy Day Fund (that's what I called ours) and keeping it funded became a line item on my annual budget.

While I don't dive deep into small business financials in the book focusing more on marketing and making money, I do give examples of what I did during some of the hard times. Bottom line I knew I had to work ON my business but I was always obsessed with my numbers. I tracked my income by day for 15 years with notes about the weather, if it was holiday, what sold best at the bar, who was working, etc. Trends started to jump out at me and I tested/made changes to see how it impacted the business. This was a job I couldn't delicate.

Ou barn and lower field that becomes home to ducks during the rainy season. The only cars in the parking lot are winery staff.

Working Girl: The 20-Minute Rule For Wine

2017-08-22T17:21:00.001-07:00

Working Girl: The 20-Minute Rule For Wine: At the tasting bar we’re always asked, “What temperature should I serve my red and white wines?” Well, we could get really technical spout...

The Curse of The Good Girl…

2017-08-01T11:56:00.000-07:00

I wrote this blog some years ago but believe me it still sends a message to me every time I look at the picture in my office. Frustrated last night cause my project wasn't coming together and I forgot to reach out to my grandgirls who were starting school the next day... my guilt-o-meter was in the red zone. Kathy I said, "get your butt up early tomorrow (grandgirls live in TX) and call before school". (I am so not a morning person.)

In my new book, Working Girl: Behind the Cellar Door I talk about what it takes to run a small business and why it is so important to put yourself at the top of your list on a regular basis.

================

The little white card taped to the wall by the painting proclaimed its title, Curse of the Good Girl.

But as I stared all I had were flashbacks... dozens of thoughts swirling through my head.

I’d already circled the gallery a couple of times just sipping wine, chatting with folks and glancing at all the art.

Then I put my glasses on and walked more slowly, finally standing in front of this whimsical piece.

At first it conjured up childhood memories, then hurled me back into high school insecurities, two marriages, kids, careers, and oh my God, now the Grandma Club.

Picture this… the focal point of the painting is two characters, Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz and the Wicked Witch of the West (turned good?). How many times have I watched that movie as child, parent and grandma?

Surrounding Dorothy, in an ethereal warm glow, are the words of Dorothy’s Chant…

There’s No Place Like Home,
There’s No Place Like Work,

There’s No Place Like Home,
There’s No Place Like
Work… Home… Work… Home...

You could almost hear the Wicked Witch with her icky green skin and crystal ball muttering; “I tried to save her but… alas, alas” in her most disgusted voice.

I could have been totally alone in the gallery as I found myself looking down at my shoes, almost expecting them to be red sequined. Did I really stand there and click my heals together? Was I unconsciously trying to rid myself of the Curse? You know… the one that’s genetically inbred into all us women.

It’s also known by another five-letter word and it starts with “G” for GUILT, Guilt, Guilt...

I bought the painting and it’s been sitting here in my office for 3 months. I find myself staring at it whenever I’m pulled in 5 different directions at once.

Talking to my now 40+year old daughter, I described the picture and its message. “Mom,” she says. “If I didn’t have to work, I wouldn’t. The things I love to do are outside of work… my girls, volunteering in their school, our family.”

So different.

When I was her age, it was ALL about work. I really wanted to succeed in the corporate world… to be recognized and rewarded for the job I did. Getting to daycare on time, soccer Mom duties and making homemade school treats were always my hot spots of failure.

But as I write this, I think maybe we of the “fabulous 50s+++ club” helped lift the CURSE.

Our generation paved the way for our daughters. While it may not be perfect, the work environment today is much more flexible and accommodating for women and families. Choices can be made!

My daughter is a much-in-demand physical therapist... who works on her own terms just 3 days a week.

With the holidays just around the corner, I’m reminded of a BLOG I read last year by Melinda Shoaf, appropriately named The Designated Celebrator. In it she states, “…I believe in the importance of celebrations. As my family's Designated Celebrator I may be tired and I may not have done all that I set out to do but I believe that this year I celebrated the ones I love, and I hope with all my heart that I celebrated them well.”

And so, in the spirit of the Curse of the Good Girl, I want to leave you with a parting thought.

Don’t add the “P” word to the Curse. There’s not enough power in the Witch’s crystal ball to rid us of the need for everything to be just “PERFECT”.

So, look at your holiday list of “to-dos” this year. Pick out the true “family traditions” to carry on, add in a good dose of family time with no agenda, and above all, put yourself on that list! Wife, mother, sister, grandmother, caregiver, friend… you wear a lot of hats.

Take care and love yourself, too.

Kathy Charlton

www.olympiccellars.com
Home to the Working Girl Wines
Created by Women, In Support of Women
Charities supported:http://www.workinggirlwines.com/support/charity/

Port Angeles Artist, Melissa Klein: http://www.osisart.com
Blog Author, Melinda Shoaf: http://www.melindashoaf.blogspot.com

It’s Lavender Festival Weekend and boy oh boy have we gone all in...

2014-07-17T07:37:00.000-07:00

The Lavender
We’ll be tasting our newly released and 100% local Madeleine Angevine wine. We’ve paired it with lavender cheddar cheese produced by Golden Glen creamery out of Bow, Wa. Yumm!

Also, winemaker Greg created a very special lavender infused, sparkling Riesling for you to sample and purchase by the glass. The base wine is our Dungeness White which is slightly sweet and deliciously refreshing. The flavor of the lavender infusion is subtle but distinct and the fragrance is absolutely divine.

This wine will even be available during our evening concert on Saturday. And speaking of concerts…

The Concert
This Saturday, the Barn will sizzle with the return of the West Coast Women's Blues Review. This band plays smoking hot, soulful blues, delivered via the powerful voice of Patti Allen.

A fresh electric soulful feel spices their blues. They shine with the power of Aretha and the pearl-in-laid guitar coolness of Bonnie Raitt & Eric Clapton. A one two punch of brilliantly burning vocal genius and blazingly sweet blues guitar licks demand attention!

They last played the Barn in 2012 and if you were there – you know – They Brought the House Down! The show was amazing, full of energy and a soulfulness that brought tears to the eyes at times.

The Non-Profit
Every summer, each of our concerts benefits a different non-profit. This week’s non-profit group, the Jefferson County Fund for Women and Girls envisions a world where women are safe, economically secure and free from discrimination so that they can reach their full potential.

We’re proud of what we’ve all accomplished over the past few years, raising more than $45,000 for our Olympic Peninsula Community. Let’s make this season the biggest and the best. Join us this Saturday. Let’s blow it out and support a great charity!

Tickets cost $13 in advance or $15 at the door (if any remain). Order on-line at Brown Paper Tickets or visit the winery. Doors open at 6:00. The band starts at 7:00.

See ya Saturday, The Working Girls

Please read the following list of tips and answers to frequently asked questions. It will provide you with the information you need for a fabulous concert experience:
• Doors open at 6 p.m. Band starts at 7 p.m.
• Carpooling is much appreciated as parking is limited.
• The concerts are held outdoors, rain or shine.
• Throw some chairs in your truck. Seating is festival-style.
• We have tables and chairs but do not reserve them. They're the first to go.
• Great bands equate to lots of dancing. We reserved the spaced under the patio in front of the band for dancing. That's why there is no seating there.
• Bring some warm clothes. It gets cold once the sun goes down.
• You can bring in food and non-alcoholic beverages only. It is against the law for you to bring in your own alcohol.
• There is a food vendor on-site, Little Devil’s Lunch Box.
• We are a family venue. But, concerts are usually 98% adults.
• All of these concerts are staffed by volunteers from the non-profit of the week. This week’s non-profit is Jefferson County Fund for Women & Girls.

About the Band

West Coast Women’s Blues Revue is a showcase of female artists full of musical and artistic variety!

PATTI ALLEN
Patti has performed and/or recorded with: Duke Ellington, B.B. King, Lou Rawls, Little Bill and the Bluenotes, Randy Oxford Band, Dave Lewis Trio, Don Ells Orchestra and many other international & regional artists. Patti Allen was the first female recipient of the Washington Blues Society's LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD.

TERI ANNE WILSON
Teri has performed and/or recorded with: Curtis Salgado, Bonnie Hayes, Duffy Bishop, Lady A, Rae Gordon, Karen Lovely, Vicki Stevens, Polly O’Keary, Rod Cook, Mark Riley, Red Hot Blues Sisters, Rosewood Embargo, School of Jam , United By Music and more! She has received a Best Band award and Best Guitar nomination from the Washington Blues Society. After touring Europe for the 3rd time, she founded the West Coast Women’s Blues Revue to feature female artists in 2010. Her new solo album is being produced by Curtis Salgado at Falcon Studios in Portland.

STACY JONES
With 32 nominations from the Washington Blues Society, Stacy Jones continues to blow fans away with high-energy, genre bending performances. With amazing vocals, incredible musicianship, outstanding songwriting and powerful, dynamic arrangements – it’s easy to understand why Stacy captivates crowds and gathers new fans worldwide. A Multi-Instrumentalist, she is no stranger to guitar, harmonica and keyboards!

LYNNANN HYDE
All the way from Bend, Oregon, LynnAnn Hyde is a well-known and nationally endorsed harmonica and button-box player (see Hohner Harmonicas USA and Baldoni Accordions) and is also a songwriter/arranger of note in the Pacific NW. As one half the duo of Kinzel and Hyde, she and long time partner Stu Kinzel are regarded as “Guardians of Traditional Blues” (The Blues Notes) and are also noted as “…one of the best acts the NW has produced…” (Back to the Roots, Be).

Rainy Day Special

2014-01-11T11:11:00.000-08:00

R is for it’s RAIN and I mean lots of it!

A is for Anyone out there? Or are you all hunkered down to keep warm & dry?

I is for “I’ve got something that might interest you”

N is for “Need a good Red Wine” for this cold, dreary, gray, rainy day?

As many of you know all of our 2009 Red Varietals (Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Merlot) all won medals, gold - double gold and super accolades at competitions, Best in Show and Best in Class.

What you might not know is we also bottled Go Girl Red and Handyman Red blends from 2009 wines in our cellar. Really, really good.

So you’re saying… Kathy get to the point. (Soon… I promise.)

Yesterday I talked to two friends. First thing I asked was “what’s wrong” when I heard their voice… “Oh, (very dejected sounding) I’m doing my taxes”.

Well, so am I, today, along with year-end state and federal reporting for the winery. Yuk, Yuk, Yuk!

You know my answer for this kind of misery… pour yourself a good glass of wine.

But taxes equate to money… so to take a little of the sting out of your whole ordeal and to encourage you to come out on this dreary weekend here’s the deal….

This weekend only... Buy 2 bottles of either 2009 Go Girl Red or Handyman Red (or one of each) and get the third one free. Technically I can’t say free… so it works out to a discount of 33%. But if you think you might need 6 bottles to get you through, buy 3 and get 3 free, or a 50% discount.

Ssssh… Molly and Lisa are in Atlanta on a buying trip.

I’m slipping this by them.

Best, Kathy
Still a Working Girl

Ps. You can also call and buy the wine and pick it up next week if you just don't want to get wet:)

Because We Care

2013-12-30T11:43:00.000-08:00

I've been in Arizona for a few days and every few miles on the overhead lighted highway signs were these messages...

Drive sober or get pulled over, Drive Hammered…Get Nailed, Get a DD… not a DUI, Know Your Limit... Don’t Drink and Drive

The last slogan, Know Your Limit, made me think of a blog I wrote in 2011.

I realized then after some research detailed below that I didn't know the facts. I always told myself my limit was "2 drinks". My one beer consumed within an hour, considering my weight had me at a blood alcohol level of .08 which is the legal limit for drunk driving.

This is worth the read. Kathy

So some basic facts...

Your body processes alcohol at a constant rate of .5 oz. per hour, regardless of how many ounces you consume.
Blood Alcohol Level (BAL) is the amount of alcohol present in your blood as you drink
In all 50 states, the legal limit for drunk driving is a BAL level of .08.
Eating protein and fatty foods supposedly can slow down alcohol absorption but I couldn’t find any detailed, statistical supporting facts
A 120-pound woman can reach a .08 BAC level after only two drinks and a 180-pound man can be at .08 after only four drinks

What got my attention!

One drink is defined as having one-half ounce of pure ethyl alcohol; each of the following is considered "one drink."

10 oz to 12 oz of beer at 4% to 5% alcohol, or
8 oz to 12 oz of wine cooler at 4% to 6% alcohol, or
4 oz to 5 oz of table wine at 9% to 12% alcohol, or
2.5 oz of fortified wine at 20% alcohol, or
1.25 oz of 80 proof distilled spirits at 40%alcohol, or
1 oz of 100 proof distilled spirits at 50% alcohol.

As I type this blog, I’m drinking one of my favorite beers… One 12 oz Stout at 9% alcohol. (This would be 2 drinks)

Wines today, especially reds, weigh in on the average of 13-14+% alcohol, and the average glass pour is not 4-5 ounces.

One martini is equal to two drinks, one margarita equal to 1.5 drinks

The messages are still Drink Responsibly, Don’t Drink & Drive and Alcohol – Know your Limit

Know Your Limit, though, has a much broader message. It’s as important but in a different way than “don’t drink and drive”. We all know that when we drink, we’re a bit freerer in mind.

So, my friends…

Because we care,

The Working Girls of Olympic Cellars

PS…. The tables below will help you estimate your Blood Alcohol Level

If you're a WOMAN, your Blood Alcohol Level is:

Weight
# of drinks in 1 hour	100 lbs.	120 lbs.	140 lbs.	160 lbs.	180 lbs.	200 lbs.	220 lbs.	240 lbs.
1	.05	.04	.04	.03	.03	.03	.02	.02
2	.10	.08	.07	.06	.06	.05	.05	.04
3	.15	.13	.11	.10	.08	.08	.07	.06
4	.20	.17	.15	.13	.11	.10	.09	.09
5	.25	.21	.18	.16	.14	.13	.12	.11
6	.30	.26	.22	.19	.17	.15	.14	.13
7	.36	.30	.26	.22	.20	.18	.16	.15
8	.41	.33	.29	.26	.23	.20	.19	.17
9	.46	.38	.33	.29	.26	.23	.21	.19
10	.51	.42	.36	.32	.28	.25	.23	.21
11	.56	.46	.40	.35	.31	.27	.25	.23
12	.61	.50	.43	.37	.33	.30	.28	.25
13	.66	.55	47	.40	.36	.32	.30	.27
14	.71	.59	.51	.43	.39	.35	.32	.29

If you're a MAN, your Blood Alcohol Level is:

Weight
# of drinks in 1 hour	100 lbs.	120 lbs.	140 lbs.	160 lbs.	180 lbs.	200 lbs.	220 lbs.	240 lbs.
1	.04	.04	.03	.03	.02	.02	.02	.02
2	.09	.07	.06	.05	.05	.04	.04	.04
4	.17	.15	.13	.11	.10	.09	.08	.07
5	.22	.18	.16	.14	.12	.11	.10	.09
6	.26	.22	.19	.16	.15	.13	.12	.11
7	.30	.25	.22	.19	.17	.15	.14	.13
8	.35	.29	.25	.22	.19	.17	.16	.14
9	.37	.32	.26	.24	.20	.19	.17	.15
10	.39	.35	.28	.25	.22	.20	.18	.16
11	.48	.40	.34	.30	.26	.24	.22	.20
12	.53	.43	.37	.32	.29	.26	.24	.21
13	.57	.47	.40	.35	.31	.29	.26	.23
14	.62	.50	.43	.37	.34	.31	.28	.25

LeRoy Bell, Elton John and Olympic Cellars

2013-08-13T11:58:00.001-07:00

LeRoy Bell and His Only Friends
Performing this Saturday at Olympic Cellars

Please join us this Saturday for another ‘Best of’ concert. This week we are excited to welcome back LeRoy Bell to perform for us at Olympic Cellars Winery.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgBIzVigciA&feature=player_embedded

LeRoy Bell was one of the top ten finalists in the X Factor TV program, placing eighth in the competition. His rhythm and blues technique and soulful voice electrified the public during his TV performances.

LeRoy’s talents were not only recognized by the judges on the X factor and people all across America, they have also been recognized by the one and only Elton John. Elton John discovered and quickly became a fan of LeRoy's song writing - recording two of his songs.

Elton's recording of Bell's song "Mama Can't Buy Me Love," from the "Thom Bell Sessions," went to the top of the charts in the fall of 1979 - earning Elton a Grammy Nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.

Don’t miss the chance to see LeRoy perform live, in person, under the starts. Join us this Saturday and enjoy some amazing music by an exceptionally talented artist.

Non-Profit

This weekend’s concert will support the Clallam County League of Women Voters. For more information on this remarkable foundation please visit http://www.lwvwa.org/index.html .

Food Vendor

The food vendor is Kokopelli Grill. Owner, Michael McQyay will build a barbeque pit on-site and grill up some delicious Fireman’s Chicken. A full meal, including corn on the cob, coleslaw and a ½ chicken will cost $11 and a ¼ chicken meal will cost $9.

This is a great chance to come enjoy some fabulous music, support a good cause, and wine and dine with amazing food, and award winning wine. We will see you there!

Concert Information

This Saturday, don’t take a chance on missing LeRoy. Buy your tickets in advance, on-line for $13. Tickets are available on-line until sold out or 4 o’clock on the day of the show. After 4, tickets may be purchased at the door for $15 until sold out.

It's National Girlfriend Day! And... Announcing our 10th Anniversary Working Girl Road Trip Contest

2013-08-01T16:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was thumbing through a magazine and noted August 1 is National Girlfriend Day! I thing every day is “National Something Day ” but this one is pretty special to me and also perfect for announcing our Working Girl Road Trip Contest in honor of our 10^th Anniversary of Working Girl Wines.

While contest details are not totally complete this is quite a start…

Fly to Seattle (2 round-trip tickets from anywhere Southwest Airline flies in U.S.)
Drive to the Olympic Peninsula which includes a beautiful Washington ferry ride (rental car provided)
Spend 2 nights in a 2 bedroom cabin courtesy of John Wayne Waterfront Resort
Attend our “Lucille Ball” style Grape Stomp and Concert at Olympic Cellars Winery on September 14 (need to start working on your costume)
Enjoy Olympic Coast Cuisine throughout your visit
Walk the beaches, hike our trails, visit Hurricane Ridge and, so much more!
Targeting September 13-16. Fly in on Friday and fly out on Monday. (Dates are flexible)

Contest details will be announced on our Facebook page next week. So if you haven’t ‘liked’ Olympic Cellars, this would be a good time. And not to worry, if the winner is from Washington and doesn’t need the airline tickets then fly two friends to Seattle.

Now while I have your attention…
Saturday night, August 3, is a Rolling Stones Tribute Band Concert at the winery. When this band was booked my initial reaction was skeptical… loud, heavy metal, not my type of music. Then I listened to all the promo music and YouTube videos for the Midnight Rambler Band and I was hooked.

I guess I forgot how many great, great songs I knew and yes, I was dancing with my computer. Better yet, as one of our fans said on Facebook, “These guys are at lot healthier looking than the real Rolling Stones.” And I said… because they’re not 70! So join us… it’s going to be another great night at the winery under the stars.

Best,
Kathy and the Working Girls
Olympic Cellars Winery

The Best Of Continues - It Doesn't Get Better

2013-07-08T17:08:00.000-07:00

Consider this my personal invitation to join me in...
Celebrating the "Best of Olympic Cellars"
ALL SUMMER LONG!!!

I keep telling everyone that I'm stepping down from the day-to-day winery activities but how can I when in the summer that includes concerts, festivals and a grape stomp.

I'll turn in my "grape shovel", so to speak, this fall when the manual, breaks your back, grape shoveling, all hands on deck harvest begins. Whoops, I forgot it's always "all hands on deck"! Maybe later.

Right now I'll welcome you to the winery, sip wine at sunset, pour wine behind the bar, dance to all the fabulous bands this summer and buy a new red wig (my last one looked like road kill).

Why a Red Wig, You Ask? I'm getting into my "LUCY" character for the Grape Stomping Harvest Party on September 14.

But I'm getting ahead of myself... our first concert of the season is July 20 at 7 p.m. It's also Lavender Farm Faire so after a day in the lavender fields the next stop is Olympic Cellars for our first concert of the season with the Polyrhythnics, voted the Best Band by Seattle Magazine.

Barn doors open at 6 p.m. Wine Bar opens at 6 p.m. Food is ready at 6 p.m. We sell tickets at 6 p.m. Guests are staking out their table and chairs at 6 p.m.

Did I mention 6 p.m.!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another valuable tip.... buy your concert ticket's online. The Summer Concert Series has continued to grow in popularity with sold out performances. We recognize and continue to bring in TALENT to the winery... my favorite quote when asked "You saw them first at Olympic Cellars".

Vicci Martinez of The Voice performed twice at the winery. Leroy Bell, X-Factor, is back this year. Chance McKinney, oh my Texas heart throbs, also back this season shares the stage with the likes of Blake Shelton, Alan Jackson, Dwight Yoakam. And, add in "you have to bring them back next year" requests and our new found talent... that completes our 8 concert series for 2013.

Our concert venue is intimate with the backdrop of the Olympic Mountains on one side and our majestic 123 year old barn on the other. This year food will be provided by a different restaurants and caterers each week showcasing Olympic Coast Cuisine.

And I'm lovin our Olympic Cellars and Working Girl Wines Facebook pages. We're giving away concert tickets each week. So "like, share and comment if you want to attend". And best of all, in about a week we will start a month long promotion of the Working Girl Road Trip for Two to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Working Girl Wines. Visit Olympic Cellars, Stomp Grapes and tour the Olympic Peninsula... Win Airfare, Lodging, Car Rental and special Olympic Coastal Culinary delights at some of our favorite restaurants. Stay Tuned.

Cheers, Kathy
Working Girl

Polyrhythmics, July 20. Voted Best Band in Seattle in Seattle Magazine. Original hard-driving, modern afro-beat and syncopated, horn-driven funk. That is the recipe that Polyrhythmics have crafted and delivered to packed clubs, and festival crowds up and down the west coast. Make no mistake, if the Polyrhythmics are on the stage, the place will be jumping, and the only questions at the end of the night will be: when the band is playing next? Band Website

Supporting: Casting For Recovery (fishing restreats for women recovering from cancer) Buy Tickets Online

Ps. We have more chairs and tables this year... but to be safe, always throw your lawn chairs in the trunk.

Girlfriends Chill

2012-12-04T10:32:00.001-08:00

I came across this letter I wrote to my friends last year. After reading it I thought it might be appropriate at this time of the year when Holiday commitments and pressures mount. Maybe it's time to reach out to a friend or even a friend-to-be... Chill and Enjoy the moment. Your list can wait. Kathy

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Dedicated to us… Four Fab Friends

Looking around my office is like walking down memory lane… or maybe it’s Working Girl Lane up to the winery. I’m not a hoarder and I don’t like clutter but I do like to gaze beyond my monitor and look at the stuff that represents the evolution of this Working Girl.

Thinking about these relics of my past can put me in a zone when I need creativity or kick me out of the proverbial funk. Each has a story. I remember the immediate rush when I first pounced on the object or idea… emotionally pegging what I was dealing with, even if I didn’t know it at the time.

First vintage of the Working Girl Wines… a beginning
Painting “Curse of the Good Girls”
A Pamela Hastings’ doll “Love Yourself” with a bit of the Hot Flash couture
Collection of white rocks and hearts
“I’m so tired of being the bitch” t-shirt
Small Quilt “Go With the Flow”
Message In a Bottle
And, solid brass balls

This week a new “art piece” joined the menagerie and along with it comes this story…

A few weeks ago, the four fab friends (me being one of them) headed to Seattle for a 24 hour get-away. All have businesses and it took some finagling to get us loaded up and out of town. Then we crossed Hood Canal Bridge. I may have imagined it but there seemed to be a collective sigh and a slight release of that every day level of own your own business type tension. We all started talking. Chill

The reason for our trip was a special goodbye to one of our friends who was moving across the country. This was not an easy decision for her and she seemed to have her emotions on hold talking about the move in a distant sort of way. Chill

This trip was a new adventure as we are all new to this “girlfriend experience”. Conversation was still on a safe level. We all admitted, though, that we never really had girlfriends. Chill

Still hadn’t really started to relax… needed to drop off wine in Auburn on the way and got totally lost. Car GPS and phone GPS taking us two different routes. Again tense. I was wasting our precious time. I’m the queen of the u-turns, finally found I-5. OK Chill

Arrived at hotel. Had surprise bottle of champagne and strawberries in room. Popped the cork, sipped cold champagne and talked some more. The hotel was serving our Working Girl Wines during wine hour in the lobby. Needed to make an appearance. Never did. This was our time. Chill

Conversation turned to tattoos… believe it or not. Two of us had tattoos and it turned out after more champagne that we all wanted a shared memory tattoo… we decided on a peace symbol as our theme and each would pick their own design. A few calls later we had a 10 p.m. appointment (after dinner and martinis). Picture four “gracefully aging” ladies walking into a skanky tattoo parlor. All I can remember before making a fast retreat was this very large guy, bare butt up with a guy working on his tattoo. Really?! We’ll skip this venue. Chill

Walked the city and talked more. About ex’s and everything in between. Sweet chilling.

The “morning after” we noshed through the market and reality starts to set in. We’re on a schedule. Back to work. Race for the ferry. Chill

Turns out we all did get our tattoos a few days later, each of us overlapping time slots for moral support. We forgot that the guy doing our tattoo was in the room, the buzz of his instrument just became background noise. We started at 9:30 a.m. and finished at 6:30 p.m. The damn tattoos hurt but not as much as saying goodbye. Chill

Pamela Hastings Doll

Back at work. I look to the right of my monitor. A doll, appropriately named “Chill” greets me every morning. She reminds me of my three new friends… all individuals, learning to chill, drop our masks, open up and trust.

In friendship, Kathy

Working Girl

Olympic Cellars Winery

You Know The Turkey Is Dry WHEN

2012-11-23T13:44:00.000-08:00

·        When the turkey is floating in the roaster.
·        When you slice the breast and it crumbles
·        When the turkey has the feel & taste of dehydrated meat
·        When you start telling “You Know The Turkey is Dry When”... JOKES

I haven’t cooked a whole Turkey in more than 10 years, maybe more. Baked a turkey breast… but you can hardly screw that up.

Question: Have the turkeys changed over the years? I sprang for the free range, organic. Then a mix-up at the store and instead of a 14 pound, I walked out with a huge 20 pound turkey for 2 people. I’m thinking we could have gone out for dinner for the price of this bird but I really wanted to cook Thanksgiving Dinner this year.

OK, I can do this. For the last few days I’ve been watching the ‘how to’ YouTube videos… How to Cook a Turkey, How to Make Bread Stuffing (outside the bird) and How to Make Cranberry Sauce. I bookmarked all the recipes and videos that I liked and thought were pretty fail safe.

The big day. Thanksgiving. Armed with my trusty iPad, I watched all the videos again and started on the Turkey. I sort of combined a couple of cooking methods and temperatures but didn’t modify them by much… or so I thought.

Nothing out of the ordinary happened. The turkey just cooked in the oven in a covered roaster. The only slight concern… not sure my thermometer still worked after maybe 15 years but nothing rattled inside.

So at 5:30 we took the turkey out of the oven. The temperature just wouldn’t get to 180 degrees and based on the time/pounds chart I was 55 minutes over.

Took the cover off… Hmmm

When both Ralph and I exclaimed... this doesn't look really good, I think it looks DRY!

At this point the only thing I could do is open the champagne.

Bubbly fixes everything and then you need a good laugh!

This VIDEO says it all… Tante Marie said she never had a good turkey. All turkeys taste like cardboard and the three things that make a turkey tasty is gravy, cranberry sauce and Pinot Noir. I know this isn't true but it made me feel better at the time.

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend. Kathy

No Hay Problema

2012-11-15T19:39:00.001-08:00

Anything I ask for...
No Problema, Everything is Possible

Sounds like I’m in Mexico and you’re right!

My husband, Ralph, and I have been making our annual November pilgrimage to recharge to a small fishing village North of Puerto Vallarta for the last three years. The place we stay is rustic but boasts fast wireless and good food. I worry about the speed of the internet and have the staff check it prior to arriving. I may be a little OCD, but my other priority is good wine which is checked with my luggage. So I’m not totally a lost cause.

Billed as a working vacation we pack up two laptops, two iPads, two iphones (now on the Mexican phone plan), and 8 inches of working files, yellow pads and pens. Then if there’s room we add some clothes.

I’m the worst… it takes me about 6 days to slow down and stop checking email every hour. I’m anxious… waiting for my creative marketing streak to kick-in because by November each year I’m brain dead. Finally, though, the music of the surf has me relaxed enough to count lizards on the ceiling.

2012 was a year of major change in my life. Ralph and I own our respective businesses or as they say the businesses own us. But anyhow, both past the age of 62++, we always said we wanted to work together instead of just working together in the same office.

So January 2012 I took over the operations of Target Focus Training and Lisa starting learning the ropes of the winery, managing its operations. While not in the tasting room much anymore, I still had my feet in the grapes, so to speak, with wine production, marketing and events.

Instead of enjoying a glass of wine at day’s end with the Working Girls in the tasting room, I toasted my computer with wine each evening. Harley, the winery dog in training, my constant companion.

2013 is beckoning, only 6 weeks away, and again life changes for this Working Girl.

We will be announcing some exciting changes at the winery, events, our business, and our products. I can tell you right now, 2013 will be over the top. The Working Girls of Olympic Cellars can’t wait.

So let me sign off… we will fly home tomorrow. Life speeds up again.

BUT before I go, let me leave you with this. I started my career in 1977 at Texas Instruments. A top chart, Grammy award winner song was “Afternoon Delight”. I loved it. Heard it on the radio for months on my way to work and back. It’s my ring tone on my phone.

Yea, I know the lyrics were a bit sexually explicit, but if you listen to it with your eyes closed, it takes you into that special place with no iAnything. It becomes a “State of Mind”.

Stayed tuned for 2013 at Olympic Cellars.

Everything Is Possible…

Cheers, Kathy

Our Winery Sasquatch

2012-11-07T14:53:00.000-08:00

When our Olympic Peninsula Winery Association decided to bring back the Scarecrow Trail for this weekend’s Harvest Wine Tour my mind’s eye visualized a pretty traditional scarecrow with a winery theme… maybe a new version of our Vineyard Angel which is made from all parts of an oak barrel and champagne bottles.

After a short discussion amongst the Working Girls about our Scare Crow design, our resident artist, Kristi said she wanted to create a Sasquatch which is so much part of the lore of the Olympic Peninsula.

Just picture our remote, rugged Olympic Mountains with lush green forests, huge trees, moss, ferns… shadowed from day’s light and home to the Sasquatch. My Google searches reveal that last sightings documented and filmed were in 2007 & 2008.

OK… Sasquatch… Scarecrow… Sasquatch? Why not!

Then the Sasquatch started to take shape under Kristi’s artistic eye. Of course, our Sasquatch is female and not shy! She’s also a Working Girl and likes her wine! Her name is Sasquina.

Let me digress just a minute.

When the Working Girls need to conference our favorite meeting place is the Gastro Pub in Port Angeles. There is a huge mural on the upper wall of a Sasquatch riding a bike! Every time we’re there we wonder what the story is behind the mural but have never asked.

Ever the romantic I wonder as I write if this story will lead down the path of a romantic involvement between our two Sasquatches. Probably not but the thought makes me smile.

Back to Sasquina and her scarecrow duties at Olympic Cellars.

She wondered into our lives about a month ago. Not sure why she came down out of the mountains in to the fields of the winery but a couple of years ago a herd of Elk just showed up near the barn. Maybe in the dark the barn looks safe and offers a sense of refuge.

Our first sighting was in the vineyard. There Sasquina was… towering over the vines waving her arms, crows flying. All 7 feet of her with a few more feet of arms.

This year we finally had a harvest with 100 days of perfect weather and the vines were loaded. I don’t know how crows know but they leave the grapes alone until just right before picking… then swarm in and decimate a vineyard in just hours.

We wanted to thank this Sasquatch but didn’t know what to do. So we left a LARGE glass of Working Girl White and a 2X t-shirt. Next day both were gone.

A couple of days later the empty glass appeared by our back door. We refilled it. This went on for a few days. Whoa… Sasquina really likes her wine!

Kristi thinks she has a taste for the ‘grape juice’ eating lots of our wild Oregon grapes which can be sour mixed in with some Olympic blackberries and thimbleberries to make it sweeter.

Then the fateful day... we were crushing Cab Sauv and Merlot and guess who showed up with a big smile. Who could resist the enchanting smell of Virginie's brew.

We handed Sasquina a shovel and she went to work… Believe It Or Not :)

Join us this weekend, Nov 10-11, for our annual Harvest Wine Tour and meet Sasquina. She loves to have her picture taken!

The Working Girls of Olympic Cellars

Sasquatch at Olympic Cellars?

2012-11-03T08:57:00.000-07:00

What does a Sasquatch have to do with Wine Tasting ?

Harvest Wine Tour

The Olympic Peninsula Wineries Harvest Wine Tour will take place November 10 and 11, Veterans Day Weekend, from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Olympic Cellars has a lot of fun in store, including of course wine tasting of a wide selection of our wines.

New wine releases include the popular holiday Cranberry Jubilee which sells out each year.

We are also releasing our Merlot 2008 and Cabernet Franc 2008. Across the board, our 2008 red vintage is delicious, full-bodied and smooth. The Merlot is well balanced, with just the right amount of tannins. The flavors of bright red cherry and notes of vanilla and almond abound. The Cabernet Franc is extremely complex, full of dark berry, toasted aromatic wood, nutmeg and clove.

Sample fall-hearty mushroom and local grain soup prepared by Chef Dave Long of Oven Spoonful.
Hang out on our decorated patio and enjoy fresh popped truffle popcorn.
Solve our winery word search and enter to win a fabulous wine purse.
Take advantage of featured event wine specials.

The Olympic Peninsula Wineries will each put their creative grape juices to the test at this year's annual Harvest Wine Tour, with each of us displaying our own artistic interpretation of the "Wine Scarecrow" for visitors to enjoy.

Limited only by our imaginations, each winery will strive to design the most unique vineyard watchman ever to scare (or commune with) a pesky bird! Visitors can vote for their favorite scarecrow while tasting the best of the vintage.

With artist in residence, Kristi Knowles on our side, of course Olympic Cellars will win the scarecrow competition. Our Scarecrow, Sasquina, is modeled after the sassy female Sasquatch seen around town. She’s said to be dating the bicycle-riding male Sasquatch who frequents the very popular Next Door Gastropub in Port Angeles. More on their love life to follow…

The $30.00 ticket for the self-guided tour can be purchased at participating wineries during the event. Tickets entitle participants to a commemorative wine glass and complimentary wine tastings at each winery during the event weekend.
A tasting fee of $5.00 per winery will apply to non-ticketed visitors. Get your ticket stamped at all eight wineries and be eligible to enter our gift basket drawing.

For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit www.olympicpeninsulawineries.org.

Business Recognized for Concert Series

2012-09-11T20:18:00.000-07:00

Thank you Port Angeles Chamber for naming us September Business of the Month!

And, Thank You All for your support and attendance for this Summer’s Great Concert Series! Donations topped $15,000 to local charities.

We didn’t plan on doubling our music series this year to 8 concerts in July and August. It just happened. There were more non-profits wanting to partner then the number of Saturday nights in August. Boy were we nervous especially about the weather…

The first concert I put the sunglasses on to greet guests because we had brilliant sun (so unexpected) and our “mole” eyes from the winter and rainy spring couldn’t handle the sun. Then it became sort of a joke each week… but now I’m a bit superstitious thinking those glasses have magical powers! We had sunshine every Saturday night!

Before the winery moved to our barn, music was a big part of its heritage. Many of you remember the 70s when the barn was a dance hall. We now say that the barn doesn’t only make good wine but hosts great music.

Music in the barn started in 2003 on Friday nights with jam sessions which then became scheduled performances. Our first Summer Concert series on Saturday night was 2005. Later it was renamed the Hot August Night … which you know isn’t always “Hot”.

This year we averaged 360 in attendance which included volunteers from the non-profits and staff. The Paper Boys concert was over 500++. We’ve already started planning next year with changes to enhance your concert experience.

We learned so much… thanks to Jerry Nichols who taught us how to park. One concert we had to turn folks away because we were out of parking (but we needed training to maximize our space.)

John Christensen and Gene Stashuk were the first to arrive and the last to leave. They were the sound guys... worked with the bands each week.

Mystery Bay seafood cooked for our guests after already a long day at local markets.

Molly handled the gillions of calls, ticket sales and getting us ready each week. Lisa was the point person for each concert, trained and coordinated the 15+ volunteers each week. I was the designated worrier.

Eileen Schmitz summed it all up as she and I stood behind the bar watching the happy, laughing dancers… She said, “This is community”.

Thanks to your support we partnered with 7 non-profits and a young band on their next life’s journey and were able to donate $15,648.

Also 2013 is going to be pretty special… 10^th anniversary of Music at the Barn, 10^th anniversary of the Working Girl Wines and 10^th anniversary of our first Grape Stomp (we may need to ring it back after a two year hiatus).

Stay tuned,
Kathy

Ps. Harvest is just around the corner.
Olympic Cellars

Our Barn Goes Honky Tonk

2012-07-31T13:37:00.001-07:00

Need a Little Country?

Amy Clawson promises a whole lot of country. This week’s concert, Amy Clawson and Coltrane will have you up and dancing from the get go. Watch her ‘Cowboy Up’ video and you tell us if this isn’t boot scooting music at its best.

Amy is petite, but has more voice, presence and energy per square inch than you'd ever guess. Her memorable career is highlighted by performances alongside legendary entertainers like David Frizzell, Martina McBride, Toby Keith, Restless Heart, Neal McCoy, Mel Tillis, Clint Black, Lee Ann Womack.

With a musical style that varies from traditional country to rockin' original country songs to gospel (her favorite part of the show), once you've seen Amy, you'll be a fan!

Band members include:
Tim Donahue - Drums,
Lance Seiders - Bass,
Chris Ward - Lead Guitar,
Ryan Miller - Acoustic Guitar & Vocals,
Amy Clawson - Vocals

So, grab your hat, dust off your boots and join us this Saturday when the Barn goes ‘Honky Tonk.’ Our own Texas Gal, Kathy has promised to go full cowgirl; boots, hat and all. This week's concert benefits the Trey Green Guild, a non-profit supporting the Seattle Children's Hospital.

Yee Haw!
The Working Girls

P.S. There are still openings available for Tandem Skydiving

Wednesday August 8^th and August 22^ndbeginning at 4:00pm.
Join the Working Girl First Jump Club and skydive into the field behind Olympic Cellars. Contact Skydive Kapowsin at (360) 432-8000 for reservations and information.

Working Girl White Wine Sangria

2012-07-30T19:20:00.001-07:00

Love this recipe... has a bit of a kick to it with the Gin & Triple Sec
Over ice, feet up, sun shining... this is it!!

1 cup sugar
¼ cup mint leaves (about 25), plus springs for garnish
1 cup Gin
½ cup Triple Sec
1 orange cut into small wedges
2 apples, cored and cut into small wedges
2 Bottles Working Girl White Wine
1 bottle Cava

1. In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup water and sugar to a simmer. Add mint leaves, remove from heat, and stir until all the sugar is dissolved. Let mixture stand 1 hour, then strain into a jar and refrigerate until ready to use

2. In a large pitcher or punch bowl, stir together gin, triple sec, orange and apples. Refrigerate 2 hours or as long as overnight. When ready to serve, stir in white wine and 1 cup mint syrup. Pour into ice-filled glasses, top with Cava, garnish with mint springs and serve.
Makes 8 servings

"Go Girl" Grant to Peninsula College

2012-07-23T14:23:00.000-07:00

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact:: Joan Busick,

joan.busick@verizon.net

(760) 772-9594

Girlfriend Factor is Coming to Port Angeles!

Educational Grants for Local Women

Palm Desert, CA – July 12, 2012 – The Girlfriend Factor (GFF), a nonprofit organization headquartered in Palm Desert, CA which provides educational grants to adult women, is proud to announce that they will be extending their financial assistance to motivated women at Peninsula College this fall. The expansion to Port Angeles is the result of a relationship that started back in 2005 between GFF and Olympic Cellars Winery, home of Working Girl Wines. As Co-Founder of GFF Joan Busick explains “I read an article in Wine Spectator about philanthropically-minded winery owner Kathy Charlton and her team of women and was so inspired by their style and efforts that we named our educational grants after their Go Girl Red. To date our Go Girl! Grants have assisted over 70 women achieve their goals of becoming self-sufficient by earning college degrees and certifications.”

Fast forward to 2011 when, without hesitation, Olympic Cellars donated 12 cases of Working Girl Wine to be poured at an inaugural Wine, Chocolate & Shoes reception during Fashion Week El Paseo. In appreciation of their support it was mutually agreed to extend GFF’s Go Girl! Grants to women in the Port Angeles area. And to help launch the arrival and raise funds for ongoing grants in the area, Girlfriend Factor has been named as the beneficiary of a Random Manor concert to be held at Olympic Cellars on July 28^th.

According to Charlton “We share a very similar philanthropic mission and approach – we help women to help themselves, provide opportunities for women to gather and build friendships and maintain “fun’ as the operative – with a lot of chocolate thrown in along the way! I think we were destined to come together.”

To find out if you qualify for a Go Girl! Grant and to apply, go to the Go Girl! Grant page on www.thegirlfriendfactor.org.

To learn more about the Random Manor concert to be held at Olympic Cellars on July 28^thand other concerts in their summer series, go to www.olympiccellars.com.

# # #

About The Girlfriend Factor

The Girlfriend Factor (GFF) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to celebrate and explore the powerful influence women have on each other’s lives through building friendships, sharing experiences, and providing financial support in the form of educational grants to motivated adult women so they may become self-sufficient. For more information on the Girlfriend Factor, please visit www.thegirlfriendfactor.orgor call 760.772.9594.

Fat Chance - Thanks for the Memories

2012-07-09T15:10:00.000-07:00

It’s rare in the music industry for a band to stay together for 30 years but Fat Chance has and is still a beloved part of the music scene on the Peninsula since 1982. Max Fernandes, Jeff Joaquin, John Christensen and Doc Gardner were the original four band members. Doc, the drummer, has moved on replaced by Kent Demmel, another local talented musician.

I’ve only lived on the Peninsula for 11 years and don’t even remember when I first got to hear Fat Chance play but I do know that I danced the whole night… never sitting out one dance. The band played lots of my favorites from the 50s to the 80s and their original music were songs that told stories about life on the Peninsula. My favorite was the Hot Tub song which was actually a stock tank heated by the kiln of a local potter. But as John told the story the song title was a bit longer… something about 7 N@#?D Ladies in a Hot Tub.

Last night John and his wife, Dee, allowed me to interview them and share their memories via a box full of pictures going way way back. John estimates that the band has played over 2000 gigs. Dee started singing with the band and then formed her own bands, Olive and the Pits – 50s music, and also “Mom’s” band, their original music.

The music scene on the Peninsula was hopping in the 80’s with 5 bands performing each weekend with folks strolling the streets listening to all the music. For a while John and Dee owned the Port Angeles Tavern which is now Bar 9.

All the musicians are self-taught and play by ear. Practicing faithfully two nights a week in their studio (the lower level of John & Dee’s house) they would pick their favorite musicians and practice along with the music until they perfected the songs. Elvis, The Beatles, Neil Young and Creedence Clearwater helped influence their style. Their genre of music is definitely Rock n Roll that gets people on their feet and keeps them dancing.

What kept this band together for 30 years? Music wasn’t their only jobs but it was their passion… A love of music, strong friendships, a deep love of the Peninsula and their families.

Fat Chance has donated their time to many fundraisers over the years including the Boys & Girls Club, Duck Derby, Festival of Trees, Museum & Arts Center and Beyond Cancer.

Never ‘hitting the road’ like most bands they played proms, weddings, festivals and even an Inaugural Ball. Max was also well known for his Elvis performances.

Gene Stashuk is the “sound guy” for Fat Chance pushing the band through long rehearsals for each of their two CDs which he produced. He is also the former Red 7 lead singer and guitarist. An internationally known musician, songwriter and the magician on sound, Gene has worked with Bonnie Raitt, Aretha Franklin and was on tour with Michael Jackson.

As I listened last night what hit me the most is that The Fat Chance Band has become part of the “memories” of so many on the peninsula… multiple generations. If you opened their photo albums I’m sure you will find The Band in the background surrounded by happy dancers.

Thank You Fat Chance for 30 years of your music.

In Concert, July 14 at Olympic Cellars. Music begins at 7 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased on-line or at the door.
Arrive early for best seating and to enjoy Chef Leonard's Coastal Cuisine, Mystery Bay Seafood

Olympic Cellars Winery Cat

2012-04-18T15:10:00.002-07:00

Moakie, Our Winery Cat

It’s a very sad day as we’ve finally had to admit to ourselves that Moakie is no longer with us.

She was 20 years old and born in 1992 at Olympic Cellars when it was located in Sequim. And, I am told she is survived by one of her kittens from her only litter.

I met Moakie in 1999 when we purchased the winery and learned very quickly that this was “her” territory and “her” barn.

Her winery duties included mousing and greeting guests. Her leisure time revolved around the seasons. Spending her time outside when it is warm on the South side of the barn and stretched out on our couch in the tasting room as the weather turned cold.

About two years ago she decided to retire from her winery duties and took up residence in the eve of the barn. We moved her water, food, litter box and other cat essentials close to her burrow. She no longer came down to visit us and her night roaming decreased… no longer did we find hair balls on the top of wine pallets.

Her inner clock was still working up until the last few months because around 5 p.m. we would always hear her guttural meow… maybe saying good night or telling us to come up and check her food supply.

As Moakie became more of a recluse we would crawl under the eve to check on her, sometimes getting close enough to talk to her and maybe a little petting.

Then there was silence, no more meowing.

We’ve hunted, called and crawled through every inch of the barn. I’ve been told cats know when it is their time and probably left the barn. We’re surrounded by fields which were her favorite hunting grounds. I can still picture her, patiently waiting in that "cat stance" for the unsuspecting mouse.

We will miss you, Moakie, We love You.

We Picked Three Cheddar, Why?

2012-04-13T09:41:00.002-07:00

.... For This Weekend's Wine and Cheese Tour.

The answer... after exhaustive tastings, they were the best examples of that magical taste experience when wine and cheese compliment each other perfectly!

We laughingly say... "Wine and cheese tastings. It's a tough job but someone got to do it." And it is a tough job, let me walk you through our process.

First Molly, Lisa and I commandeered the Gathering Room. We opened 10 of our wines (white, reds, old favorites and new releases). Then let the reds breathe for a bit.

Second we tasted through all the cheese samples from Golden Glen and picked (scored) our favorites based just on the cheese merits.
15 Cheddars - natural, raw, length of aging, sharpness and flavors.
4 Goudas - Medium to very old and a reserve
Cheddar Cheese Curds - which I love, my new snack treat
Mozzarella
Farmstead Feta
Parmesan
Fromage Blanc

Third we taste the wines and the cheeses we selected one at a time. This is a very lengthy process. You put a piece of cheese in your mouth, let it soften into a "slurry" and then taste the wine.

Fourth we rank each wine/cheese tastings under 3 categories: Doesn't work, It's OK, It's a Keeper. As an example: we started with Chardonnay and sampled this wine with about 9 cheese selections. Then we tried La Galopine with the same cheeses... and so forth through the reds. Of course we had to take breaks and drink lots of water. When you find the perfect pairings, you just know it. Me... I'm smiling with remnants of the cheese and wine on my tongue... trying to sputter"This is It".

I knew when the pairings were right but Lisa and Molly would have lengthy discussions on the flavored cheddars and the nuances of seasonings in cooking. Why they would pair a white wine with a chicken recipe seasoned with "X" but choose another wine with chicken seasoned with "Y".

As a result of these discussions our pairings with Golden Glen's seasoned, flavored cheeses took on a new dimension. It went beyond serving the right cheese with wine for our event; it moved into the kitchen...

Our Favorites and Lisa's Tasting Notes:

Golden Glen Sweet Basil Cheddar and Olympic Cellars 2009 La Galopine (Roussanne/Viognier Blend). Pleasantly sweet and temptingly delicious. Our La Galopine has a nice florally expression due to the Viognier grape, which I particularly like. The sweet basil in the cheese compliments that floral character. It draws it out. If the cheese didn’t have the basil, it would still be fine with the wine, but not exceptional.

Golden Glen Chive & Onion Cheddar and 2009 Dungeness Red Lemberger. The “spice” in both the wine and cheese create a fabulous complimentary pairing. The Dungeness Red is an acidic red wine. A lot of Italian Reds are acidic. They tend to pair with either more acidic foods or fatty foods. Cheddar cheese is both acidic and fatty, so combine that with the earthy flavors of the onion and herby flavors of the chive and you have a match.

Golden Glen Signature Cheese, River Cheddar and Olympic Cellars New Release 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon. A double-cream Cheddar that is aged at least one year. The River Cheddar is smooth and creamy with a little tang. It brings out the fruity fullness of our Cab, but doesn’t overpower the wine. It may seem counterintuitive, but bold red wines tend to pair with creamy but mild cheeses.

Northwest Wine and Cheese Tour
Saturday and Sunday, April 14-15
11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Cheese Pairing in the cellar
Additional Wine Tasting at the Bar
Wine/Cheese Soup in the Gathering Room
Magical Bovines roaming the Winery

We look forward to visiting with you this weekend and pouring our wines...

The Working Girls,
Molly, Lisa, Kristi, Cally and Kathy

What Makes Golden Glen Creamery So Special?

2012-04-09T11:41:00.007-07:00

Visit Olympic Cellars, April 14-15 for NW Wine and Cheese Event

and sample a variety of Golden Glen's farmstead cheeses.

For Starters, it comes from a local herd of cows just a moo away, grazing in the picturesque Skagit Valley.

Golden Glen Creamery is a family-owned operation on the Vic Jensen & Sons farmstead, all farmed sustainably using many organic principles. The farm has been in operation for well over 40 years and has survived low milk prices, high feed and fuel prices, devastating snowstorms, and floods — held together by the family’s will and passion for farming.

Vic and Judy Jensen come from a long line of dairy farmers and now are sharing the legacy with their children and grandchildren. Today, there are three generations of Jensen family members living on the farm.

The Jensens’ milk cows are mostly Holstein, but include Guernsey, too. Vic and Judy Jensen originally started the dairy with Guernseys only but, by the 1980s, banks typically wouldn’t loan to a dairy farmer that didn’t keep Holsteins (known for their productivity). The Jensens, however, have kept Guernseys in the mix because of the additional cream they give and also for their more docile, friendlier nature.

The herd is a closed-herd, meaning all the milk cows are born and raised on the farm with none brought in from the outside — a good safeguard against disease. The cows are pastured during the spring, summer and early fall, then during the winter they’re housed in an open-air barn to help reduce the number of foot problems that occur with saturated ground.

Along with pasturing, Doug Jensen supplements the herd’s diet with homegrown hay, corn and grass silage, as well as grain and alfalfa from eastern Washington.

The farm does not use rBST (genetically engineered growth hormones) to produce its milk and selectively and carefully administers antibiotics only to those cows that otherwise would die from an easily treated infection or illness; Brandy Jensen believes it’s the humane thing to do.

If long life is an indicator of health, the Jensen cows have a story to tell; the average American cow may live to be about 6 years old while some of the Jensen’s cows have lived to 16! Brandy credits the way they treat their cows and the wholesome environment for their long lives.

In 2006, the Creamery started bottling its own milk in old-fashioned, glass bottles, continuing its all-natural approach. The glass can be reused up to 40 times, reducing toxic emissions from manufacturing plastic jugs, and then can be recycled — the “3R” concept in action. The Jensens feel the glass also gives the milk a more natural, nostalgic, appealing look and keeps its original flavor alive without any leaching from plastic jugs.

Golden Glen also uses a gentler method of pasteurizing called slow batch pasteurizing. This creamery understands that milk “bruises” just like fruit the more it’s handled, so they handle it as little as possible to keep its fresh flavor.

In keeping with the all-natural, less-handled approach, the Jensen family does not homogenize its milk and instead allows the cream to rise, which is why it is called “cream top.”

Golden Glen also does not fortify its milk, and even the chocolate milk and seasonal egg nog are made from traditional, home recipes — no artificial flavors, coloring, preservatives, stabilizers or emulsifiers.

Golden Glen Creamery and the Jensen family provide to the public only what they’d put on the table for their own families: healthy, all-natural dairy products that taste and look the way they should, from their family to yours. Naturally!