Olympic Cellars Winery

"Sparkling Twilight" A New Wine from Olympic Cellars Winery…

2009-06-29T16:03:00.000-07:00

Frankly, it wasn’t until last summer that I even knew about the Twilight “Phenomenon.”

That was when a mother and daughter from Scotland visited the winery on their way back to Seattle after spending two days in Forks visiting all the “Twilight” landmarks noted in the book by author, Stephanie Meyer.

This international visit got my attention and so I started asking questions. After searching the internet for stories I was still under the impression that Twilight was a teen book on vampires and werewolves!

By this time, Lisa Martin had started working at the winery and she brought me the first three books to read.

Meanwhile, Twilight visitors continued to streaming in, with Moms tasting wine while their daughters would sit on our couches reading or re-reading the books.

Amazing to me was the fact the first book was released in 2005... and here it was 2008, and I’m just tuning in!

About this time, I started getting requests for a Twilight wine but didn’t seriously pursue it because I didn’t see a connection… first, my thought it was a teen book, and then the fact there were already “vampire” wines already on the market.

Then last fall we partnered with a local B&B on a “Twilight package” before the movie release. By that time I had noticed our visitor demographic had changed and suddenly groups of women were on a “Twilight journey.”

So I finally read the first two books and watched the movie. As I read, I highlighted all the passages that I connected to either personally or from a “wine” perspective.

There were two major insights:

First… disregarding the vampire and werewolf characters, to me Twilight is a beautiful love story describing the purest form of love.

Second and most important… I felt so proud reading Stephanie Meyer’s descriptions of the Olympic Peninsula, our mountains, forests, the beaches and the rain! This is our home and we love it.

After re-reading my highlighted passages, I could almost visualize the wine label and knew what I wanted to do: a sparkling wine! The label would capture the essence of the Olympic Mountains at “Twilight” and also offer a heartfelt thank you to all that visit the Peninsula.

And I knew exactly where to go to capture my vision for the label.

See, when you drive back from Seattle, about 20 miles outside of Sequim you turn a corner and there towering above the road before you, are the quintessential Olympic Mountains, cascading slope after slope into the far away distance, each mountain a different hue of gray to pink to a deep purple depending on the time of day.

And so, on June 13, 2009 we released our “Twilight” wine... a sparkling Syrah.

This is how the back label reads:

A sparkling wine that bubbles with enthusiasm in celebration of your day’s journey and adventures.

Sipped at Twilight as the Olympic Mountains take on the dazzling hues of the coming night, tiny bubbles mirror the Sparkling sky.

Enjoy the berry fruit character of this lively and refreshing Syrah. Off-dry, ruby in color, with fresh flavors of raspberries, cherries and red fruit.

Click Here to Order

We hear from visitors every day how much they love the Peninsula and on their next visit will schedule more time to just ENJOY… the beauty, serenity, earth’s bounty and the abundance of mountain and water activities.

Cheers, Kathy

PS. First Insight… The Love Story. This is a compilation of Stephanie Meyer’s passages that I highlighted and a little bit of my thoughts.

Twilight… the end of the day, the return of the night. It’s not the end, it’s the beginning.

Celebrate your journey to the Olympic Peninsula where love can last FOREVER.Before you, my life was like a moonless night.

Very dark, but there were stars—points of light and reason. And then you shot across my sky like a meteor. Suddenly everything was on fire; there was brilliancy, there was beauty.

Mitch Hansen Bands Plays Port Angeles

2009-06-26T20:05:00.000-07:00

Today I was delivering our new wine “Sparkling Twilight” (a sparkling Syrah) to a local restaurant in Port Angeles of Twilight fame, Bella Italia. (More about the wine in next blog.)

Ran across the street to made a quick stop at the Dazzled By Twilight store to check in with manager, Victoria McDonald. Next week we plan to decorate the empty storefront of Gottschalks Department store with prom dresses, also a photo op for Twilight fans visiting the North Olympic Peninsula (Port Angeles, Forks and La Push).

Decorating empty storefronts is just part of much bigger volunteer effort to paint, polish & scrub close to 40 buildings this summer. I'll tell you more later about the project, Our Community At Work, Painting Downtown Port Angeles. We've clocked more than 3,000 volunteer hours.

I noticed quite a crowd in the store and could see through the windows that there were some musicians performing. Even though I’m in the middle of the 4th book in the series, I’m new to the Twilight Phenomenon. But as a small business owner and community supporter, the traffic to the Peninsula from across the country has been great for our local economy.

Victoria greeted me with excitement introducing me to Mitch Hansen and Brent Cook, The Mitch Hansen Band. Their songs will be part of the sound track for the next movie “New Moon”. I left after listening to “Lullaby” heading back to the winery and then basically made an illegal u-turn. Parked, grabbed by new trusty flip video and headed back to the store.

I couldn’t miss this opportunity to share this special, almost private concert. Victoria scored when she got Mitch and Brent to make a one hour stop on their way to Forks for the Twilight Symposium, spending only 48 hours in Washington away from their Atlanta hometown.

So enjoy… I just posted 4 short videos including the song, Already Dead. http://www.youtube.com/user/OlympicCellars

Cheers, Kathy

Father-isms and Special Memories

2009-06-18T14:47:00.000-07:00

Ralph and I are headed to Ellensburg today. His father passed away in February and all the family is gathering for a “Celebration of Life” on Father’s Day – up in the hills at their Charlton hunting cabin where the memories are documented in a series of spiral notebooks going back for years. Whenever you visit the cabin you are suppose to write a note in the book and date it. This was a whole new side of family that I began to love.

When I first visited the cabin after Ralph and I got married I wrote, “We will move to Washington in four years”. It actually took six and we started a new chapter in our life.

As you might remember, I wrote a blog on Mother’s Day titled Mom-isms. Thought it would be a real easy follow-up to do Father-isms for my weekly TGIF email. Not So!

In thinking back through my childhood and talking to Ralph we both said, “our fathers didn’t talk as much as our mothers”.

I have a lot of favorite memories but few Father-isms quotes. Both Ralph and I agreed on two…

If we asked our Dad if we could do something, the usual response was…
“What Did Your Mother Say?”

And the Best of All, I can close my eyes and see my Dad mouthing these words…

Go Ask Your Mother!

Memories… there are many. Close your eyes with me and remember yours...

Dancing with my father while standing on his feet
Dad coming home from work at 5:15 p.m. every day. Both my parents would have a “little tottie” before dinner and we would all gather (maybe that is why we have the Gathering Room at the winery)
Dad cooking every Sunday after church. BIG PRODUCTION. As I grew older, all I wanted to do is eat fast and go out with my friends. Now I remember the BBQs, the caesar salad made from scratch and cleaning the shrimp together over the sink.

Father’s Day - Enjoy, Remember, Share, Connect…

Happy TGIF, Kathy

PS. Some other Father-isms I found on the internet…

You can't have a champagne budget with a beer income
As long as your feet are under my supper table, you'll follow my rules
If you drive up to our house, park in the driveway and honk the horn, you better be delivering a pizza because you won't be taking my daughter out
Good girls don’t call boys
If you expect to be treated like a lady, you should always act as one
(Notice a trend of very opinionated, protective and traditional fathers)
Do you think I'm a millionaire?
Do you think money grows on trees!

And, we all know the last father-ism…

No matter what happens, you can always come home!

This Working Girl Can Buy More Shoes

2009-06-12T11:03:00.000-07:00

A few years ago I came up with a new resolution which was pretty radical: Nothing new can come into my home until something leaves via re-gifting, donation or passing down to my kids. This I communicated to my husband who was quite impressed. My rationalization… this would stop my impulse buys.

Now, of course, this resolution did NOT involve the major 3 purchases in my life: clothes, jewelry and shoes. I’ve listed these in alpha order because for me priority depends on the mood of the day that sends me on the search for instant gratification.

Since clothes were not part of my resolution I needed a solution for limited closet space. About a year ago I donated clothes to an auction to make more room and then totally regretted the decision. While I hadn’t worn them in years I didn’t realize I had ‘attachment syndrome’. Now, I’ve gone so far as to buy those suck-um-up bags to store some favorites & open up a bit of space in my closet.

My rationalization for “plastic storage” was my new fashionista sense of style “closet vintage with a hippie, hobo-lux look”. Bottom line I just can’t seem to part with clothes or shoes, that have special memories or cost too much or I might wear some day and for sure the style will be in fashion again!

I’m getting to the shoe part…

We all know the fashion industry has played with our heads on the whole sizing game for years. Yes, I can wear a smaller size then I did in high school but everyone knows the clothes are now made bigger.

Shoes on the other hand, I thought were just the opposite. I had to buy larger sizes because the cost of making shoes had gone up so the same size shoe just kept getting smaller.

Obviously, I had no real logic for my rationalization but it worked in my head until I uncovered this really cute pair of sandals in my closet. They had the perfect heel height for jeans that had shrunk in length.

So depressing, I couldn’t even slip all 5 toes into the sandal. Then I decided maybe my feet were sweaty, so put some knee high hose on. That didn’t work. Then I thought, aaah, I ate Mexican food last night and my feet are swollen from all that salt. Wrong. The next day, I still couldn’t get my dang feet in those sandals.

I lamented my fate during another Working Girl meeting. I blurted out this whole story as if it was the major crisis of the day. Molly just looked at me, as only Molly can do, and said point blank, “Kathy, your feet spread with age”.

Feet, too! Is nothing sacred on my body? Back to rationalization... I have a few better excuses. I’m blaming it on the winery and moving to the Northwest. My feet just got used to work shoes, cement and socks in Birkenstock style sandals – that’s why I have feet spread, it’s not from age. I haven’t had the opportunity or the time to train my feet back into cute shoes that are in my closet!

So what does a girl gotta do? I hauled out all my size 8 shoes.

I now have a goal. I have shoe holes to fill and I can do it without a guilty conscience. It’s also my birthday month.

I really do need to stop rationalizing. Shop, enjoy and finish the day with a glass of Go Girl Red!

Cheers and TGIF, Kathy

Ps. Maybe that’s why I love National Flip Flop Day at Olympic Cellars. I don’t have to worry about feet spread!

2009-05-18T14:31:00.000-07:00

My T.G.I.F. email just moved to Monday this week and I’m REALLY sorry because there was some Breaking News that you may have missed….Friday was National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day!

Now that may not rank high up on Google or Yahoo but in our world the Working Girls spoke of nothing else while we packed wine club shipments all day Friday (that’s why no email, I was pooped.)

So, I started the day asking Molly and Lisa what was their favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie? You know what brand, what store… they looked at me like “what planet are you from?”

Molly said it best, “Kathy, the best chocolate chip cookies are the ones you make, especially if you’re baking with girlfriends or family, especially my grandkids”.

Molly continued, “my favorite is oatmeal chocolate chip. Then she sighed and smiled… well maybe oatmeal double chocolate chip warm out of the oven”. She almost had a reverent look on her face. Lisa’s favorite was to add cherries and almonds to basically the same recipe.

Well, that’s all I could think of this weekend. I craved warm cookies. And, geez all I got was Cooking Stress! We all know I don’t cook but now I’m going to learn.

Friday night I had to make do with chocolate chips out of bag and, of course, our 2005 Syrah.

Oh yeah, I asked Lisa which one of our wines would she pair with chocolate chip cookies and she said incredulously, “Any of them!”

So I have a deal,

Email me your best chocolate chip cookie recipe and why it should become the official cookie of us Working Girls. Pictures are always appreciated. info@olympiccellars.com
Include the name of your favorite Olympic Cellars wine that you would pair with your cookies, you are not limited to the Working Girl Wines
Please include your full contact information.
Molly, Lisa and I will judge the entries. I’ll even learn to bake…
The winning recipe will be posted on our website and a Working Girl Goodie box full of lots of great items from our gift shop and the wine you “paired” with your cookies will be shipped to the winner.
Deadline for entries: Sunday May 31
Winner announced: Wednesday, June 17

Sound like a plan…

T.G.I.F. on Monday

Cheers, Kathy

P.s. If you need a really good wine to do some sample pairing, remember our double gold medal (or is that double chocolate) 2005 Syrah is our featured 30th Anniversary Wine in May.

Anniversary Price $17.49, regular price $24.99.
Click Here to Browse Wines

Mom-isms!

2009-05-11T14:24:00.000-07:00

Ralph and I were heading out the door and as usual my husband picked up his wallet and put two quarters in his pocket.

I don’t know why today I decided to ask…

“Honey, why do you always put two quarters in your pocket?” He just stood there for a minute with a puzzled look on his face, then replied “My Mom always told me to in case I was in trouble and needed to call home.”

Laughing we realized we didn’t even know how much it cost to use a pay phone and if we needed one… could we find one in a hurry?

We both paused, each in our own world with a distant look and a smile on our face, thinking about our Moms.

Of course, Ralph couldn’t resist… “What did your Mom always say?”

At first, all I could think about was my Grandmother who told me always to put on clean underwear in case I was in an accident. Even as I kid I found that pretty silly.

Well that started it… back and forth, till we were almost crying with laughter.

Some of our favorite Mom-isms!

Do you want me to call your Dad?
Turn off the lights, do you think we live in a barn!
Don’t make me stop this car!
If everyone else jumped off a cliff, would you?
Eat your vegetables, there are starving kids in China.
Put that down, you don’t know where it’s been!
Kathleen Ann… if I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times…

I’m going to finish this last Mom-ism.

Kathleen Ann… if I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times how much I Love You.

That’s what I remember most.
Happy Mother’s Day, Kathy

What Next - A Vibrating Wine Glass?

2009-03-17T14:45:00.000-07:00

The day of the Inaugural Ball I realized I was out of mascara.

What does this have to do with a vibrating wine glass you ask… read on!

So, I ran out of the ballroom where we were decorating and across the street to Gottschalks. Made a bee line straight for the cosmetic counter; asked for black mascara that washed off with soap and didn’t smudge.

The lady at the counter said, “Well, I have one more of the vibrating mascara wands. We’ve gotten great feedback (no clumping, nice separation of lashes, Yadda-Yadda).”

I was in a hurry and said I’d take it but gulped when I went to sign my credit card receipt. Yikes, $35. My only excuse for not asking for a cheaper brand… I was in a hurry and well, I wanted to look good for the Ball.

OK, so I’ve been using the mascara for 6 weeks now. I’ve had some good laughs talking about it but feel foolish every time I use it. Frankly, I still use the pointed end of a large safety pin to separate out the lashes or remove clumps (just like my Mom). My lashes may be stimulated but they still clump.

Last week I was getting ready for an event so my mind was on wine when I pulled out my trusty mascara. As I unscrewed the cap and it started vibrating I got to thinking about wine glasses.

What if a wine glass was battery operated, played your favorite song and vibrated to the music, of course releasing the bouquet of the wine to the beat of the song ?

I walked into the kitchen and looked at my wine glasses… different sizes and shapes for different wines and I got to musing about the perfect song for a wine glass (white, sparkling and red wines).
Here are my top picks.

White Wine Glass: It’s Five O’ Clock Somewhere (If you need an excuse)
Champagne Flute: Afternoon Delight (well just because)
Red Wine Glass: Amarillo by Morning (Reminiscent of my Most Embarrassing Wine Moment )
Water Tumbler: Slip Sliding Away (It must have been one of those days)

Don’t worry; I’m not inventing another gimmicky wine product. But you’ve got to admit, you might think about your wine glass a little differently, especially while applying “vibrating” mascara.

Celebrate International Women's Day

2009-03-11T10:50:00.000-07:00

Olympic Cellars and Womanfest Honor the Memory of Local Activist Clara Carlson at International Women’s Day Celebration

The Winery invites public to gather, break bread and hear stories of Carlson’s deep commitment to growing women’s participation in the political process

Port Angeles, Wash., March, 9, 2009 – Women of all ages are invited to gather at Olympic Cellars Winery at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18 for a post International Women’s Day (March 8) celebration in honor of the late Clara Carlson, a long-term Port Angeles resident who worked passionately to inform and involve women in the political process. Her relentless advocacy for women’s rights continued until her death on Jan. 10 at the age of 102.

“Clara was a highly intelligent, well-read, free thinker with a passion for progressive politics,” says Nancy Newman, owner of WholeHearted Consulting and the organizer of Port Angeles’ first International Women’s Day celebration a decade ago. “She once said, ‘to inform oneself and to exercise the voting privilege is the very basis of freedom, the foundation of good government.’”

Carlson played an active local role in the National Organization of Women’s work to pass an equal rights amendment, worked tirelessly with the Port Angeles League of Women Voters to raise political awareness among local women, and shed light on various issues of concern with her eloquently penned letters to the editor of the Peninsula Daily News. She was also an early member of Womanfest, a local non-profit organization providing empowering experiences for women.

“Clara wanted women to have a strong voice in creating a better world,” Newman continues. “Her work gets to the very essence of International Women’s Day, a time set aside for reflection and commemoration of the economic, social and political achievements of women who are working collectively towards this end.”

Newman will speak about the history of International Women’s Day, her friendship with Carlson, who she met at Port Angeles’ first International Women’s Day celebration in 1999, and Carlson’s work, during the evening. Participants in the gathering can enjoy hot soup, bread and wine while listening to stories about Carlson’s life as volunteered by others who knew her.

Continuing a theme of women helping women begun 10 years ago with the area’s first International Women’s Day celebration, an ongoing scholarship fund will be launched in Clara Carlson’s name. The fund will support women’s work for causes that captured Carlson’s passion, and will be managed by Womanfest. A suggested $10.00 donation, collected at the door, will support the scholarship fund.

The event will also support Mujeres de Maize (Women of Corn) Opportunity Foundation, a sewing coop located in six villages in Chiapas, Mexico. The foundation provides educational opportunities for Mexican women and girls. Twenty-five percent of the purchase price wine sold by the glass throughout the evening will be donated to this international charity.

“In 2004, the first year that Olympic Cellars hosted an International Women’s Day event, we raised $150.00 in donations for the G.I.R.L.S. Summer Camp,” says Kathy Charlton, owner, Olympic Cellars. “Last year, donations exceeded $600.00, with half going to an international charity and half to a local charity. The organizations that receive this money are helping women and girls to succeed, sometimes, as in the case of Mujeres de Maize, by helping them to help each other.”

For further information about the celebration, call Olympic Cellars at 360.452.0160 or visit www.olympiccellars.com.

About International Women’s Day
International Women's Day (March 8) is an occasion marked by women's groups around the world. This date is also commemorated at the United Nations and is designated in many countries as a national holiday. When women on all continents, often divided by national boundaries and by ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic and political differences, come together to celebrate their Day, they can look back to a tradition that represents at least nine decades of struggle for equality, justice, peace and development.

About the Sponsors
Womanfest is a local non-profit that has been providing women of the Olympic Peninsula with empowering experiences and associations for more than 20 years. The organization hosts an annual Fall Retreat, sponsors workshops, lectures, concerts and other events for the community and provides additional support for worthy women-centered projects and programs.

Olympic Cellars is a boutique winery housed in an historic century-old barn between Port Angeles and Sequim on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. The winery annually produces approximately 3,200 cases of hand-crafted wines on site, including the premium La Dolce Vida label, the Working Girl® series, and the Dungeness artist series.

Olympic Cellars is strongly committed to supporting the physical and emotional well-being of women through its Charity of Choice and 2X Success initiatives.Find out more about Olympic Cellars and its upcoming events by visiting the winery’s website at www.olympiccellars.com, or by calling 360-452-0160.

Also visit the Working Girl® website, www.workinggirlwines.com, for information pertaining specifically to the Working Girl series of wines and associated philanthropic programs.

Romantic Get-Away Do and Don't

2009-02-10T10:22:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, my husband and I used to live in Dallas before moving to Washington to take over winery operations. Shortly after getting married we flew to Seattle to meet his family!

One afternoon Ralph announced that he was going to take me sightseeing in downtown Seattle. We were in the car looking at a map when his sister, Jan, came running towards the car with a large black garbage bag. She handed it to Ralph who put it in the back seat mumbling that he needed to drop it off at bla-bla-bla… I didn’t really listen and didn’t ask questions. I was busy looking through Seattle magazine picking out a restaurant for dinner.

Our first stop was supposed to be the Space Needle but as we turned a corner, Ralph pointed out the rounded towers of the Westin Hotel. He had mentioned long ago that he always wanted to stay at that hotel some day and see the view of the city by night but that wasn’t even registering in my mind.

All of sudden he pulled into the hotel lobby driveway, turned to me and said, “Surprise, we’re staying here. I love you!”

Well, I’m in a romantic glow as the bellman opens my door and welcomes us to The Westin. Next question was to Ralph, “Sir, can I get your luggage?”

I watch Ralph’s face turn a bright shade of red, and he stuttered with a reply about a surprise and handed the bellman The Black Plastic Garbage Bag!

Well, maybe I did feel a little embarrassed checking in like a Bag Lady, but I got over that really fast. Just think about the movie “Sleepless in Seattle”… I know it’s a chick flick, but I get the same warm and fuzzy feelings watching that movie as I do thinking about my “Romantic Get-Away in a Bag”.

So by all means… plan your get-away soon and maybe pack a suitcase first ‘cause clothes get sort of wrinkled stuffed in a bag. Last piece of advice… if it’s a special “decade” type birthday celebration, don’t give your sweetie a set of knives… even though we still use them to this day. Red Wine, Chocolate and “Your Heart” are all we need.

Valentine Cheers, Kathy
http://www.olympiccellars.com/

Olympic Peninsula Community Inaugural Ball

2009-01-05T15:01:00.000-08:00

Celebrate the Renewal of America’s Promise at the Olympic Peninsula Community Inaugural Ball

Olympic Cellars invites the public to join in commemorating the inauguration of President Barack Obama and in sharing a passion for change

On Jan. 20, just 15 days from now, the winds of change will begin to blow across the nation from Washington, D.C. all the way to the “Other Washington” and the city of Port Angeles. President-elect Barack Obama’s commitment to leadership sets aside partisanship, unites the nation around shared values and ideals and inspires hope for a new day. His inauguration is cause for celebration.

Olympic Cellars Winery, with much support from the local community, invites the public to celebrate this historic inauguration at the Olympic Peninsula Community Ball on Tuesday, January 20, at the Naval Elks Lodge in Port Angeles. The event, which features a no host bar, appetizers, live music by Fat Chance and big-screen coverage of inauguration day events, will take place from 6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. “Molly Rivard, manager of our retail shop, stepped out of her comfort zone along with thousands of other Americans last year, to campaign door-to-door for Barack Obama,” says Olympic Cellars Owner Kathy Charlton. “Molly exemplifies the type of informed, involved, active citizens we need to help drive change at the community level. Together we must act locally and think globally to help renew America’s promise. The Community Inaugural Ball is an opportunity to unite in sharing our passion for that kind of change.”

An East-West Connection“Further,” Charlton continues, “Molly and I are both fond of acknowledging ‘signs’ when they appear to us. The sign that Port Angeles should host a West Coast Inaugural Ball hit us both between the eyes – and it came in the form of a history lesson.”

Port Angeles was established in 1862 via an executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln. The town site came to be known as the “Second National City” following the federal government’s establishment of Washington D.C. Tributes to Lincoln's influence are found in the naming of Lincoln Street in the heart of town, Lincoln School, and Lincoln Park.

In 2009, the United States will commemorate the 200th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth. President-elect Obama (who, like Lincoln, is from Illinois) has approved A New Birth of Freedom as his 2009 inaugural theme, a phrase taken from a lesser-known part of Lincoln’s Gettysburg address.
“It’s a sure sign,” says Charlton. “Thousands will be gathering in the First National City on this historic day. It’s time for the ‘Second National City’ in the ‘Other Washington’ to join our nation’s capital in celebrating a new day.”

Tickets for the Inaugural Ball must be purchased by January 13, and are available in Olympic Cellars’ tasting room, online at www.olympiccellars.com, or by phone at 360.452.0160. Tickets can also be purchased at Necessities & Temptations, located at 217 N. Laurel Street in Port Angeles, 360.457.6400. The cost is $20.00

Donations to this celebration of country, community and people are welcome. Call Olympic Cellars at 360.452.0160 if you’d like to contribute.

“I’m Dreaming of a….”

2008-12-24T12:24:00.000-08:00

Joyce Colson wrote this poem a few days ago about the severe weather we are having here in the Pacific Northwest and I thought it was very cute and appropriate. Oh' how we all pray for a "White Christmas" but now that we actually have one, 2 days of lost business and 2 broken pipes later we can't wait for the snow to melt and get back to normal.

“I’m Dreaming of a….”

Bing Crosby once had a dream,
And sang Merry Christmas to let us know,
Wishing we would have a jolly holiday
Full of wintry white and beautiful snow.

Where the treetops are frozen
And loaded frozen limbs fall,
And children listen to the frozen wind’s call.
Where the snowmobiles roar,
And people curse they cannot ignore
The tire chains anymore.
Where freezing rain falls,
Or maybe frozen sleet calls,
Or ice sheets spread wide their cheer.
We can deck the heated halls,
And pay for outrageous bills,
And slip and slide in parking lots
By the crowded snowy malls.
We’re dreaming of snowdrifts ten feet deep,
And slippery hills that are frozen steep,
While tow trucks even spin their wheels,
And the frozen poor come in for their meals.
The frozen news casters give their reports,
Of delayed, canceled, closed, closing and will close,
And children freeze from snowball and snow angel sports,
While the fireside dries out their frozen, soggy clothes.

Yes, “I’m dreaming of a White Christmas
With every Christmas card I write.
May your days be merry and bright,
But never, never your Christmases white.”

My Most Embarrassing Wine Moment

2008-12-19T14:28:00.000-08:00

Every time I visit my daughter and grandchildren in Amarillo, Texas I am reminded of one of my not-so-finer moments in the world of wine.

A few years ago my daughter and her family moved from the cotton fields of Lubbock to the cattle ranches and feed lots of Amarillo. During my first visit I was introduced to Amarillo’s unique “pungent” bouquet when the wind blows out of the West. The first whiff and I knew I was in cattle country.

During that same visit I flew to Dallas for winery business. The colleague I was to meet had scored tickets to a wine tasting at a historical and elegant 5-star restaurant. The tasting was kept to an intimate 25 people, dress was cocktail casual and the wines had been handpicked by the head sommelier. I could hardly wait!

In tux attire, the sommelier greeted most of his guests by name. I was introduced as the owner of Olympic Cellars in Washington State. That started a bit of conversation amongst the guests who favored French wines and California Cabernets… but had heard a lot of good things about Washington wines!

Now normally, I taste and spit at these types of events. I’m a bit of a lightweight and know my limits, especially when it comes to keeping my “mouth” in check.

Aaah, but these wines were heaven in a bottle and as each wine was poured, my will power lessoned and I began to savor each velvety sip. The evening’s pièce de résistance was a famous old French Bordeaux (even I recognized the name). As this wine was poured, the atmosphere of the room changed… hushed voices that were almost reverent replaced the boisterous conversations of before.

Anticipating nirvana, I swirled the wine and gently lowered my nose to the glass. Deeply inhaling, my senses suddenly were sent careening and I spoke before my brain engaged; “This wine smells like AMARILLO”, I said none to quietly.

But the room did get quiet – real quiet – as the sommelier slowly walked to our table and stood right in front of me. “Madame, that is nose of fine old Bordeaux with just a hint of the barnyard”, he said with stern dignity, putting me in my place.

If only I had stopped there…

“Well frankly I think the barnyard has a little too much horse manure!” I retorted.

Whoops… I really stepped in “it” this time. Should have spit and kept my mouth shut.

But really, the wine by any other name or price tag WOULD have been poured down the drain.

But what do I know. Almost all the guests ranked the wine #1.

Cheers, Kathy

In the Spirit of Community

2008-12-10T12:50:00.000-08:00

Many people don't know that Working Girl Wines support women and families across the country. Wherever the wines are sold we donate 2% of the sales to worthy causes. All the local $$ raised in our home town has already been promised, but in the spirit of community and the season we wanted to do a little extra for a specific family in need.

Purchase a Case (12 bottles) of Working Girl White or Handyman Red for $120 and we will donate $60 to the Calloway Family.

David and JoAnna Calloway moved their family of 4 from California to Sequim, WA. In July 1991. Both found jobs right away, David with Angeles Millwork and JoAnna with Sequim Safeway.

They have raised their family here, JoAnna started a small cottage business, The Lavender Peddler and her business has flourished over the past 5yrs. David started his own business, Calloway Tractor, and has worked with many local builders and homeowners in the area for the past 4yrs. Cayte, their daughter, now 26 is a hair stylist at Sassy Kat in Port Angeles and is expecting her first baby and JoAnna and David’s first grandchild in March 2009. Garret, their son, has worked in the family business, Calloway Tractor, along side his dad for the past 3yrs.

In August, David was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic Cancer and began chemotherapy immediately. The first series failed to work. David is now undergoing a new treatment of chemo that is leaving him weak and ill.

JoAnna has taken a leave of absence from her job at Sequim Safeway to stay home and take care of David. With no income, their medical and household bills steadily rising, and the threat that they could also loose their home, friends and family are trying to support the Callaway’s any way they can.

To order online put "Callaway Family" in the comments section of the order form or call the winery (360) 452-0160.

In the Spirit of Community
Support, Strength, Sustainability
Kathy Charlton

The 20-Minute Rule For Wine

2008-11-25T15:35:00.000-08:00

At the tasting bar we’re always asked, “What temperature should I serve my red and white wines?”

Well, we could get really technical spouting the best temperatures for different varietals. And, we could try to sell you all forms of wine “thermometers”.

But, let’s just enjoy the wine and keep this simple:

Here’s my basic rule of thumb. Start your timer . Put reds in the fridge for 20 minutes before serving. Takes whites out of the fridge 20 minutes before serving.

The only exception for white wines is sparkling and white dessert wines, which are best enjoyed at refrigerator temperatures.

Just a last note on reds: Most reds are best enjoyed at cellar temperatures -- the high 50s -- not room temperature, which might be in the 70, hence, my 20 minute rule. You may have guests or personally like a chilled red wine. Then I would suggest a Beaujolais, a light-bodied French red commonly served at temperatures cooler than most other red wines. A half-hour in the fridge should do it.

Cheers!
Kathy

The Curse of The Good Girl…

2008-11-24T11:56:00.000-08:00

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 almost 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’s 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.comBlog Author, Melinda Shoaf: http://www.melindashoaf.blogspot.com

Bottling Cranberry Jubilee Today!

2008-11-13T08:44:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again for the Cranberry Jubilee.

We're bottling today and will start shipping tomorrow. With the ever growing popularity of this holiday wine, get your order in early.

This year's blend is 80% Chardonnay and 20% Cranberry wine. The label is the same with our Working Girl Elf (picture above).

There's still plenty of time to make sure you get your order in time for Thanksgiving. Perfect for the holiday table and truly decadent with turkey leftovers.

Don't forget to put yourself at the "Top of the List".

Cheers!

Kathy

Serve Your Cellars’ Best Before Dinner

2008-11-04T16:17:00.000-08:00

Last year I bought a five-foot long, red metal sign that simply just spelled out the word, GATHER

Displayed on our long farm table in our appropriately named “Gathering Room” it just speaks to me… I can almost smell my mother’s dressing; see my father carving the turkey and my son sneaking treats to our Scottish terrier under the table.

As the holidays approach, we get a lot more questions on food and wine pairings. And after doing a little more research and reading the overwhelming amount of advice, I found some notes that banished all the complexity and stress. Even for me who’s in the wine business this was a relief… and it pairs nicely with my innate desire to Gather. After all, much of the appeal of Thanksgiving dinner is found in the kitchen with wonderful aromas enveloping all the cooks!

So here’s a fresh look at what you might offer.

First, for big holiday meals don’t overcomplicate the wine selection. It can be as easy as simply opening a few different types of wine and letting people choose their favorites.

It’s the perfect time to serve your wines 'family style,' the way you serve your meal. Just open your selections and let your guests help themselves to the tastes they like.

And of course, if you have that special bottle of prized wine in your cellar, bring it up for the holidays.

But here’s where most people make a mistake.

Typically they like to make their special wine the showcase, serving some less expensive variety beforehand.

I recommend the opposite.

Before dinner, open that prized bottle and let people enjoy all its delicate flavors -- without food affecting the taste. And while all are savoring the bouquet, you might actually get a word in and offer that special toast to those most special in your life.

After this, the food takes center stage. So serve several bottles of food-friendly, not so expensive, wines that blend well with the wide variety of dishes on your table.

Then, sit back and enjoy your gathering.

Best Wishes,
Kathy

Ps. Wine suggestions and a Holiday “Gathering” Wine Package Below.

Most holiday wine recommendations include Chardonnay, Rose (off-dry to dry), Riesling, Gewurtztraminer, and off-dry Sparkling Whites along with Reds such as Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Syrah.

Below are our Olympic Cellars vintages, which you’ll find follow nicely in this tradition:

The “Special Bottle”: 2005 Syrah, Gold Medal at San Francisco International Wine competition

2007 Chardonnay Barrel Select
2007 Lemberger Rose, a.k.a. Rose The Riveter
2007 Dungeness Riesling
2006 Dungeness Lemberger
2006 Zinfandel (Gracefully Aging Red)
Holiday Cranberry Jubilee (80% Chardonnay, 20% Cranberry) Very Limited Production

Olympic Cellars “Holiday Gathering” Wine Packages

Just order 4 or 6 wines via our website, http://www.olympiccellars.com/onlinestore/availablewines/

Selection of 4 of our wines. Includes a wine mulling spice packet for making hot-spiced wine, recipe included

Selection of 6 and receive $10 off your shipping

Harvest Celebration Winemaker Dinner

2008-10-27T11:16:00.000-07:00

La Gerbebaude 2
Saturday, November 8

Dear Friends of Olympic Cellars,

We’ve crushed our last grape (Cabernet Sauvignon) and are ready to celebrate the Harvest. This year’s vintage will be one of the best in the winery’s history and we look forward to celebrating this harvest with great food, wine and friends. The 2nd year is now a tradition… The Harvest Celebration Dinner will again be held at Joy’s Wine Bistro in Port Angeles, WA.

We typically do a press release, especially for our local media. This one, though, is something special, worth sending out beyond our local borders. It features the culinary and winemaking accomplishments of Joy Siemion of Joy’s Wine Bistro and our winemaker, Benoit Murat.

Our Harvest Table in the Gathering Room

If you are planning a visit to the Peninsula soon or would enjoy wine touring in your own backyard , the annual Passport to Autumn Wineries Tour will be held on Saturday and Sunday, November 8-9.

Information on making reservations for the Harvest Dinner is below. Information regarding the Winery Tour is on our website, www.olympiccellars.com

All our Best, Kathy

Port Angeles Chef/Winemaker Bring In-Depth Knowledge, High Profile Skill to Local Dining Experience Culinary Team Showcases Seasonal Bounty in La Gerbebaude 2

Port Angeles, Wash., Oct. 27, 2008

Several times each year, Joy Siemion, chef and owner of Joy’s Wine Bistro and Joy’s Bistro at Peninsula College , both in Port Angeles, can be found working around the country alongside internationally-renown chefs such as the Food Network’s Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis. Similarly, while his wines age in barrels at Olympic Cellars, you might find Winemaker Benoit Murat working the harvest at Cloudy Bay , New Zealand’s most famous winery, or studying the latest winemaking techniques in France.

Each of these local culinary talents is committed to continuously augmenting their skill and expertise to bring Port Angeles diners an exquisite gastronomic experience. On Nov. 8 , Siemion and Murat will join forces in presenting La Gerbebaude 2 , a winemaker dinner showcasing seasonal Olympic Coastal Cuisine expertly paired with locally-made wines. The event will take place at Joy’s Wine Bistro , with seating at 6 p.m. Tickets are $55.00 per person. For reservations, call 360.452.9449.

“La Gerbebaud,” is a French term meaning “end-of-harvest,” says Siemion. “ La Gerbebaude 2 is our second end-of-harvest winemaker dinner. For this event Benoit and I have worked together to create a perfect fall menu. It is an expression of the local bounty with simple ingredients and clean, fresh flavors, complemented by Benoit’s wonderful handcrafted wines.”

Working with Celebrity Chefs
Siemion recently returned from the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival, one of the largest televised cultural events of the year featuring the best and brightest stars of the culinary world. Now in her 10 th year as culinary stage production manager, Siemion and her crew take care of every behind the scenes detail for celebrity chef demonstrations on a particular stage. This includes receiving chef recipes, ordering and receiving food, prepping ingredients, organizing ingredients for the stage demonstration, trouble shooting, and directing the chefs on camera. Siemion’s crew supported Chefs Bobby Flay, Lidia Bastianich, Rachel Ray, Rocco DiSpirio, Tyler Florence and Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto at the New York event. In February, Siemion will be off to South Beach, Fla. for the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, and in June she will work the Aspen Wine & Food Festival.

“I return from each event feeling personally challenged, and look forward to applying the new knowledge and techniques I learn in my own business,” says Siemion.

A Mélange of Winemaking Techniques
French native Murat was educated in enology and viticulture and began his winemaking career in the Bordeaux region of France. Seeking to experience winemaking in different parts of the world he came to the United States, and has since traveled to winemaking areas in New Zealand, Italy and other parts of France. He reads constantly to keep up on what’s happening in the industry, and confers with other winemakers regularly. Murat’s personal winemaking style is a mix of the techniques he’s learned around the world.

Working closely with Siemion, Murat carefully creates the wine lists at Joy’s Wine Bistro to complement her culinary creations, and often recommends some delightfully surprising pairings.

Seating for La Gerbebaud 2 is limited, and early reservations are recommended.

Is the United States a Dinosaur?

2008-10-14T11:39:00.000-07:00

Back in the late 80s, early 90s there was a revolution in the corporate world. Competition went global and high-tech garage shop start-ups were beating the pants off the big corporate giants. Individuals driving this change thought differently, worked differently and had the vision and guts to change our world.

I worked for one of those corporate giants… Texas Instruments, and I can vividly remember the day a magazine article compared my company to a Dinosaur and forecasted our extinction. All I thought about was if I was going to lose my job and what the President was going to do so I would be OK. I didn’t feel any responsibility for the outcome. I was paid to a do a job and felt no responsibility for the “Company’s” problems.

As I look back on those early bleak days and the decisions the leaders of TI made to save the company, I can’t help but compare it to our economic and political arena of today.

Twenty years ago I was asked to do more with less, think out of the box, automate, outsource, downsize and CHANGE. It wasn’t easy. People lives were impacted. Sacrifices were made. Personal agendas had to be set aside for the greater goal... A strong, focused company that had a strong bottom line, a competitive portfolio of products and intellectual capital better than their competitor.

Today…well it’s hard to look to the future when you’re just trying to swim to shore. But folks, if we focus on today and the short term, it might be OK for our life time, but what about our children, what about our future.

I do believe we are facing extinction if we all don’t take personal responsibility. It’s so easy to point the finger. Pull the entitlement card. Bury your head in the sand.

I’m desperately looking for leaders that can step up to the plate at all levels of government and impact CHANGE from the status quo of “what’s in it for me, my constituents, my state and my political party.”

BUT, BUT, BUT… you and me and over 280 million U.S. citizens MUST also step to that plate and VOTE, demand accountability, ask questions, get involved, educate ourselves…

An ‘in my face’ blast from an old boss that I will never forget: DON’T COMPLAIN IF YOU’RE NOT PART OF THE SOLUTION.

Kathy Charlton

Get out the vote for Olympic Cellars Winery!

2008-10-09T11:38:00.000-07:00

Only a couple days to go: Get out the vote for Olympic Cellars Winery!

Over the past three weeks, voters have helped make the Evening Magazine's Best of Western Washington the best guide for the insider's scoop on everyday decisions in the Pacific Northwest. Over 98,000 votes have been cast, but it's not over yet...voting continues until October 13th at 7pm and we need your help to finish out strong. The voting results will be hidden for the next few days to build suspense until we officially announce the winners beginning October 27th.

Click Here to vote For Olympic Cellars Now

After the Contest Voting ends October 13th, but the guide is available year round. Evening Magazine's Best of Western Washington is powered by CityVoter.

Congress Needs BRASS BALLS!

2008-09-29T14:35:00.000-07:00

As a citizen and now a small business owner I’m outraged in the gross lack of leadership in our members of Congress.

Stories are prolific on the Internet but two statements jumped out as demonstrating again POLITICS AT IT’S MOST SELFISH BEST regarding the financial bailout plan.

“Not enough members were willing to take the political risk just five weeks before an election.”

“Congress has been trying to adjourn so that its members can go out and campaign.”

With a United States and Global financial meltdown potentially eminent, how could any elected official worry about his/her campaign or their state’s constituents? May sound harsh, but what good is shortsighted pork belly politics if the entire country is driven into a depression.

We need LEADERS who can think, ask questions and make the hard decisions under pressure in the BEST INTEREST OF THE UNITED STATES!

Senators and Congress… delete the party initial and the state you represent from behind your name and replace it with… J. A. Congressman, United States Leader

And, if you need a pair of Brass Balls to help, I’m sure there are a number of citizens who would order a pair delivered straight to your office. Maybe you need a New Symbol of Leadership, Responsibility and Action.

Kathy Charlton
Private Citizen and Business Owner
http://www.olympiccellars.com/

Ten Purple Toes -- Ten Top Reasons to Stomp Grapes

2008-09-09T11:30:00.000-07:00

Olympic Cellars’ Last Grape Stomp & Harvest Party of the Decade

I can’t believe Saturday, September 13 is our 6 th Grape Stomping Harvest Party. I grew up watching I Love Lucy … of course they were re-runs! Who would have thought my life’s destiny included a red wig and a Lucy ‘get-up’ hosting a Grape Stomp at Olympic Cellars.

The I Love Lucy show aired for 6 seasons, 1951-1957. This year, our 6 th Stomp, will also be our Last . In 2009, the Grape Stomp & Harvest Party will evolve in conjunction with the winery’s 30th anniversary. So while saying good-bye to a seasonal favorite, those who have enjoyed the event over the past six years and those who may experience it for the first time this year can look forward to a surprise next fall.

If you always planned to join us AND… if you always wanted to get really close to the grapes, feel the squish between your toes and the excitement of stomping then mark your calendar for Saturday, September 13 from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.

And, if that’s not reason enough, how about a count down to the….

Top Ten Purple Toe Reasons to Stomp Grapes At Olympic Cellars
http://www.olympiccellars.com/eventsroot/wineryevents/2007/09/15/97/

10 . You’ve always had a secret desire to be a red head

9 . Purple is your favorite color, even if it’s the color of your feet

8. The Best Afternoon Delight… Good Fun, Good Company, Good Food, Good Music

7 . Shop for Classic Harvest ‘Couture’ at your favorite thrift store and win the costume contest

6 . Perfect Family Photo Op – Savor the Moment, Cherish the Memories

5. Last chance for a “Lucy & Ethel” style Girl Friend Road Trip

4 . Opportunity to win Kathy’s 6 year-old pink flannel Lucille Ball Grape Stomping Pajamas or her red wig!

3 . Sip the official wine of the Stomp, “Gracefully Aging Red”… rumored to have anti-aging properties including memory enhancement

2. It is said… "grapes are the most noble and challenging of fruits." Rise to the challenge! Take on the fruit! Stomp and swamp your way into OLYMPIC (Cellars) history. The last and final 2008 Grape Stomp Champion!

Celebrate the Season and Help Stomp Out Child Abuse

1. Children are your passion and you want to “Stomp Out Child Abuse”

One-half of ticket proceeds will be donated to Healthy Families who work to end child abuse and other forms of domestic violence in Clallam County. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Olympic Cellars Grape Stomping Harvest Party
Saturday, September 13, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Food and Market/Gift Vendors

Noon Ready to Go, gates open
1 p.m. Sign-up for contests
2 p.m. Contests begin
3:30 p.m. Grand Stomp Off
4:00 p.m. Concert with Hand Full of Luvin’

Summer fun is easy to find on the Olympic Peninsula

2008-08-21T11:21:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd repost this Rob Bhatt from AAA Journey. It really gives you a good idea of the adventures to be had on our beautiful Olympic Peninsula (and of course mentions Olympic Cellars)

If you haven’t been to Forks lately, you might be surprised to find out what’s going on in this quiet corner of the Olympic Peninsula. The former Logging Capital of the World has become this summer’s must-visit destination for fans of the Twilight series of teen-romance novels.

The four books that make up the Twilight Saga follow a teen-age girl named Bella Swan, whose infatuation with Edward Cullen, a boy at her high school, leads to romance. Edward’s only apparent flaw is the fact that he is a vampire. An Internet search reportedly led the series’ Phoenix-based author, Stephenie Meyer, to choose Forks for the setting, because her vampires need dark, rainy climates to survive. From this perspective, Forks has it all. Teen-age girls seem to be the biggest fans of the series, and this brings an otherwise unlikely demographic group to a town once dominated by burly men with chainsaws and beards. Nevertheless, the community seems to be taking its newfound popularity in stride.

Twilight-themed T-shirts fly off the rack at the downtown Thrifway, and Sully’s Drive-In proudly serves up Bella Burgers for its literary minded visitors. During my half-hour visit to the Forks Visitor Information Center, I counted 20 people stopping in for information on the sights Meyer describes in her books. One family, with three teen-age girls, was visiting from Wisconsin. Later, a mother, father and teen-age daughter from Toronto stopped in to pick up the Twilight welcome packet, which includes a map to area Twilight landmarks and a Twilight trivia quiz, while the son waited in the car.

The Forks Chamber of Commerce even offers three-hour van tours to landmarks matching those described in Meyer’s novels. Stops include the local high school and the police station. The tours take place on a weekly basis, and reservations are required (360-374-2531). Marcia Bingham, executive director of the Forks chamber, is impressed by how well Meyer captured the spirit of Forks, which is particularly remarkable because the author had never even been to the community prior to the 2005 release of Twilight, the first book in the series, though she has reportedly dropped by since then.

Twilight-mania extends to Bella Italia restaurant in Port Angeles, where Edward and Bella go on their first date. On Aug. 10, Twilight and its sequels, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn (released Aug. 2), occupied four of the top five positions on the USA Today best-seller list, and Time magazine included Meyer in its list of the world’s most influential people for 2008. With a motion picture based on the series due out in December, Forks residents can expect the visitors to keep coming. Mark your calendars for Sept. 13, when Forks celebrates Stephenie Meyer Day. The date coincides with Bella’s birthday in the novel.

Of course, you don’t have to be a teen-age girl to have fun in and around the northern side of the Olympic Peninsula. Here are few other things to see and do throughout the region:

Olympic Cellars
The producer of the Working Girl and La Dolce Vida wines hosts its “No Labor” Day celebration on Aug. 23. Stop by to sample wines and food, including Texas chili, and listen to live music. Intrepid visitors can also sign up for tandem skydive jumps that take place throughout the day. The fun continues with an evening barn dance featuring the country sounds of Nathan Chance. The winery is located in a restored barn alongside Hwy. 101, just east of Port Angeles.On Sept. 13, the winery hosts its 6th annual Grape Stomp and Harvest Festival. The afternoon celebration features a contest in which two-person teams attempt to crush the most wine from grapes with their bare feet (à la Lucille Ball). Live music and wine tasting round out the fun.

Peninsula Golf Club
This private, member-owned golf course on the edge of Port Angeles is now open for daily play on afternoons, six days a week (it is reserved for members only on Thursdays). The course measures only 6,334 yards from the championship tees, and its 108 acres of space requires a tight layout. Nevertheless, the course makes up for its lack of size with persistent tests of shot-making abilities. On the sixth hole, for instance, an overly rotund Douglas fir awaits like Jabba the Hut down the right side of the fairway, turning what would otherwise play as a straight approach to the green into a dogleg right. On clear days, the view from the seventh fairway stretches all the way across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Victoria, B.C. The clubhouse and pro shop sit in modest facilities that date back to the club’s opening in 1921, but with $32 greens fees ($22 in fall and winter, not including cart fees), the facility offers great value and a leisurely pace.

Rainforest Paddlers
The Peterson family’s roots in the Hoh River Valley date back to the 19th century, and they have tilled the land and welcomed visitors for four generations. Anna Matsche is part of the Peterson’s new generation of leaders. When she’s not running her café or helping harvest hay from family farmland, the 20-something woman and her team lead kayak and raft tours down the Hoh (Class I/II), Sol Duc (Class III) and Elwha (Class II/III) rivers. As they skillfully navigate the rapids, Matsche and her crew share their insight on the region’s natural and cultural history—and offer great tips on places to eat.

Three Rivers Resort
After hearing Matsche describe the milkshakes at Three Rivers Resort, I simply had to try one for myself.I was not disappointed.Three Rivers consists of cabins, RV hookups, a general store and a burger shack off Hwy 110, about halfway between Forks and La Push. There is nothing fancy about the place, but my strawberry milkshake, made with fresh strawberries and rich ice cream, was pure pleasure. Even though the top of the concoction rose above the brim of its 16-ounce cup, it held firm as I relished every sip. Matsche raves about the huckleberry shakes that they serve in the fall, and I have no reason to think that these are anything but sublime.

Country Music's Nathan Chance Helps us Celebrate the Working Girl No Labor Day with a bit of Texas Flair

2008-08-19T11:29:00.001-07:00

Texas born Kathy Charlton thought what better way to celebrate than to put a little Good O'l Texas flair on this years event. Ya'll are invited for a full day of celebrating including a barn dance with Seattle's premier country band Nathan Chance and some down home style chili.

All Day Tandem Skydive...

It's pretty cool looking down on the Olympic Mountains. Become a member of the Working Girl First Jump Club with a commemorative tee shirt and a "toast" of wine after you jump (only 4 spots left) Available Jump times with be scheduled throughout the day. Jumpers will meet with the Skydiving Team at the winery before heading to the airport. Jumpers are invited to spend the whole day at the winery and enjoy the music and other Working Girl "No Labor Day" activities.

Afternoon Music 2:00pm

Dance and sing along with local favorite band "Final Approach" Could the band name be any more perfect for skydiving. Dance and sing along with hits from the 50's through the 70's.

Food.. Texas Chili, You bet

You can't have great country music without Texas style chili. Joy of Joy’s Wine Bistro has taken on the ‘chili challenge’ and will be serving throughout the afternoon and evening.

Nathan Chance in Concert

Since the inception of "Nathan Chance" in May of 2006, the boys have opened for National-caliber Acts such as Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, Shedaisy, Brooks n' Dunn and most recently.... George Strait. Their following continues to grow in the northwest. Come see for yourself how two small town boys have managed to capture the attention of big crowds. Advance Tickets are recommended. Click Here for Tickets & More Info

“Mommy’s Little Helper” Foretold New Career For “Grandma Wine Chick”

2008-07-30T10:34:00.000-07:00

On the eve of the 5th Anniversary of Working Girl Wines I’m still asked “how did it happen?”

I have always enjoyed my glass of wine... especially after that long day at work, battling traffic trying to get to daycare or a soccer game on time, and then to hit home and juggle dinner, laundry and homework assignments. Later I found out my kids called my glass of wine “Mommy’s Little Helper”.

I worked at Texas Instruments in Dallas for 25 years. My two kids never quite understood the semiconductor market and if asked what their Mom did they would promptly reply, “My Mom Goes To Meetings!”

In 2001 I took an early retirement package when fate through me a curve ball. I was newly married and got a call from my husband while traveling. He asked me if I wanted to buy a winery. “I guess it would be make good dinner conversation” I laughingly replied… but he was serious! Apparently, my new mother-in-law had co-signed some loans on a winery that was in financial trouble. Here is where fate takes over and shortly thereafter we’re the third owners of Olympic Cellars Winery with a rich heritage on the North Olympic Peninsula and the 15th winery in Washington State.

So at 51, I packed up our house in Dallas and moved to Port Angeles. Four days later I am standing behind a bar 7 days a week and working in the cellar. Gone was this corporate lady always decked out with hair and make-up in place and dressed in suit and heels. I found out all to quick that I needed more muscles, fleece, Ecco boots and a crash course on wine production and operations.

Molly and Libby joined me, helped rebuild the winery and later became my partners in our women owned winery. Fate again stepped in 2003 when we decided that we were going to develop a wine brand with unpretentious fun labels. We spent lots of time working on the wine blends… maybe a little bit too much time one night. I remembered leaning back in my chair and said, “Ladies, I’m exhausted, this working girl has got to go home”. We all sat up totally alert. We hadn’t been able to come up with a name for the wines and there it was --Working Girl -- 3 women all in second careers, mothers to 6 and grandmothers to 7. So we hired a caricature artist and the wines were birthed: Working Girl White, Go Girl Red and Rosé the Riveter.

Running a business was new to all of us. It was our baby and we felt like we were living the American Dream. Early on we knew we could not just schlep wine, we wanted a business with soul and purpose. The Working Girl Wines were Created By Women, In Support Of Women and soon began to support our charity of choice programs. Based on gross wine sales cash donations are made on a monthly basis to local grassroots organizations that support women and families. Donations have grown to over $15,000 in 2007.

La Dolce Vida, our premium wine brand, drives another founding principal of our business… Savor the Good Life and Cherish the Memories. Summer concerts, skydiving and the Grape Stomping Harvest party are just a few of our winery events that bring friends and family together. We also self-designated our own holiday, The Working Girl NO LABOR Day Event! The Working Girls go “on strike” that day joining in on our own party.

Who would have known that “Mommy’s Little Helper” foretold a new career? The iconic Rosie the Riveter poster hangs in our cellar and delivers a message to us every day… We Can Do It, Too!

Maybe my own children never quite understood by first career but it didn’t take my grandchildren long to understand the winery. Harper, my oldest granddaughter, actually gave me my new title. While looking at the t-shirts in our gift shop she stood and pondered one t-shirt that had “Wine Chick” spelled out in rhinestones. Harper turns to me and says, “You’re Grandma Wine Chick!” The name stuck and that pretty much says it all.

Remember, Savor the Good Life and Cherish the Memories.

Kathy