Celebrate Northwest wine and food at the First Annual Doe Bay Wine Festival.
The event on June 2 and 3 will feature 15 Washington wineries and five island chefs. It is being sponsored by the Orcas Island Historical Museum.
A wine-tasting seminar on sustainable wines, a casual “Meet the Winemakers” tasting with Seattle stringband Rabbit Stew and a tasting under a tent by the Salish Sea are among the festivities.
More than a dozen award-winning winemakers from around Washington state have been invited: Kevin Cedergreen from Cedergreen Cellars, Meg Gilbert from Gilbert Cellars and Justin Neufeld from JB Neufeld in Yakima; Christian Sparkman from Sparkman Cellars in Woodinville; Caleb Foster of Buty Winery in Walla Walla; and local organic winemaking pioneer Brent Charnley of Lopez Island Vineyards and Winery.
Several Orcas Island chefs, including Abigael Birrell of Doe Bay Cafe; Lisa Nakamura of Allium, Geddes Martin of Inn at Ship Bay will cook up dishes using island-fresh fish, meat and produce. Buck Bay Shellfish Farm will be on hand to shuck fresh oysters from their beach just two miles down the road from Doe Bay.
The Orcas Historical Museum will present a special exhibit of historical photographs during the weekend, giving guests a chance to get to know the history and lore of Doe Bay and Orcas Island.
To enjoy all the festival events, you can purchase a Full Festival Pass for $50. Or purchase tickets for each event individually at www.brownpapertickets.com.
Saturday, June 2
The “Green Wine” Tasting Seminar, 2 to 3:30 pm, $25. In this tasting seminar, 30 guests will taste a selection of certified organic, biodynamic and salmon-safe wines, while Seattle magazine wine writer Shannon Borg and Charnley discuss wineries and vineyards that are committed to sustainable wine practices.
“Meet the Winemakers Tasting” and music by Seattle old-time stringband “Rabbit Stew” is 7 to 10 p.m., $10 for 10 tastes; donations for the band. Enjoy an evening of American roots music while chatting with participating winemakers and tasting a sampling of wines.
Sunday, June 3
“Grand Tasting” is 1 to 4 p.m., $25 (for 25 tasting tickets; additional tickets available at the tasting). More than a dozen winemakers will pour some of their favorite wines, paired with bites from six local chefs. Enjoy old-time fiddle, banjo, and guitar music by Seattle’s Rabbit Stew.
