Last Friday, we stopped by a local Winery here in Spokane. Latah Creek was celebrating 30 years of wine making with the release of two new wines into the Monarch Series Reserve Reds.
They invited us to taste test these new wines, and they even had a collection of their classic ones as well. While I’m not a red wine drinker, it was good. We also enjoyed delicious Italian inspired foods to go along with their collection.
I was able to meet the wine makers, Mike and Ellena Conway and their daughter Natalie Conway-Barnes – who was incredibly nice and talked to me for a bit about their winery, where the grapes are grown and the different varieties of wine they make.
How the Monarch Series Reserve Reds came to be -
While Mike attended a tasting in early 2010, he noticed a beautiful painting. It was by a local impressionist artist Edward W. Gilmore. Not knowing anything about the painting, Mike mentioned that he thought it would make a beautiful wine label, and that he would call it “Monarch Red”. In a whirlwind, a new series of wines was born at Latah Creek, Monarch Reserve Reds, a series of intriguing, small lot, reserve quality wines.
This Monarch Red is a very unique blend of three collection wines: 50% Zinfandel, 25% Syrah, and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. The result shows the wonderful berry qualities of Zinfandel, the peppery spice of Syrah, and the boldness of Cabernet.
Receiving great feedback from the collection, they wanted to bring back another Monarch Red. This time, they updated the label, making it more distinctive and made a larger quantity, that you could enjoy all year round. They also released two other Monarch Series wines: a Zinfandel, and a Petite Sirah. All three of these wines were released in Winter 2010.
Their next set of Monarch Reserve Red Wines – which were released at the celebration, are also Petite Sirah, dubbed Monarch Petite Sirah#2, and a Primitivo.
Something for everyone -
Even if you’re not a red wine drinker, like myself, you will probably enjoy one of their white wines or blushes. I highly recommend you try their Huckleberry d’latah – one of their most popular and best selling wines, and of course is my favorite as well.
Latah Creek makes 14 different varieties of wine total, and inside their gift shop you can find gifts for the kitchen, home, holiday’s, and much more! If you’re ever out in the Spokane Valley, you should stop by and check it out sometime.
Special thanks to Latah Creek for inviting us to their 30th Birthday Celebration Wine Tasting, and for our bottle of Monarch Red!
Connect with Latah Creek on Facebook and Twitter.
No compensation was received. We did receive a signed bottle from their collection. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
About Hanan Webster
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2013/05/03
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Yeah for your first glass of wine. I’ve had a glass or two while nursing and it really helped during he crazy no sleep early days.
Woohoo! I’m not a wine drinker but like to taste test here and there, just hoping I’ll enjoy one! We live in wine country here in Western NY:)
I just got into wine from Bloggy Boot Camp. I like real sweet wines and have been favoring Moscatos lately. Congrats on the first glass and the night out. Sounds like you guys have a blast!
Congrats on that first glass! It sounds like a lovely winery!
yeah fun! I like the bottles of candy =) but a great glass of wine and candy would be even better.
Sounds like a fun time especially for your first glass of win in so long. Glad you enjoyed it!
This sounds like a really nice winery! I’m glad you enjoyed yourself and enjoyed it! I could spend a lot of money in that gift shop – looks like a lot of great things!
What a great gift idea! Thanks, Hanan!