Favorite WSU Memory: “While I have many favorite memories from attending WSU between 1980 and 1986, one that really stands out is the home football game of 1982. The prior year we missed a likely visit to the Rose Bowl by losing to the Huskies. Then the next year in 1982, the Apple Cup was moved back to Pullman from Spokane and we beat the Huskies 24 to 20! The truly memorable part was the celebration after the game including watching one of the goal posts being torn down and carried throughout town! While our standing that year was quite low, it was sweet revenge just to beat the Huskies. Go Cougs!” Featured Wine: 2008 Syrah (Wahluke Slope)

About ALIA Wines: ALIA Wines is a small family owned winery located in Snohomish County about three miles from the Evergreen Fairgrounds. “ALIA”, which is Latin for “by another way”, signifies the belief that both old world and new age winemaking techniques and blends make the best wines. The winemaker for ALIA started making wine as an amateur in 1994 and soon the passion for winemaking turned the “hobby” into a commercial operation which began in 2005. ALIA Wines produces very small lots of hand crafted Cabernet, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Malbec, Tempranillo, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and Viognier. The grapes for ALIA Wines come from some of the best Vineyards in Yakima Valley, Red Mountain, Wahluke Slope and Willamette Valley.

Why our featured Cougar selected this wine for WBC members: The 2008 Wahluke Slope Syrah was selected for Wine by Cougars as it is one of our newer releases, is very full-bodied with nice a balance that exhibits the classic flavors of Syrah and the terrior of the Wahluke region.

Winemaker Notes:

2008 Syrah (Wahluke Slope): A classic Rhone style Syrah exhibiting nice terrior characteristics from the Wahluke Slope with bright cherry, cassis and blueberry flavors. Aromas of eucalyptus, leather and moderate tannins, good acidity and a nice long mid-palate finish provide for a nicely balanced wine. This wine will pair well with a variety of red meats and cheeses and can be decanted now for immediate enjoyment or cellared easily for up to five years.

Favorite WSU Memory: “My favorite WSU memory had to be during harvest. I spent a full day in class, then drove back to the winery to crush Merlot later that night. By the time I got all of the fruit crushed and equipment cleaned, I had just enough time to rush back to the start of class the following morning. Little did I know at the time, these long days and long drives were a large part of preparing to be a winemaker!”

Featured Wines: 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2010 Chenin Blanc

About Hestia Cellars: Hestia Cellars is dedicated to producing extraordinary wines of individual character, richness, balance, and longevity. Their wines are handcrafted on a small private estate nestled atop the Snoqualmie River Valley in Washington State. Hestia Cellars is a family owned and operated winery that believes that great wine isn’t explained, it’s uncorked.

Why our featured Cougar selected this wine for WBC members:

2008 Cabernet Sauvignon - Our 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a single vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills, Andrews Ranch. The vineyard at Andrews Ranch is over 30 years old, while the property has been farmed by the Andrews family for over 60 years, making it one of the older sites in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. We are very fortunate to work with the Andrews Family, and are always excited to see this fruit come in to the winery every year. Planted on the northern slope of the Horse Heaven Hills AVA, the Cabernet is a big wine, filled with dark fruit, and solid tannins. Aged in 100% french oak, this wine will pair perfectly with all of your hearty winter and Holiday fare, and will age gracefully for years to come.

2010 Chenin Blanc - This is one of our most popular wines, selling out every year on release. We fought hard to get this wine back from one of our distributors, and are very excited to offer you this very special wine. Our Chenin Blanc comes from Hahn Hill vineyard in the Yakima Valley. The vines were planted in 1968, and are some of the oldest Chenin Blanc vines in Washington State. We have been leading the charge to bring back the popularity of Washington State Chenin Blanc, and feel that our drier style is exactly what people are looking for. A wine that has great spice and floral notes, along with just a touch a sweetness to help balance the acidity, make this a great wine to start off your holiday meals.

Winemaker Notes:

2008 Cabernet Sauvignon: A saturated deep ruby color that is enhanced by the addition of the Petit Verdot. The rich aromatics are reminiscent of cassis, violets, cedar and espresso. On the palate the wine is opulent and mouth coating with flavors of vanilla, spice, and ripe blackberries. The bright acidity and smooth tannins lead into a long and complex finish. This is a powerful wine that can be enjoyed now or cellared for the next decade.

2010 Chenin Blanc: A beautiful medium body Chenin Blanc with melon, nectarine, and soft honey notes. Dry and crisp with generous acidity, the wine flows with striking notes of citrus and grapefruit. Balanced from start to finish, a refreshing aperitif, and perfect accompaniment to shellfish and garden vegetables.

Favorite WSU Memory: “My favorite memory from my time at WSU was on Jan 31st, 2008 when the snow fell so hard they had to close down the campus for the first time since the early 1980s. I'll pick sledding down the wheat field hills in two feet of powder over a biochemistry exam any day!”

Featured Wine: 2009 Margaret’s Vineyard Estate Blend About JM Cellars: JM Cellars is a family owned winery located in Woodinville, Washington working with a diverse collection of the Columbia Valley's most notable vineyards to produce high quality wines styled for balance, power, dimension and finesse. Founded in 1999 by John and Peggy Bigelow, John made JM's first two vintages in the basement of their Seattle home. In 2001 the Bigelows moved JM to its current location in Woodinville known by locals as the "Bramble Bump." A significant milestone was reached in 2007 with the planting of Margaret's Vineyard in the Walla Walla Appellation. As JM's winemaker for the past 14 years, John is proud to work beside the winery's resident Cougar, Tyler Farnsworth. Tyler's work ethic, skills and attention to detail have most definitely had a positive impact on JM Cellars.

Why our featured Cougar selected this wine for WBC members: “The 2009 Margaret's Vineyard Estate Red is the first wine that we have produced off of our vineyard in the Walla Walla Appellation (planted in 2007.) We wanted to offer this to the Wines by Cougar members for two reasons: 1) No other wines anywhere are being made with this delicious fruit and 2) as an inaugural vintage, this is a once in a lifetime offering for Margaret's Vineyard and JM Cellars.”

Winemaker Notes:

2009 Margaret’s Vineyard Estate Blend. In 2007 they planted a vineyard on the southern border of the Walla Walla Appellation and named it Margaret's Vineyard. Their goal was to plant an estate blend featuring red Bordeaux varietals suitable for this special site. This inaugural vintage of Margaret's Vineyard Estate Red represents this blend with 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, 17% Malbec, 6% Petite Verdot and 6% Carmenere.

Favorite WSU Memory: “So many came to mind. I looked forward to Fall in Pullman every year... Football games, Dad's Weekends and meeting new classmates (many have become lifelong friends).” Featured Wine: 2008 Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon About Laurelhurst Cellars: Laurelhurst Cellars is a Seattle winery located in the Georgetown district just South of the stadiums downtown. The winery was established in 2004 by Gabe Warner, Greg Smallwood and Dave Halbgewachs in the basement and garage of Gabe’s home in Laurelhurst. It did not take us long before they grew out of that space and moved the winery into a warehouse space in Georgetown.

From the start, their vision was to create wines that would stand alone, showcasing their personality as a result of unique soil, climate and vineyard management. Laurelhurst Cellars produces premium, hand crafted wines from Washington State. With a commitment to quality, they are producing wines from some of the most prized vineyards in Washington. They produce only small lots that showcase Washington’s unique terroir. Creating wines that remain true to their varietal character.

Their cellar practices of small-lot fermentation, gentle handling and hand selecting French oak barrels complement the dimensions of Laurelhurst Cellars wines. “Great wine is a reflection of its origin” To this point their wines showcase the unique expression of their vineyards which include Boushey Vineyard, Klipsun Vineyard, Kiona Vineyard, Songbird Vineyard, Burgess Vineyard and Zephyr Vineyard. Each of these vineyards allow them to craft wines with unique vineyard and varietal characteristics with balance and elegance.

Why our featured Cougar selected this wine for WBC members: Our 2008 Red Mountain Cabernet is an outstanding representation of the varietal, showcasing the unique terroir of Red Mountain and the quality of fruit that Washington State is capable of growing. The vineyards that we sourced fruit for this wine are (Kiona & Klipsun) which are two of the most prestigious vineyards in Washington State.

Winemaker Notes:

2008 Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon - This Cab was made with hand picked grapes from Kiona and Klipsun Vineyards. Aged in 80% new French oak. Our 2008 Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is a good example of why we love Washington Cabs. It has a very aromatic nose – full of dark fruits, Red Mountain sweet minerality with just a hint of butterscotch. This wine expresses wonderful fruit on the nose and on the palate. It has Washington’s great acidity that will make it a great food wine or aging capacity.