This Saturday, April 5th, from Noon-8pm, Vino Bello wil be hosting a tasting of wines from Argentina:

Argentina is one of the world’s largest wine-producing countries. The climate of Argentina is similar to the Andes and it is this similarity that supports the Argentinean wine industry. Argentina is mainly an arid landscape that profits from irrigating waters off the mountains. Argentina’s warmer inland region encourages vine growth down the entire length of the country.

One of the vital aspects to growing quality wine grapes here is altitude, with vineyards planted at 2,000 and 3,000 feet to take advantage of the cooler temperatures. Argentine wines are made from grapes such as traditional Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and also varieties like Tempranillo, Bonarda, Barbera, Torrontés and Malbec.

Noon-8pm: Argentina wine tasting, $10

5pm+: Live Music featuring Dr. Kimball Contant and the Fugitives

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This Saturday, Mar. 22nd, from Noon-8pm, Vino Bello wil be hosting a tasting of wines from Seattle’s O•S Winery.

About O•S Winery
O•S Winery (formerly Owen•Sullivan) is devoted to producing opulent, voluptuous, concentrated wines, blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot from a handful of Washington’s finest vineyards: Klipsun, Champoux and Sheridan.

“From their jury rigged winery in a nondescript business park near Seattle-Tacoma Airport, Bill Owen and Rob Sullivan are making some of Washington’s plushest and headiest reds…and..their wines may sometimes be hard to find but seeking them out is well worth the effort.” (Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator Magazine)

Noon-8pm: O•S Winery tasting, $10

5pm+: Live Music featuring Robert Stewart

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This Saturday, Mar. 15th, from Noon-8pm, Vino Bello welcomes winemaker John Morgan of Lost River Winery in Winthrop, WA (John will be there from 4pm-8pm).

All of Lost River’s grapes are grown under acreage contracts with growers who are integral partners in making the wines. Through long term partnerships and working in specific vineyard blocks, they draw upon the skills of the growers to implement the farming specifications and the desired crop loads. Since they pay by the acre, the focus of both parties is on fruit quality and vine balance, rather than high yields. All of the wines are limited in quantity.

The fruit used draws upon the diversity of the Columbia Valley American Viticultural area (AVA), and originates in four different areas, these being The Walla Walla Valley, The Wahluke Slope, The lower Yakima Valley’s Roza Slope, and the Horse Heaven Hills.

2006 Columbia Valley Rainshadow
A blend of 40% Semillon & 60% Sauvignon Blanc, this wine exhibits aromas of citrus, pear and tropical fruits. Partial malolactic fermentation enhances the fruit aroma and preserves the acidity. With proper cellaring, this wine should age well for 2 to 3 years.

2004 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
This wine exhibits notes of raspberries, black currants and spice. This wine will continue to improve with an additional year in bottle, and, with proper cellaring, should age well until at least 2011. 91 point s – Wine Spectator

2005 Walla Walla Valley Syrah
This wine exhibits a blend of terroir expression with distinctive black pepper and cherry notes with strong character of bitter chocolate, coffee and meat. The length in barrel and restrained amount of new French oak lengthens the wines finish and enhances fruit aromas, while the small percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon contributes to a firm tannin structure. Double Gold Medal and Best of Varietal Award, Tri Cities Wine Fest -  2007.

2005 Columbia Valley Cedarosa
A blend of 55% Merlot & 45% Cabernet Franc, this is the second release of our reserve blend “Cedarosa”. Comprised of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, this blend is mad in the style of the wines of St. Emillon on the “Right Bank” in Bordeaux. The name is a contraction of the words “Cedar” and “Ponderosa” and is inspired by the cedar trees which are a feature of the estates in Bordeaux, metaphorically representing the nobility, longevity, and strength of the local wines. This wine exhibits notes of blackberry, currant, cassis and licorice.

2005 Columbia Valley Merlot
This wine exhibits notes of black currant and cassis, cherry, and licorice. This wine will improve with an additional year in bottle, and, with proper cellaring, should age well until at least 2010.

Live Music featuring JD Hobson – 5pm

Noon-8pm: Lost River Winery tasting, $10

4pm – 8pm: Meet John Morgan of Lost River Winery

5pm+: Live Music featuring JD Hobson

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Join us in tasting some of Walla Walla’s best from Cougar Crest Winery – an estate winery located in Walla Walla.

The “Estate Grown” designation is an important feature of this winery.

In order to qualify for this closely regulated designation, the wines are made from grapes grown in their own vineyards and fermented, aged and bottled at the family winery.

Estate grown wines deliver unsurpassed quality and consistency from year to year.

Noon-8pm: Cougar Crest Winery tasting, $10

5pm+: Live Music featuring Gertrude’s Hearse

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March is officially Washington Wine Month, so mosey on in to Vino Bello this Saturday (March 1st) between Noon – 8pm to try some great Washington wines:

Noon-8pm: Washington Wine tasting

5pm+: Live Music featuring JD Hobson

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We’re getting a head start on March – Washington Wine month here at Vino Bello so come in this Saturday between Noon – 8pm to try these Eastern Washington gems, they are all $20 and under!

If you missed Dr. Kimball Contant and the Fugitives on Valentine’s Day, they’re back this Saturday at 5pm.

Noon-8pm: Eastern Washington Wine tasting, $20 bottles
5pm+: Live Music featuring “Dr. Kimball Contant and the Fugitives”

Featured wines include:

2007 Mercer Estates Pinot Gris
Never heard of them? That’s because Mike Hogue and Bud Mercer’s new 12,600 foot winery located in Prosser, WA is scheduled to open in summer of 2008. Yes, that’s Hogue of Hogue Cellars fame. Be one of the first to try the much anticipated release of their new Pinot Gris.

2007 Barnard Griffin Rose of Sangiovese
Bursting with aromas of vanilla, cranberries and fresh strawberries that lead to clean, crisp, bright flavors of fresh red fruits. The brilliant pink color is as beautiful as the aromas and flavors. This is the way rose should be made, so buy a case to enjoy over the summer. Food matches: A great summer sipper to pair with grilled pork or chicken.

2004 Janiuk Red Table Wine
A Bordeaux style blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petite Verdot. It is wonderful! It is structured and yet amazingly balanced with tannins, acidity and oakiness all in perfect harmony. Its lovely fruit is offset by it’s dryness, making this one classy wine.

2005 Bergevin Lane Calico Red
Aromas of bright cherry, raspberry and toffee. Flavors of ripe cherry, blackberry, oak and pencil shavings add character to the mid palate. Elegant tannins carry notes of citrus on the back-palate to a clean and lingering finish. A blend of Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel and Cab Franc.

2005 Tamarack Cellars Firehouse Red
Rounded, lush, layered and lovely, the ultimate food wine, pairing well with everything from pasta and pizza to grilled meat and roasted chicken. Fruity and loaded with berries, cherries, cassis, coffee, chocolate, vanilla bean and cinnamon. A blend of Cabernet, Syrah, Merlot, and Cab Franc with pinches of Sangiovese, Carmenere and Malbec.

2005 Helix Cabernet Sauvignon
This 100% Cabernet from Reininger shows black raspberry, plum and cassis layered with caramelized oak, a barely perceptible hint of clove and very fine tannins.

Noon – 8pm: Fall Line Winery tasting

4pm – 8pm: Meet Winemaker Tim Sorenson

5pm+: Live Music featuring JD Hobson

Fall Line specializes in the production of Bordeaux-style blends, featuring fruit from some of the most prized vineyard sites in Washington State. Each of the wines is crafted in artisan fashion. Quantities are limited.

Tim will present the current release of three new wines from the remarkable 2005 vintage. Two of the wines are single-vineyard blends highlighting place. Featuring Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and ‘just the right amount’ of Cabernet Sauvignon to lend perfect balance, these blends each express the unique personality of their respective vineyard locations – Red Mountain and Horse Heaven Hills. The third wine is a blend of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from all three of their cherished vineyard sources. It highlights varietal character in a graceful presentation that is sure to please devotees of this noble grape.

Vino Bello is located at 636 Southwest 152nd Street in Burien:

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Noon – 8pm: “Wines of Love” tasting

5pm+: Live Music featuring Gertrude’s Hearse

Vino Bello is located at 636 Southwest 152nd Street in Burien:

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1. Noon – 8pm: Pepper Bridge Winery tasting and bottle signing:

RG Hess of Walla Walla’s Pepper Bridge Winery will showcase award winning Pepper Bridge Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon wines as well as the Amavi Semillon, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.Robert Parker’s ‘The Wine Advocate’ gave the 2004 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon a score of 93 and said that the wine “has great balance and a lengthy finish.”

Master Sommelier Shayn Bjornholm describes the 2005 Pepper Bridge Merlot as “sipping this wine is like driving an Aston Martin on a silk highway.”

Best part? RG Hess will actually sign your bottle – that’s right, you can get a souvenir autograph! How cool is that?

2. 4 – 8pm: Meet Wine Trails Author Steve Roberts

Planning a wine tasting getaway in Washington State? Then WineTrailsNW is the place for you. Get detailed driving directions, pictures and specific information about the tasting rooms of Washington including hours, tasting room fees, events, availability of picnic facilities, wine-related gift items, and much more. Reviews for each winery include a written description of 50 to 300 words that presents the story behind the winery’s unique position, winemaking philosophy, location, source of grapes and more!

Enjoy Live Music featuring Trio Continuo during the tasting 5:00pm – 8:00pm.

WHEN: Saturday Feb. 2nd, Noon – 8pm
4pm – 8pm: Bottle Signing
4pm – 8pm: Meet Author Steve Roberts
5pm – 8pm: Live Music featuring Trio Continuo

WHERE: Vino Bello, 636 SW 152nd Street, #F in Burien:

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