In 1997, Hastings House published my book: Passion for Wine. For years I had worked with top-rated restaurants, with people like Emeril Legasse, and at places like Commander's Palace in New Orleans. Guess I have some skills. So, when my best friend opened a restaurant here - Dish Home Cooking - I volunteered to lend a hand. So, I put together their wine list, offering over 25 wines rated 90 points or better, and eighteen wines with accolades such as Editor's Choice or Best Buy. Most of these wines are under $25.
You might think, "What is a REALTOR doing waiting tables?" Well, first, I manage the restaurant on weekends, and in a small town, that often means we, meaning the owners and I, take care of tables personally. Second, I hope that love of food and wine never leaves my veins. Some people think of the restaurant business as a a lower caste, but it has gotten me sales and clients. In 2009, I was in the top 20% in my market. Hope to be in the top 10% for 2010. One thing is for sure, with my community involvement, running the Dish, hosting two radio shows, and selling the coolest homes on gigantic Lake Pend Oreille and on Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort, I live an interesting life.
Plus, because of my marketing talents, web design ability, and restaurant savvy, I teamed with Mel Dick, former CFO of Coldwater Creek, to institute Dine Around Sandpoint, a local promotion that is having great success.
I believe it is our duty as REALTORs to promote our communities. If we see our restaurants and businesses close because of this down economy, how will we attract outside businesses and investment? How will we sell our houses and land?
In my capacity of wine buyer, I met with Patrick Rawn, one of the brothers who bought Two Mountain Winery. Patrick's family is a fourth generation farming clan from the Yakima Valley, and though he was accepted to law school, he opted to become a winemaker. Talk about food and wine getting into the soul.
He stopped at our restaurant, which BTW was voted the best new restaurant in Sandpoint, and will be featured soon in Country Living Magazine. I was featured prominently in a six page article in the December issue of Where to Retire magazine. Thankfully, I think people here like us.
He brought with him several wines for us to sample: a non-vintage blend called Hidden Horse "IV" Red, the 2005 Merlot, the 2009 Riesling, the 2005 and 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, and the 2005 and 2006 Reserve Cabernet Franc. Having lived in Germany and even picked grapes there (which I did cuz I needed money, not for the experience) I can tell you that American Rieslings simply never have the balance that German Rieslings posses. Not enough acidity.
The NV blend and Merlot were okay. Typical.
The '05 Cabernet and Merlot were both very good.
The 2006s were outstanding. Dark and meaty, great structure, balanced tannins and acidity. Simply delicious. The Cabernet I found to be an exceptional value, certainly retailing in a range my pocketbook can afford.
The Cabernet Franc, while still affordable, might be more than the average wine buyer can afford often. These wines typically have a vegetal bouquet that makes them difficult to bottle and market.
There are five Bordeaux grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, and Malbec. The first two are usually the main grapes, the others are added as mixing wines. The Pacific Northwest has found some success in Cabernet Franc, and Argentina is doing wonders with Malbec.
Patrick explained that with the knowledge base of oenology expanding, they discovered that UV lessened the undesireable affectation of the vegetable nose of Cabernet Franc. What they do is trim the sunny side of the leaves of the grape canopy, and the sun does the job.
This wine tasted like a Petrus. Simply delicious.
We will be offering these wines at our restaurant soon.
If you want to visit me, I am usually there on Saturdays and Sundays.
Hey, buy a house from me and I will definitely feed you.
To learn more about Two Mountain Winery, click the logo below:
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