The Olympic Peninsula Wineries’ Fall Harvest and Crush on the Olympic Peninsula Wine Trail began Saturday and continues today (Sunday) and Monday.
Seven wineries will put their creative grape and apple juices to the test at this year’s annual tour, with each winery displaying its own artistic interpretation of the “Wine Scarecrow” for visitors to enjoy.
Visitors can vote for their favorite scarecrows while tasting the best of the vintage.
The wineries are Camaraderie Cellars, Harbinger Winery and Olympic Cellars in Port Angeles; Wind Rose Cellars in Sequim; Eaglemount Wine & Cider and FairWinds Winery in Port Townsend; and Finnriver Farm & Cidery in Chimacum.
Black Diamond Winery, a member of the winery association, is not participating in the Harvest Winery Tour this year because of a family emergency, according to the group’s website, www.olympicpeninsulawineries.org.
Self-guided tour
The $30 ticket for the self-guided tour can be purchased online or at participating wineries during the three-day event.
Tickets entitle participants to complimentary wine tastings at each winery during the event weekend.
A tasting fee of $5 per winery will apply to non-ticketed visitors. Tickets stamped at all seven wineries are eligible to enter the gift basket drawing.
Attendees can bring their own glasses or choose from a selection of Olympic Peninsula Winery Tour glasses that will be available.
While children are allowed in the tasting rooms, attendees must be 21 or older to purchase tickets and/or participate in wine tasting. All ticket sales are nonrefundable.
Tickets and information are at www.wine-ciderdinner.eventbrite.com.
Nourish also will offer a Harvest Wine & Cider special Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Wineries on the tour
Participating wineries and their special attractions are:
■ Camaraderie Cellars, 334 Benson Road, Port Angeles; 360-417-3564; www.camaraderiecellars.com.
The fall tour will mark the release of the 2011 vintage of Madrona, a proprietary blend that will be paired with the root vegetable and beef stew that will be cooking in the winery’s wood fire oven.
■ Eaglemount Wine & Cider, 2350 Eaglemount Road, Discovery Bay; 360-732-4084; www.eaglemountwinery.com.
New releases are Malbec, the Raven Bordeaux Blend and Cabernet Franc Port.
A large cider selection will feature two new releases, Rhubarb and Quince ciders.
The winery will offer quince appetizers and a quince display.
■ FairWinds Winery, 1984 W. Hastings Ave., Port Townsend; 360-385-6899; www.fairwindswinery.com.
FairWinds Winery will serve a locally sourced pumpkin soup accompanied by a hot spiced wine, with sampling from some up-and-coming wines straight from the barrel.
On Veterans Day on Monday, a videographer will be on site filming veterans who choose to tell their stories. After editing, the stories will be posted on the winery website. Free hot dogs will be served to all.
■ Finnriver Farm & Cidery, 62 Barn Swallow Road, Chimacum; 360-732-4337; www.finnriver.com.
New releases include Spirited Blackberry Wine and Forest Ginger Seasonal Cider. Limited releases are Golden Russet and Appleblueberry ciders, produced from heritage cider apples.
Miniature caramel apple hand-pies baked in the wood fire oven will be available along with hot spiced “Chai-der,” featuring Dragonfly Chai and organic apple juice.
■ Harbinger Winery, 2358 W. U.S. Highway 101, Port Angeles; 360-452-4262; www.harbingerwinery.com.
Locally foraged wild mushroom stroganoff and wild-caught smoked salmon croquettes will be paired with a selection of wines including the 2012 Rhone Rose, 2012 Off-Dry Riesling, 2010 Bolero (Tempranillo Blend) and Cranberry Bliss.
■ Olympic Cellars, 255410 U.S. Highway 101, Port Angeles; 360-452-0160; www.olympiccellars.com.
Olympic Cellars will pre-release its 2009 Cabernet Franc and 2009 Syrah, which won awards at the Denver International Wine Competition. The official release will be in late spring.
Alder Wood Bistro’s lamb stew will be paired with the 2009 Cabernet Franc.
On Sunday and Monday will be served the winning clam chowder from the Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival’s inaugural chowder cook-off.
Veterans will receive complimentary blackberry wine tasting Sunday and Monday.
■ Wind Rose Cellars, 143 W. Washington St., Sequim; 360-358-5469; www.windrosecellars.com.
Visitors can sample five wines — Pinot Grigio, Dolcetto, Bravo Rosso, Primitivo and Muscato — at the tasting bar, then step into the VIP room for extended tasting.
Wines will be paired with harvest treats from Alder Wood Bistro.
For more information, visit www.olympicpeninsulawineries.org.
