Wine educator raises Peninsula awareness, popularity with enological society

CAPE GEORGE – If you’ve ever wondered which wine goes best with what food, Bob Bentley has the answer.

The wine educator and steward, or “sommelier,” founded the Olympic Peninsula Enological Society five years ago on St. Patrick’s Day with his wife, Dianne.

The society soon gathered with about 30 original members, and has grown to about 200, reflecting the growing popularity of fine wines.

Some Olympic wine society members come from as far away as Port Orchard and Sekiu to join the nonprofit organization’s monthly dinners and events, says Bentley, who has taught a course on fine wines at Peninsula College and writes a wine column for the magazine, Peninsula Life.

“I never present a wine that I wouldn’t buy myself,” says the 68-year-old Cape George resident for six years, while sipping Mencia from Dominio de Tares, Spain.

It is one of the Spanish wines he will present at the society’s 48th wine dinner gathering at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at Fort Worden State Park Commons in Port Townsend.

Because most of the members are from the Port Angeles-Sequim area, Port Townsend and Jefferson County residents are encouraged to attended the society’s wine dinner program and join the organization.

Cost is $45 per member and $50 per guest.

More in News

Mark Gregson.
Interim hospital CEO praises partnership, legacy

Gregson says goal is to solidify pact with UW Medicine in coming months

Jefferson County Auditor Brenda Huntingford, right, watches as clerk Ronnie Swafford loads a stack of ballots that were delivered from the post office on Tuesday into a machine that checks for signatures. The special election has measures affecting the Port Townsend and Brinnon school districts as well as East Jefferson Fire Rescue. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Jefferson County voters supporting school district measures, fire lid lifts

Port Townsend approving 20-year, $99.25 million construction bond

Port of Port Townsend Harbormaster Kristian Ferrero, right, watches as a crew from Seattle Global Diving and Salvage work to remove a derelict catamaran that was stuck in the sand for weeks on a beach at the Water Front Inn on Washington Street in Port Townsend. The boat had been sunk off of Indian Point for weeks before a series of storms pushed it to this beach last week. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Derelict boat removal

Port of Port Townsend Harbormaster Kristian Ferrero, right, watches as a crew… Continue reading

Rob Birman has served as Centrum’s executive director for 14 years. When the arts nonprofit completes its search for its next leader, Birman will transition into a role focused on capital fundraising and overseeing capital projects for buildings Centrum oversees. (Centrum)
Centrum signs lease to remain at Fort Worden for next 35 years

Executive director will transition into role focused on fundraising

Clallam approves contracts with several agencies

Funding for reimbursement, equipment replacement

Mark and Linda Secord have been named Marrowstone Island Citizens of the Year for 2025.
Secords named Marrowstone Island citizens of year

Mark and Linda Secord have been chosen as Marrowstone… Continue reading

The members of the 2026 Rhody Festival royalty are, from left, Princess Payton Frank, Queen Lorelei Turner and 2025 Queen Taylor Frank. The 2026 queen was crowned by the outgoing queen during a ceremony at Chimacum High School on Saturday. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Rhody coronation

The members of the 2026 Rhody Festival royalty are, from left, Princess… Continue reading

Jefferson considering new site for solid waste

Commissioners direct further exploration

Public feedback still shaping Clallam ordinance on RV usage

Community Development department set to move sections of its proposal

Jen Colmore, Sequim Food Bank’s community engagement coordinator, has been hired as the executive director. She will start in her new role after outgoing director Andra Smith starts as executive director of the Washington Food Coalition later this month. (Sequim Food Bank)
Sequim Food Bank hires new executive director

Sequim organization tabs engagement coordinator

Sara Nicholls, executive director of the Dungeness Valley Health and Wellness Clinic, also known as the Sequim Free Clinic, inspects food items that are free to any patient who needs them. Soroptimist International of Sequim sponsors the food pantry, she said. (Austin James)
Sequim Free Clinic to celebrate 25th year

Volunteer-driven nonprofit will reach quarter-century mark in October

Weekly flight operations scheduled

Field carrier landing practice operations will take place for aircraft… Continue reading