Welcome New Member Kitzke Cellars

I am pleased to welcome our newest member, Kitzke Cellars, to the FWWS. Here is some information on them:

The Kitzke family has long been part of the bountiful harvest of Columbia Basin agriculture. Farming in the area since the 1970s, we have gradually transformed our orchards into vineyards. As a small boutique winery, we have developed an impressive array of wines.

Kitzke Cellars features a Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Sangiovese and two Red Blends. Our red blend, Janaina Sensação, is named after our lovely daughter from Brazil; Sensação means “sensational” in Portuguese, which perfectly describes our wine. Our Upsidedown blend label is an image of our son flipping on his snowboard. This is truly a wine to flip for!

Stop by the tasting room and enjoy a glass of wine and the view from Candy Mountain. From our home to yours, “blessings”, as you embrace treasured memories and fine wine.

http://www.kitzkecellars.com

Welcome to the org!

Welcome New Member Cranberry Road Winery

I am pleased to welcome our newest member, Cranberry Road Winery, to the FWWS. Here is some information on them:

Cranberry Road Winery started with friends making cranberry wine in their garage. After years of fine tuning and friends telling us we should make this available to the public, we did. Brookside Cranberry Vintners LLC. was formed in early 2009 and we have been growing ever since.

This year we made the decision to expand the winery and move to Grayland / Westport, Washington. We recently purchased 10 acres of land with a 4200 Square foot building. We are in the process of remodeling the building to fit our production needs and will be building a tasting room and restaurant for customers to enjoy.

http://www.cranberryroad.net

Welcome to the org!

Washington Wine Technical Group

Washington Wine Technical Group

The Washington Wine Technical Group improves the quality of Washington State wines through education, fosters fellowship and understanding between wineries, aids members in technical problem-solving, and encourages enological and viticultural research

 

Fall 2011

Dear Colleague:

Will you join us? 

Do you have training or experience in enology or viticulture?  A bachelor’s, graduate or equivalent degree?  Professionally employed in commercial production, technology, or research or have experience in commercial production, technology or research?  If so, the WWTG wants you!

If this sounds like you (and we think it does), please join today.  We need your support to put on our educational events and networking opportunities. 

The Washington Wine Technical Group exists to improve the quality of Washington State wines through education; foster fellowship and understanding between wineries; aid members in technical problem solving; and encourage enological and viticultural research.   

Based on your input, the Washington Wine Technical Group is planning an active and educational calendar for 2012. Take a look at this line-up:  

 

JANUARY

Base Camp

FEBRUARY

Participation at WAWGG Convention

            -Education Committee

  -Session Manager(s)

  -“Friends” booth

MARCH

Tasting Event (Syrah)

Held at Kestrel, Prosser

APRIL

Workshop on 2011 Vintage

JUNE

Annual Seminar

AUGUST

Tasting Event (Riesling)

Held at Long Shadows, Walla Walla

NOVEMBER

2013 Planning and Board election

We’ve got a great year planned so please help us help you by joining the WWTG for 2012!

As a bonus, if you join before January you’ll save $30 off the regular 2012 membership rate!

Thanks for your support,

Chair, Kendall Mix, Goose Ridge Vineyards

Vice Chair, Katie Nelson, Ste Michelle Wine Estates

Treasurer, Marie-Eve Gilla, Forgeron Cellars

Board Member, Paula Eakin, Columbia Crest

Board Member, Gordy Hill, Coventry Vale

Board Member, Katy Perry, Tildio Winery

PS - We’re looking for committee members to help out with the events listed above…let us know if you’re interested in playing a part!

Washington Wine Technical Group  |  PO Box 745, Cashmere, WA  98815  |  Phone: 509-782-1200  |  Fax: 509-782-1203

WSLCB Online Tax Reporting and Payment System

Online tax payment now offered at no cost to all wineries, breweries and Washington retailers

$1 convenience fee will no longer be charged

OLYMPIA – Businesses that submit monthly tax payments via the Washington State Liquor Control Board’s (WSLCB) Online Tax Reporting and Payment System will no longer be charged a $1 convenience fee. This change was effective October 26, 2011.

All wineries, breweries and Washington retailers have the option to file their monthly summary tax reports and make tax payments through the system, which is available on the WSLCB website at www.liq.wa.gov.

“We removed the fee as a convenience to our customers, and to encourage more businesses to sign up,” said Judy Layne, WSLCB Beer and Wine Tax Supervisor. “The nearly 1,500 businesses that already use the system have found that it makes filing easier and more convenient. Businesses can call us today to set up an account.”

System highlights include:

·         Available seven days a week, 24 hours a day

·         Previously filed reports available for viewing

·         Payment verification

·         Secure and confidential

·         Offered at no cost to users

The online system emanated from 2006 legislation in Washington State that modified direct-to-consumer shipping and tax requirements for out-of-state wineries. The system simplifies the reporting process for domestic and out-of-state reporters.

The system is not available at this time to wine and beer distributors, importers and authorized representative certificate of approval holders, or public houses.

What users are saying

“The system is very easy to use and keeps everything organized. All of the staff has been very helpful if you have a problem. Just use it - it is so worth it!”

Liz Myers, Medicine Creek Winery, Washington

“I’ve been using the online filing system for the WSLCB for almost five years. It is incredibly user-friendly and very straightforward. It’s much more efficient and green than mailing in reports and writing checks.”

Rebeca Herman, DH Wine Compliance, California

“I have been using the online system for wine tax reporting for the past few years and have found it very user-friendly, convenient and expedient – I would recommend it to all states!”

Jackie Starkovich, Martin Ranch Winery, California

Sign up today

Eligible users can sign up by contacting the WSLCB Beer and Wine Tax Unit at beerwinetaxes@liq.wa.gov or (360) 664-1721. The system is accessible via the WSLCB website at www.liq.wa.gov.  

Disitllation Special

Please see below for a special offer for Washington wineries:

It’s "5 O’Clock Somewhere" is a locally-owned craft distillery located in Cashmere WA. We are offering the service of distilling your wine into spirits that can be used in the creation of port and other fortified wine products. We will distill using our custom-built Müller Aromat IV still which will result in an extremely high quality distillate that will compliment your beautiful port. This year we offer this service at a special price of $13.00 per proof gallon of wine delivered to our facility (this price is only for Washington State wineries).

We also offer for sale distilled spirits in both aged and unaged formats. We will set an appointment for you to taste our brandies so that you can choose the perfect complement to your fine wine.

Please call Colin at 509-860-0102

Initiative 1183 Passes!

FWWS is pleased with the success of initiative 1183 which we actively supported. We believe that it will lead to several positive changes for wineries including the ability to set prices freely like any other manufacturer, to charge for delivery, to deliver to a central warehouse of a retailer and to be freed from the paperwork burden of documenting the price of our wines. We have also consistently supported the re-focusing of the Liquor Control Board away from regulating business-to-business trade between alcohol licensees to regulating the sale of alcohol to the public and reducing the adverse impacts thereof. We believe the State exiting the business of selling alcohol will further that shift in focus.

Welcome New Member Cairdeas Winery

I am pleased to welcome our newest member, Cairdeas Winery, to the FWWS. Here is some information on them:
 

Cairdeas (Car-dess) is an ancient Gaelic word meaning friendship, goodwill or alliance. We believe in all three. Good wine should be shared with friends, goodwill spread at every opportunity, and alliances created with those who share our passion.

Our focus is to create small lots of fantastic wines made from Washington’s best fruit while practicing sustainable wine making and supporting our local businesses.

http://www.cairdeaswinery.com

Welcome to the org!