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Baer Winery

Woodinville

It’s official. Washington is Now Fully Open

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Effective 12:01 AM on June 30, all industry sectors previously covered by guidance in the Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery or the Safe Start Reopening Plan may return to usual capacity and operations.

COVID-19 Tasting Room update.

  • We are currently permitted to operate at 100% capacity inside. 
  • Reservations are recommended, but not required.
  • Reservations are limited to a 1-hour seating. If space permits, your visit may be extended upon request.
  • We will accommodate walk-in guests, without a reservation, on a first come, first served basis, when space permits.
  • Unvaccinated guests must wear a mask. Masks may be removed once you are seated but must be worn if you visit the restroom or are otherwise away from your table. 
  • Each of our team members is vaccinated but may still choose to wear a mask. Please respect their personal choice and be courteous to all in our community who continue masking.
  • Tables will continue to be spaced 6-feet apart to allow for social distancing.  Please do not move any tables.
  • Our tables can each accommodate up to 4 people .
  • Team members will thoroughly sanitize tables, chairs, and high-touch point areas in between guest visits.
  • We have plenty of hand sanitizer and soap available for hand washing.
  • You may make a reservation here or by calling (425) 483-7060.

Three Wine Drinker’s Resolutions for 2020

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The year 2020 has officially arrived and with it comes resolutions. However, a wine drinker’s resolutions may differ from the normal New Year resolutions. So, we’ve put together a list of three resolutions for all of the wine drinkers out there. Enjoy!

Resolution Number 1: Forget Dry January

Dry January always sounds great in theory, but the truth of the matter is it’s a lot of work all at once to go cold turkey – especially for the serious wine enthusiasts out there. We’re not saying that you shouldn’t put your health first to start the new year, but we are saying you can prioritize your health while keeping a glass of your favorite Baer wine in your routine. We’d like to suggest a balance so you still feel like you’re making gains toward a healthier lifestyle while exploring new wines and enjoying your longtime favorites.

Just cut your wine consumption in half! This will help you avoid the misery of a dry January and help you jumpstart the new year on a healthier note. Try planning a wine tasting night with friends where you all bring a bottle and blind taste, or trying a new bottle you might’ve thought was out of your price range before with an indulgent meal. After all, you’ll be consuming half as much less often, so you can still spend the same you were spending in 2019 on wine. May we recommend our newest releases, the 2015 Arctos and the 2016 Callisto?

Resolution Number 2: Expand your Palate with Older Vintages

We are all about expanding your mindset here at Baer Winery and love when we get to talk about older vintages of our wines with patrons. If you’re a novice taster, or never thought of trying older wines, 2020 is your chance to branch out and learn about the past. Library wines are a fantastic place to start! If you’re looking for a 2020 anniversary gift or birthday present, a library wine is always a thoughtful and delicious gift for the wine lover in your life. Older vintages are also fun to take to gatherings with friends and family.

Make it an engaging night by going around the table and ask everyone what they were doing the year the wine was made. For example, if you opened our 2001 Ursa, everyone would share an impactful moment from that year! Older wines bring us together, and not only can you learn more about wine by diving into this new pool, but also become closer to your friends and family.

Resolution Number 3: Plan a Wine Trip!

Make 2020 about living and learning with a wine trip! Even the most knowledgeable wine lovers can always learn something new, and there’s no better way to do that than immersing yourself in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar wines! Whether you plan a trip to Tuscany, Bordeaux, the Napa Valley, or visit us in Woodinville, you’ll gain new experiences, meet new people, and expand your knowledge about wine! 
We hope this list of resolutions helps you jumpstart 2020 in the best way! Our 20th anniversary is this year and we look forward to celebrating 20 years of Baer Winery with the best crew in the coming months. Onward and upward in 2020!

We hope this list of resolutions helps you jumpstart 2020 in the best way! Our 20th anniversary is this year and we look forward to celebrating 20 years of Baer Winery with the best crew in the coming months. Onward and upward in 2020!

A Guide to the Holiday Season in Woodinville Wine Country

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The holiday season is in full swing, and we’re looking forward to cozying up and relishing the presence of friends, family, and, of course, delicious wine. Woodinville is a great place to visit during this joyous time. We are thankful every day to be right in the heart of all the Woodinville Wine Country action. It’s truly the most wonderful time of the year, so whether you’re home for the holidays, visiting for a weekend getaway, or you’re a local, we thought we’d share our favorites in a guide to the holiday season in Woodinville Wine Country.

Brunch at the Willows Lodge

Start your weekend off right in Woodinville Wine Country with a delicious, locally-sourced brunch at Willows Lodge. The Barking Frog offers a warm, cozy dining area that will have you relaxing and in the mood for a day full of holiday cheer in no time. As one of the premier dining experiences in Woodinville, the Barking Frog offers innovative seasonal menus with a wide selection of breakfast and lunch options. Don’t forget about the award-winning wine cellar full of Northwest and global wines to satisfy any palate! Full stomachs are essential for a successful holiday celebration in Woodinville. Strap on your eating pants and fuel-up for a day full of holiday spirit and activities.

Taste at Baer Winery

After a gorgeous brunch, it’s time to grab some last-minute gift bottles for the wine lovers in your life. Also, taste some of Washington’s best red blends for yourself in the Warehouse District of Woodinville at Baer Winery. Our tasting room is lit up and decorated for the season and will have you feeling festive in no time. Taste through our portfolio of elegant wines, including our two newest releases, the 2016 Star and the 2016 Callisto. Ask us about our library wines, for an extra special gift or treat for yourself. We’re offering complimentary gift wrapping in the tasting room so you (or your elves) don’t have to worry about it after tasting your way through Woodinville. If you’re unsure of your loved one’s favorite varietals of wine, consider purchasing an e-gift card! They can be redeemed in the tasting room for tastings and bottles or used in our online shop. We hope to see you and be a part of your holiday celebrations as we head into the New Year.

A Sustainable Cooking Class at 21 Acres

One more suggestion for your holiday itinerary in Woodinville is a sustainable cooking class at 21 Acres. 21 Acres is located under 10 minutes from Baer Winery. It’s the perfect experience to celebrate the true meaning of the season with your loved ones. The 21 Acres mission is to create experiences that teach people of all ages about local food, smart consumer choices, and green energy. Combine learning into a fun, engaging activity that the whole family can enjoy. Make a meal you all can be proud of and then break bread together for the perfect end to a perfect day in Woodinville Wine Country.

We hope this guide to the holiday season in Woodinville Wine Country has been helpful as you plan your stay with us here in Washington. We wish you a joyous holiday season and an enchanting start to 2020.

Winemaker Spotlight: Erica Orr

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Erica Orr has been with us for 13 years, joining us following our founding winemaker Lance Baer’s passing. She was tasked with assisting us in carrying on Lance’s legacy through Baer wines. Erica has done an impeccable job of taking the reins in the vineyards and production facilities. In this month’s blog, we asked her to share a bit about her day-to-day and her journey to Woodinville. Learn more about Erica and how she came to be one of the best winemakers in the state of Washington!

Where are you from and where did you attend school?

I’m from California’s San Francisco Bay Area and have a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from UC Berkeley and a master’s degree in enology from UC Davis.

What originally got you interested in winemaking?

I am interested in science, specifically chemistry and biology, but I also love cooking, restaurants, and traveling. Back in 1998, I was living in San Francisco and working in the Blackburn Lab at UCSF. While out at a bar, my friend and I randomly sat next to the winemaker, Aaron Pott. He told us all about his life working at wineries in Bordeaux and the Napa Valley. He said he had gone through the wine program at UC Davis and told me to work at a winery before applying to the UC Davis enology program. That was super valuable advice. I took all my vacation from my job at the lab to work a couple of weeks of harvest with Cathy Corison in the Napa Valley. That was my first harvest, 1998.

How long have you been with Baer Winery and what’s your favorite part about working there?

The Baer family hired me to keep the label going after Lance Baer passed away in 2007. So, 2019 was my 13th harvest at Baer. I feel like my role is clearly defined. My job is to continue to craft the Baer wines in the style that Lance originated. That includes responding to what the growing season gives us and, at the same time, striving to make the wines better every vintage. I like having those parameters spelled out.

Describe Baer wines in three words.

Honoring Lance Baer.

What is your winemaking philosophy?

I feel like I know what is delicious; I try and really pay attention when I am tasting something delicious. I’m searching for the most delicious wine on the table during my blending sessions.

What are some of the challenges for Washington winemakers right now?

Columbia Valley vineyards that were planted in the 2000s are maturing into their sweet spot. I feel like technically the Washington winemaking community is becoming more knowledgeable and capable each vintage. The grapes are improving and the winemaking is improving so, naturally, the quality of wine we are producing is increasing, which is great! The challenge is that there are more brands out in the market now so the competition is fierce. The world of wine criticism is different from 20 years ago, nice scores certainly help but they don’t make or break a brand in the way that scores used to. I feel like the biggest challenge is staying relevant while staying true to the style Lance Baer established.

Is there a Baer wine you’re most proud of? If so, what is it and why? 

I think the 2012 Ursa was really stunning and it felt great that several critics recognized this as well. The new 2016 Star Merlot that we just released is 100% Merlot for the first time ever for the winery (typically there is some Cab Franc and sometimes Cab Sauv blended in). I am learning how to craft Merlot in a way where I feel it is a complete wine, delicious on its own. It’s a lot of learning by doing.

There you have it – a look behind the scenes of Baer Winery with the person at the helm of creating Baer wines. Do you have more questions for Erica? Pay us a visit in the near future and you may be lucky enough to catch Erica in her lab, or if you’re a club member you will find her at the next club event to talk about all things wine and food!