Washington Vertical Wine Tasting With Amy Mumma!

Dear world,

Last night I attended a vertical tasting of Washington wines featuring Gilbert Cellars Malbec and Tapteil Vineyard Syrah presented by CWU’s World Wine Program Director, Amy Mumma.

We started with the Gilbert Cellars Malbec. Owner, Sean Gilbert was in attendance and gave the group a brief history of the family winery and vineyard operations and spoke in detail about vintage variation as expressed in the wines.

2006 Gilbert Cellars Columbia Valley Malbec $26

This wine has a dark purple appearance with some lightening at the rim. Aromas of black fruit, black pepper, some violets, cherries, leather, plums and smokiness. On the palate there’s a good dose of black cherry, spice and bakers chocolate. Great balance and expressive fruit. Drink now.

Sean Gilbert noted that this vintage was great for balance in the wines.

2009 Gilbert Cellars Columbia Valley Malbec $26

This wine is a dense plum color. Inviting aromas of black cherries, tobacco leaf and spice. The tannins are intense on this young wine yet still complimentary to the notes of blackberry, black cherry and spice with a cocoa powder finish. Drink in 1-2 years.

2010 Gilbert Cellars Columbia Valley Malbec Barrel Sample (Not Yet Released)

The appearance on this still-developing Malbec is almost raspberry in hue. It opens with aromas of blackberry, black pepper and earthiness with some spice. On the palate it is still wound up tight and a bit rough around the edges but the wine is showing great potential to become a distinctive and delicious Malbec upon release and for the next few years.

We then moved on to the Tapteil Vineyard Syrah vertical.

2007 Tapteil Vineyard Yakima Valley Syrah $32

This Syrah is inky black with aromas of strawberry, white pepper, black cherry, eucalyptus and some spice. The palate is loaded with black cherry, plum and spice. Drink in 2-3 years.

Sean Gilbert loved this vintage calling it a “textbook vintage” in Washington.

2008 Tapteil Vineyard Yakima Valley Syrah $32

This wine is very purple with a peony hued rim. Captivating aromas of raspberry, blackberry, black pepper, spice and an earthy component. This wine opens with black cherry, leather and showy oak and is an easy drinker. Drink in 1-2 years.

Amy Mumma noted that 2008 was an outstanding “food vintage” for Washington wines.

2009 Tapteil Vineyard Yakima Valley Syrah $26

This wine is mostly brick-red in appearance with hints of purple. It leads with aromas of plums, blackberry, black cherry, black pepper and pencil lead. There is an explosion of dense black fruit and spice on the palate followed by a hint of bacon fat underlain by elegant tannins and an outstanding finish. Drink in the next 12 months.

As with any consumer tasting there are always a few laffs and with pen in hand I am always eager to document the debauchery! Some notable quotes from the evening include:

Food pairings. “I don’t eat lamb but I’d share a glass of this wine with some lambs.”

Closure discussion. “Don’t judge a wine by its closure!”

What does hot mean in a wine? “When you talk about a wine and say it is hot are you talking Paris Hilton “this is hot” or are you talking about the weather?”

The unfortunate unavailability of wines. “This is a library wine which means it is no longer for sale on the market. LIBRARY WINES, WHO INVENTED THAT?! HOW RUDE!”

I admit that as I initially sat down at my place with my 6 wines I started to sniff and speed taste before I realized…I am at a consumer event and I GET TO BE the consumer tonight! I took off my wine judge thinking cap and I truly enjoyed my evening tasting these outstanding vintages of Washington wine!

Cheers and Tootles,

Winnie

I Still Want the Same Things for Christmas This Year…

Dear world,

This is a post from waaaaay back in 2010, but I find myself still wanting these amazing wine gifts…you will too. I made a few additions to my list, take a peek and tell me what you think!

I’ve decided to post a list of my Top 10 Great Gifts for Wine Lovers (or Posers) who may be on your Christmas list this year. Given the awesomeness of what’s included below I hope I’m also on your list – I promise I’ve been good all year!

In no particular order…

Corkscrew.

Everyone needs a durable corkscrew, unless your friends only drink wine out of a box. If that’s the case, your New Year’s Resolution should be to “acquire new friends”! Forget the Rabbit, buy me one of those for Valentine’s Day! I prefer a traditional Waiter’s Corkscrew and Pulltap’s Double Hinged Waiter’s Corkscrew is the only corkscrew you’ll ever need to buy.

Glassware/Decanters.

Riedel is my go-to brand for everyday and for special occasion glassware. EVERYONE, from the novice to the experienced wine drinker, should also own a decanter. They also happen to make a wine look extraordinary and Riedel glassware is everywhere – from wine shops to Costco.

Here’s an idea – do you have someone on your list who loves Oregon Pinot Noir? Give them a bottle of Oregon Pinot Noir with a set of Riedel’s Oregon Pinot Noir glasses.

Wine Accessories.

For those on your list who have been naughty this year, why not gift this? Who knew @pipedreamtoys also stocked wine accessories? This is a bangin’ way to show off a great bottle of wine!

Have you been naughty or nice?

Wine Magazine Subscriptions.

Why not gift a subscription to a magazine?  Many offer two for one subscriptions, so you can give and receive!

Wine Press Northwest learn everything there is to know about food and wine in the Northwest.

Food and Wine is heavy on the food content but I love the way they have a page in the beginning of each issue detailing every wine in the magazine and break it down by style and note whether it is a bargain, hard-to-find or a staff favorite wine.

Wine Spectator is a large magazine best suited for a coffee table but filled with great articles about wine.

Wine Enthusiast has done a re-vamp and seems to be geared more towards a younger wine crowd with lots of small tidbit articles about people and places in the wine world.

Wine Advocate is more of a publication for those obsessed with collecting scores and PARKER Points.

Hey – Smell This! Wine Aroma Kit.

Buy the Le Nez Du Vin Wine Aromas Kit if you have a friend who is serious about wines and wine tasting. I am a professional wine judge and believe this kit is essential for palate training. It is also required course material for many professional enology programs.

Read About Wine.

Lettie Teague’s Educating Peter has been a gift I’ve truly enjoyed giving to friends who want to learn more about wine. It is perfect for friends who may be younger or easily distracted by a ‘dry’ wine book (no pun intended) because “Peter” is Peter Travers, the movie critic for Rolling Stone magazine and a hilarious pupil.

Wine Press Northwest’s Andy Perdue published The Northwest Wine Guide: A Buyer’s Guide which is a great pocket book to have with you when you are on a Northwest wine adventure.

The recently released second edition of Paul Gregutt’s Washington Wines and Wineries is a great tool for those who are interested in Washington wines and growing regions or for those who have yet to discover this world-class wine region.

Vintage Wine by Michael Broadbent, MW is a fantastic reference with over 6,000 wines from the last few centuries including carefully detailed vintage and wine notes. Great for collectors and serious wine drinkers.

A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle will have you booking a one-way ticket to the South of France!

Wine Event Tickets – 2012.

Taste Washington Seattle is coming up in March 2012 and is the premiere Washington wine and restaurant event! It will be a TWO DAY EXTRAVAGANZA! March 31 and April 1, 2012!

Many restaurants offer winemaker dinners which are a great way to treat a friend while tasting a new or beloved winery and enjoying a great meal.

Why So Serious? and Some Not So Serious Wine Movies.

You can grab a bottle and get ready to laugh at Sideways, explore the globalization of wine as chronicled in Mondovino or enjoy the lighthearted story of life in Provence and soak up the easy on the eyes Marion Cotillard in the Peter Mayle adapted flick,  A Good Year.

Travel and Experience Wine.

In 2012 Allen Shoup is bringing his star winemakers to the high seas on a Long Shadows Vintners tour. If you enjoy wines from Dunn Vineyards, Quintessa, Penfold’s Grange, Hundred Acre and if you love world-class wines, then you should be drinking Long Shadows wine. When you take part in this cruise you will rub shoulders with THE Michel Rolland, soak up the sun next to Howell Mountain cowboy Randy Dunn, share stories with Armin Diel, get a taste of Italian left-cheek-first greetings with Giovanni Folinari…wow, I’m booking right now!

Everyone should also visit Walla Walla, Washington; a mecca for reputation wineries and vineyards. Stay at the elegant Marcus Whitman Hotel and hire a tour bus to schlep you and your friends around to some of the best wineries in the United States. There is even an easily accessed airport in Walla Walla and plenty of great places to eat including my favorite, Saffron.

Book a long weekend in Idaho, Napa, Sonoma, Woodinville, Long Island…you get the point. I’ve included the links to each region’s wine association which will offer a myriad of information and additional tips of what’s available in the area, when to visit and suggested wine itineraries.

If you want to put a big wine vacation in someone’s stocking (mine, please), I would suggest Chile and Argentina. I spent time down there during the 2009 harvest and was impressed by the caliber of wines and enamored with the breathtaking culture and people. If you want to take me or need help planning your itinerary, just let me know! I have developed itineraries for some friends who have traveled there and I know the best translator!

Wine.

Or, you could just go with the obvious and purchase someone a bottle, magnum, 6-pack or case of wine from a winery, wine shop or other specialty store.

Happy shopping, cheers and Merry Christmas to you all!

Tootles,

Winnie

DISCLAIMER:

Please note that the items I’ve suggested are not paid endorsements, unless otherwise noted. I was blessed last Christmas season to receive Pipe Dream‘s Sexy Wine Holder gratis and I love every minute of my time with “him”.

I use Wine Enthusiast‘s retail web site for many items because they are a trusted seller with fair prices. I use Barnes and Noble for books and DVD’s because I do not like certain retailers whose name begins with the first letter of the alphabet (it’s a personal preference).

I do hope that if you work for or are affiliated with any of the companies or products I suggest in this blog, that you drop me a line and send me a ‘ho ho ho’…and/or give me some free stuff in return for HELPING YOU TO HELP YOU :).

Chateau Ste. Michelle’s 2003 Ethos Syrah

Dear world,

I found a gem in my wine cellar by chance last night. The wine was the 2005 Washington State Wine Competition’s Best Red and Best in Show as I recall. I didn’t realize any bottles were still in my cellar and nearly got giddy (ok, I was guilty of getting giddy over this wine!) when I saw the Ethos tissue paper wrapped lovingly around a bottle hidden randomly on the wrong shelf!

ETHOS – Chateau Ste. Michelle 2003 Columbia Valley Syrah

2003 ETHOS Syrah

Here are my tasting notes:

Appearance – brilliant ruby-red, just a touch of fading at the rim.

Aromas – black cherry and raspberry with inviting leather and spicy black pepper aromas.

Flavors – ripe black fruits still present, a pleasant hint of barnyard, well-integrated chalky tannins, moderately peppery finish.

Finish/Impressions – I am pleased the fruit holds up so well, given that this is a 2003 Washington Syrah. I probably wouldn’t have purposefully cellared this wine as long as this – for fear that I would have missed its peak and been disappointed with the downhill slide. All the components are still harmonious and it tastes fantastic. I think this will age at least another 2-3 years.

Happy Halloween everyone!

Tootles!

Winnie

Pumpkins Aren’t Just for Carving!

Dear world,

My family and I opted to go to our neighbor’s farm, Parke Creek Farm, instead of to a pumpkin patch in town or (worse) picking out a Jack – o – Lantern from a cardboard bin at the grocery store!

We were greeted by owner, Bambi Miller who took us out to her pumpkin patch and surrounding farm fields and gave us a quick lesson on pumpkins and varieties. The children were amazed and my youngest ‘collector’ son gathered 12 pumpkins for himself including a few Long Island Cheese, Cinderella, Punkymon and a non-edible Jack-o-Lantern pumpkin – which will actually turn orange after it’s picked. Although, I kind of like it as is!

It was enjoyable to go out on a sunny day and muck around in our Wellington boots and choose pumpkins. Bambi made a mention of how good soups and pies can be from the edible heirloom varieties she grows which got my mouth watering and the wheels turning in my head…

Just as I was about to leave one of their CSA customers arrived to get her vegetables and a beautiful bunch of beets caught my eye. Bambi generously picked two bunches for me and I promised to return and sign up for their CSA (I had no clue they offered one!).

The moment I returned home, I got out my cookbooks and went online to find a great pumpkin soup recipe. Below is the recipe I used (which is a culmination of many recipes):

6 cups of Long Island Cheese pumpkin, cut into large chunks

2 tablespoons butter

1 large onion, sliced

5 carrots, sliced

5 potatoes, sliced

2 1/2 cups of vegetable stock

2 cups of milk

1 tablespoon of freshly ground nutmeg

salt and pepper to taste

First, slice up the pumpkin, discard seeds and dice it into chunks that are about 1-3 inches. Place on parchment paper and drizzle with olive oil. Roast in a 400°F oven for 30-40 minutes.

Next, heat the butter in a heavy-bottomed stockpot. Add the onions and cook until soft, but not brown. Add the potatoes, carrots, nutmeg and one cup of the vegetable stock. Cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes until potatoes are fork tender.

Meanwhile, take the pumpkin out of the oven, slice off the rind and add the chunks to the stockpot. Add the rest of the vegetable stock, stir and let simmer on low heat, stirring occasionally for another 15 minutes.

Cool the soup. Then, in batches, purée the soup. Be sure to rinse out stockpot before returning the puréed soup.

Add approximately 2 cups of milk and bring the soup to a low boil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

For serving, I grated some fresh nutmeg on top of a tablespoon of crème fraiche. Serve piping hot.

A Few Tips and Tricks

• If you use a large pumpkin, as I did, you can roast the unused portion of the pumpkin, cut off the rind and store in the freezer.
• If you make a large batch of soup and wish to freeze some, then be sure to put it into the storage container before you add the milk. It will freeze better and last longer. Add the milk proportionately when you thaw and re-heat.
• I shared a batch with someone who added a half teaspoon of curry before re-heating and said it was delicious!

As for which wine to pair? I tried it and had success with a Pinot Noir, a California Chardonnay and a spicy Syrah. The soup pairing is versatile depending on which and how much spice(s) you use.

Happy soup making and please feel free to share your pumpkin or other great fall and winter soup recipes!

Tootles,

Winnie

What I Learned About Trade Offs This Summer…

Dear World,

I’ve spent every waking and sleeping hour the past year on the Deadliest Open™ Charity Golf Tournament. I finally got in a nap this week and didn’t have any nightmares about event glitches or golf clubs.

My Clown Outfit ALL Year Long

I learned a lot from the development and execution of this enormously successful event and I think, like giving birth, once the pain wears off I’ll get back in the saddle and begin planning next year’s tournament!

I have been randomly reflecting upon a unit in my 6th grade class entitled, ‘Trade Offs’. In the video, the kid was forced to make a decision between buying a train set or a bicycle – knowing that with his limited funds he could only have one. This was definitely a year of trade offs for me.

To ensure the success of the tournament I threw my heart, soul and every spare moment I had into the planning of it. My trade offs this year included:

Missing hours of watching my sons roping and riding.

Swapping hours of piling onto the couch together watching movies for sitting my my office typing and returning emails.

I neglected my pile of books that I’m anxiously waiting to pick up and dive into where I left off.

My pile of useless paperwork is out of control!

My pile of should-have-done-last-month(s) is staring me in the face with a clown-like evil smile.

Magazine subscriptions I was apparently gifted with for Christmas lay lifeless in a wicker basket.

I just read through two months of the local newspaper and found out two friends had given birth, my sons won more than I realized at the Junior Rodeo, the paper listed the golf tournament on the wrong date, I missed some great lectures and also missed some classically LOL-tastic Ellensburg Police Blotter entries!

I can’t remember the last time I consumed a bottle of wine while NOT furiously working at the computer.

I have a new-found appreciation for event tee shirts. I haven’t done any of my own laundry, save for a few necessary loads, in months! I forgot what my wardrobe actually consists of. Instead of golf skirts and 5K tees, I’ve slithered back into my everyday jeans and sweaters. What a comfort that has been! Oh, and I can actually see the floor in my bedroom…everything’s folded and I can move onto another disaster area in the house.

I love, love, love cooking and cleaning. Yes, I am a freak of sorts! I spent the afternoon perusing and becoming inspired by my mother’s cookbook collection. Tonight’s dinner will be Scallops and Risotto Primavera with baby cupcakes for dessert accompanied by WINE that I shall sip, swirl and savor at the dinner table with my family.

I missed out on some great wine tastings and outings with colleagues and friends these last few months.

I’ve realized every vacation on my calendar this year was actually a meeting disguised as a fun time…

OK, this WAS a really fun night with Kate, Alex and Crosby!

I have truly missed developing a manuscript that is long overdue and completely ready to be unleashed from my mind. I have more content and controversy written and constructed in my mind than a series of novels about sparkly vampires…

I’m apparently not as popular now that the tournament is over – I’m only getting 50 emails a day instead of the 200+ per day and my phone remains dormant much of the day like our blissfully relaxed dog out at the ranch.

The Life of the Party...

Don’t get me wrong, it was a great experience and one I’d replicate in a heartbeat…I just never realized how much of my normal, quiet life was passing me by without my ever taking notice. I suppose I ignored it on purpose, to knowingly miss out on so much of life is a crime, but making a living and finishing this project was my main priority this year.

Nowadays, my offices and calendar are filled with school homework, parent group notices and recipes I’ve been dreaming of whipping up!

I'll take this any day of the week!

This coming Wednesday marks the first day in a long, long time that I get to taste with Wine Press Northwest magazine.

Life is nearly back to normal again so you will definitely see me on this blog much more regularly.

I can’t wait to share my adventures with you; everything from the mundane to the extraordinary.

Tootles,

Winnie

Deadliest Open Holes #8, #13, #14, #15

Dear world,

I write all the content for the newsletters, etc for our Deadliest Open™ Celebrity Golf Tournament on WordPress because it is really simple.

You lucky subscribers get the newsletter before it goes to our website, whoo hoo 😉

Hope to see you all the Deadliest Open!

If you can believe it, we are a mere 14 days until the kick-off begins for the 2011 Deadliest Open™ Celebrity Golf Tournament! We’d like to share more with you about our great sponsors and the fun events we have planned for Golfers and Spectators on August 27, 2011 at Suncadia Resort in Cle Elum, Washington.

In this newsletter we are going to highlight a few holes and celebrity golfers so we can finalize some of our golf tournament details to make this a spectacular event for you!

Hole Sponsor Highlights

Every day (ish) until the tournament we will be highlighting a Hole Sponsor from the 2011 Deadliest Open™ Celebrity Golf Tournament. We still have a lot of work to accomplish to make this the most exciting tournament in the Northwest!

Hole #8: Northwest Long Drivers

On Prospector Hole #8, golfers are given the opportunity to improve their score and raise funds for charity by hiring professional long drivers to take their drive for them. The self-proclaimed “Northwest Bomb Squad”, includes Bruce Evans, Paul Larson and Bo Blacken and they will be out all day hitting trick shots and prodigious drives for each scramble group.

Hole #13: Alaskan Brewing

Alaskan Brewing is kind enough to donate beer to the Deadliest Open™ even though they are all going to be in Alaska for their annual company meeting! Their Washington distribution team will be on hand to get yourself a cold Alaskan Beer. Thanks guys!

Hole #14: Hampton Inn

Deadliest Open Sponsor and Supporter, Hampton Inn, will be out on Hole#14 with water and cookies for all golfers. What a treat. The restrooms are also located on Hole #14.

Be on the lookout for a raffle including one night’s stay at the Ellensburg Hampton Inn!

Hole #15: Roger Jobs Motors Volkswagen

Sponsor and Tumble Creek Homeowner Roger Jobs has generously donated a 2012 Volkswagen Passat Diesel (value including tax and license is $37,500.00) for a Deadliest Open Hole-in-One opportunity! Roger tells us that it is an all new model built at the new VW factory in Chattanooga, TN.

The 2012 Volkswagen Passat will be parked on Tee Box #15 for your viewing pleasure. Good luck to all golfers participating and thanks to Roger Jobs Motors for this phenomenal sponsorship!

Event Spotlight

Cleveland Golf is a major sponsor of the Deadliest Open. Their Master Fitters will be on-site at Prospector Golf Course’s Driving Range all weekend ready to fit everyone with custom drivers, irons, wedges, putters or a full set!

Don’t miss this great opportunity from Cleveland Golf!

Cleveland Masters Tour Fitting Van Hours:

• Thursday, August 25 10am to 4pm
• Friday, August 26 11am to 5pm (at Rope Rider course for Grand Opening)
• Saturday, August 27 8am to 2pm

Golf With a Captain Spotlight

We got to talk with Captain Greg Moncrief before he went up for his summer fishing stint:

Hi Winnie,

I have been fishing for 25 years and running the Farwest Leader for 12 years. I grew up in SE Alaska, so I have always been around fishing.

Ragnhild was born and raised in Norway, then she came over when she was 18 to work on the Northern Glacier. 4 years after we first met, we got married and now we have been married for 21 years and have 2 daughters. Ragnhild likes to come on the boat for king crab, but I doubt I will get her back on for opies.

Thanks,

Greg

After hearing the great news yesterday that Soper and Lenny were coming to the Deadliest Open we just had to call and thank Keith and Monte!

Captain Monte Colburn is an avid golfer and super stoked to play int he tournament for the Seattle Fishermen’s Memorial. He shared a little bit about him and thanked us immensely for putting this charity tournament together!

Morning…. lets see, born So. Lake Tahoe and have resided on the North shore entire life… Been fishing 24 years and the only crab season I ever missed was in 2004/05 while working on the oil spill outside of Dutch Harbor created by the Selendang Ayu, a 900 foot soybean carrier… the crab boat I broke in on was the 110 foot Juno. From there I worked 10 years almost to the day on the Wizard with Capt John Jorgenson…received my 1600 ton U.S.C.G. ” Mates” license in 1992 and upgraded to “Master” a couple years later, few in the crab industry hold such a document as it’s not required on most boats in the fleet… Shortly after that, I Captained the 155 foot Seafisher in 1998 and 1999 to great success but yet another opportunity arose and I moved on to the 110 foot Norseman. A vessel similar to the Northwestern, this boat was part of the Federal buyback and at that point in 2005 I returned to the Wizard to work alongside my brother.

An avid golfer for several years now, any day on the course is a good day!! I’ve been looking forward to the Deadliest Open for a few months and expect it to be the highlight of the summer…I would like to say thanks to Peter Jacobson and all the folks at the resort for their time and effort to support such a great cause in the Fishermen’s Memorial Fund…. also to the people who have donated their time in organizing the event a special thanks to all.

Monte

PS: You are welcome, Monte. And, just in case we haven’t told you yet, Captain John Jorgenson is also coming to the Deadliest Open to golf!

Crosby LeVeen just got done with fishing and when we asked him what he’d been up to, he replied, “Practicing my swing, ladies. See you both soon!”

Golfer Spots Still Available

Remember, that included in Golfer Registration is:

• 18 holes of golf on Prospector Golf Course
• Golf Cart and Range Balls
• Lunch and Post-Golf Awards Banquet
• a laser-etched Deadliest Open™ Wedge from Cleveland Golf
• Limited Edition Participant Bag including: Tournament Polo and Event Tee and more!
• An amazing day of golf, games and prizes with your favorite crab fishermen!
• Golf With a Captain!

There are still spots to golf with your favorite Captains who have already signed on for charity golf with us!

• Monte Colburn, Wizard
• Neal Hillstrand, Time Bandit
• Greg Moncrief, Farwest Leader
• Derrick Ray, Cornelia Marie
• Tony Lara, Cornelia Marie

Gear Shop Exclusives

We have some totally awesome pieces arriving for the Gear Shop!

Check out the FRONT of the Deadliest Open Tee Shirts! Want to see the back side? Come to the 2011 Deadliest Open Celebrity Golf Tournament!

Just For Spectators

Remember, you only have until August 12th at MIDNIGHT PST to purchase your Spectator Tickets online to be entered to win Post-Golf Awards Banquet Tickets. The more tickets we sell, the more Banquet Tickets we are giving away. What are you waiting for???

Have a wonderful weekend and we look forward to seeing you all at the Deadliest Open™.

Tootles,

Winnie

Deadliest Open Hole #1

Dear world,

I write all the content for the newsletters, etc for our Deadliest Open™ Celebrity Golf Tournament on WordPress because it is really simple.

You lucky subscribers get the newsletter before it goes to our website, whoo hoo 😉

Hope to see you all the Deadliest Open!

If you can believe it, we are a mere 16 days until the kick-off begins for the 2011 Deadliest Open™ Celebrity Golf Tournament! We’d like to share more with you about our great sponsors and the fun events we have planned for Golfers and Spectators on August 27, 2011 at Suncadia Resort in Cle Elum, Washington.

Hole Sponsor Highlight

Every day until the tournament we will be highlighting a Hole Sponsor from the 2011 Deadliest Open™ Celebrity Golf Tournament.

Hole #1: Crown Royal

We nearly cannot contain our excitement about having Crown Royal on Hole #1. Haley Wirt will be parking the Crown Royal Dodge Ram Truck onto the Tee Box and setting up some very cool giveaways from Crown Royal.

Oh, and the Crown Royal Girls will be there to hand out some cool gear from Crown Royal to all the golfers! Crown has also given us some great items to raffle off including:

• a pair of Sunday tickets to the Ellensburg Rodeo (September 4). Included in these tickets are the “Royal Treatment” from Crown Royal! It is all you can eat and drink (full bars) in the three VIP Crown Saloon rooms. Be sure to enter this raffle if you love Crown Royal and Rodeo!

Look for our Spin the Wheel game and win some great swag from Crown Royal on Prospector Hole #1!

Event Spotlight

Cleveland Golf is a major sponsor of the Deadliest Open. Their Master Fitters will be on-site at Prospector Golf Course’s Driving Range all weekend ready to fit everyone with custom drivers, irons, wedges, putters or a full set!

Don’t miss this great opportunity from Cleveland Golf!

Cleveland Masters Tour Fitting Van Hours:

• Thursday, August 25 10am to 4pm
• Friday, August 26 11am to 5pm (at Rope Rider course for Grand Opening)
• Saturday, August 27 8am to 2pm

Celebrity Spotlight

Art Peterson from the Wizard will be golfing with us at the Deadliest Open. He has fished on the Wizard since Fall of 2006. Art was the deckhand who during Opie Season a few years ago a big wave came when we were working on the stack and it nearly injured a few people. Art was the guy ON TOP of the stack.

Art is pretty excited for the Dealiest Open, he has been fishing so much that he didn’t even get a chance to swing his clubs while he was long lining this summer out of the Central Gulf of Alaksa for black cod and 3A for halibut.

Thanks for golfing for charity, Art!

Golfer Spots Still Available

Remember, that included in Golfer Registration is:

• 18 holes of golf on Prospector Golf Course
• Golf Cart and Range Balls
• Lunch and Post-Golf Awards Banquet
• a laser-etched Deadliest Open™ Wedge from Cleveland Golf
• Limited Edition Participant Bag including: Tournament Polo and Event Tee and more!
• An amazing day of golf, games and prizes with your favorite crab fishermen!
• Golf With a Captain!

There are still spots to golf with your favorite Captains who have already signed on for charity golf with us!

• Monte Colburn, Wizard
• Neal Hillstrand, Time Bandit
• Greg Moncrief, Farwest Leader
• Derrick Ray, Cornelia Marie
• Tony Lara, Cornelia Marie

Gear Shop Exclusives

We have some totally awesome pieces arriving for the Gear Shop!

Check out the Deadliest Open Golf Bag Tags!

Just For Spectators

Remember, you only have until August 12th at MIDNIGHT PST to purchase your Spectator Tickets online to be entered to win Post-Golf Awards Banquet Tickets. The more tickets we sell, the more Banquet Tickets we are giving away. What are you waiting for???

Tootles,

Winnie

Deadliest Open Hole #10

Dear world,

I write all the content for the newsletters, etc for our Deadliest Open™ Celebrity Golf Tournament on WordPress because it is really easy to organize and develop my things and stuff.

You lucky subscribers get the newsletter before it goes to our website, lucky dogs 😉

Hope to see you all the Deadliest Open!

If you can believe it, we are a mere 17 days until the kick-off begins for the 2011 Deadliest Open™ Celebrity Golf Tournament! We’d like to share more with you about our great sponsors and the fun events we have planned for Golfers and Spectators on August 27, 2011 at Suncadia Resort in Cle Elum, Washington.

Hole Sponsor Highlight

Every day until the tournament we will be highlighting a Hole Sponsor from the 2011 Deadliest Open™ Celebrity Golf Tournament.

Hole #10: Seattle Fishermen’s Memorial

The 2011 Deadliest Open™ Celebrity Golf Tournament charity beneficiary will be the Seattle Fisherman’s Memorial.

There are many ways to donate to this worthy cause through golf tournament player and spectator ticket sales, online and retail shop purchases, silent/live auctions and raffles and golf tournament events.

As a charitable non-profit organization established in 1985, the Seattle Fishermen’s Memorial Board is directed by 15 industry volunteers and is devoted to promoting safety in the fishing fleets and easing the emotional and financial burden of the surviving family members of fishermen lost at sea. In recent years, the mission has expanded to address: grief support, safety training and the fostering of community around those in need.

Look for fun events from the Seattle Fishermen’s Memorial on Prospector Hole #10! In addition to their sponsorship, the board members have put together a team and will also be golfing at the Deadliest Open!

Event Spotlight

Cleveland Golf is a major sponsor of the Deadliest Open. Their Master Fitters will be on-site at Prospector Golf Course’s Driving Range all weekend ready to fit everyone with custom drivers, irons, wedges, putters or a full set!

Don’t miss this great opportunity from Cleveland Golf!

Cleveland Masters Tour Fitting Van Hours:

• Thursday, August 25 10am to 4pm
• Friday, August 26 11am to 5pm (at Rope Rider course for Grand Opening)
• Saturday, August 27 8am to 2pm

Celebrity Spotlight

We have to send out a HUGE thank you to Mike Fourtner who has tirelessly promoted this event for us and has helped us get more support and sponsorships for this year’s tournament.

Mike is taking a well-deserved break in Hawaii from fishing and is coming over with some buddies to play both Prospector Golf Course and Rope Rider Golf Course next week. 36 holes in one day…maybe he IS crazy!

Mike Fourtner’s golf team has also been sold out! He is playing with a really good team so we wouldn’t be surprised if he and his team took home some great awards from the Deadliest Open!

Golfer Spots Still Available

Remember, that included in Golfer Registration is:

• 18 holes of golf on Prospector Golf Course
• Golf Cart and Range Balls
• Lunch and Post-Golf Awards Banquet
• a Wedge from Cleveland Golf
• Limited Edition Participant Bag including: Tournament Polo and Event Tee
• An amazing day of golf, games and prizes with your favorite crab fishermen!
• Golf With a Captain!

There are still spots to golf with your favorite Captains who have already signed on for charity golf with us!

• Monte Colburn, Wizard
• Neal Hillstrand, Time Bandit
• Greg Moncrief, Farwest Leader
• Derrick Ray, Cornelia Marie
• Tony Lara, Cornelia Marie

Captain Harry Lewis’ team just sold this morning, so register today to play with your favorite Captains!

Gear Shop Exclusives

We have some totally awesome pieces arriving for the Gear Shop!

Check out the Deadliest Open Tee Packs!

Just For Spectators

Remember, you only have until August 12th at NOON PST to purchase your Spectator Tickets online to be entered to win Post-Golf Awards Banquet Tickets. The more tickets we sell, the more Banquet Tickets we are giving away. What are you waiting for???

Tootles,

Winnie

Deadliest Open Hole #11

Dear world,

I write all the content for the newsletters, etc for our Deadliest Open™ Celebrity Golf Tournament on WordPress because it is really easy to organize and develop my things and stuff.

You lucky subscribers get the newsletter before it goes to our website, lucky dogs 😉

Hope to see you all the the Deadliest Open!

If you can believe it, we are a mere 18 days until the kick-off begins for the 2011 Deadliest Open™ Celebrity Golf Tournament! We’d like to share more with you about our great sponsors and the fun events we have planned for Golfers and Spectators on August 27, 2011 at Suncadia Resort in Cle Elum, Washington.

Hole Sponsor Highlight

Every day until the tournament we will be highlighting a Hole Sponsor from the 2011 Deadliest Open™ Celebrity Golf Tournament.

Hole #11: Kirkham Law Firm in Ellensburg, Washington

We spoke with James Kirkham who is an avid golfer about his law firm today. He told us Kirkham Law Firm is a general practice firm focusing on State and Federal criminal defense, bankruptcy, personal injury, traffic tickets and standard wills.

His law office relocated from Spokane to Ellensburg in 2008 and Kirkham Law Firm services all of Eastern Washington.

Look for fun events from Kirkham Law Firm on Prospector Hole #11! In addition to his sponsorship, James will also be Golfing with a Captain for the Deadliest Open!

Entertainment Spotlight

We met the Sourmash Stevedores at the Seattle Fishermen’s Memorial Banquet in July. They happily agreed to come and play for us at the Deadliest Open.

They are a classic country band with harmonica, pedal steel and banjo. Johnny, Hank and Merle type of country with originals that have the same feel.

www.myspace.com/sourmashstevedores.com

The band members are:

Ray Taylor – guitar
Ed Hodge – bass
Alan Echison – drums
Tim Moore – harmonica
Mikey Budd – guitar, banjo
Tim Dunn – guitar

We can’t wait to hear them perform at the Awards Banquet!

Celebrity Spotlight

A special thanks go out to Dale and Mindy Pruitt. They have generously donated their time to get us some great seafood shipped down for the tournament.

Many of you probably haven’t heard the story about how the F/V Magnum was lost at sea for over 60 hours with Dale and many of his family members. A new book has been written about their ordeal and they are bringing some autographed copies to the Deadliest Open Gear Shop. Author, Jeffrey Mitchell will also be at the Deadliest Open to sign copies of his book, Lost in the Shelikof: An Alaskan Family’s Struggle to Survive (Volume 1).

“Dale Pruitt stood barefoot atop the capsized hull of his fishing vessel. Bobbing in heavy seas, he steadied himself and assessed his situation. His crew was down below him in the water. The ‘crew’ consisted of his niece, as well as, his only son and his only daughter. The t-shirt and shorts he wore would provide no protection against the dark, icy waters of the Shelikof Strait. But his options had fallen away quickly in the few minutes since he had sent out his mayday from the cabin of the foundering F/V Magnum. Leaning hard into the gale, Dale did what he had to do. He jumped into the Alaskan ocean. Meanwhile back at home in Kodiak, Alaska, wife and mother, Mindy Pruitt was relaxing and preparing for the return of her family after two days and nights at sea. It would be a full 24 hours before she would know for sure that something had gone seriously wrong. Once she realized that her family was missing she would suffer through two more days of agony. Uncertain of the fate of her missing family, Mindy finds support in an inner circle of friends and family while her family struggles for their lives at sea. Sea Storm is the true story of the Pruitt Family of Kodiak, Alaska. On Friday, June 20th the F/V Magnum sank. The skipper’s mayday went unheard and the emergency beacon aboard the vessel malfunctioned. The crew would be missing for over sixty hours before the harrowing conclusion.”

Come to the Deadliest Open and meet author Jeffrey Mitchell and Dale and Mindy Pruitt in person!

Golfer Spots Still Available

Remember, that included in Golfer Registration is:

• 18 holes of golf on Prospector Golf Course
• Golf Cart and Range Balls
• Lunch and Post-Golf Awards Banquet
• a Wedge from Cleveland Golf
• Limited Edition Participant Bag including: Tournament Polo and Event Tee
• An amazing day of golf, games and prizes with your favorite crab fishermen!

Golf With a Captain!

There are still spots to golf with your favorite Captains who have already signed on for charity golf with us!

• Monte Colburn, Wizard
• Harry Lewis, Incentive
• Neal Hillstrand, Time Bandit
• Greg Moncrief, Farwest Leader
• Derrick Ray, Cornelia Marie
• Tony Lara, Cornelia Marie

Gear Shop Exclusives

We have some totally awesome pieces arriving for the Gear Shop!

Beer koozies, anyone?

Just For Spectators

Remember, you only have until August 9th at NOON PST to purchase your Spectator Tickets online to be entered to win Post-Golf Awards Banquet Tickets. The more tickets we sell, the more Banquet Tickets we are giving away. What are you waiting for???

Tootles,

Winnie

100th Post and a South Dakota-Themed Giveaway! (via The Simple Life of a Country Man’s Wife)

Dear world,

In case you aren’t following this blog, and/or you are an idiot who lives in the city and you never open your drapes) do yourself a favor and subscribe to The Simple Life of a Country Man’s Wife. She posts frequently and takes gorgeous pictures and never, ever, bores!

Oh, and there are prizes involved…

Happy Fourth of July Weekend everyone!

Tootles,
Winnie

I'm sitting here drinking  iced coffee (now that I make it right), and I'm thinking what on earth should I write on today? Oh, who am I fooling. Not a soul, that's who. I know what I am going to write about because it's been in my head for three days. I really really really like blogging and really really really really appreciate all the people I have met through this and I realllllyyyy fancy some iced coffee while blogging and conversating. As y … Read More

via The Simple Life of a Country Man's Wife