BLOGS

What a Grand Opening party this was! Craig and Danielle Mitrakul officially presented their new winery, Crayelle Cellars, to the area by celebrating with family and friends in Cindy and Roger Bumps' Hamilton Lofts on Yakima Street. The winery is very family-oriented and emphasizes the same values in winemaking as it does in family relationships: balance, character, longevity.

The wines were previewed at a tasting at Tastebuds recently and are sold there and at Mission St. Bistro. Inna's, Pak-it-Rite, Brix and Stone in Ephrata, Visconti's, and Vogue in Chelan. More are coming up.

Craig and his parents, his sister and brother-in-law, and Danielle and her two sisters made everyone feel welcome, as did the wine servers and the staff of Ravenous Catering, which supplied the excellent food. A successful effort had been made to serve foods which complemented the silky dry Riesling and the vibrant fruity Syrah.

I began with the Riesling, and found some creamy salmon mousse cups touched with a hint of horseradish which paired wonderfully with the wine. Then I was directed to the tiny, perfectly prepared crab cakes topped with a drop of house-made lemon aoli, which cried out for another taste of Riesling. I suggested to Rose Butler that we carry away the whole tray to a dark corner and eat them all, but we were too closely watched. Rose is the wife of John Butler, who earned the Best-of-Show Home Winemaker Award at the Chelan County Fair two years in a row for his Chardonnay. This valley is full of accomplished, surprising people.

A surprising pairing was offered me next. Though I usually prefer my sweets with tea, a rosemary shortbread cookie topped with cranberry cheddar turned out to be another perfect match. Again, as with the hint of horseradish in the salmon, the rosemary was barely present and added to but did not overwhelm the overall presentation. A dry Riesling is such a versatile wine.

But the Syrah was waiting.....and beckoning. I had already discovered the red-wine foods, for one of the Ravenous servers remembered me from an event well over a year ago when Ravenous served their delicious appetizer meatballs. They were so good that perhaps I carried on about them enough to make her remember me because she said, "We brought your favorite meatballs." No warehouse store, fatty, salty pre-made meatballs here! These, with a cheddar-flavored gougere and the fresh, fruity Syrah and I was in heaven--and not alone.

"Did you taste the meatballs and the Syrah?" "Wow, what a combination." and "Love the gougeres." were only a few of the comments being echoed around the room. And for those who like chocolate with their red wine, a mountain of white-dusted dark chocolate brownies tempted them.

As we prepared to leave, we met Paul Massey, whose company Columbia Valley Labels produced the elegant labels for Crayelle Cellars, and congratulated him on his efforts. We're happy the Mitrakuls believe, as we do, in supporting local businesses, and in neighbor helping neighbor.

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alex39     2 years, 2 months ago

The Taste Of Success

Ah, a perfect review to a perfect evening with absolutely marvelous wines pared beautifully with the bites.

I WANT more...of each, the wines and the foods.

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