Sleeping Dog Wines





To  view photos of life in Sleeping Dog world, click News from the Nose

August 10, 2008: Veraison!

Veraison signals the coming of harvest. It is the stage of the ripening process when grapes begin to soften and change their color. Larry and Aurora walk the vineyards at least twice a day and monitor the ripening process and to prepare for the upcoming harvest.

More about veraison at http://community.winepressnw.com/node/934.


Upcoming Events

Leavenworth Wine Tasting Festival - Saturday, August 23
Location: Sleeping Lady Mountain Retreat

If you've never been to the Sleeping Lady Retreat, this is a good excuse. The scenery is spectacular, the music relaxed, and everyone so laid back! Even Aurora hangs out at this one. Wines from local and regional wineries, gourmet food, entertainment, crafts, and much more. Benefits the Cascade Foothills Farmland Association. If you want to spend the weekend 2-night package available for $325 per person, based on double occupancy. Call 800-574-2123 for reservations.

Contact: (509) 548-6784; Email: info@visitwashingtonfarms.com


The Gorge Wine Challenge

Labor Day Weekend August 27-Sept 1, 2008

This unique event will be held at Hooba’s at Husum Hills Golf Course located in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge on the Washington side just north of Hood River, OR. The event features Washington and Oregon Wines and includes winemakers judging other producers wines prior to the public event of tasting, gala dinner, and wine tours around the Gorge. Contact Marc Fitzgerald at 509-493-4440 or Email marc@killerburgers.com. For more info:

http://www.killerburgers.com/wines.php

RECIPES (click here)


Awards & Commendations

2006 Sweet Aurora rated "Excellent" by Wine Press Northwest, Winter 2007/08

"Her name is Aurora.  Winery dog is her game.  And she’s got a sweet disposition.  That is how this dessert drink by Larry Oates, a winemaker in Benton City, Wash., got its name.  And it’s a wine worth fetching.  A sniff brings in hints of crème brulee topping, bananas, pears, apple and mandarin oranges.  Lap up the sweet apple entry (8% residual sugar), apricots and more oranges, as well as cinnamon and vanilla.  Enjoy this with French Vanilla ice cream as well as a fruit plate."

More Awards for Sweet Aurora!
Silver     2007 Mason County Fair
Bronze
  2007 Washington State Wine Competition
Bronze
   2007 Tri-Cities Wine Festival

2004 Syrah

Bronze  2008 Capital Wine and Food Festival, Lacey, Washington

Bronze  2008 Washington State Wine Competition

2003 Merlot

1st Place Merlot 2006 Camas Wine, Art and Music Festival, Camas, WA.

2003 Syrah

2nd Place Syrah 2006 Camas Wine, Art and Music Festival, Camas, WA.

Bronze   2006 Washington State Wine Competition

2004 Sauvignon Blanc

Voted BEST by the public and media at the WAVE Washington Arriving Vintners Event held at Hedges Winery on Red Mountain. "It's a winner with oysters AND mussels!" ~Chuck Hill Wines Northwest, a site that focuses exclusively on wines from the Pacific Northwest. Wines Northwest Wines of the Week.

2002 Merlot

Bronze 2005 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. This was our first release so we were pretty proud to be recognized by the prestigious competition for this big, bold red. This wine is SOLD OUT - but the 2003 Merlot is no slouch!