Goose Ridge News - 3rd Edition

Goose Ridge

NEWS SEASONAL NEWSLETTER

OCTOBER 2020

A Climate of Excellence Family owned.

Estate grown.

Letter from the Monson Family Happy Holidays, Usually we’d say it’s a bit early to kick off our family letter with holiday greetings, but let’s face it, we can all use a little holiday spirit right now. Yet through all the adversity and challenges our country has faced this year, we remain thankful for the incredible bounty bestowed upon us at Goose Ridge Estate Vineyard & Winery. As we turn the corner on 2020, we’re greeting 2021 with optimism and anticipation while reflecting on some incredible milestones here on the ranch.

In this issue of our newsletter, we’ll catch you up on apple and grape harvest activities on our 3,500 acre estate. On the production and sales side, we’ve forged new partnerships to launch a wine brand, and we’ve expanded VIDO Vodka’s reach from the Pacific Northwest into California and beyond. We’re getting terrific feedback from the media, customers and consumers alike as we roll VIDO out to national distribution in 2021.

All of what happens here on the ranch comes back to family. The fourth generation (or G4, as we like to call them) shares some favorite memories growing up with our dad, Arvid, and our mom, Suzanne who they lovingly called Papa and Amma. These memories have offered all of us a reflective moment of what it means to own a family business. As we look forward to 2021 we wish all of you comfort and peace.

Cheers!

The Monson Family Valerie Monson | Bill Monson | Molly Monson Stutesman

From the Ranch

Harvest keeps us moving at a clip. With 800 acres of apple orchards, we have picked over 24,000 bins of Galas, Granny Smiths, Cosmic Crisps and Fujis, and are still working to complete apple harvest. The last orchard to be picked is at Snipes Mountain, which we’re proud to say was certified organic this year. North facing, this isolated and sloped orchard is perfect for producing big, beautiful organic apples.

This harvest we celebrate our inaugural year picking the Cosmic Crisp variety, which has been in development for over 20 years. This new branded apple was discovered after decades of research and development with Washington State University, and we’re proud to be among the first growers to bring this new variety to market. We picked 245 bins per acre on this new block, which is about a fourth of what these young trees will eventually produce once full grown. We don’t want to over produce a baby tree, so we thin the apples off in the summer, allowing these young trees to focus more energy on shoot growth, ultimately yielding more fruit in years to come. This new variety has created a lot of excitement in the market because of its beautiful red color and sweet, juicy flavor. At our ranch, we have committed 215 acres of new plantings over the last three years to Cosmic Crisp.

From the Cellar

Winemakers Andrew Wilson and Peter Devison give our reds a swirl in the cellar. The 2020 vintage is showing great flavor intensity, depth and complexity across all varietals.

The 2020 harvest has been an exciting vintage!

Statewide, Washington produced a smaller than expected crop in 2020, which resulted in tremendous flavor concentration. Due to a cooler spring, acid levels remained high in all varieties across the estate, which enhanced the development of fresh, expressive flavors in the fruit.

On the weather front, September and October have been perfect. Early October was a return to almost Summer-like warmth, which gave late-ripening varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc the push they needed to reach optimal ripeness.

Early ripening varieties like Merlot and Chardonnay achieved wonderful flavor development early. We expect those wines to have lower alcohol, with increased freshness and volume. The Estate Rhone varieties are showing tremendous expressiveness this year.

Grenache has a complex balance of savory earthiness alongside perfume and fresh red-fruits. Roussanne and Viognier similarly display amazing delicate fruit and floral profiles that show how unique and special these varieties are from the Estate.

There is still a lot of winemaking and harvesting left to complete, but we are very excited by what we have seen so far. Harvesting and fermenting Cabernet Sauvignon is happening now and promises to show the same flavor intensity, depth, and complexity we have seen throughout the wines from the 2020 vintage.

Wind in Our Sales

Goose Ridge and Roots Run Deep Announce Joint Partnership Earlier this fall, Goose Ridge Estate Vineyard & Winery announced a joint partnership with Napa Valley’s Roots Run Deep to create a new Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Truth Be Told. The project combines Roots Run Deep’s long recognized expertise in developing high-quality value wines with our estate fruit from Goose Ridge’s 2,200-acre estate vineyard, bringing together the strengths of both companies for a Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Destination Brands, our sales and marketing company under Goose Ridge will work in tandem with Roots Run Deep to support the upcoming national retail launch.

“As a fourth-generation farming family, this partnership is more than providing grapes and making another wine.

We’re working alongside Mark and his Roots Run Deep team, another family wine business. This is truly a joint partnership.” explained Molly Monson-Stutesman, Destination Brands Co-President.

The collaborative winemaking process features Goose Ridge Winemakers Andrew Wilson and Peter Devison working alongside Roots Run Deep Winemaker Macario Montoya. The result is an outstanding Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that truly over delivers on quality and we can’t wait for you to give it try. Truth Be Told Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon will launch with the 2018 vintage in January with a suggested retail price of $18.

This new partnership also includes a broader collaboration in sales efforts. Destination Brands and the Roots Run Deep sales team are working together to cross promote brands from each portfolio, including Educated Guess, g3 and VIDO Vodka. The teams celebrated in our newly appointed VIDO distillery tasting salon, designated for special guests from the trade. We look forward to welcoming you here in the near future.

VIDO Vodka On the Move The excitement and anticipation around the launch of VIDO Vodka this summer is resulting in some pretty great feedback! VIDO just received a 93-point score from Anthony Dias Blue, and positive consumer momentum is resulting from our spirits mixologists and influencer campaigns in the Pacific Northwest. Now we’re excited to announce VIDO Vodka is on shelf in California and Arizona as our Destination Brands sales team gears up for a broader national launch in 2021. We think Arvid ‘Vido’ Monson would be pretty excited with this news.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

Cascadian Outfitters Launching New Package

We are very pleased to announce that Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar has chosen the following wines for its 2020/2021 core wine program: • StoneCap Chardonnay: By-The-Glass • Tall Sage Cabernet Sauvignon: By-The-Glass This program begins October 2020 and runs through September 30, 2021. Fleming’s Steakhouse will offer these wines By the Glass and in their private dining program. Fleming’s has 69 locations in 26 states including AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, LA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NE, NJ, NV, OH, OK, PA, RI, TN, TX, UT, VA & WI

Great wine grapes need sun to aid in the production of sugars, color development and heat accumulation for ripening. Our estate vineyards are situated in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountain Range providing the perfect environment for top-quality wine grapes. Our Cascadian wine honors the Cascades and offers our adventurous drinkers a delicious and portable 100% Estate wine in a can. It’s perfect to take along on hikes, picnics, bike rides & beach days and for everyday life!

We’re excited to announce our Cascadian Outfitters has new packaging available in Chardonnay, Rosé and Red Blend varietals. Launching now, our Cascadian cans will also be available in 12 pack cases.

Follow us on Instagram @cascadianwine

Spice Up Your Holidays with VIDO Vodka Pumpkin Spiced Hot Cocoa

1 ounce VIDO Vodka ½ ounce Portland Small Batch Pumpkin Spice Syrup 1¼ ounces hot cocoa Garnish: Salted caramel sauce, whipped cream, cinnamon stick and three candy corn 1. Toast cinnamon stick in frying pan over low heat for 1 to 2 minutes, shaking pan to prevent burning – watch carefully.

2. R im a preheated Irish coffee mug with salted caramel sauce and fill with the hot cocoa.

3. B lend VIDO vodka with Pumpkin Spice Syrup, adding mixture to hot cocoa.

4. G arnish with a toasted cinnamon stick, top with whipped cream and three pieces of candy corn.

Spiked Apple Cider 1 ounce VIDO Vodka ½ ounce Grand Marnier ½ ounce Portland Autumn Spice Mixer 1 cup apple cider Garnish: 3 fresh apple slices, 1 cinnamon stick 1. T o apple cider, add two apple slices, mixer, Grand Marnier and cinnamon stick, simmering until fragrant and heated through.

2. P our VIDO Vodka into preheated Irish coffee mug.

3. Add the cider mixture and blend.

4. G arnish with apple slice and cinnamon stick.

Goose Ridge Out and About Highlights from Goose Ridge fans

@TheBitterGringo

@WinoonaBudget

@The_Wholewineyards

@shaunmyrick

@MonicaHart1

@CorkMag

@Alcademics

@HayleysCellar

@Aubrie.LeGault

Tasting Room News Artist Series Featuring Todd Telander

“Washington Wine + Food” Cookbook

In case you haven’t noticed, we’ve got a thing for birds around here. It started when we named our winery and estate vineyards after the land on which it sits, Goose Gap. Canadian geese often make our estate their personal layover spot while migrating to warmer climates, passing over our cabernet vineyards on Goose Mountain along the way. Given our love for this property and the geese’s migration patterns that touch us each year, it was natural to name our winery and estate vineyards after these waterfowl. As time passed, our love for birds has expanded to several select wine brands and special releases, including this year’s bi-annual limited-edition Artist Series, which supports local artists that touch the communities surrounding our four tasting rooms. This year, we’ve partnered with artist and science illustrator, Todd Telander who created four beautiful labels for our spring and fall releases. You can visit Todd’s gallery in his hometown of Walla Walla or find out more about Todd and his work at www.toddtelander.com. A limited quantity of these wines is available in our four tasting rooms, so hurry in to collect yours! We expect these wines to fly.

With close to 1,000 wineries in the state, there’s never been a better time to explore Washington wine.

Likewise, with the bustling food scene in Seattle and other growing Washington cities, pairing those wines with beautifully made food has never been easier. Food Writer Julien Perry has done just that in her newest cookbook “Washington Wine + Food”, a celebration of 40 winemakers who have helped to define Washington’s flourishing wine scene with 80 easy, delicious, and complementary recipes from Seattle’s best chefs. We’re thrilled to be one of the 40 wineries included in the cookbook, which includes our newly released 2016 Goose Ridge Estate Syrah paired with a Spicy Clams and Chorizo recipe. Our 2015 Goose Ridge Estate Sol Duc Meritage Blend is paired alongside Chef Breanna Beike’s Pan-Roasted Rainbow Trout with Beurre Blanc. We’re proud to be neighbors with Chef Beike of Heritage Restaurant|Bar, who is just three doors down from our Woodinville Tasting Room. Like us, we bet you’re ready to give these pairings a try. Julien Perry’s “Washington Wine + Food” is available in all of our Goose Ridge tasting rooms and packaged with the Syrah and Meritage Blend. Perfect as a gift, we also feature the cookbook and wines on our website at www.gooseridge.com.

Tasting Room News

Spray Hand Sanitizer in New 24oz

What’s New in Our Tasting Rooms

As we watched the incredibly hard-working essential workers from healthcare professionals and first responders to grocers and agriculture community at the start of COVID-19 last spring, we knew we needed to do all we could to support and protect them. At Goose Ridge, we have a history of innovation so shifting to make hand and surface sanitizer was a natural way for us to partner with our community during this ongoing battle against the coronavirus.

We’ve just released a new 24oz spray bottle that makes protection against germs that much easier. The 70 percent alcohol-based hand sanitizer uses a spray system that evenly distributes the sanitizer onto your hands, so you don’t miss any spots and glycerin helps replenish the skin’s moisture barrier, so your hands stay soft, even after the 25th spray of the day. You can order bottles online at www.gooseridge.com or pick up a bottle at any of our four tasting rooms. Stay safe out there!

• W e are open in all 4 locations! Please check our website at www.gooseridge.com for up-to-date hours.

• W e just released our cherry and peach cider and are getting ready to roll out our spiced cranberry cider, just in time for Thanksgiving. We look forward to welcoming you in for a taste.

• W e are prepping for the holiday gift giving season, and our custom Goose Ridge mulling spices will be hitting the tasting rooms soon to help us celebrate!

In Conversation with Generation IV “Remember When?”

“Being in a family business we grew up in the feedlot and vineyard offices. I remember when my Aunt Val would let us kids type on the old typewriter and play in shipping boxes!

We always knew where the coffee sugar cubes were (haha).

I remember when my Papa (Arvid) and Amma (Suzanne) took each grandkid on a deep-sea fishing trip to Alaska. I will always cherish that trip and remember how my Papa taught me how to reel in a king salmon!” – Taylor Monson “My best memories are BBQ weekends at the park, playing catch and fishing at the farm with my Papa! Those were the best times. My favorite family trip was a few years ago when we went fishing up in the Nootka sound off of Vancouver Island.” – Luke Stutesman “My favorite memory is when the whole family went to Disney World. As one of the youngest, I was always the ‘no fear’ grandkid, and I remember my Papa rode up front with me on all the roller-coaster rides! I still laugh thinking back…” – Makenzie Monson “I always think back on the good times ridding quads through the vineyards and orchards. It comes full circle being able to enjoy those things with my daughter!”

– Grant Stutesman “I remember when my dad, uncle and Papa taught me how to shoot skeet. To this day, it’s still one of my favorite hobbies! During the springtime, we would spend many Sundays up at the farm with the family. I loved those days!”

– Allison Stutesman “My best memories growing up on the ranch are when I was showing steers in 4-H, and seeing my Dad and Papa sitting in the stands. I am thankful I get to continue the cattle and farming legacy through my generation.”

– Blake Monson

In the News Top-Rated Pop-Tops: 15 Recommended Wines in Cans

Winery Tasting Rooms are Changing, and Some Say They’re Never Going Back

Canned Cocktails and Wine Get a Major Upgrade

Goose Ridge Vineyards 2015 Sol Duc Estate Meritage

Anthony Dias Blue Reviews

Local winery makes hand sanitizers made from grapes and alcohol from vineyard

Goose Ridge Vineyards 2019 Rosé

Best Samples for 2020 - To Date

G3 Cabernet Sauvignon - Gorgeous

Pack these Canned Wines for Your Labor Day Weekend Cocktail Recipe: Blackberry VIDO Vodka Spritzer

Goose Ridge Vineyards 2016 Vireo DOUBLE GOLD: Best of Class

Let’s Be Social

www.gooseridge.com

Tasting Room at Richland, WA 16304 N Dallas Rd Richland, WA 99352 509.628.3880 info@gooseridge.com

Tasting Room at Woodinville, WA 14450 Woodinville Redmond Rd NE Suite #108 Woodinville, WA 98072 425.488.0200 info@gooseridge.com

Tasting Room at Leavenworth, WA 920 Front Street B3 Leavenworth, WA 98826 509.470.8676 info@gooseridge.com

Tasting Room at Walla Walla, WA 9 North Second Ave Walla Walla, WA 99362 509.876.4046 info@gooseridge.com

Production & Corporate Office 63615 East Jacobs Road Benton City, WA 99320 509.627.6249 info@gooseridge.com