When Spencer and I first moved to Seattle more than 22 years ago, we knew nothing about Pacific Northwest food and wine.

Wanting to learn more, we often attended monthly meetings and events hosted by The Enological Society of the Pacific Northwest (ES).

The last ES event we went to was at the Woodmark Hotel on Carillon Point. It was one of those gorgeous, sunny Seattle nights you never forget, thanks in large part to spending the evening sitting next to winemaker John Bell while sampling through his and many other talented Washington winemakers’ prize-winning wines.

Cut to today, when ES will end its run after an impressive 35 years! ES will go out with an evening of wine appreciation featuring a gourmet dinner, distinguished guest speakers, and an open mic opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments of the organization.

The event takes place Thursday, November 8, in the Chateau Ste. Michelle Ballroom (14111 NE 145th Street Woodinville, WA 98072). Proceeds from the evening will benefit the Historical Exhibit at the Walter Clore Center in Prosser, WA.

According to ES board member (and our buddy) Gerry Warren, “This event will serve as the grand finale for the organization and celebrate 35 years of education and awareness that the Enological Society brought to its members.”

The celebratory evening begins with hors d’oeuvres and a wine-tasting reception followed by a three-course gourmet dinner paired with wines from the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates portfolio.

Guests speakers for the evening include Ted Baseler (President & CEO, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates). Brian Carter (Winemaker, Brian Carter Cellars), Myron Redford (President & Former Winemaker, Amity Vineyards) and Allen Shoup (Founder, Long Shadows). Warren will serve as the event emcee for the evening.

Individual tickets for the event are $125; tables of eight can be purchased for $1,000. Visit the ES website to reserve your seat for this exclusive event.

More about ES: 

Started in the mid-1970s by a diverse group of wine enthusiasts, the Enological Society of the Pacific Northwest (also known as the Seattle Wine Society) is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to the appreciation of wine and food through educational events in the Puget Sound region. The society was incorporated as an educational organization which gave it considerable latitude in its ability to program events around wine and food.

For 30 consecutive years it presented a Northwest Wine Festival that incorporated a world-class judging, and the Wine Fairs for many years allowed members to explore outstanding old and new world wines. Regular monthly meetings provided educational programing at times for hundreds of attendees and the very popular Regional Dinners were outstanding experiences especially when presented by a volunteer crew.

The society’s educational programming and its prestigious wine judgings had a well-recognized effect on the growth and maturation of the Northwest Wine Industry as it focused the attention of consumers on the pleasures they would experience through their interest and consumption of wine.