Sommelier Tom Thompson of Tulalip Resort Casino in Washington state will launch his 2012 “Taste with Tommy” winemaker series with an intimate dinner featuring Va Piano Vineyards of Walla Walla on Saturday, Feb. 11, from 6-9 p.m.
The event will be held in the Tulalip Bay Private Dining Room with its exquisite handcrafted Chihuly chandelier.
Owner/winemaker Justin Wylie draws the Va Piano Vineyard name as well as his business philosophy from the old Italian saying “Chi va piano, va sano e va lontano” – “He who goes slowly, goes safely and goes far.”
Inspired by a year abroad in Florence, Italy, where he fell in love with the art, architecture, culture, and history he encountered there, Wylie returned to Walla Walla and paired his experiences with a passion for enology.
His quintessential Walla Walla wines display intense flavors, fine tannin structure, and abundant aromas.
“I strive for balance in everything, and that’s truly my approach to winemaking,” Wyle says. “The majority of grapes we use are estate grown, and we continue to source grapes from across the region from carefully chosen vineyards.”
Guests at the February wine dinner will get a chance to meet Wylie and taste his brilliant wines paired with dishes crafted by Dean Shinagawa’s award winning culinary team.
The dinner is priced at $100 per person, including tax and gratuity. For information call (360) 716-1458 or go to www.tulalipresort.com. Sommelier Tommy Thompson and his wine team have been honored with Wine Spectator’s 2011 Best of Award of Excellence.
