Food & Wine

Chef Xinh Dwelley's skills on display in Olympia

The front row at the Bayview School of Cooking has filled up quickly on a recent Monday night – long before Xinh Dwelley stepped up to the burners.

Uncork red wine, chocolate at six delectable local spots

It’s hard to argue with more than 600 people having a rockin’ good time sipping wine and eating chocolate.

Dunham Cellars gains name with Washington reds, whites

It didn't take long for young Eric Dunham to gain fame as one of Washington's top winemakers. While still an assistant winemaker at L'Ecole No. 41 in the Walla Walla Valley town of Lowden, Dunham crafted 200 cases of cabernet sauvignon in 1995. At the time, there were fewer than 10 wineries in the valley (today, there are more than 150), and wine lovers quickly made Dunham's Cab highly collectible.

Oregon's Erath Winery thrives under Ste. Michelle ownership

In May 2006, Oregon pioneer Dick Erath shocked the Northwest wine world by selling his successful operation to Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. A half-decade later, Erath Winery is thriving, producing some of the state's greatest and most consistent red and white wines.

Wine events for April 15

THE ART OF WINE TASTING Discussion will include classification, evaluation, tips on buying and storing. Participants will taste six different wines, and must be at least age 21. This class is available from 1-4 p.m., on April 16 and May 14, at Olympic College Shelton, 937 Alpine Way W., Shelton. Cost is $29. 360-432-5406.

Wine events for April 8

CHOCOLATE FOR WINE LOVERS: This pairing includes a wine and chocolate tasting, Tips on selecting the current wine and chocolate pairings that include tasting techniques, red and white selections, 1-4 p.m. Saturday, April 9, Centralia College, 600 Centralia College Blvd., Centralia. $29.

Prosser's Wade Wolfe remains state's maverick of winemaking

Wade Wolfe took a roundabout route to Washington wine country, but once he arrived, he began to indelibly change the industry.

Have a nice malbec with your boat trip

Washington's youngest wine region is one of its most beautiful to visit and is producing exciting wines.

Wine events for March 25

CHOCOLATE FOR WINE LOVERS: This pairing includes a wine and chocolate tasting, tips and tasting techniques, red and white selections, 1-4 p.m. April 9, Centralia College, 600 Centralia College Blvd., Centralia. Cost is $29.

Reds dominate at Zerba Cellars, NW winery of year

A question we are regularly asked is, "What is the best winery?" And this time of year, we can answer that definitely.