Woodinville Living Undressed

Woodinville’s First Craft Distillery – Soft Tail Spirits, I Love Their Grappa!

Soft Tail Spirits – Truly Local, Truly Unique

12280 NE Woodinville Dr. suite –C

Woodinville, WA  98072

425-770-1154

Soft Tail’s Imported Portuguese Copper Still

Several weeks ago my wife and I were riding our tandem bicycle in Woodinville, WA which lies a short distance from our home in Kenmore. We were on our way back when we noticed a sandwich board on the road that said “Soft Tail Grapparia.” My heart almost skipped a beat: A Grapparia here, only minutes away from my home? I couldn’t wait to stop in and check the place out! So what’s the big deal, you ask? Why so excited? I have spent a good amount of time in Italy and have enjoyed more than a few shots of grappa. For me, finding a local producer of grappa is absolutely wonderful!

Grappa – The Fiery Spirit from Italy

Grappa is a uniquely Italian drink. Traditionally, made from pomace, the discarded grape seeds, stalks, and stems that are a by-product of the wine making process, Grappa has been around since the Middle Ages. For generations, Italians have sipped this “firewater” after meals and even added a little to their morning espresso, to “correct” it. Once considered an acquired taste, popular only in Italy, Grappa, today, is making itself known around the world. Distilleries from Australia to Oregon, as well as Italy, are trying their hand at making Grappa, with surprisingly good results (from www.lifeinitaly.com). Now we have Soft Tail Spirits, one of the first Craft Distilleries in Western Washington. And they are producing an excellent grappa.

Why a Craft Distillery?

I spoke with Dennis Robertson, the Owner and producer of Soft Tail Grappa last week. His motivation for creating the distillery was fueled by an interest in spirits and vodka, but, he is also committed to the idea of utilizing an ofttimes discarded byproduct of wine making (the pomace) for a good purpose: making grappa.

Also, Dennis has been able to capitalize on recent changes in the state Legislature that allow tastings and direct sales at distilleries, rather than making customers travel to state-controlled liquor stores for purchases. The legislation also lowered the distillery licensing fee from $2,000 a year to $100 a year. If you want to read an interesting article regarding the art and science of the local distillery industry, the Seattle Times published and interesting article entitled: Distilleries are the new toast of Washington.

The Soft Tail Tasting Room

Soft Tail Spirits offers three grappas: Grappa Blanco, Grappa Giallo & Grappa Reserve. Grappa Blanco is a fine tasting product, crisp and fragrant. Grappa Giallo is aged in oak barrels and has wonderfully complex earthiness that will appeal to those who fancy whiskeys, and tequila. The Grappa Reserve will challenge your pallate but has a great after taste. Click on the picture below for more details on the grappas:

Click on this picture for details on Soft Tail’s Grappas

Grand Opening!

This coming weekend, Soft Tail Spirits is going to hold it’s Grand Opening. For hard core grappa fans and neophytes as well, I highly recommend you visit the Grapparia and enjoy an excellent, local product. You won’t regret it.

Slideshow

Below is a brief slideshow from my visit to Soft Tail Spirits. I sincerely hope you have an opportunity to visit it soon:

Click on the picture to view the slide show

The Whole Pet Shop – You’re Going to Love It!

The Whole Pet Shop

14229 NE Woodinville-Duvall Rd

Woodinville, WA 98072

425-481-584

www.wholepetshop.com

“Why did you open a health-oriented pet shop?” This was my question to Tina Schoenbachler, the owner of The Whole Pet Shop in Woodinville.  Tina loves animals having grown up on a farm in Duvall, WA. She’s also passionate about her business: “I have a pug that was really overweight, so several years ago a good friend recommended that I start feeding her a better diet. Six years later, my pug is in great health. In fact, my customers tell me they don’t need to bring their pets into the vet as often because they spend a little extra on healthy food. It translates to better situation for the pets and their owners.”

Healthy, I’ll Say!!!!

Some tasty morsels for your four-legged friends

The Whole Pet Shop offers a huge array of healthy pet foods along with accessories, toys, bedding, etc. As a cat owner, I found quite a number of high-quality foods and products. For a fairly small space, the store is jam-packed with everything you need to take care of your pet.

The Whole Pet Shop will be three-years-old this May. Tina told me that her business is doing well in spite of the challenging economy. She has observed that when times are tight, people don’t cut back when it comes to their pets. In fact, it seems that when people spend more time at home, they spend more time with “the fur children!”  Speaking of children:

An Invitation from Tina

Tina with her daughter Nya

The Whole Pet Shop is now part of a network of local merchants who are using a new Discount Program called the LEAP NETWORK. It is a way for you to take advantage of in-store discounts and also receive a 3% credit back on your credit card. It also allows you to take the discount and donate it directly to a number of local charities. To join, just click on the LEAP Network Frog on the right hand bar of this blog:

You simply register your credit card (Visa or Mastercard) with the network, click on a discount offer and, presto, you’re ready to go. When you make your purchase and use the registered card the credit is automatically processed to your account or charity . No need for coupons. No hassles. This is what the program looks like:

So start taking advantage of discounts at the Whole Pet Shop and support your local business community.

Pasta Nova – Authentic Italian Food in Woodinville

Pasta Nova

17310 140th Avenue NE

Woodinville, WA  98072

425.483.3716

Pasta Nova is one of those small, unassuming, bistro-type restaurants that surprise you when you walk in the front door, smell the food and your stomach scolds you for not having visited before. The ambiance is simple with the feel of a northern Italian bar. Even though the restaurant is located in a strip mall, the interior is warm and the staff is incredibly friendly:

The owner, Fred Armin, is clearly passionate about his restaurant. When he found out that I spend time in Italy, he wanted to know what my favorite dish is. I told him there’s nothing more “homey” than a good polenta with a chicken stew. “Oh, I’m working on a new menu and I’m going to have polenta on it,” he said. He said it’s important that he keep his menu fresh and offer dishes his clients recommend.

A delicious Italian Meatball Sandwich for lunch. Yum!

Pasta Nova is open at 11:00 for lunch. Dinner begins at 5:00. The menu features a nice variety of Italain standards at reasonable prices. Just click on the picture below to view the menu:

Click this picture to view the full menu

Despite the current economy Fred told me that business is going well. “We can never have too many diners,” he said, but he has a loyal following in the local community. As a Realtor, Pasta Nova is one of those small intimate places I like to bring my clients for lunch or, even better, it’s a great spot where you can enjoy a romantic dinner with a special friend.

If you find yourself in Woodinville to tour the local wineries, I highly recommend you treat yourselves to a wonderful meal at Pasta Nova. You won’t be disappointed.

Written by James Lupori, Realtor and Associate Broker – Keller Williams Realty Greater Seattle

Author of the Community Based Blog – www.kenmoreundressed.com

Keeping the Cold and Flu Bug out of Woodinville

It’s officially fall, and that means that cold and flu season is just around the corner.  Make sure your defenses are up and you take some preventative measures so that when the next nasty bug hits, your body is not as susceptible to coming down with something.

Diana Agee, owner of Nature’s Remedy, has some fantastic suggestions for you to stay on top of your health and wellness.  She recommends extra Vitamin C, Echinacea, Astragalus and/or Olive Leaf Extract as the perfect supplements for aiding your body’s defenses this time of year.  Her store also features some preventative blends, such as Wellness Formula and Immuno Shield, that are an easier alternative to taking multiple individual supplements.

Diana is a great resource for all of your natural care alternatives and her store offers an exceptional collection of products.  Be sure to mind the “official store manager,” Allison, as she loves a little attention that comes in the way of a few pets and rubs, too!

Nature’s Remedy is in the Woodinville Towne Center, open Monday – Thursday from 10am to 7pm and Friday and Saturday from 10am to 6pm.  You can call them at (425) 485-4633.

Pajamas and Karaoke

Head down to Daddy’s in Woodinville tonight for a pajama party!  Put on your favorite pj’s, bathrobe, and slippers and get ready for a good time – karaoke, dancing and whatever else may happen!  The fun starts around 9:30 tonight at Daddy’s – 17626 140th Ave NE.

We love our Woodinville Restaurants!

Mmm Mmm Mmm…tasty food is to be had at the infamous Woodinville Cafe in Woodinville Towne Center.  If you haven’t been to this landmark, you must go.  Now.  They serve up some delicious plates and you will love the variety that their extensive menu offers.  Breakfast, lunch or dinner, daily specials, and homemade desserts to boot.  A great place for weekend brunch (but expect to wait).  This is a place you will want to make a habit.

Here’s what MCM Agent Amie Lynn had to say about her breakfast today:

“Today I tried the California Scramble…just as good as it sounds.  Eggs scrambled with bacon, hash browns, Tillamook Cheddar, green onions and tomato and topped with sliced avocado and a dollop of sour cream.  And don’t forget it comes with toast or pancakes!”  Here’s a picture she took:

Other favorites are the Chicken Tender Salad and French Dip.  You can visit Woodinville Cafe at 14170 NE Woodinville-Duvall Road.

Massage for the Cure – Congratulations Woodinville!

Did you know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

 We’d like to give a shout-out to Massage Envy!  This month, they enthusiastically announced the return of the one-day Massage for the Cure event.  On October 6th, registered guests received a one-hour Swedish massage for a suggested donation of $40.  Instead of paying Massage Envy for their one-hour-in-heaven, 100% of the proceeds went to charity!  The Woodinville clinic alone raised over $3500 for the Puget Sound affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. 

The region has raised over $40,000 from this event, which will support breast cancer research initiatives through Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  The Komen Puget Sound Affiliate also provides breast cancer screenings and treatments for under-served women in western Washington.

Massage Envy is dedicated to providing professional and affordable therapeutic massage services to consumers with busy lifestyles at convenient times and locations – look out again next year for Massage for the Cure, and in the meantime, check out the Woodinville location at 14213 NE Woodinville-Duvall Road.  You can also check out their website at www.massageenvy.com for more information on their services.

Texas Smokehouse Bar-B-Q in Woodinville

If you haven’t made it to Texas Smokehouse Bar-B-Q, you really haven’t experienced true Woodinville living.  Located next to Purple Cafe, its a true local favorite.

 Everything I have had there has been wonderful.  However, the must-have is the Texas Spud.  The whole baked potato is stuffed with butter, sour cream, cheddar cheese, chopped brisket (in regular or spicy), Bar-B-Q sauce and green onions.   My waistline is very grateful that they offer a 1/2 Texas Spud.  They also offer a vegetarian version of this dish.  I haven’t yet tried it, but next time I go in I will be trying their “Great Tasting Meatless Bar-B-Q.”

Texas Smokehouse Bar-B-Q is also famous for their bunt-ends Wednesday.  Showing up early is a must if you don’t want to gamble on them running out, as there is often a line out of the door!  Try it, and let us know what you think!

www.texas-smokehouse.com

14455 Woodinville-Redmond Road, 98072

(425) 486-1957

Willows Lodge-A Washington Wine and Culinary Destination Resort

Throughout the year, there is always something special going on in and around Willows Lodge. From season to season our landscape changes, and so do our special offers. Here are just a few you may wish to consider.

Oktoberfest   5 Course Tasting Menu

HOWL-O-WINE   Friday, October 31
Join us for a SPOOK-TA-CULAR good time at Fireside Cellars

Girlfriends’ Weekend – November 21 – 23, 2008
Gather your best girlfriends and unwind for some holiday fun at Willows Lodge.

Dog Training Workshops and Behavioral Consultations in Woodinville

Now that Beacon  has some “bits” to share, I wanted to do a post on Jennifer and Steve White, owners of Laughing Dog Enterprises.

Rivendale Learning Center in North Woodinville, WA  is offering Animal training workshops & behavior consultations with no Force/ no fear techniques.  Helping professional trainers & animal lovers improve their skills.

They run their business right here in Woodinville and although I would like to call Jennifer the “dog whisperer of the eastside” they are better known as the “dynamic duo.”

My dog  Parker is now almost 10 years old and when she was just a puppy we went to Jennifer for some one on one training. Jennifer’s excellent instruction and guidance helped me become a better dog owner, and my dog a much happier pup. One unique specialty that she offers are Flower Essences. These are a safe and natural way to help address behavioral issues.  Click here for more information on flower essences.

Also, Jennifer and Steve have some great new things coming up…they are about ready to launch a new style of class that is tailored to the Modern Dog Owner. They also intend to pair up with Homeward Pet Shelter, and offer a free class as a goodwill gesture.

All species welcome..

Private Animal Consultation services include:

• In-home, office, phone & e-mail appointments available;
•  Positive Reinforcement solutions;
• Specializing in helping reactive, aggressive and fearful animals;
• Customized training plans built to suit all lifestyles and behavior needs;
• Single-sessions or multiple regular sessions available;
• Flower Essence services for all people and animals.

Professional Animal Consultation services:

• Police K-9 Training Presentations;
• Police K-9 consultation, Unit audits, administration and liability reduction;
• Canine Tracking & Scentwork seminars and clinics;
• Search & Rescue dog training support workshops;
• Training & behavior seminars for professional animal trainers;
• Local, Cross-country & International venues available.

DOG SPORTS NW  presents classes geared toward those interested in competition. People and their dogs are treated with respect and trained using positive methods only. Contact Diana for information regarding the current class schedule:  425-334-5061http://www.dogsportsnw.com/     diana@dogsportsnw.com

AIREBORNE AGILITY  offers fun daytime classes and private lessons to fit your schedule. Positive Training for Dogs & Their People, Strengthening the Human-Canine Bond In Play & Service. Contact Cheryl Sackmann for information regarding the current class schedule: 425-868-7413 http://www.aireborneagility.com/     csackm@comcast.com