02/09/2007: "Lakedale Resort To Offer Weekly Wine Tasting Events"

By Ann Thomas Templeton

Lakedale Resort at Three Lakes will be offering the first public wine tasting event on February 10th from 4-6 p.m. Importer of French wines and national distributor, Frank Vavaro, and 120 Nichols, a local French restaurant, will host the event.

The tasting fee is five dollars per person. A credit of five dollars will be applied for any two or more bottles purchased. Varieties of Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Vino Bello, and Bordeaux Blend are the featured wines. Vineyards specializing in small batches make this selection unique. All wines offered each week are limited in supply and availability.

The resort offers the comforts of home with a rock stone fireplace, cozy chairs, and wooden deck overlooking relaxing views of the lake. "The ambiance of our lobby is like entering a living room," said Michael Cawdrey, new general manager of Lakedale Resort at Three Lakes. Locals and guests from around the globe can gather for a glass of wine, food, and conversation every Saturday evening throughout the year.

Lakedale is a gathering place for all people. Families can come and enjoy the peaceful eighty-two acres surrounded by three fresh water lakes. Swimming, fishing, canoeing, and hiking are the many outdoor activities offered in the spring and summer months. Couples can relax and enjoy the flavors of a Syrah, Sauternes, or Burgundy before enjoying a dinner served at one of the many fine dining restaurants on San Juan. In addition to Saturday tasting events, plans for a wine bar will be revealed in March.

Cawdrey spent the last twenty-four years in management at five star hotels in Washington, California, and Hawaii. In addition to his hotel experience, he was Senior Wine Educator for Columbia Winery in Woodinville.

His passion for good wine led him to educating people's palettes. He draws from flavors of old world wines and foods. Cawdrey believes in preserving the terroir. "The water, sun, slope of the land, and soil define the uniquie tastes of wines grown from specific regions of a country," he said.

Fine wines develop over time. "For centuries, France has been regarded as the par excellence of high quality," wrote Joanna Smith, author of Discovering Wine.

The term, "globalization," is a controversial topic in the wine making business.
"The American palette has dominated the industry for the last several decades," said Cawdrey. Old world wines developed over centuries must learn to compete in the New World market. Critics explain the loss of culture, diversity, and variety as they strive to taste similar to their competitors.

Putting aside such politics, Cawdrey desires to provide a casual setting for farmers, business owners, artists, pilots, travelers, and the like. Too often one forgets to savor the simplicity of a conversation. Too often food is fuel for fast pace lifestyles. Wine is a vehicle for sharing stories and uniting exquisite tastes of far away lands. Lakedale serves as a venue for slowing down and enjoying good wine, good food, and gatherings with good friends.