Space still available for Frankie’s Wine Blending Party at Icon Cellars – May 23

If you haven’t already signed up, you should consider coming to this very special Food and Wine event.  Frankie’s Pizza and Pasta, and our good friends at Icon Cellars will be hosting our Second Annual Wine Blending Party, to be held at the winery in Carnation, on Thursday, May 23rd, beginning at 6:30 pm.

Frankie has been working alongside Jim Garner, owner and winemaker of Icon Cellars, in creating a special House Red wine for the restaurant, a “Super Tuscan” style blend; made of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and a touch of Syrah.  The first vintage (which some of you helped to blend) is nearly ready to bottle.  The blending party was such a huge success that we decided to do it again this year.

We’ll begin the evening with a casual reception of antipasti, grilled pizzas, and barrel tastings of Icon Cellars fabulous wines, including last year’s blend.  Then, after Jim conducts a brief training in blending wine, we’ll turn you loose to create your own blend.  At the end of the night each couple will go home with a bottle of their own making; but not before celebrating with a little homemade Limoncello and light dessert.

Cost of participation is $48 per person, plus tax, pre-paid.  Tickets are available through Frankie’s.  Space is limited, so we suggest that you purchase your tickets ASAP.

If it is inconvenient for you to stop by the restaurant to purchase your tickets, you may contact us with the names of the attendees and your credit card information at (425) 883-8407.  If you do so, please speak to a manager.

We look forward to seeing many of you there!

Icon Cellars shares space with Pleasant Hill Winery located at 32305 NE 8th St., Carnation, WA 98014 The wineries are located just south of Carnation, off of the Carnation-Fall City Rd (Hwy. 203 N.).  Directions may be found at http://pleasanthillcellars.com/Directions.html

Tuscan Tuesdays and a two new benefits for Wine Club Members

Tuscan Tuesdays:

We are beginning a new wine promotion on Tuesday evenings.  Receive a $10 discount on any bottle of Tuscan Wine after 4:00 pm with a food purchase totaling $20 or more.

Two new Wine Club Benefits:

We wanted to make your Frankie’s Wine Club membership even more valuable, so we’ve added two new benefits…

First, Wine Club members will receive a $5 discount on any bottle of wine purchased while dining at Frankie’s (close-out wines excluded, and may not be combined with any other wine discount).  All you need to do is let your server know that you are a member.

Secondly, members will receive complimentary corkage on any bottles of personal wine consumed at the restaurant.  This includes your Wine Club releases as well as any wines from your home collection.

All you need to do is let your server know that you are a member.

Hope you enjoy.  Buon appetito! 

Italian Wine Dinner coming! Mark your calendars for November 13th.

Yes, I am excited to announce the we have just scheduled our next Italian Wine Dinner for November 13, 2012.  More details to come and registration will open on October 17th.

A Wine Club change: No more Riserva level

I am sorry to inform you that I have decided to cancel the Riserva level of our Frankie’s Wine Club. This will take effect immediately.

I had thought about making this last year, after the recession had taken it’s toll on the high end, Riserva club level. At the time, we lowered the price. But neither that, nor the recovering economy, has helped (though the other two club levels are thriving!). It has simply come down to inadequate return for the time invested in finding the right wines and writing newsletter articles.

So from now on we will have just two club levels; the Top Value and Smart Buy levels.

We have attempted to contact those of you in the Riserva level of the club. If this is the first you’ve heard of this I apologize. Of course we would love to keep you as Wine Club members, and hope you will consider switching to one of the other club levels.

Ciao, ciao!  Frankie

Frankie’s Wine Project Part II

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Last Friday, I traveled to eastern Washington once again with my friend, Jim Garner of Icon Cellars.  If you read my last post, you will know that Jim and I are planning to make a Super-Tuscan style wine to serve at Frankie’s Pizza and Pasta.  It will be a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.  The wine will have a Frankie’s label on the front, with the Icon Cellars lable on the back.

On this trip we harvested the Sangiovese (as well as some Mouverdre for Jim), and trailered it back.  We arrived at dawn Elephant Mountain vineyard at dawn. It was a frigid but beautiful morning.

On that Saturday, my wife Rhonda and granddaughter Teddy, came along with me to the winery for crush.  Jim shares winery space at Pleasant Valley Vineyards in Carnation.  It is a beautiful place!  Enjoy the slides.

Frankie’s Wine Project

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Recently, I started an exciting new project with my friend, Jim Garner, owner of Icon Cellars. Together we’re planning to make a Super-Tuscan style wine to serve at Frankie’s Pizza and Pasta.  It will likely be a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.  The wine will have a Frankie’s label on the front, with the Icon Cellars lable on the back. 

Jim has asked me to be involved in every aspect of the project… harvesting grapes, crush, and blending the grapes.  I am very excited!  I know I will learn a lot and I really enjoy working with Jim.

 A few weeks ago we visited the vineyards, owned by Hattrup Farms.  This prime vineyard, known as Elephant Mountain, is located in the Rattlesnake Hills area of Yakima Valley AVA, and is managed by Denis Gayti.  Dennis is another guy I am really enjoying to work with.  He is of French heritage and recently returned from six years in Languedoc, France, where his aunt is mayor of a small town.  Dennis managed vineyards during these years.

So keep an eye out for more updates as the project progresses.