ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Adventuring into Fine Wines: Our latest club selections

As the crisp autumn air settles in, our Adventurer Club is excited to present two exceptional wines that showcase the diversity and quality of American winemaking. This month, we're featuring the Latta Latta GSM from Washington State and the Whitehall Lane Pinot Noir from California's Petaluma Gap. Both selections hold a special place in our hearts and exemplify the artistry of their respective regions. 

For many wine enthusiasts, there's often a pivotal moment that marks the transition from casual appreciation to passionate exploration. For us, that moment came with Latta Wines. As the first wine club we ever joined, Latta holds a significant place in our journey. The tasting experiences at their Seattle SoDo Wine District location were nothing short of transformative, opening our eyes to the world of "finer drinking" beyond grocery store selections. 

Founded in 2011 by Andrew Latta, this boutique winery has quickly made a name for itself in Washington's wine scene. Latta's background is as intriguing as his wines — from bussing tables in Kentucky to directing a prestigious wine program in Thailand, his path to winemaking was paved with a deep understanding of how wine connects with people. 

The 2019 Latta Latta GSM blend is a testament to the winery's commitment to showcasing uncommon varietals from unique Washington vineyards. Composed of 61% Grenache, 19% Mourvèdre, and 20% Syrah, this Rhône-style blend has garnered critical acclaim, scoring 92 points from both Vinous and James Suckling. 

The wine offers a complex bouquet of black cherry, black pepper, and intriguing mineral notes. On the palate, it presents a harmonious balance of red fruits, garrigue, and gamey depth, supported by a framework of polished tannins and bright acidity. With only 617 cases produced, this limited-production gem exemplifies the artisanal approach that drew us to Latta in the first place. 

Our second selection takes us to the historic Napa Valley, where Whitehall Lane has been crafting exceptional wines since 1979. This family-owned winery, nestled in the Rutherford appellation, has consistently earned accolades for its world-class wines, including multiple top-five rankings in Wine Spectator's year-end lists. 

While Whitehall Lane is renowned for its Napa Valley offerings, our featured wine showcases their venture into Sonoma's Petaluma Gap. The Pinot Noir from Sonoma Stage Vineyard is a beautiful expression of this unique terroir, known for its cooling fog and persistent winds that create ideal conditions for Pinot Noir. 

The vineyard itself has a fascinating history, transitioning from an equestrian farm to cattle grazing land before finding its true calling as a premium grape-growing site. Planted in 1999 with coveted "suitcase" clones of Pinot Noir, reportedly smuggled from Burgundy's finest vineyards, Sonoma Stage Vineyard produces grapes of exceptional quality. 

Whitehall Lane's 2020 Pinot Noir from this site is a sensory delight. The nose offers layers of fresh cranberries, blood orange zest, wild strawberries, and a hint of toasted walnuts. The palate bursts with bright acidity, intermingling flavors of pomegranate, strawberry preserves, wild game, and rhubarb, all underscored by notes of toasted brioche. The wine's textured, round mouthfeel and long, structured finish make it a standout selection. 

These two wines are just a taste of what our Adventurer Club has to offer. We invite you to join us in exploring the vast and exciting world of fine wines. Our upcoming events promise even more opportunities to expand your palate: 

On Oct. 19 we’ve got a fun pop-up Wine Dinner featuring elevated childhood eats as we celebrate our one-year anniversary of owning Base Camp Wine & Co. Oct. 24 offers wine tasting with Champagne Baron-Fuenté, including a special guest from the winery hailing all the way from France. Nov. 8 we have another exciting pop-up Wine Dinner showcasing Justin Winery's amazing lineup along with a special winery guest. On December 4th we’ll enjoy another wine tasting with Bookwalter Wines, one of our local favorites, and we’ll conclude the 2024 year with a Dec. 5 pop-up Wine Dinner with Canvasback Winery's head winemaker, Joseph Czarny.  

To RSVP for these events and learn more about our wine club, visit our website at basecampwine.com. Whether you're a seasoned oenophile or just beginning your wine journey, there's always something new to discover in every glass. Cheers to adventure!

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Laura Olson is co-owner of Base Camp Wine & Co. (formerly The Dinner Party) along with her partner, Joe Petersen. You can also follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/#!/dinnerpartyshop or visit www.basecampwine.com.