Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/859549
58 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 "We do some interesting things, too. André worked on Ornellaia with Piero Antinori's brother in Italy. When he was invited to see what was happening in Washington, he stumbled onto our project and later introduced us to Piero. It takes a Russian to introduce an Italian to Americans," Baseler smiles. "Now we've got the Col Solare partnership with Antinori, and Eroica Riesling with Dr. Loosen of Germany. These are all part of our history and lore, and Ersnt [Loosen]'s enthusiasm for Riesling is infectious. We changed the style of our Riesling because of Ernst. It became much more mineral- and site-driven; they're beau - tiful wines. The first five vintages of Eroica made Wine Spectator's Top 100 list." Chateau Ste. Michelle was the first Washington winery to collaborate with internationally renowned winemakers. More recently, Baseler has brought together two highly acclaimed French vignerons, Michel Gassier and Philippe Cambie, to partner with Head Winemaker Bob Bertheau on Tenet wines. "Michel had long wanted to partner with us, and Philippe Cambie was in the midst of being recruited to Paso Robles, but he preferred Washington fruit. Our flavor profiles are more in line in with the Southern Rhône, and he's the prince TONYA PITTS, Sommelier & Wine Director, One Market, San Francisco "One Market has been around for 25 years," says Sommelier & Wine Director Tonya Pitts. "We're one of the icons." This 428-seat San Francisco bastion of fine dining, which caters to locals, businesspeople and tourists alike, owes part of its long-term success to its wine program, which restaurant industry veteran Pitts has been directing for ten years. "I love Washington wines," enthuses Pitts, who credits Chateau Ste. Michelle with bringing public consciousness to the state's offerings, which she calls "underrated gems." The exceptionally wide range of the Chateau Ste. Michelle portfolio gives the somm lots of flexibility in designing and updating her list. "What I like about Chateau Ste. Michelle," she says, "is that our list is set up seasonally, so certain brands rotate in and out, some stay on the list." She just added the Chateau Ste. Michelle Artist Series Meritage to her list. Her guests especially associate Ste. Michelle with bang-for-buck values, whether in the dining room, where the circa 500-bottle list is predominately New World, or at Wine & Wall, the restaurant's art gallery/wine shop/ events space next-door, which sells many of the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates imports. ("Even the Italian stuff finds a home," says Pitts.) Her guests love "the value, pricing and deliciousness of these wines." The savvy somm's conclusions: "Washington is a mirror for Old World in the U.S." and Chateau Ste. Michelle's reputation for value is "etched in peoples' minds." When she On- and Off-Premise with Chateau Ste. Michelle and Ste. Michelle Wine Estates JESS BAILES, Owner, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Orlando ABC Fine Wine & Spirits was founded in 1936 by Jack Holloway. Today, Holloway's grandson, Jess Bailes, is in charge of the company and its 128 locations throughout the state. ABC is now the second-largest wine and spirits retailers in the United States, doing in excess of $500 million a year in sales, 29 percent of which is in wine. "I came on in 1978," says Bailes, "and I've been here for nearly 40 years." Bailes started buying for the busy store in 1993 and was introduced to Chateau Ste. Michelle by a couple of the wine company's local representatives. These days, Washington wines are no longer a rarity, thanks largely to Chateau Ste. Michelle and, says Bailes, "The more educated customers know that Washington State wines are known for exceptional value— fabulous wines for under $10 or even $8." He points to one con - crete example: "The Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Riesling is huge in the category." Chateau Ste Michelle and the other brands in the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates portfolio help Bailes tap into today's all-important Millennial market. "Millennials want to know something more," says Bailes, "and they don't want to drink what mom and dad drank." That not only explains the craft beer and craft spirits move - ments but also applies to wine–especially value offerings such as those from Ste. Michelle. "Customers are not necessarily as loyal today as they used to be," says Bailes. "They like to shop around in their price point, if they're shopping for value." Jess Bailes's top-sellers: Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Riesling, Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Merlot Jess Bailes appreciates Chateau Ste. Michelle's reputation for value. PHOTO: JOSH BAILES