Yappy Hour at Harbinger Winery was this past Thursday and it was a blast, and we had a fantastic turnout! Buddy flirted his way through the crowds and collected tips(donations) while kittens were passed around from cat-lovers of all ages. Everyone was laughing and having a great time, and best of all several animals found new homes. It's especially nice to get out and meet with friends during the winter since the sun on the Olympic Peninsula sets so early nowadays and the weather is questionable; will it rain or snow?  Is the road to Hurricane Ridge, in the Olympic National Park going to stay open for the winter?  All topics of conversation throughout the evening.

Menagerie was the wine for the evening and by the end of the night every last bottle of the delicious Washington state Cabernet Franc blend was bought or drank! Even though the charity wine for this year is gone there are still ways to support  the OPHS. The raffle to win a kayak or wine club membership is still going on until Christmas Day. Raffle tickets actually make a super stocking stuffer! Lots of people have bought tickets so far but we still need more. The Krewe at Harbinger, as well as the crew at the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society appreciates all those who attended Yappy Hour and have donated to the efforts of raising money for the cause. Not to mention, all the animals who need homes at the OPHS. Hopefully next year will be even better!

3 Weeks Away!

This time of year is exciting and nerve-racking. Throughout the day you might find yourself suddenly thinking about what to get someone for Christmas. Will they really like the gift you get them?

Harbinger Winery has a plethora of gifts anyone would like. If you know a chocolate-lover we have quite the assortment of delicious chocolate treats such as our dark chocolate covered figs, Vosges, Theo, and Chuao chocolate bars. Taza is a unique chocolate company that makes unprocessed vegan gluten-free chocolate. We have a new flavor in called Spiked Eggnog which tastes amazingly like holiday eggnog.

If you know an outdoorsy person, I would highly recommend the platypus wine bag. It’s a great way to bring an entire bottle of wine while hiking or camping in the Olympic National Park without it weighing you down.

For the animal-lover Harbinger has the Menagerie currently for sale. The proceeds for this Cabernet Franc blend directly benefit the Olympic Peninsula Humane society so you get to drink wine and donate to a good cause!

You probably know someone who likes wine but don’t know what kind they like. Harbinger has gift-cards. Buy them a wine tasting and give em’ a little extra to buy the one they enjoyed the most.

Lastly, if you ever think of something you’ve wanted but can't find anywhere, suggest it to us and maybe you will find it in the store soon.

We at Harbinger find ourselves preparing for the December wine club shipment.  The party is Friday December 6. It’s only 1 week away. There is so much labeling to do. Harbinger labels every bottle by hand, one by one. The new Cabernet Sauvignon has a fantastic label by local artist Todd Fischer.

This year for Black Friday and Small business Saturday Harbinger is offering a new special! Come in on November 29^th and 30^th and spend $100 on wine, get a $20 gift card to use on your next purchase. This is especially beneficial for wine club member who already get a discount on everything in the tasting room. Buying local is important to the Port Angeles community so please make Harbinger one of your local stops when Christmas shopping.

Soon to be released are the new Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. The Syrah is a grape Harbinger has become known for since Harbinger’s Syrahs perform very well in wine competitions. The Cranberry Bliss and Menagerie are currently available until the end of the year. Menagerie, aka “the dog wine,” benefits the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society. We hope to raise lots of money this year! 

 
Getting ready for the June Wine Club Pick-Up Party coming up next Saturday(June 8th). Looks like we'll be serving samples of gourmet pasta, greens, bread sticks and of course lots of wine! Hope everyone can make i!

Harbinger Winery Press Release for Red Wine& Chocolate 2013

February 9,10, 16-18^th

Chocolate Rockets, Blissful Encounters and Wine Confession!

For 2013 Harbinger Winery is aiming for the stars!   Look forward to sampling some out-of-this-world chocolate desserts with new releases and old favorites.  The Red Wine and Chocolate Tour is your ticket to unabashedly celebrate several great things at the same time; the survival of another cold, dark January, and the anticipation of romance, red wine, and just plain fun! 

Get your umami on with the “holy trinity staple sample;” our award winning Dynamo Red with our own chocolate/potato chip invention.  You’ll be singing hallelujah before you know it!  Feel your palate being “expanded” with the newly released 2009 El Jefe’ and atomic crème brulee combination.  Be blasted into another realm as our 2008 Petite Sirah fuels the “chocolate rocket!”  And no pairing is complete without the raspberry bliss, whose sole existence cries chocolate.  Stop by to see how this local favorite transports the taste buds to “Blissville.”

Not enough, you say?  Got something to get off of your chest? Well you can enter our “Confession” room and tell us all about your dirty little “wine secrets” while trying a secret bonus pairing that will leave you inspired to be a better wine drinker.

 All of these unique, handmade chocolates have been lovingly designed to pair exclusively with our wines.  Several new chocolate products will be introduced and celebrated as well.   In addition, Bar Hop Brewing has concocted their annual Venezuelan Chocolate Porter; so rich and flavorful you’ll want to pour it over ice cream!

Harbinger Winery is located just 3 miles west of Port Angeles on HWY 101 West.  The tasting room is open daily for wine tasting, beer tasting, and features a unique and comfortable setting to gather with friends and learn more about the vast subject of wine.  For more information contact the tasting room at 360-452-4262 or visit online at www.harbingerwinery.com.  

 Red Wine and Chocolate Tour tickets are available at any of the participating wineries.  See www.Olympicpeninsulawineries.org for participating wineries and to purchase tickets online.

Harbinger Celebrates June-uary!

June Happenings At Harbinger Winery

Wine Club Pick Up Party!

MARK IT ON YOUR CALENDAR!

June 8th, 5:00-8:00pm 

Start off your weekend with a sampling of what the Salish Sea has to offer; featuring a Super-Sonic Seafood Chowder with locally caught salmon and halibut, scallops and shrimp. And with everyone offering up rhubarb, dessert is a no-brainer! We hope you join us for a true Northwest experience...what more is there? Ok, wine and good friends with which to share the experience! This wine and appetizer affair is exclusive and complimentary for wine club members.

Featured Wine Releases:

2009 Sangiovese

2010 Viognier 

New Dynamo RedThe last of the 2007 Evolution!

It's Time for A Vacation! 

Come out to Kalaloch Lodge for an exciting Culinary and Wine Dinner event featuring 

Harbinger Winery and Chef Ted Arneson.

Menu items

Salad: 

Quiche Lorraine, Raspberry vinaigrette, Spring Mix 

Paired with the 2010 Lemberger Rose 

Pasta: 

Mushroom Ravioli 

Paired with the 2008 Barbera 

Entrée:

Lamb Shank, Broccoli, Herbed Israeli Cous Cous

Paired with the 2008 El Jefe 

Assorted Artesian Cheeses: 

Paired with the 2010 La Pettite Fleur 

Dessert: 

Molasses fig accompaniment

Paired with the 2010 blackberry bliss

Harbinger Cellarmaster Dave Shillington will be on site to talk about the wines 

The Harbinger Winery Weekend is scheduled for June 9, 2012 and the weekend package for two includes:

One or two night stay at Kalaloch Lodge in a Seacrest, Log cabin, or Bluff Cabin

Check in on June 8 for a 2 night stay

Check in on June 9 for a 1 night stay

Five-Course Elegant Dinner with Wine Pairings for two

Harbinger Wine Dinner Menu

Package price starting at $333.00 plus taxes for 1 night and $445.00 plus taxes for 2 nights. 

Check Availability

Raffle to Benefit the Relay for Life

In case you haven't been into the winery recently we are hosting a raffle to raise money for Relay for Life. The raffle will be held at the pick up party on June 8th. Afterwards our own Harbinger hostesses Holly and Regan will go walk for the Relay for Life.

A raffle ticket is only $5 and the prizes are:

A Wine gift basket with 2 bottles of wine, picnic bag, and other goodies valued at $100

and

a Barrel Stave coat rack hand made and donated by Dave himself. The Pick up party on June 8th is for wine club members only so if you're not part of the wine club please buy your tickets in advance(or better yet, join the wine club!).

Surfrider Foundation

Presents:

International Surfing Day!

June 22nd, 

6-9pm at Harbinger Winery

The Surfrider Foundation is a grassroots nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of oceans, waves and beaches through a powerful activist network. To celebrate our global love of surfing the foundation holds an International Surfing Day. This gives everyone the opportunity to learn more about the Surfrider's mission while enjoying food, drink, and other festivities all in name of surfing! International Surfing Day has over 200 venues held in 25 countries! So whether you are in Ghana or Port Angeles you can take part in this event! The cost is $20 which gets you a drink, some great eats, live music by Scott Sullivan and featured artwork by Todd Fischer. Proceeds to benefit the Olympic Surfrider Chapter and your local beaches! Tickets available at Harbinger Winery or see link below:

http://isd.surfrider.org/locations/harbinger-winery/

Chantrelle Bisque

This is a quick, easy soup that takes advantage of our

good fortune of living in one of the most diverse

mushroom habitats in the world. This recipe calls for

chantrelles, but you can substitute any mushroom,

even criminis or portabellos if there are no fresh

shrooms to be found.

Procedure:

In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium

heat. Add onions and cook a couple of

minutes, stirring occasionally. Add roughly

chopped chantrelles and first 1/4 Cup of wine.

(save your best mushroom specimen for the

garnish) Cook for about five minutes stirring

often. Add flour and cook for about 1 minute,

stirring constantly to ensure that everything is

coated evenly.

Add stock and bring to a boil quickly on high

heat. Reduce to medium and simmer for

about a minute while gently stirring. Add

cream, salt,pepper and cayenne, and cook just

below a simmer for about 10 minutes. Add

parsley and 2 Tbsp wine and stir whisk for the

last couple of minutes, and you’re ready to

serve.

Optional: Use Roux to thicken if desired.

What you’ll need

1/4 Stick Butter

1/2 Cup Onion Diced

1 Pound Chantrelles or other mushrooms

1/4 Cup Harbinger 2009 Chardonnay

2 Tbsp Flour

2 Cups Stock (Chicken or Vegetable)

2 Cups Half and half or Heavy Cream

1/2 Tsp Salt

1/4 Tsp White Pepper

1/4 Tsp Cayenne

2 Tbsp ...yep..more Chardonnay

1/4 Cup Finely Chopped Parsley

Varies Roux if desired

Garnish

First a little garnish. Slice that mushroom you saved in about 1/4 inch thick slices. In a dry nonstick pan, sauté slices on one side for about 30 seconds then flip. Cook for about 30 seconds

then add a small amount of butter. Melt butter and coat mushrooms by flipping or carefully stirring.

Add a dash of wine to deglaze and remove from heat. Place gently on top of each bowl.

You may need to thicken the soup a touch to get mushrooms to stay afloat. You can also sprinkle

with a little fresh parsley as well.

Roux Recipe:

Melt 1/8 cup butter in a small saucepan over medium/low heat. Add 1/8 Cup flour and whisk

together with the butter. Consistency should be firm but not too dry. When you add it to the

soup, whisk it vigorously adding a small amount at a time so as not to over-thicken.