Award-winning wine programs

The 12th annual Washington State Wine Awards recently honored three Spokane-area establishments with Awards of Distinction.

The Connoisseur’s Club at the Lincoln Center, Churchill’s Steakhouse and Masselow’s Restaurant at Northern Quest Resort and Casino were recognized for playing vital roles in building momentum for Washington wines.

Award criteria included continuing wine education for staff and guests, offering an innovative wine list, providing a wine training program for staff and hosting wine-themed events.

Awards were presented during a ceremony and tasting gala in Seattle in January.  

Washington State Wine, a government agency established in 1987, represents every licensed winery and wine grape grower in Washington state.

For more information, visit www.washington wine.org.

More wine awards

Barrister Winery won a gold medal at the 2014 American Fine Wines Competition for its 2011 Walla Walla Valley Merlot.

Three more of its wines – a 2010 Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, 2010 Bacchus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and 2010 Cabernet Franc – were awarded silver medals.

More than 750 American wines were entered in this year’s competition, held in Boca Raton, Fla.

Barrister, owned by attorneys Greg Lipsker and Michael White, produces small quantities of red wines. Most are sold through a mailing list or at the downtown Spokane tasting room. A limited amount is available in select restaurants and wine shops in Spokane and Seattle.

For more information, visit www.barristerwinery. com or call (509) 465-3591

The art of butchery

Watch chef Peter Tobin break down a lamb and learn about a variety of cuts of meat during this newly added class at INCA After Dark.

The Spokane Community College program offers evening and weekend cooking classes taught by top regional chefs. This session is geared toward farmers and ranchers, but home cooks who want to learn about butchery are welcome. There will be opportunity for hands-on experience during the class, which runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and costs $65.

Register online at incaafterdark.scc. spokane.edu or by calling (509) 279-6030 or (800) 248-5644, ext. 6030. For more information, call program coordinator Patty Seebeck at (509) 533-8141.