Raising a glass: Beaumont Cellars celebrates release of summer wine

QUINCY — Beaumont Cellars Winery cleared off its crush pad, where it crushes and presses grapes, making room for a dining experience Friday outside its Quincy tasting room for the release of its summer wines.

The rustic Quincy tasting room at 8634 Road U NW, surrounded by 120 acres of grapevines, is a working winery and a warehouse, and where it all began.

Owner Pete Beaumont uncorked his 2020 pinot grigio, a sweeter crush pad blend, Mother’s Day Rosé and two chardonnays – one aged in oak barrels and the other not – beneath acoustic tunes and the setting Friday sun.

Wenatchee music duo End of the Line played soulful melodies sitting somewhere between rock and country, while Beaumont meandered about, chatting and pouring wine.

For manager Christie Gilbert, it’s one of her favorite events of the year, she said. It’s a great opportunity for Beaumont to talk about his wines in a casual way and for wine lovers to really get to know him.

It’s just the start, too. Saturday launched the winery’s first market of the season, where folks drifted through a line of vendors of jewelry, gifts, wine barrel creations and more, glass in hand.

It gives people something to do while they come and drink wine, Gilbert said. Small Business Saturdays will continue every third Saturday through the summer.

It doesn’t stop there, either. After a night of good sleep, patrons can reserve a spot at the Sunday brunch and get a charcuterie board of pancakes, French toast, waffles, eggs, bacon, berries, bananas and more.

The launch has gone well, Beaumont said. He’s been keeping busy.

“With this COVID thing, we’re lucky we’ve got space, so we can spread out and put on events,” he said. “We found that people were really starving for something to do.”

Sam Fletcher can be reached via email at sfletcher@columbiabasinherald.com.