William Pollard Jr | aka: Wild 4 Washington Wine

When I bought this bottle at Costco, I did not realize that this wine was made by Chris Gorman of Gorman Winery and Mark Ryan McNeilly of Mark Ryan Winery . After a little research, I learned that the 2010 ghost in the machine is part of a collaborative wine project now named The Giant Wine Company .  Chris and Marks goal? To produce reasonably priced wines for newer wine drinkers. In a word “accessible” wines. I've met Mark a couple of times, the first time was last year at Revelry on Red Mountain and the second was earlier this year at Taste Washington Seattle . He's tall of stature, friendly, a winemaker who's earned many accolades. Once you taste his wines, you'll understand why they are so highly sought-after. I have not had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Gorman, he's now on my list. I suggest you buy this red wine. It will be the most affordable Mark Ryan/Chris Gorman wine you will ever find. It's also very good.  Photo: the ghost in the machine C...

Taste Washington! Recommended Wines. * 4th runner up my 5th favorite winery at Taste Washington! 2012. Mark Ryan McNeilly founded Mark Ryan Winery in 1999 with the goal of making the best wines in Washington State. Largely self-taught, Mark honed the craft of winemaking through rigorous study and the welcomed advice of some of the area's most experienced producers. He settled in Woodinville, WA  in 2003. Mike MacMorran, began his career at Mark Ryan Winery in June of 2008 as Assistant Winemaker, and officially ditched the title of ‘assistant’ and became the winery’s head Winemaker one year later in 2009. Mark and Mike work together to craft outstanding wines. Mark Ryan McNeilly Owner/Winemaker. Mark Ryan McNeilly pouring at Taste Washington! 2012. My first experience meeting Mark, was last year at Revelry on Red Mountain . He was pouring his 2007 “Wild Eyed” Red Mountain Syrah – it was tremendous. Tall of stature, friendly, a winemaker who's  earned many accol...

Guests arriving for Revelry on Red Mountain. My wife and I were at Col Solare Winery last Saturday for our first  Revelry on Red Mountain , a fund raising event for Seattle Children’s Hospital . In 2010, Seattle Children's provided a record $102 million to service nearly 100,000 patients in uncompensated care alone. The Auction of Washington Wines is responsible for organizing this fundraising event and several more later this year.  Wendi Warner - Col Solare Guest Services Manager. Wendi Warner of Col Solare Winery was the perfect hostess and choreographer. There was a stunning array of Washington wines and a procession of food from Chef Magaña’s kitchen . We were also blessed with perfect outdoor weather; this year has been much cooler and wetter than normal, sunny days have been few. A beautiful afternoon became a beautiful evening.