“So keep on rocking me, baby…Keep on a rocking me, baby” crooned Steve Miller as I stood on the lawn of Chateau Ste. Michelle winery a few weeks ago, awkwardly gyrating my body, glass of Merlot in hand.
An *cough* older gentleman sidled up next to me with holding a glass of Riesling. I fully expected him to ask my friend Clare if I was having a seizure but instead, he leaned in and asked, “Does this do anything for you?”
The wine? You’re darn right it does. The Chateau Ste. Michelle Cold Creek Merlot comes from one of the more exceptional vineyards in the Columbia Valley of Washington and is delicious. Then it hit me. He was talking about the music! Sure, the Steve Miller Band stopped recording new music before I was born, but like the rest of my generation I recall with fondness the vintage US Postal Service commercials featuring Miller’s hit “Fly Like an Eagle”. I was at a winery, on a gorgeous sunny evening, sipping some wine and listening to a rock legend, a short 20 miles from Seattle proper – of COURSE it did something for me.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, “The Chateau”, located in Woodinville is Washington’s oldest winery and home of the renowned Summer Concert Series since 1984. Hosted on the lawn of the gorgeous estate, imagine walking into the tasting room, selecting your favorite bottle of Chateau wine, and being serenaded by the likes of Chris Isaak, Peter Frampton, Pink Martini, or Ani DiFranco. You don’t have to imagine too hard because that’s exactly what you can do at the Chateau all summer long. An intimate venue, the Chateau makes for an excellent concert venue and add some phenomenal local wine and a magical evening is in the making.
Did I mention it’s for charity? No? According to the winery, the annual concert series is offered
as an expression of community involvement and support of the arts. Net proceeds from the concert series support our charitable contributions program of long-standing philanthropic partnerships with many local and national charitable organizations.Not only can you drink and rock, you can feel good about supporting charity along the way!
So, if you’re looking for that perfect evening between now and September 10, 2011 (the end of the concert season), check out a show at the Chateau. For that matter, check out the wine while you’re at it. I realize the lineup isn’t the most edgy in the world, however, I thoroughly enjoyed my 70’s rock experience and I have it on good authority that concert management has some fresher acts in their sights for the future.
Managing Editor Josh Gana also covers wine for Seattle Pulp, part of the KOMO News Network. This article was originally published there.
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