Waterfront Seafood Grill’s Chris Sparkman Named ‘Sommelier of the Year’ by Seattle Magazine

Talented Team at Waterfront Restaurant Takes Two Top Wine Titles

SEATTLE, Wash.—(April 28, 2011)— Waterfront Seafood Grill’s Chris Sparkman has added another honor to his lengthy résumé: The restaurant’s longtime general manager was named ‘Sommelier of the Year’ by Seattle Magazine (“Best Washington State Wines of 2011,” an article singling out distinguished wines and luminaries). Sparkman joins Waterfront’s Director of Wine, Kristin Young, who was given the same distinction at the recent Washington Wine Restaurant Awards for the Washington State Wine Commission.

To say Chris Sparkman’s life revolves around wine would be quite an understatement. Prior to relocating to the Northwest and joining Waterfront Seafood Grill, he served as sommelier and wine buyer in dining rooms across the country, including tenure at such esteemed restaurants as Commander’s Palace (New Orleans), Michael’s (Santa Monica) and Todd English’s Olives (Washington, D.C.). In the eight years he led Waterfront as G.M., he made wine enjoyment and education his mission, not only for guests but for the more than two-dozen staff he guided to first-level sommelier status or higher.

Sparkman was recently promoted from his G.M. position and now holds a special position as Wine Syndicate Director for Waterfront Seafood Grill and the four El Gaucho locations, overseeing all wine programs for Mackay Restaurants. Additionally, he and his wife, Kelly, are the founders of Sparkman Cellars, which has been going strong since 2004. The acclaimed winery located in Woodinville, Washington has yielded numerous highly rated, award-winning vintages.

“We are thrilled to have not one but two ‘Sommelier of the Year’ award-winners in our Waterfront family,” says Chad Mackay, COO of Mackay Restaurants. “It’s always been clear that Chris’s extensive wine knowledge has been an incredible asset, but this award is really a great testament to his boundless passion for wine and dedication to Washington wines in particular.”

Open since 2000, Waterfront Seafood Grill, located on Pier 70 in Seattle, features outstanding fresh seafood accompanied by sweeping views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains. Winner of the Washington State Wine Commission Restaurant of the Year, the restaurant is open Sunday - Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m., bar open 4 p.m. until close; Friday - Saturday, 5 to 11 p.m., bar open 4 p.m. until close. Follow us on Twitter at @Waterfront70.

Follow Waterfront Seafood Grill Online

Website: www.waterfrontpier70.com | www.mackayrestaurants.com

Twitter: @Waterfront70

Facebook: Waterfront Seafood Grill

#     #     #

Waterfront Seafood Grill’s Kristen Young Named ‘Sommelier of the Year’ in 2011 Washington Wine Restaurant Awards

Wine Director Becomes First Woman to Receive the Distinction in Awards’ Nine-Year History; Waterfront Seafood Grill Wins Grand Award

Upcoming Spring Events Led by Kristen Young at Waterfront Seafood Grill

April 21 and May 29

SEATTLE, Wash.—(April 4, 2011)— “Outstanding wine knowledge and unbridled professionalism.” These are the apt words used by the Washington Wine Commission to describe Kristen Young, Director of Wine at Waterfront Seafood Grill (http://www.waterfrontpier70.com), whom the organization named Sommelier of the Year on March 25—the first female winner of the prestigious honor.

“Kristen's genuine love of wine and tremendous knowledge is exhibited by her passion for making sure each guest's experience at Waterfront Seafood Grill is enhanced by a perfect pairing or by encouraging them to try something new,” says Sivi Mennen, Waterfront’s General Manager.

Fittingly, the award was presented by Chris Sparkman, of Sparkman Cellars. Sparkman served as General Manager of Waterfront Seafood Grill from 2003 until 2010: He gained sommelier status in 2004, and over the years, he has lead dozens of staff members of his Waterfront team to sommelier certification. Sparkman currently holds a special position as Wine Syndicate Director to Mackay Restaurants (http://www.mackayrestaurants.com).

Kristen Young moved to Seattle from Ohio in 2001. After honing her passion for fine food and wine at such prominent dining destinations as Campagne and Nell’s, she opened Tilth with James Beard award-winning chef Maria Hines, overseeing the innovative restaurant’s wine program and front-of-house operations.

Kristen joined the expert staff at Waterfront Seafood Grill in 2006 and holds oenophilic accreditations from the Court of Master Sommeliers and International Sommelier Guild, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from The University of Toledo. Kristen will serve as a judge in the 2011 Seattle Wine Awards in mid-April and the International Pinot Noir Celebration in McMinnville, Oregon this summer.

Passionate about educating palates and nurturing emerging wine lovers, Young conducts a range of “Wine Boot Camp” classes at the restaurant, such as the popular “Sparkling Wine 101,” most recently held shortly before Valentine’s Day and promoted on FOX affiliate Q13.

Kristen was not the only big Pier 70 winner in this year’s awards: Waterfront Seafood Grill itself was given a Washington Wine Grand Award, an honor commending outstanding restaurants that devote space on their menus to Washington wines. Restaurants are evaluated on criteria including the wine list, staffing and service, special promotions and overall wine philosophy.

Upcoming spring events led by Kristen Young at Waterfront Seafood Grill include:

April 21, Thursday: Vineyard Dinner with Jerry Bookwalter of Stillwater Creek, $95 per person. Five courses with paired wines, including Sparkman Cellars’ ‘Lumiere’ Chardonnay (2009) and Baer ‘Ursa’ (2008).

May 29, Sunday: “Beer vs. Wine,” with Charles Finkel of Pike Brewing and Waterfront Sommelier Kristen Young, $95 per person. Five courses created by Chef Peter Levine, each paired with beers chosen by Charles and wines chosen by Kristen. Which is the better pairing? You decide!

Reservations for the events can be made by calling Waterfront Seafood Grill at (206) 956.9171.

Open since 2000, Waterfront Seafood Grill, located on Pier 70 in Seattle, features outstanding fresh seafood accompanied by sweeping views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains. Winner of the Washington State Wine Commission Restaurant of the Year, the restaurant is open Sunday - Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m., bar open 4 p.m. until close; Friday - Saturday, 5 to 11 p.m., bar open 4 p.m. until close. Follow us on Twitter at @Waterfront70.

Follow Waterfront Seafood Grill Online

Website: www.waterfrontpier70.com | www.mackayrestaurants.com

Twitter: @Waterfront70

Facebook: Waterfront Seafood Grill

#     #     #

Waterfront Seafood Grill's Kristen Young Offers 6 Tips for Seattle Wine Awards Grand Tasting

Kristen Young, Director of Wine at Waterfront Seafood Grill, was asked by Wine and Beer of Washington State to give 6 Tips for the Seattle Wine Awards Grand Tasting this Sunday. Check out her tips here.

www.waterfrontpier70.com

El Gaucho, Melting Pot, and Sip. Awarded in South Sound Magazine!

Congratulations to El Gaucho Tacoma, Melting Pot Tacoma and Sip. Gig Harbor for being voted "Best of the South Sound" in South Sound Magazine!

• Best Steak, Best Service, Best Private Dining - El Gaucho


• Best Dessert - The Melting Pot


• Best Wine Selection - Sip. Wine Bar

Read the article online here

Thanks to all the readers who voted!

Follow El Gaucho Online
Website: http://www.elgaucho.com/
Twitter: @ElGauchoSteak

Follow Sip. Online:
Website: http://siprestaurant.com/
Twitter: @SipWineBar
Facebook: Sip Wine Bar

Washington Wine Restaurant Awards - March 26, 2010

Held March 26, the 2010 Washington Wine Restaurant Awards celebrated restaurants who have shown a dedication and commitment to the Washington wine industry!

Waterfront Seafood Grill and Sip. at the wine bar & restaurant both won Washington Wine Awards of Distinction, while Wines of Substance and Olsen Estates poured their award-winning wines at the event.

First we talk to Chris Sparkman (General Manager of Waterfront Seafood Grill) and Karen Lawler (Director of Marketing for Sip. at the wine bar & restaurant) about why their restaurant's wine lists are unique and what wine events they have coming up! Then, we chat with Christa Hilt from Wines of Substance and Robert Johnson from Olsen Estates about what make their wines unique and what winery events we can look forward to!

Otis Kenyon Wine Receives Two Silver Medals at San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

Congratulations to Otis Kenyon Wine for receiving two silver medals at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition! The 2007 Matchless Red Wine and 2007 Carmenere were the featured winning wines!

2007 Matchless Red Wine - $23
Wine Enthusiast Rating: 87
"The 2007 Matchless Red Wine has a Tuesday night bottle price, but you'll end up pulling it out for the Saturday evening wine tasting group too"

2007 Carmenere -$36
Wine Enthusiast Rating: 90
"After the bottle opens, nuances of smoky bacon, cranberry and stewed fruit come to the surface, never letting that pepper stray too far away"

For more information about Otis Kenyon Wine:
www.otiskenyonwine.com | @otiskenyonwine

For more information about the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition:
www.winejudging.com

Wines of Substance Named As "Hot Small Brand" by Wine Business Monthly

Wines of Substance Named
As “Hot Small Brand” by Wine Business Monthly

Hip, Innovative Winery Focuses on Single Varietals and Education

WALLA WALLA, Wash. (February 18, 2010) —Wines of Substance has been singled out by Wine Business Monthly (www.winebusiness.com) as number two among “Hot Small Brands” for 2009. Since the inception of this annual ranking, the Top 10 Hot Small Brands list recognizes up-and-coming wineries with annual case production under 150,000.

Writes Cyril Penn in the February 2010 edition of the magazine, “We gravitate toward wineries and brands that represent market trends or innovation, that take a leadership position in their regions, or that make unusual varietals or unexpected wines.” The effect of intelligent marketing on measured growth is a significant part of the evaluation and selection process, but, as Penn notes, “These wines need to pass the taste test.”

Substance was created as a joint venture between Waters Winery (www.waterswinery.com) and Gramercy Cellars (www.gramercycellars.com) to produce a line-up of fun, affordable wines that showcase the style, quality, breadth and distinction of varietals grown and produced in Washington State. “Our goal is to capture the palates of budding oenophiles and the imaginations of experienced wine drinkers alike by focusing on the essence of each unique varietal. Most wines today are made from blending numerous varietals so people really never get to experience the truest expression of the fruit. A winemaker can blend 25 percent of Syrah with Cabernet Sauvignon and still call it Cabernet Sauvignon on the label. Our aim is to alleviate the confusion, intimidation and price factors that keep potential wine enthusiasts at bay,” says Founder and Managing Partner Jason Huntley.

This isn’t the first time the spotlight has been directed on Wines of Substance. Regularly recognized for its innovation and design savvy, Seattle Magazine gave Substance the “Coolest wine label“ nod, and their Periodic Table of Washington Wines website, which reinforces the brand’s educational approach, won the American Graphic Design Award in Graphic Design USA magazine. The 2007 Syrah was also named by Seattle Magazine as a “Top Wine Under $20” and was featured in the January 2009 edition of Wired Magazine in the Playlist.

Not only have Wines of Substance shown leadership through their forward-thinking approach to wine and wine education, but they are committed to supporting causes that have a significant ongoing impact towards social awareness.

For more information on Substance, visit http://www.winesofsubstance.com/.

# # #

Media Contact: Andrea Courtney
Randall PR / (206) 624-5757