Explore Pinot With Our Warehouse District Neighbors
Our unofficial early kick‑off to summer patio sipping is here and we’re toasting the occasion in Woodinville’s famed Warehouse District. Whether you’re a longtime lover of this crisp white or new to its zesty charms, here’s the perfect excuse to explore, taste, and learn something new.
Pinot Grigio 101 — Fast Facts to Impress Your Friends
A rosé‑red relative – Pinot Grigio began life as a mutation of Pinot Noir, which explains its pale gray‑blue skins (and why extended skin contact can give certain bottlings a copper‑pink glow).
Same grape, different passport – Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris are genetically identical. “Grigio” usually signals the bright, citrus‑driven Italian style, while “Gris” often hints at the richer, Alsatian approach.
An American love affair – Italian producers flooded U.S. shelves in the 1970s, and our palates never looked back. Today Pinot Grigio is actually more popular abroad than in Italy itself.
Climate equals character – Cool sites deliver racy acidity and lemon‑lime zip; warmer vineyards push the wine toward melon, peach, and tropical notes.
What’s in a name? – “Pinot” (French for pine cone) describes the tight, pine‑cone‑shaped clusters; “Grigio” means gray in Italian. Together they paint a perfect picture of the grape itself.
Four Walk‑Up Pinot Stops in the Warehouse District You REALLY Can’t Miss
One of the joys of Page Cellars’ Warehouse District location is having world‑class neighbors a few steps away. Stroll around to compare styles and then report back with a late afternoon dish of who’s-who and what’s-what with us at Page!
Winery | Pour to Try | Why We Love It
Warr‑King Wines | 2022 Pinot Gris | Lithe and lime‑zesty—textbook cool‑climate zip.
Story Cellars | 2024 Pinot Gris | Fermented slow & cold for a whisper of pear and white blossom.
Michael Florentino | 2024 Pinot Grigio | Stainless‑steel brilliance; think green apple and Meyer lemon.
LaShellé Wines | 2022 Pinot Noir (WA) | Silk‑textured red fruit—taste the ancestral parent!
All four Pinot’s are within a five‑minute walk of our front patio!
Join the Conversation
Have you sampled any of the Warehouse District Pinots listed above? Snap a pic, tag @PageCellars, and drop your tasting notes with the hashtag #SipWithNeighbors
Support local. Sip local. Celebrate local. There’s a Pinot for every palate!
Quick Wine‑Ed Nuggets
Mutation vs. Cross: Pinot Grigio is a mutation (spontaneous genetic change) of Pinot Noir—not a cross (planned parent‑grape breeding).
Skin Contact: A few extra hours with the grape skins can turn Grigio into Ramato—a copper‑hued Venetian specialty.
Diurnal Shift: Big day‑night temperature swings (common in Washington) build acidity while still ripening sugars—key to balanced whites.
Vocab Builder
Term: Brix Definition: Measure of sugar in grape juice. Use It Like This “We harvested at 22 °Brix for bright acidity.”
Term: Lees Definition: Spent yeast cells left after fermentation. Use It Like This: “A month on the lees gave the wine a creamy mid‑palate.”
Term: pH Definition: Acidity scale (lower = brighter). Use It Like This: “The wine’s pH of 3.2 keeps it mouth‑watering.”
Term: Esters Definition: Aromatic compounds formed during fermentation. Use It Like This: “That pear scent? Thank the fruity esters.”
Term: Phenolics Definition: Flavor/color compounds from skins, seeds, stems. Use It Like This: “Limited phenolic pickup is a lighter style.”
Bonus Trivia for the True Wine Nerds
Emperor Charles IV was already crazy about Pinot Grigio back in the 1300s and had it planted throughout his empire. Trendsetter status unlocked.
Common misconception: Pinot Grigio “has no flavor.” Try one grown in a volcanic site or aged briefly on the lees—you’ll rethink that myth fast.
Perfect food curveball: Sushi, spicy tacos, or even a creamy goat‑cheese tart all cozy up beautifully to the grape’s bright acidity.
Test Your Knowledge
True or False: Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris are different grape varieties.
Fill in the Blank: A cool site with a large _________ shift helps Pinot Grigio retain high acidity.
Short Answer: Name three foods that pair surprisingly well with your favorite Pinot.
Multiple Choice: Which winemaking step most influences a Ramato style?
A. Whole‑cluster pressing B. Extended skin contact C. Early bottling
Post your answers in the comments or during your next visit—ace the quiz and we’ll pour you a bonus splash!
Explore the Pinot Trail
Start your weekend with a stroll around the Warehouse District to visit Pinot’s from Warr‑King, Story, Michael Florentino, and LaShellé to compare Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir styles—all within shouting distance! End the afternoon with a tasting flight at Page Cellars and let us know how it went! Every stop you make supports an owner‑operated winery and keeps our Warehouse District thriving.
Why It Matters
By tasting, shopping, and laughing with us, you:
Champion small business – Every dollar stays right here in Woodinville.
Promote wine education – Side‑by‑side Pinot flights turn casual sippers into informed enthusiasts.
Strengthen our industry – A vibrant, collaborative district attracts wine lovers from across the region.
Come sip, shop, laugh, and learn—and raise a glass to supporting local!