Incredible wine, especially Pacific Northwest wine has been a cornerstone of Ray’s menus and identity for nearly all of our existence. Our partnerships go back decades to when many of the wineries you know and love today were just getting started.
We couldn’t celebrate 50 years of Ray’s without a lineup of collaborations celebrating some of our wine industry icons, as well as champion an incredible newcomer, as we’ve always strived to do.
Read on for more details and tasting notes about each wine! And a special shout out to our two Washington wines below during Washington Wine Month.
Cheers!
Douglas Zellers, GM & Co-owner
2022 L’Ecole No 41 “Ray’s Boathouse 50th Anniversary” Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, WA
Ray’s Boathouse and L’Ecole N° 41 are two of the most acclaimed leaders in their respective fields. With their shared passion for creating world-class food and wine experiences for their customers, they crafted this classic Washington State Chardonnay as a timeless pairing for the inspired flavors of Ray’s Pacific Northwest cuisine. This label celebrates the 50th anniversary of Ray’s Boathouse and their iconic identity, alongside the 40th anniversary of L’Ecole N° 41 and their recognition as one of Washington State’s most esteemed wineries.
Tasting notes:
This food-friendly Chardonnay was handcrafted from select barrels, especially for Ray’s Boathouse by L’Ecole N° 41. With fresh and vibrant aromas of fresh pear, melon, green apple, white peach, and spiced Meyer lemon, this lively wine features flavors of stone fruit, citrus, and hints of brioche leading to a balanced and crisp finish.
2022 Gorgiste “Rays Boathouse 50th Anniversary” Gamay Noir Rosé, Rainmaker Vineyard, Columbia Gorge, WA
As Ray’s Boathouse Celebrates its 50th vintage, Gorgiste is celebrating its first. Both seek to capture the essence of the Pacific Northwest at its best. As a timeless icon, Ray’s has set a high bar for us all with its commitment to fresh, local ingredients. Ray’s has been a keystone in the development of what is known as “Pacific Northwest Cuisine.” Gorgiste’s roots run deep in the PNW restaurant and wine culture through its winemaker, owner, and sommelier, Jeff Lindsay-Thorsen. Jeff has sought out vineyards that, like Ray’s, capture the heart and soul of this dynamic region. This rosé of Gamay Noir is from the Rainmaker Vineyard in Washington’s western Columbia Gorge AVA. In your glass, it’s like a cool breeze on a hot summer day, pairing seamlessly with the culinary bounty of our unique corner of the world.
We love Beaujolais and its unsung hero Beaujolais rosé. The grape of Beaujolais, Gamay Noir, can be a chameleon depending on where it is grown and the intent of the winemaker. It has the potential to be a cellar-worthy vin de garde or a simple porch pounder. As a rosé, it has the ability to transmit the minerality of the place it is grown with incredible clarity. By quickly pressing the whole bunches, not concerning ourselves with color, and fermenting in stainless steel we have shed the overt fruit and focused on the piercing acidity and a crunchy mineral profile we don’t often find in new world rosé.
Tasting Notes:
This Gamay Noir Rosé from the Rainmaker Vineyard in the Columbia Gorge AVA is a delightful and playful expression of the varietal. On the nose, the wine exhibits subtle mineral undertones intertwined with vibrant red fruit aromas. On the palate, it is light to medium body, with bright acidity that brings a refreshing crispness to each sip. The Gamay Noir grapes shine through, showcasing flavors of fresh red berries, particularly tart raspberries, and cranberries. There’s a playful zestiness to the wine, with a hint of citrus that adds a lively twist. This is the rosé you want to crush on a patio while slurping ice-cold oysters and basking in the summer sun
2022 Willamette Valley Vineyards “Rays Boathouse 50th Anniversary” Whole Cluster Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, OR
Ray’s Boathouse and Willamette Valley Vineyards, two leaders in their fields share a passion to showcase the world-class flavors of the Pacific Northwest. Both championed an innovative culinary idea, that Pacific Salmon and Oregon Pinot Noir made the ideal pairing, and that red wine could be served with fish. After a visit by Julia Child to Ray’s Boathouse, the idea caught on, and is now the backbone of Cascadian Cuisine. This label celebrates the 50th anniversary of Ray’s Boathouse alongside the 40th anniversary of Willamette Valley Vineyards and their contributions to the region’s fare.
Tasting notes:
This Pinot Noir shows rich colors of dark garnet and currant. Plentiful aromas of cherry cola, black tea and wild blueberry give ample depth and character to the wine. A pleasant array of fruit flavors and barrel notes includes marionberry, candied cherry and hints of cedar and sweet tobacco. The wine tickles the palate with lingering tannins and a generous round mouthfeel.
