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Taste Washington Wine Month is Here!

Let’s celebrate all things Washington Wine this March!

We’re so lucky to live in a place with a wine industry such as ours with passionate growers, talented winemakers and the best quality grapes.

Ray’s has been supporting the Washinton wine industry since its inception and has championed dozens of wineries along the way, watching them grow from small operations to successful large scale companies.

Be sure to check out our fresh sheets in the Boathouse and Cafe for excellent Washington Wine picks this month from a variety of wineries and regions and raise a glass to our local wine pros!

And click here to learn why Ray’s was named the “Best Restaurant to Experience Washington Wine” by Seattle Magazine!

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Washington Wine Month Specials this August!

We’re celebrating Washington Wine Month with an exciting lineup of some of our Wine Director’s top local picks! Try them this month in the Boathouse & Café alongside fresh local seafood like summery versions of Wild Alaskan Halibut, King Salmon, Scallops and more!

Wine specials are subject to change as we sell out but here is a peek into what we’re kicking the month off with!

BOATHOUSE

Eroica Riesling Columbia Valley, 2019

This beautiful slightly off dry Riesling shows ripe apricot and peach notes. Some beautiful minerality and zippy acids.

Avennia Oliane’ Sauvignon Blanc, Yakima Valley 2019

Crisp and vibrant with lovely citrus and stone fruit notes. Beautifully balanced. A delightful and refreshing white.

L’Ecole No 41 Grenache Rose, Alder Ridge Vineyard, Horse Heaven Hills 2021

Strawberry and raspberry notes with subtle hints of citrus and melon. Bright, refreshing and delicious.

DeLille Cellars D2′ Columbia Valley 2019

A merlot forward Bordeaux blend. Fantastic nose, with notes of black cherry, raspberry, flowers and chocolate. Elegant and refined. A Washington State classic.

Sequel by Longshadows Syrah, Columbia Valley 2019

Blackberry, black current, peppered game, licorice and subtle chocolate flavors shine in this powerful Syrah.

CAFE

Eroica Riesling, Columbia Valley 2019

This beautiful slightly off dry Riesling shows ripe apricot and peach notes. Some underlying minerality and lively acidity.

Avennia Oliane’ Sauvignon Blanc, Yakima Valley 2019

Crisp and vibrant with lovely citrus and stone fruit notes. Beautifully balanced. A delightful and refreshing white.

L’Ecole No 41 Grenache Rose, Alder Ridge Vineyard, Horse Heaven Hills 2021

Strawberry and raspberry notes with subtle hints of citrus and melon. Bright, refreshing and delicious.

DeLille Cellars D2′ Bordeaux Blend, Columbia Valley 2019

A merlot forward Bordeaux blend. Fantastic nose, with notes of black cherry, raspberry, flowers and chocolate. Elegant and refined. A Washington State classic.

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It’s Washington Wine Month! Check Out Ray’s Incredible Lineup

Join us this March to celebrate Washington wineries and the vineyards they source their grapes from, specifically those that have been certified Salmon Safe!

Ray’s Boathouse and Cafe are featuring wines by the glass and bottle from four fantastic Washington wineries in both our upstairs Cafe and first floor Boathouse from March 1-31. Come back throughout the month to taste them all and enjoy the best views in Seattle!

Cafe Featured Wines

  • Baer Winery Merlot ‘Star’ Stillwater Creek Vineyard, Royal Slope AVA WA 2017  (glass $16 / bottle $64)
  • Baer Winery ‘Royal Slope Rosé’ Stillwater Creek Vineyard, Royal Slope AVA WA 2020 (glass $16 / bottle $64)
  • L’Ecole No 41 ‘Luminesce’ 7 Hills Vineyard, Walla Walla, WA 2020 (bottle only $68)
  • Woodward Canyon Chardonnay Columbia Valley, WA 2019 (bottle only $80)

Boathouse Featured Wines

  • Baer Winery Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Artos’ Stillwater Creek Vineyard, Royal Slope AVA, WA 2019 (glass $25 / bottle $100)
  • Hedges Syrah ‘DLD’ Les Gosses Vineyard Red Mountain, WA 2017 (glass $18 / bottle $70)
  • L’Ecole No 41 ‘Luminesce’ 7 Hills Vineyard, Walla Walla, WA 2020 (bottle only $68)
  • Woodward Canyon Chardonnay Columbia Valley, WA 2019 (bottle only $80)

Among our star studded lineup of featured wine is Baer Winery.  One of the original wineries to make juice in Woodinville, this small family owned operation has utilized the brilliance of expert winemaker Erica Orr.  They source the majority of their grapes from Stillwater Creek Vineyard in the Royal Slope AVA.

Also in our lineup is one of favorite wineries from Red Mountain, Hedges. Not only are their estate vineyards certified Salmon Safe, they are also 100% certified organic AND biodynamic.  The incredible care they take to preserve and maintain the integrity of their land is reflected in the consistent quality and uniqueness found in their wines.  Enjoy one of the Red Mountains most delicious, funky, earthy, fruit forward Syrahs.

Lastly, two of the wineries that put Walla Walla on the map: Woodward Canyon and L’Ecole No 41.  Little needs to be said for these two behemoth wineries and their influence on Washington wine and its growth.  Any focus on Washington wine wouldn’t be complete without a taste from their cellars.

Cheers!

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New! Ray’s Family Meals To-go

Try our new Ray’s Family Meals to-go with four delicious family-style menus! Each ones comes fully cooked and is hot and ready to eat at pickup. Family Meals are available to order online daily from 11:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. only on Ray’s Toast page.

Order a meal for one to two people or build a bigger family meal by adding two or three of the same meal or mixing and matching. We’ve also included recommended wine and cocktail pairings for each meal that can be added on for an additional cost. Cheers!

Ray’s Family Meal Menu:

True Cod Fish & Chips Meal (serves 1-2) $30
Cup of Ray’s New England Style Clam Chowder
2 piece True Cod fish and Chips
Cookie Bag (house baked cookies that change daily)

Pairing suggestions:
Torre Oria Brut Cava Sparkling Wine (bottle)
Underground Wine Projects ‘Mr Pink’ Washington Rosé 2019(bottle)
Black Cherry Margarita (serves 2)

Ray’s Famous Sablefish Dinner (serves 1-2) $62
Caesar Salad
1 large Crab Cake with orange-tarragon aïoli
Sablefish in Sake Kasu

Pairing suggestions:
Willakenzie Estate Pinot Noir ‘Pierre Leon’ Willamette Valley, OR 2014 (bottle)
Sokol Blosser Estate Pinot Gris Willamette Valley, OR 2018 (bottle)
Barrel-Aged Brooklyn Cocktail (serves 2)

An Evening of Seafood (serves 2) $80
Bowl of Ray’s New England Style Clam Chowder
Ray’s Seafood Salad featuring Oregon bay shrimp, house smoked Alaskan Coho salmon and house smoked scallops
Pan Seared Sea Scallops with squid ink spaghetti OR Alaskan King Salmon with sweet corn purée and sautéed asparagus
Mississippi Mud Pie

Pairing suggestions:
Treveri Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine from Washington (bottle)
Seven Hills Sauvignon Blanc Walla Walla, WA 2019 (bottle)
Ray’s Barrel-Aged Negroni Cocktail (serves 2)

Ray’s ShellFeast (serves 2-3) $105
Bowl of Ray’s New England Style Clam Chowder
Prawn Cocktail
Mediterranean Mussels with Thai style red curry, coconut milk broth
1lb King Crab with butter and lemon
Grilled Asparagus
Grilled Corn on the Cob
2 rolls with Butter

Pairing Suggestions:
Bollinger Champagne (bottle)
Treveri Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine from Washington (bottle)
Ray’s Private Select Woodford Reserve Perfect Manhattan (serves 2)

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Wine Sampler Packs To-Go from Ray’s!

August is Washington State Wine Month! Celebrate our incredibly diverse and vast wine industry all August at Ray’s! You can enjoy local bottles and glass pours in the Cafe or order our brand new wine sampler packs online via Toast to sip at home!

Our Wine Director Chip Croteau has created six wine sampler packs for your sipping enjoyment, including our Washington Wine Summer Sampler Pack!

Here’s more fun details about each of the Washington wines we’re featuring in the pack! Read on below to learn about the rest of our Wine Sampler Packs and order yours on Toast today!

Washington Wine Summer Sampler Pack
Four bottles of Washington wine to enjoy in the sun! A Rosé, some bubbles and two crisp, non-oaked whites for just $70.

    • Underground Wine Project ‘Mr Pink’ Rosé 2018 

This 2018 cult rosé is back, and better than ever! Perfectly pink, with flavors full of fresh picked cherries, crisp watermelon, pomegranates, and lip-smacking acidity to balance out the mouthwatering fruit. This year’s “Mr. Pink” deserves to be stocked in your fridge! The Underground Wine Project is a collaboration between Washington wine makers Mark McNeilly (Mark Ryan Winery) and Trey Busch (Sleight of Hand Cellars). Mark and Trey are close friends of nearly 14 years and have both have launched successful wineries in their respective parts of Washington State.

    • Treveri Blanc de Blancs Brut Zero Columbia Valley NV 

Treveri’s Blanc de Blancs Dry, sparkling wine is fruit-forward and simply stunning! Hints of citrus and melon round out a creamy finish. Treveri is a family-owned sparkling wine house that has been producing some of the finest handcrafted sparkling wines in the United States since 2010.

    • Seven Hills Sauvignon Blanc Columbia Valley 2019 

Seven Hills 2019 Sauvignon Blanc is zesty, crisp and refreshing, with bright fruit and honeysuckle with an underlying richness, resulting in a wine of medium body and substance. With hints of pineapple, clementine, honeysuckle and white pepper, you’ll want a full bottle of this for summer! Casey and Vicky McClellan founded Seven Hills Winery in 1988 and were among the first handful of wineries to open in the Walla Walla Valley. Casey remains head winemaker, logging 31 vintages under his belt.

    • Idilico Albariño Yakima Valley 2018

When sipping Yakima Valley Albariño, look for notes of citrus and tropical fruit followed by luscious, crisp and refreshing flavors. Drink outside in the sunshine for best results! Idilico is the only winery in Washington focusing exclusively on Spanish varietals grown in Washington State. Washington vineyards are ideally suited to grow finicky Spanish grapes like Albariño. Contrary to popular belief, wine regions in Spain are not balmy and endlessly sunny. In fact, most top growing regions in Spain best resemble Washington State! Dry desert conditions, hot daytime temperatures with big temperature swings at night, all wrapped up in a short growing season.

Don’t miss our other sommelier-selected Wine Sampler Packs including:

100 Point Cellar Collection
All five of these wines have scored 100-points by at least one famed wine writer! Create a 500-point dinner for your friends or family! $1000 for all five bottles.

    • Cristal Brut Reims, FRA 2008 
    • Aubert Lauren Vineyard Sonoma Coast, CA 2016 
    • Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley, WA 2014 
    • Vérité ‘Le Désir’ Sonoma County, CA 2005 
    • Alvear PX ‘De Anada’ (sweet sherry), ESP 2011

Pinot Pack Introductory
Three famous wine regions, four different Pinot Noirs! $165 for all four bottles.

    • Brittan Vineyards ‘Basalt Block’ Willamette Valley, OR 2015
    • WillaKenzie Estate ‘Pierre Leon’ Willamette Valley OR 2014
    • Emeritus Hallberg Ranch Russian River Valley, CA 2014
    • Albert Bichot Savigny-lès-Beaune, FRA 2015

Pinot Pack Advanced
Three of the top Pinot Noir producers and one bottle from each of the three best places in the world to grow Pinot! $350 for all three bottles.

    • The Beaux Frères Vineyard Willamette Valley, OR 2014
    • Sea Smoke ‘Southing’ Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara, CA 2017
    • Dujac Fils & Père Morey-Saint-Denis, FRA 2016

Intro to Dessert Wine
You’ve probably tried port or sherry, but our Intro to Dessert Wines Sampler Pack features three that will make liquid dessert your next favorite thing! $125 for three bottles with the option to add a fourth for an additional $85.

    • Château Roûmieu-Lacoste Sauternes, FRA 2016 (375ml)
    • Kiona Chenin Blanc Ice Wine Red Moutain, WA 2018 (375ml)
    • Royal Tokaji ‘Aszú’ 5 puttonyos, HUN 2013 (500ml)
    • ADD-ON: Inniskillin Cabernet Franc Ice Wine, Niagra, CAN 2017 (+$85)

Impress Your Friends & Blow Up Your Cellar Pack
Six legendary and rare wines! Each could be the centerpiece of your collection; together, you’ve got a flight for the ages. $1350 for all six bottles.

    • Dom Perignon Brut FRA 2008
    • Kongsgaard Chardonnay Napa Valley, CA 2016
    • Dom Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet Clavoillon 1er Cru FRA 2015
    • Cayuse Syrah Cailloux Vineyard, WA 2017
    • Cht Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, CA 2003
    • Gaja Barbaresco Piedmonte, ITA 2013
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Taste Washington Wine Month at Ray’s March 1-31!

To celebrate Taste Washington Wine Month this March, our Wine Director Chip Croteau has created a special Washington wine list that will be available March 1-31 in our first-floor Boathouse.

Chip and his team have hand-selected a variety of exceptional Washington wines from some of the most talented winemakers in our great state. Enjoy these wines by the glass or bottle all month long! Reserve online at rays.com.

Washington wines available by the glass or bottle include:

Avennia ‘Oliane’ Sauvignon Blanc Yakima Valley, WA 2017 16 gls / 62 btl

Sourced from top vineyard sites Boushey and Red Willow, discover aromas of white grapefruit, nectarine, lemon pith, straw, mineral, and herb. Sleek and puckering flavors with a steely spine of acidity that keeps the interest high.

àMaurice ‘Sparrow’ Estate Viognier Walla Walla, WA 2016 19 gls / 75 btl

Exclusively from their estate vineyard site, this stunning wine features aromatic notes of freshly cut flowers, peach, creamsicle, pear, and tangerine. It’s textured in feel with abundant stone fruit and vanilla flavors that lead to a tart, apricot filled finish that lingers.

Two Vintners Grenache Columbia Valley, WA 2016 15 gls / 55 btl

From Olsen and Boushey vineyards this lightly colored Grenache offers nuanced plum, fresh herb, orange peel, smoked meat, and white pepper.  Juicy, rich, and floral.

Two Vintners Syrah ”Some Days Are Stones’ 2015, Walla Walla, WA 18 gls / 68 btl

From Walla Walla’s famous Rocks District, intense aromatics of blueberry and plum are followed by smoked meat, dried violet, olive, gravel, and dried herbs.  It shows a whole lot of hang time on the potpourri filled finish!

Abeja Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley, WA 2012 25 gls / 95 btl

A rare library release from the team at Abeja, the brilliant 2012 vintage features blackberry, black cherry, blueberry and pretty notes of vanilla bean. Hints of cinnamon stick, dark earth, and pine sap add depth and complexity to the silky texture and refined tannins.

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Ray’s is the ‘Best Place to Enjoy WA Wine’!

Photo Credit: Seattle Magazine

Ray’s is thrilled to be awarded “The Best place to Enjoy Washington Wine”in Seattle Magazine’s 2018 Wine Awards! And we are honored that you, our lovely, loyal guests voted for us to win!

Check out our feature with Wine Director Chip Croteau (pictured right) and Co-owner/GM Douglas Zellers in the August issue of Seattle Magazine or online here.

Excerpt from Seattle Magazine:

Best Restaurant to Experience Washington Wine

A Puget Sound-area restaurant that hasn’t won in this category before and that offers exceptional opportunities to taste Washington state wine through Washington-wine-focused lists, unique tasting events and a professional, educated wine service staff. 

Ray’s Boathouse and Café 
Ray’s in Ballard, overlooking Puget Sound and the Olympics, boasts some of the best views available to Seattle diners. And yet a certain subset of wine-obsessed patrons is as likely to be staring at Ray’s remarkable wine list as it is at the sunset descending into the Olympic Mountains. Depending on your perspective, the views can be equally divine.

As you’d expect from a seafood-focused restaurant, the selection of Washington white wines is extensive. Perhaps more surprising is the breadth of red wine options, ranging from traditional (Washington Cabs, Merlots, Syrahs) to a section of the list called “Interesting Washington Reds” (Sangioveses, Cab-Syrah blends, etc.) The list at Ray’s (curated by wine director Chip Croteau) includes both treasures—library vintages from Quilceda Creek Vintners and Long Shadows Vintners’ Poet’s Leap—and under-the-radar gems like Amavi Cabernet Sauvignon. The restaurant also hosts numerous winemaker dinners and catered events for Washington winery clubs. A partnership with Walla Walla-based L’Ecole No. 41 produces “Ray’s Cuvees,” a lovely Chardonnay-based white and a red blend, both of which are poured by the glass and presumably guzzled on the Ray’s deck all summer long. Ballard, 6049 Seaview Ave. NW; 206.789.3770

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March is WA Wine Month! Cheers at Ray’s all month

Ray’s Boathouse & Cafe is excited to celebrate Taste Washington Wine Month with two different promotions throughout the entire month of March! Join us and lift a glass to the amazing growers, talented winemakers and superb viticultures right in our own backyard!

The Boathouse is offering a special curated list of glass pours for Washington wines that are rarely offered by the glass. Using our Coravin Wine System we can pour wines by the glass without oxidizing the wine. Wines will also available by the bottle.

The Café is offering a bottle promotion with sought after Washington wines, including L’Ecole No 41 Luminesce Walla Walla Valley, WA 2013, Sauvignon Blanc/Semillion and Côte de Ciel  Roussanne, Ciel de Cheval, Red Mountain, WA 2013.

View our wine lists below and please note that both will change as we rotate in different wineries throughout the month. Join us daily in the Cafe from 11:30am-9pm and in the Boathouse Sunday-Thursday 5-8pm and Friday-Saturday 5-9pm.

Boathouse Wine Menu

Ste. Michelle Eroica Riesling Columbia Valley, WA 2013. 10 gls/38 btl

Super Substance Sauvignon Blanc Sunset Vineyards, Ancient Lakes, WA 2014. 15 gls/53 btl

Cougar Crest Viognier Walla Walla Valley, WA 2014. 10 gls/38 btl 

àMaurice Viognier Columbia Valley, WA 2014. 16 gls/ 54 btl

Ashen Chardonnay Conner Lee Vineyard, Columbia Valley, WA 2013. 22 gls/ 75 btl

Syncline Pinot Noir Celilo Vineyard, Columbia Valley, WA 2013. 16 gls/ 55 btl

Betz Family Winery Besoleil Grenache Columbia Valley, WA 2011. 21 gls/ 85 btl

WT Vintners Gorgeous Syrah Horse Heaven Hills, WA 2012. 18 gls/ 65 btl

EFESTE Final Final Cab/Syrah Columbia Valley, WA 2011. 14 gls/53 btl

Andrew Will Cabernet Franc Columbia Valley, WA 2013. 15 gls/60 btl

Spring Valley Frederick Bordeaux-Style Red Columbia Valley, WA 2012. 18 gls/ 75 btl

Quilceda Creek CVR Red Blend Columbia Valley, WA 2012. 28 gls/ 105 btl

 

Cafe Wine Menu

Côte de Ciel  Roussanne 42. Ciel de Cheval, Red Mountain, WA 2013
A grape traditionally from the Rhône region, this wine is bigger and more lush when grown in Washington.  If you like chardonnay or viognier try this wine, great with seafood!

Cougar Crest Viognier 39. Walla Walla Valley, WA 2014

Aromas of ripe cherry, pomegranate, plum, clove, and musk. The palate shows cherry, and marionberries

L’Ecole No 41 Luminesce 40. Walla Walla Valley, WA 2013. Sauvignon Blanc/Semillion
A traditional Bordeaux style white wine, the semillion and weight, aromatics and a floral honeyed fruit character, while the Sauvignon blanc balances it with citrus fruit, acid, and minerality

Va Piano Cab Sauv 38. Columbia Valley, WA 2011
Fantastic 2012 vintage from this newcomer, big red fruits of raspberry and cherry, refined tannins with a smooth long lasting finish

Sustain Malbec  39. Columbia Valley, WA 2013
From the Underground wine project, a collaberation between Trey Busch (Sleight of Hand) and Mark McNeally (Mark Ryan winery), this wine is Big, Rich and Lush

Hightower Merlot 40. Red Mountain, WA 2011
Bright aromas of red berry fruits and cassis mingled with herbal notes and wet stone

Rays Red by L’Ecole No41 14/gls 52/btl. Columbia Valley, WA 2013
Bordeaux-style

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Celebrate WA Wine Month at Ray’s!

Rays Wine + Steak

Ray’s Boathouse and Cafe is planning an array of special wine offerings in March to celebrate Washington Wine Month! Ray’s has a long history of supporting local wineries and was honored to be awarded a Grand Award at this year’s Washington State Wine Awards.

Celebrate with us all of March!

Ray’s Café – 100% Washington Wine Menu
Rays Café will be featuring a 100% Washington wine list for both wines by the glass and wines by the bottle. Each week we will feature a different varietal on our Café Fresh Sheet at a 10% discount.

Ray’s Boathouse – 30 Washington Wines by the Glass
Rays Boathouse will be offering 30 Washington wines by the glass using Ray’s Coravin wine dispensing system. Each week we will be highlighting an iconic Washington winery by offering sections both by the glass and by the bottle complete with tasting notes and food paring suggestions.

March 1-7 – Woodward Canyon Winery
March 8-14 – Seven Hills Winery
March 15-21 – Betz Family Winery
March 22-31 – L’Ecole No 41 Winery