Charles Smith, Wine Enthusiast’s 2014 “Winemaker of the Year” and the largest independent winemaker in Washington state, is celebrating the 10th anniversary of Charles Smith Wines by unveiling his latest masterpiece – Casa Smith – a collection of wines produced from classic varietals of Italy. Recognized for award-winning, yet approachable wine, Charles Smith is once again breaking the mold of traditional winemaking by crafting accessible Italian wines with grapes grown in eastern Washington, adding to his extensive portfolio of offerings sold in all 50 states and 20 countries. According to Nielsen Wine Data (December 2015), among high frequency wine drinkers, Italy rates number one in quality and Italy tops the list of imported wines purchased in late 2015. Now, with Casa Smith, wine drinkers have access to bold Italian varietals grown in Washington.
“Casa Smith shatters the expectation that great Italian wine can only be found in Italy,” said Charles Smith, former rock band manager turned self-taught winemaker. “We’re doing it in Washington using the finest Italian varietals, but in our own way – small lot, single vineyard, hand-picked and foot stomped. I am proud to share Casa Smith with my winemaking Italian friends and with the rest of the world – that’s how good it is.”
Casa Smith includes four distinct bottles produced with only Washington grown grapes from single vineyard selections:
· 2012 Casa Smith Jack’s Barbera: A combination of 20-year-old vines followed by 26-months of barrel aging creates a deeply complex wine with great depth and length.
· 2014 Casa Smith Cerva Barbera: An earthbound wine with savory layers, beautiful deep color and a mouthful of complex fruit and spice.
· 2014 Casa Smith Cinghiale Sangiovese: An aroma and flavor that depicts earth, mineral, Italian cherry, salumi, and a handful of dried, savory herbs.
· 2014 Casa Smith Porcospino Primitivo: Rich, dark, explosive, ripe, unrestrained; a destined classic for spaghetti, red sauce and meatballs.
Starring the finest grapes, Casa Smith wines take the palate on a tour through Italy. Starting in the north with Barbera from Piedmont, then through Tuscany with Sangiovese, and finishes in Primitivo with Puglia. The Casa Smith line will be available in late March primarily at Charles Smith Wines Jet City, the largest urban winery on the West Coast located in the Georgetown neighborhood of Seattle.
In addition to being the first Italian wine for Charles Smith, the launch of Casa Smith also aligns with the 10th anniversary for the Charles Smith Wines brand and a new Wines of Substance Cabernet Sauvignon. In celebration of the last decade, Charles and his team will be touring the U.S. with events and activities nationwide. The brand includes K Vintners, Charles Smith Wines, ViNO, Secco Italian Bubbles, SIXTO, Wines of Substance, one-half of Charles & Charles and now Casa Smith. In March, Charles is releasing the second vintage of the Wines of Substance Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2014 Wines of Substance Cabernet Sauvignon joins his growing portfolio and will be available nationwide. Charles Smith Wines is the largest winemaker-owned winery and third largest winery overall in Washington state. Charles Smith Wines now sells more than 650,000 cases a year and reaches almost 55,000 people a day or 20 million people a year. Join Charles Smith Wines on social media: Twitter – @cswines; Instagram – @charlessmithwines; Facebook – kickasswashingtonwine.
Charles Smith Wines includes K Vintners, Charles Smith Wines, ViNO, Secco Italian Bubbles, SIXTO, Wines of Substance, Casa Smith and one-half of Charles & Charles. With nearly 50 wines sold in all 50 states and 20 countries, Charles Smith Wines is the largest winemaker-owned winery in Washington State and third largest winery overall in Washington state. Charles Smith Wines was formed in 2006 and the brand has grown to sell more than 750,000 cases a year, reaching almost 55,000 people a day or 20 million people a year. Started in Walla Walla, Washington, the brand expanded in 2015 with the opening of Charles Smith Wines Jet City, the largest urban winery on the west coast located in the Georgetown neighborhood of Seattle. Charles Smith, owner and winemaker, earned the distinction of 2014 Wine Enthusiast Winemaker of the Year. He has also earned global acclaim being named “Winemaker of the Year” by Food & Wine in 2009, and by Seattle magazine in 2010 and is the only person to have won “Winemaker of the Year” by both Food & Wine and Wine Enthusiast. Charles Smith has received 85 scores of 95 points and above, and more than 350 scores of 90 points and above, from the leading wine publications (Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Wine & Spirits). For more information visit www.charlessmithwines.com.
