The Spectacle: Issue #33
Winter 2024
Introduction
by Andrew Browne
Just over one year ago, I introduced the Browne Forest Project to our dedicated members in The Spectacle. What began as a passion project with a single Washington Cabernet Sauvignon and Red Blend has since rapidly expanded thanks to the shared environmental interests of so many.
We welcomed 2024 with an important milestone—181,000 trees planted. We know that number will continue to grow with the addition of five new wines to the tier this year. Thank YOU, to all of those who helped us make an impact with plantings in Washington, Oregon, and California, and to those who will help us join the mission this year.
Available in 2024: Browne Forest Project
Columbia Valley White Blend
Paso Robles Chardonnay
Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon
Oregon Pinot Noir
Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Valley Malbec
Columbia Valley Merlot
Columbia Valley Red Blend
Drink » Forest Project Pinot Noir
by Andrew Browne
Oregon is a truly special place. A surprise to some is that, as the third largest wine grape-producing state in the US, it has received a higher percentage of critical acclaim than California or France, and with a lower price point. The region even shares characteristics with some of the world’s top wine regions, including having the same latitude and fertile soil as Burgundy (Willamette Valley) and the same mild climate as Washington.
One of our newest additions to the Forest Project is our 2022 Oregon appellated Pinot Noir. This people-pleasing wine opens with aromas of cranberries, raspberries, cedar, and star jasmine. The entry is silky and bright with hints of ripe strawberry and sandalwood. At the finish, the tannins are soft with good length. Try it with ham steaks or grilled chicken!
Read » Books & Bottles: What Book Would I Bring?
by Andrew Browne
A love for books and learning was something shared by my grandfather William Bitner Browne and I. In Bitner's honor, our Pioneer Square team kickstarted a monthly “Books & Bottles” event where guests bring and swap a book for a new read while sipping on exclusive (and discounted!) library wines. It is so popular that other tasting rooms have begun to start their own Books & Bottles events.
To this day, For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemmingway remains among my all-time favorite novels and would be my pick for the Books & Bottles swap. Drawing on his own experiences as a journalist during the Spanish Civil War, the novel chronicles the life of an American named Robert Jordan who is swept into the conflict and churns with it after meeting and falling in love with a young Spanish woman, Maria, beset by tragedy at the outset of the war. I think everyone should read this classic as it reminds us that it is during the uncertain times between conflict and chaos that we, as humans, truly test the fiber of our being.
Shop » Seattle’s Independent Bookstores
by Andrew Browne
As an avid reader, one of the things I enjoy the most is visiting independent bookstores. Seattle is a city that values literacy, and I have spent many afternoons exploring bookshops in the area, learning from their enthusiastic staff, and discovering some of my favorite reads. Seattle Met has compiled a list of the top independent bookstores in Seattle, including Arundel, near Browne’s Pioneer Square tasting room.
Madison Books
Magus Books
Mercer Street Books
Mortlake and Company
Nook and Cranny Books
Ophelia’s Books
Open Books: A Poem Emporium
Paper Boat Booksellers
Pegasus Book Exchange
Phinney Books
Secret Garden Books
Third Place Books
Twice Sold Tales
University Book Store
Ada's Technical Books & Cafe
Arundel Books
BLMF Literary Saloon
Book Larder
Clara’s Books
Couth Buzzard Books
Elliott Bay Book Company
Estelita’s Library
Globe Bookstore
Horizon Books
L.E.M.S. Bookstore
Lamplight Books
Left Bank Books Collective
Lionheart Bookstore
Explore » Spokane, WA
by Andrew Browne
Spokane was an incredible place to grow up as a kid in the 1970s and 80s. There was freedom for a child to wander, play, and learn about nature in a firsthand way. We had a pond a few blocks from our home and on one side of the pond was a ten-foot-high rock (basalt) wall that as a child felt like a mountain. We climbed that rock and felt like conquerors when we reached the top, explored the pond and the animals that thrived around it, and played a ton of capture the flag, hide-n-seek, and modern-day cowboys on bikes. The sunset was the alarm to head home but knowing that tomorrow would bring more adventures, skinned knees, and friendly laughter was motivation enough to hurry back.
Those memories remind me of how we feel today when adventuring with our Browne Family Spirits distillery in Spokane. Our location is truly ideal because we have all the elements in place to create a natural alchemy with our products:
The Locally Sourced World-Class Ingredients
Browne's rye, wheat, and corn are sourced and milled in nearby Colfax and Ritzville, while the malted rye is sourced from Country Malt, located just down the road from the distillery.
The Water
We source our water from the local Spokane Valley Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer which underlies about 370 square miles of Washington and Idaho. In 1978 it was designated a sole source aquifer by the EPA giving it special protection and the highest standards of drinking water. We are proud to use this fresh source of water in ourdistilling process.
The Distiller
Aaron Kleinhelter is a born and raised Kentuckian with bourbon in his veins. His background in the world of spirits started with growing up two miles from the main Jim Beam plant in Clermont, Kentucky.
Spokane remains a special place, not only to my family but to everyone who spends time there. I invite you to join us at the tasting room and discover the magic of my hometown, a place where good spirits, good friends, and good memories blend seamlessly.
Meet » Megan Donaldson, Senior Tasting Room Manager
Megan Donaldson is a lifelong Northwesterner with strong roots in Tacoma. Born and raised in nearby Puyallup, Megan has lived in the Tacoma area for many years and has always loved calling Washington state home. While living in Port Townsend in 2012, Megan opened and operated Cellar Door, a restaurant and bar offering craft cocktails and a curated speakeasy aesthetic. The bar was well-loved by locals and tourists, and the experience of running it taught Megan a lot about the field she loves and the business it requires.
Upon returning to the Tacoma area, Megan worked at a handful of small businesses before starting her own special passion project: Poppylion Salon and Shop, offering haircuts and color, magical items, craft classes, and gathering space, as well as tattoos, energy work, and various other special events and services. Most importantly to Megan, her clients and her customers, Poppylion offered a community safe space, friendly vibes, good tunes, and love for all things local, handmade, and beautiful.
With years of experience mixing drinks and making connections, Megan has loved bringing her expertise and passion to Browne Family. She has already built a sense of kinship and community among the staff, and a new crop of devotees and friends in the community! When she isn’t running the tasting rooms in Tacoma and Seattle, Megan is enjoying time with loved ones, including her Chiweenie, Birdie, and building her skills in foraging and wildcrafting, medicinal herbs, and vintage design. Her favorite things include tattoos, cult documentaries, gourmet meals, and nostalgic road trips.
Visit our Pioneer Square or Proctor tasting rooms to get to know Megan. She can’t wait to meet you!