With over 100 Washington wines on Salty's on Alki's wine list, this is your chance to Taste Washington at half price. In honor of Washington wine month, Salty's on Alki has a gift for you and every Washington wine lover. Come in on any Wednesday or Saturday from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. or 9:00 p.m. to closing, and you can buy Washington wine by the bottle at half price in our bar.

On Wednesdays, Alki offers you half price on all Washington wine bottles with a list price under $50.

On Saturdays, you'll receive half off on all wines on our list with a price over $50.

I cannot promise how long our supply of Quilceda Creek or Leonetti or Betz will last at Alki, so act now and then come back to enjoy this offer again in April, May and June, because the more you spend, the more you save!

Check out Salty's on Alki's wine list at and come to Salty's on Alki Cafe-Bar soon.

Read more about in Washington Wine Month.

Seattle Met magazine asked me to suggest an itinerary, a road map, for attendees of Taste Washington. Are you going? It's a bit overwhelming to consider visiting all 227 wineries, and it is my happy task to recommend the top 15 wineries to visit if you love Cabernet Sauvignon. It's now online at Taste Washington Itinerary: The Cabernet Circuit. Salty's will be at the event both days following my road map and tweeting our favorite wine stops. We may even taste some Syrah and Merlot when no one is looking. 

What food are we serving? As one of 50 restaurants at the nations largest single-region wine and food event, Salty's Waterfront Seafood Grills will serve you our Seared Tuna Nestled on a Wasabi and Pea Puree, finished with Ponzu Gelée and Local Radish. Read more at http://tastewashington.org/ and mark your calendar for March 23 and 24. If you want to attend any of the morning seminars, please know they sell out early. Visit Taste WA Seminars to sign up today. See you there! Be sure to follow Salty's on Twitter

In my efforts to find great wine deals for you, I'm looking forward to sharing this one: Northstar Merlot. It's a Columbia Valley Merlot at its finest. The Northstar Winery, located in Walla Walla, blends the very best fruit from selected vineyards throughout the massive Columbia Valley appellation. Dark fruit flavors and a signature mocha accent with a layer of oak and medium acid to lift the wine and make it food friendly.

Like all the best Merlots produced in Washington State, the tannins and structure are impressive beyond many Cabernets produced anywhere in the world. This wine is also about a seamless elegance and perfect balance, this is world-class Merlot. Winemaker David “Merf" Merfeld has hit his stride with this effort (scroll down to see a video). If every Merlot were this good, we wouldn't need Cabernet!

Winemaker David "Merf" Merfeld has hit his stride with this effort. If every Merlot were this good, we wouldn't need Cabernet!

Here are Salty's Weekly Wow Wines to look for in April 2013:

Come to Salty’s on Alki and Redondo Beach — Monday through Wednesday:

Northstar Merlot, Columbia Valley, Wa. 2009 $49
NW Vine Project, Cabernet Sauvignon, Wa. 2009 $25
Hanna, Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River, Ca. 2009 $20

Come to Salty’s in Portland — Friday, Saturday or Sunday:

Northstar Merlot, Columbia Valley, Wa. 2009 $49
Geyser Peak, Sauvignon Blanc, Alexander Valley, Ca. 2011 $25
Trapiche, Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina 2011 $30

For March we have two new wines available by the glass! New to our "By the Glass" wine selection are:

Barnard Griffin Syrah, Columbia Valley WA 2011

Winemaker Rob Griffin has been making Washington wine longer than any other winemaker in the state. He used his longstanding relationships with the top vineyards in the state to produce this just released syrah which has yet to be scored by any publications. I give it a happy (93pts). It explodes with spicy black fruit and mellows into flavors of vanilla and plum. THis syrah is big enough to pair with a steak but it also makes a great companion to our Elliot Bay burger or any grilled meat.

Col Solare Columbia Valley, 2007 WA

This Bordeaux blend is made from %70 cabernet 25% merlot %5 cabernet franc. It received 94 points from the Wine Enthusiast. It begins with enticing aromas of black cherry, currant ripe blackberries and a whiff of espresso then arrives on your palate as a full bodied rich elegant mouthful of dark chocolate and black fruits that extend into a very long silky coconut and spice finish. Here is a world class blended wine made to cellar for decades or to be opened for any special occasion. Col Solare is a joint effort between Marchese Antinori and Marcus Notaro of Chateau Ste Michelle. Tradition meets innovation and produces excellence. Enjoy this wine with our Certified Angus Beef.

Salty's on Alki and Redondo have both achieved the 2013 Award of Distinction from the Washington Wine Commission for all we do in promoting Washington Wine. The Washington Wine Awards are issued by the wineries in recognition and appreciation for all the promotion, education and sales that are made possible through the efforts of restaurants, retailers and distributors of Washington wine.

The huge success of the Washington State’s wine industry is so much more than producing excellent wine. Once they have made the wine, it to be promoted and made available to you, the consumer, which is where we come into the equation.

Sharing the amazing excellence of Washington wine has been one of the most rewarding parts of my efforts here at Salty’s Waterfront Seafood Grills. I have come to know many hard working, talented winemakers and growers, who have achieved national recognition and financial success, in part with our enthusiastic support. The fabulous popularity of Washington wine has been an asset for Salty’s, and we are pleased to know that our support provided a spark that proceeded the explosion of wineries and great wine.

Sharing the amazing excellence of Washington wine has been one of the most rewarding parts of my efforts here at Salty’s Waterfront Seafood Grills.

I've been traveling the West Coast to find great wine deals for you. I'm especially excited to present another hit from a family-owned, sustainably farmed, estate vineyard and winery, Benton-Lane Winery. Benton Lane, 2010, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, is a wine of balance and finesse. The fresh fruit flavors of cherry, red currant and raspberry are nuanced with vanilla and baking spices making an expressive and integrated statement. The certain expression of fruit and the mouth-watering acidity make this a strong candidate for Salmon Wine of the Year. We love how it cuts through that heart-healthy salmon oil and makes each bite taste like your first. Here are our Wow Wine Deals to look for in March, 2013:

I'm especially excited to present another hit from a family-owned, sustainably farmed, estate vineyard and winery, Benton-Lane Winery.

Come to Salty’s on Alki and Redondo Beach — Monday through Wednesday:

Terlato, Chardonnay, Russian River, Ca. 2008 $25
Hogue, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, Wa. 2007 $30
Benton Lane, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Or. 2010 $40

Come to Salty’s in Portland — Friday, Saturday or Sunday:

William Hill Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon, Ca. 2011 $25
William Hill Estate, Chardonnay, Ca. 2011 $28
Benton Lane, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Or. 2010 $40

For February we have four new wines available by the glass! New to our "By the Glass" wine selection are:

Seven Falls Chardonnay, very juicy ripe apple and pear with caramel and butterscotch accents. It is from the Wahluke Slope which produces wine with weight and elegance. This is the 2011 vintage of which you can learn more here: Seven Falls Chardonnay. We have paired it with the Rock Shrimp Linguini for the month of February at all three Salty's locations.

Terlato Chardonnay from California's Russian River Appellation, This wine from the 2008 vintage is drinking like silk. The lemon and custard flavors are wrapped in a gentle acid frame and the finish is extended into next week! Great with the Shellfish sampler. Alki only

Drylands Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough New Zealand is a great oyster wine. Clean key lime and grapefruit flavors erupt from your glass and explode in your mouth then finish crisp without aftertaste. 2011 vintage fresh and delicious. Alki only

Gouguenheim Malbec from Mendoza 2011 Argentina has intense full fruit of blackberries and dark cherries but soft tannins that call you back for another sizable sip. Try it with the Lamb salad or as a cocktail. Alki only

Seven Falls Winery featuring fruit from the Wahluke Slope with winemaker Doug Gore. The Wahluke Slope AVA is one of the warmest and driest in the state producing wine that displays big bold wines with oustanding structure.

Awards and Accolades: This is the first vintage from Seven Falls Winery. The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon received an average score of 88 points in five community tastings.Tim's Tasting Quote:

This wine is rich and velvety with dark ripe fruit including plum, cassis and blueberry. With 18 months in oak it is a wine that fills your palette with creamy texture and hints of spice. The fine grain tannins give this wine an elegant style and the extended finish speaks to the pedigree of the vineyard as well as the skillful winemaking.

The vines are exposed to a wide daily temperature range, which extends the ripening period and allows greater fruit intensity while retaining acid freshness. The 2011 vintage had a cool start followed by warmer weather in November and December. Harvesting began earlier than anticipated in the lower Wairau Valley followed by Awatere Valley vineyards ten days later. Fruit was harvested in dry conditions and was clean and fully ripened.

Awards and Accolades:

Tim's Tasting Quote:

The 2011 vintage brings warmer tropical, citrus-based style with low acids and moderate alcohol levels which pair beautifully with our fish tacos at happy hour or the amazing seafood paella on the dinner menu. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice on your seafood provides the perfect bridge to the flavors in this wine softening and sweetening the fruit.