09 Oct Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Fortuity 2023 Rosé of Cinsault, Marcella Vineyard, Yakima Valley, Washington

There are so many things we plan in life. But sometimes things happen by chance. And that chance is meant to be. That is what happened when Lee and Emily Fergestrom first met. They then started Fortuity Winery and now it was fortuitous that I tried their wines, as the Fortuity 2023 Rosé of Cinsault, Marcella Vineyard, Yakima Valley, Washington is now the Please The Palate wine of the week.

About

Lee and Emily were both living in Seattle. Lee went on a blind date one night. He sat at the bar with an empty seat next to him, waiting for his date. After awhile, he realized she was not going to show up. But then Emily appeared and asked if the seat was taken. That fortuitous meeting led to them falling love, getting married, and starting a winery. Lee’s background is in technology and Emily’s is in communications and marketing. They moved to Yakima Valley in Washington and in 2017 established the aptly named Fortuity Cellars. In 2019, they were awarded the SBA Rising Startup of the Year. Lee and Emily work closely with wine grape growers to select fruit that showcase the best of the Yakima Valley.

Tasting Notes

The grapes were sourced from the Marcella Vineyard in the Rattlesnake Hills in Yakima Valley. Planted in 1997, the vineyard is farmed sustainably. Originally planted to Merlot, there is now Cabernet Sauvignon, Roussanne, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault. The grapes spend 4-6 hours on the skins and are then direct pressed, resulting in the color of brand new pink ballet slippers. The wine is fermented and aged in stainless steel. The wine offers aromas of watermelon, fresh strawberry and raspberry, and citrus notes. On the palate, the wine is bright and fresh with linear acidity.

Food Pairing

Rosés are wonderful wines to pair with food, offering both texture and freshness. I enjoyed this wine for dinner with grilled salmon, roasted potatoes, and sauteed mushrooms. I loved how the acidity of the wine cut through the fattiness of the salmon and the flavors and texture of the wine were a balanced match with the mushrooms.

Where To Purchase

The Fortuity 2023 Rosé of Cinsault, Marcella Vineyard, Yakima Valley, Washington retails for $25 and is available directly from the Fortuity Cellars website.