Over the last several years we have been fortunate to work with many winemakers, winery owners, importers, and distributors on our monthly events like winemaker dinners and wine tastings. We have hosted some of the biggest names in the wine business and some of those just emerging to prominence and have found most everyone to be gracious, knowledgeable and entertaining. In all that time we have never done a return engagement with a winery, until now.

Dr. Wade Wolfe is truly a unique owner/winemaker. We hosted him early in the history of the shop before we even partnered with local restaurants to host winemaker dinners. It was one of our most talked about events. Dr. Wolfe holds two PhDs in enology and geology from the University California Davis, the institution that wine industry folks refer to as "Winery U." Thurston Wolfe winery opened in 1987, giving Wade and his wife Becky 25 vintages under their belt from their seat in Prosser- a great lineage of history and experience in an always evolving and challenging industry.

The knowledge base garnered from his educational background and vintage experience, along with his overall presentation, makes him a compelling speaker delivering vast amounts of knowledge not only on his wines but also on the industry, as well as the art and the science behind wine production. In short, he is very entertaining.

When it comes to his wines, we have always found them to be some of the most compelling values coming out of Washington State. Many are priced under $20. The quality and diversity is simply extraordinary for a winery the size of Thurston Wolfe. The first wine we ever tried and fell in love with from TW was the PGV, a lovely and unique white blend of Pinot Gris and Viognier that is fermented dry, but shows lovely fruit.

Wade is also one of the few winemakers in the state to make a 100 percent varietal Lemberger. It is a wine that we grow fonder of every time we try it. TW is also one of the few wineries in the state to cultivate and produce varietal Zinfandel. Zin is an underrepresented crop in the state, receiving little of the attention it does in its native California. The remainder of his portfolio is just as impressive.

Wade will be here for two events. There will be a winemaker dinner on Friday, March 22. We are holding the event with our great restaurant partner Scratch at 5th and Sherman. The dinner is sold out a testament to both Wade's appeal and the always great food that chef/owner Jason Rex puts out for these events and the wonderful job his staff does with service.

The second event will be here at the shop on Saturday, March 23 at 4 p.m. We will taste five more Thurston Wolfe wines with Wade speaking about his wines and providing more interesting stories of the industry in Washington State. The tasting is free but we ask that you let us know if you are attending.

Dr. Wolfe has earned his place at the highest echelons of the Washington wine business for all of these reasons, but it goes further. Whether it be the North Idaho Wine Rodeo, or any charitable events we hold here in Kootenai County, like many winemakers Wade never says no to donating, entering wines in the rodeo and contributing any way he can. Whenever we contact winery owners and winemakers we know regarding visits from our customers they always roll out the red carpet, and Wade and Becky are among the friendliest delivering a great tasting experience.

For all of these reasons Wade has earned the title "the good doctor." We encourage you to join us for the tasting, if you would like to be placed on a waiting list for the winemaker dinner you can call us as well.

If there is a topic you would like to read about or questions on wine you can email George@thedinnerpartyshop.com or make suggestions by contacting the Healthy Community section at the Cd'A Press.

George Balling is co-owner with his wife Mary Lancaster of the dinner party a wine and table top decor shop in Coeur d'Alene by Costco. George is also the managing judge of The North Idaho Wine Rodeo, and is the wine editor for Coeur d'Alene magazine www.cdamagazine.com. You can learn more about the dinner party at www.thedinnerpartyshop.com. You can get all of these articles as well as other great wine tips by friending us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/dinnerpartyshop.