Cork Dork: Classic Cars & Classic Wines, American Idol at Efeste, DiStefano cooks, Barrage Cellars hits the "Trifecta" with Merlot

The surgeon general warns, “Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car …” On Saturday, September 10 more 20 Woodinville wineries will be combining the joys of drinking and cars. In this case, the cars are classics for viewing only, not driving.

Saturday’s car show, spread out at wineries around town, is dubbed Vin d’Elegance and is part of the weekend’s celebration benefiting  and Seattle Children’s Hospital. The festivities culminate on Sunday with a classic car show in.

Participating wineries on Saturday include , , Challenger Ridge Vineyard, ,, , , , , J. Bookwalter, Kestrel Vintners, ,, , Page Cellars, , , Two Vintners and .

Click here for a map of participating wineries.

American Idol Blake Lewis performs at EFESTE Winery

The Bothell native Blake Lewis, the runner-up on American Idol’s sixth season, will be performing a benefit show at  in Woodinville on Saturday, Sept. 17 from 6-8:30 p.m.

Now in its third year, guests at Sips for Seattle Children’s can enjoy EFESTE wines and pizza made in the EFESTE Winery wood-fired oven.

Tickets are $25 in advance, [Purchase Advance Tickets], or $30 at the door.

What’s cooking at DiStefano Winery

DiStefano continues its Fall Series dinners in the Cellar Room at their Woodinville winery with a Spanish tapas demonstration on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. Chef George Stevenson will lead a tapas cooking demonstration. DiStefano founder and winemaker Mark Newton will recommend wine pairings. The $45 fee covers cooking lessons, food and wine. For a complete calendar, menu and cost of dinners at DiStefano check out its website here.

Wine Pick of the Week: 2008 Barrage Cellars Trifecta Merlot, Columbia Valley

winemaker Kevin Correll crafts a sexy Merlot, a variety that has taken a public image beating over the last 10 years. “Trifecta” refers to the three vineyards sources for this 100 percent Merlot, Les Vignes de Marcoux, Sheridan and Conner Lee. Les Vignes de Marcoux is on the warm side of the Yakima Valley. Sheridan is on the cool side of the Yakima Valley. Conner Lee is in the downright hot Wahluke Slope. The blend from distinctive vineyards sites produce a complete wine and classic expression of Washington Merlot.

At first blush this Merlot seduces with qualities of a bowl of ripe bing cherries, strawberries and cassis. Supple, silky and round on the palate, the wine fishes with nicely integrated fine-grained tannins.

The flank steak served with the trifecta of gorgonzola, caramelized onions and fig aioli at  in Woodinville was made for the Barrage Cellars Merlot. The fruit qualities of the wine and the touch of sweetness from the gorgonzola, onions and aioli swim like synchronized dolphins. The tannins hold up to a hearty flank steak charred on the outside and rare in the middle.

The wine is available for $26 at Barrage Cellars tasting room in Woodinville, 19501 144th Avenue NE, Suite #-800, opened on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 pm. It is also available at Grape Choice in Kirkland, Parkplace Kirkland QFC, McCarthy & Schiering on Queen Anne and Esquin Wine Merchants in SoDo.