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Carolyn Lakewold of Donedei Wines: American’s Best Unsung Winemaker
12 April 2012
Seattle PI, The Pour Fool, April 2012: Oh, yeah: the title of this entry. Well…it’s a bit of hyperbole, I admit, akin to that old trick of putting up a sign that says “SEX!!” and then, at the bottom, “Okay, now that we have your attention…” I don’t know for sure, of course, that Carolyn Lakewold – former ESL teacher and professional fast-pitch softball player from Spokane – is the actual “best” unsung winemaker in the US. There may well be some guy in Dubuque, with a quarter acre of Norton growing out behind his barn, who’s turning out juice that would make wine-weenie types like me see unicorns and deceased ancestors. Stipulated that I – and everybody else in the world – cannot know every bottle of wine being made in any given year. But for my practical purposes, as someone who tastes a literal pond full of wines each year, IF there is someone making better wines than what Carolyn Lakewold is crafting down there in Tenino, WAH, I maybe don’t want to know about it because I would probably set up a fan club and sell t-shirts. I’m close to doing that for Ms. Lakewold but, since it’s actually the wines that give me these fluttery feelings in my diaphragm, I’m quite content with them and happy to avoid the hustle-bustle of downtown Tenino, that metropolis of…well, I’m not sure what’s in Tenino, other than Donedei/Gibbons Lane Winery.
Carolyn Lakewold chosen for Force Majeure Vineyards (Grand Reve Vintners) Collaboration Series
01 October 2011
Donedei winemaker Carolyn Lakewold has been chosen by Force Majeure Vineyards (previously known as Grand Reve Vintners) to participate in a collaborative winemaking project utilizing fruit from renowned vineyard Ciel du Cheval, located in the famed Red Mountain AVA. Known for her powerfully elegant wines, Carolyn produced the only Merlot in the series. A "dream team" of Washington winemakers was carefully selected to work with the fruit farmed specifically for this exclusive project. The winemakers include Ben Smith of Cadence, Mark McNeilly of Mark Ryan Winery, Ross Mickel of Ross Andrew Winery, and Chris Gorman of Gorman Winery. Available in extremely limited quantities, the wines showcase the finesse, balance and complexity of Ciel du Cheval fruit.
Seattle Wine Awards - Grand Award of Excellence 2006 Merlot and 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon
01 October 2011
Seattle Wine Awards, June 1, 2011: Both the 2006 Donedei Cabernet Sauvignon and 2006 Donedei Merlot were recognized at the recent 2011 Seattle Wine Awards. 909 Washington wines were submitted to this prestigious tasting event, whose widely-respected tasting panel includes top industry experts, known for their knowledge of Washington wines.
Wine Enthusiast (November 2009) scores Donedei 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon 90 Points
01 November 2009
“90 Points" 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon: “This is essentially a mirror image of the 2004 Donedei Merlot. It brings the same dark, smoky, espresso-loaded scents and flavors, but it is sleeker, the acid more apparent (although actually a bit lower) and the tannins left to hang on the finish. This is a fine companion to the Merlot, but needs a juicy steak or rich sauce to cut the tannins.” – P.G.
“91 Points” 2004 Merlot: “Thick, chewy, dense and powerful. The blend is 75% Merlot, 15% Cab Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. A very fine effort, it’s smooth and supple with alcohol listed (somewhat surprisingly) at 13.5%. Scents mix mocha, espresso, liquid smoke, iodine and black licorice; flavors also run to black and smoky. But there is fruit as well, deep black cherry and cassis, tightly packed and lingering.” – P.G.
Wine Enthusiast (Aug 2009) scores Donedei 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon 90 Points and 2004 Merlot 91 Points
01 August 2009Wine Enthusiast scores Donedei 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon 90 Points and 2004 Merlot 91 Points
“90 Points" 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon: “This is essentially a mirror image of the 2004 Donedei Merlot. It brings the same dark, smoky, espresso-loaded scents and flavors, but it is sleeker, the acid more apparent (although actually a bit lower) and the tannins left to hang on the finish. This is a fine companion to the Merlot, but needs a juicy steak or rich sauce to cut the tannins.” – P.G.
“91 Points” 2004 Merlot: “Thick, chewy, dense and powerful. The blend is 75% Merlot, 15% Cab Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. A very fine effort, it’s smooth and supple with alcohol listed (somewhat surprisingly) at 13.5%. Scents mix mocha, espresso, liquid smoke, iodine and black licorice; flavors also run to black and smoky. But there is fruit as well, deep black cherry and cassis, tightly packed and lingering.” – P.G.
vinography.com ranks Donedei 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2004 Merlot at the top of Washington State.
Vineography: A Wine Blog, May 27, 2009
Alder Yarrow, founder and editor of vinography.com, recently posted his reviews of wines tasted at Taste Washington, the most comprehensive tasting event of a single region (Washington State) of its kind. Founded in 2004, “the site is now a respected source for non-mainstream wine writing, and one of the most influential wine blogs on the Internet…we do not and never will accept advertising from wineries, winegrowers, or wine production companies…”
Carolyn Lakewold christens the world's first hybrid tug, the "Carolyn Dorothy"
19 February 2009Carolyn Lakewold christens the world's first hybrid tug, the "Carolyn Dorothy."
Carolyn was born in Spokane, Washington in 1962 and grew up in Olympia, Washington. She and husband Fred Goldberg live in Olympia today, four doors from Fred’s 95 year old mother. Carolyn’s early years were full of mischief, fun and athletic pursuits. She began playing fastpitch softball at the age of seven, while her mom, Dorothy, thought she was taking ballet!! Her skills at fastpitch earned her the opportunity to play ball at the college level before graduating from the Evergreen State College. She then worked in catering and as a live-in nanny while getting two master’s degrees from the University of Puget Sound.
Donedei Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot Awarded "Outstanding Washington Wine Honor" by Seattle Wine Awards
Seattle Wine Awards, June 1, 2007
Both the 2003 Donedei Cabernet Sauvignon and 2003 Donedei Merlot were recognized at the recent 2007 Seattle Wine Awards and awarded the Vintner’s Award for “Outstanding Washington Wine Honor.” More than 450 Washington wines were submitted to this prestigious tasting event, whose widely-respected tasting panel includes top industry experts, known for their knowledge of Washington wines.
Being the Best - From Athlete to Winemaker, Donedei Wines Hit a Home Run
01 July 2006Being the Best - From Athlete to Winemaker, Donedei Wines Hit a Home Run
Avalon, July, 2006. MORE >
Carolyn Lakewold went from playing professional fast pitch softball, to teaching English at the community college level to winemaking, all with the precision of an athlete - the timing, the nuances and the determination it takes to be the best at what you do.
"That's exactly what I want to do - be the best - make the best Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the state," said Lakewold, 44, originally from Spokane, WA. "Like anything else I do, I don't want to strive to be ordinary. I want to be the best."
...the best, newest, smallest and by-and-large unknown wineries in the state.
09 March 2005...the best, newest, smallest and by-and-large unknown wineries in the state.
Paul Gregutt, The Seattle Times, March 9, 2005
