Category Archives: Events

Intrigue Out and About

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Unexpected Places

February is still officially a Winter month, but somehow we keep turning to warmer thoughts in our minds and hearts.

We joined a spontaneous pre-Valentine 3rd Thursday Wine Walk at Davenport Cellars on Feb. 10th. Yes, we told you that walking with wine was wrapped up for the season, but it was a nice surprise for us and all those who joined us. (Watch for them to re-start in May, we mean it!)

The next day (Feb. 12th) Aaron led a class of neophyte truffle-creators in a class at Woodhouse Family Cellars. It was a nice turn-out of 16 in the cooking class, everyone seeming to have a really good time. This class had a unique twist, with appetizers from the Woodhouse kitchen served during the class.

We wrapped up with a Valentine’s weekend back at Davenport Cellars. Visitors enjoyed a Red Wine and Chocolate Tasting during Saturday and Sunday, a splendid combination! Thanks to our hosts at Davenport for a great time.

Come on Spring!

February’s Artwalk with Syniva Whitney

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The walls of Intrigue Chocolate’s workshop are graced with the artwork of Syniva Whitney throughout February. Those that joined us during last week’s First Thursday Artwalk in Pioneer Square were intrigued by more than chocolate.

You may ask yourself: What is digital glam-weaving? For that is what Whitney has up in the shop. We can’t tell you exactly what it says, and she wouldn’t want us to. We can say that Whitney fuses hand-made and digitally manufactured objects, seeking to create an understanding that the meaning of things is not so readily available as we might first assume.

It’s not all she does as an artist, but it certainly is demanding of your attention. We feel sure that she would be glad to not be put into any pigeon-hole. Her own life and work defy easy categorization. Techniques that she confesses to using are far ranging; weaving (industrial, digital and floor loom techniques), rug making, painting, screen printing, web design, digital photography, music and sound.
Just because this month’s artwalk has passed by, we would still love to show you Whitney’s art! Drop by and go to her website to see even more at www.synivawhitney.net

Whidbey Island Winery

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Last Saturday ( January 29th) we headed out onto the Puget Sound to Whidbey Island. After driving 30 miles North out of Seattle, we struck out by sturdy boat (ferry that is) across the water. A mere 15 minutes on the ferry brought us to the ever-delightful Whidbey Island, then on to the one and only Whidbey Island Winery.

We set up in the the barrel room of their little red building. A snug, but perfectly bucolic venue for our chocolate and wine tasting. We weren’t expecting a crush, considering the little place, but were pleasantly surprised at the non-stop action. A bit crowded at times, but we were an amiable bunch all cheek-to-jowl!

A bus full of “55 and better” folks arrived to learn, some for the first time, the subtler techniques of tastings. Some of our elders pretended gruffness, but in the end chocolate and wine won over the majority (a great ice breaker!) and had a great time with us.

What a trip the big group of retired teachers were! True to form, they got us all into orderly lines. With a bit of congestion in the tight quarters, they formulated a plan and whipped up a system for everyone to get maximum enjoyment. The most interesting Conga Line (of sorts) formed, wending its slow, and yet relatively organized way past the wine and chocolate. That pattern held all day!

Meanwhile Sangiovese the Tabby Cat (Sangio for short) watched the proceedings with dispassionate interest. Nice cat and excellent wines.

Portland’s 6th Annual ChocolateFest 2011

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What a thrill to be at the 6th Annual ChocolateFest in Portland, Oregon last week! Pretty hard not to get excited with 6,500 enthusiastic chocolate fans in attendance.  We spent January 21st through the 23rd there, and generated a lot of enthusiasm for out unusual truffle flavors.

Here’s a cool thing about this event. Some of the proceeds go toward supporting the World Forestry Center in Portland. A really great place, the Forestry Center is a non-profit reaching out to do education on trees and forests around the world. The have a huge focus on teaching the world about environmental sustainability, something we definitely need more of!

As the crowds moved through the Oregon Convention Center we enjoyed visiting with those that stopped to share a moment at Intrigue Chocolates’ table. Aaron, Intrigue Chocolatier, was his usual effervescent self in front of the camera! He was interviewed early Friday morning by a local TV station, and was definitely adorable, and full of chocolate expertise.

With a slightly different line-up of flavors each day, we were able to offer truffle bars and truffle samples in all of the six flavors that we brought along. The truffle bars were a huge hit with Basil, Lemon Zesty, Cardamom-Coffee, and Honey-Ginger bars selling out in pretty short order. We still had Tannenbaum and Tasmanian Pepperberry truffle bars on hand, but they proved to be popular, too.

There was music, wine, and lots of presentations, ranging from the academic to the just plain-old fun. The Forestry Center educated the gathered about the cacao tree, from whence all that goodness came. And did you know there was such a thing as a Chocolate Martini? Choco-tini!

St. Nick’s Open House in Woodinville

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St. Nicholas the Patron Saint of Seafarers

December 6th marks the feast day of the original St. Nick, or Nikolaos of Myra as he was known to his family back around 300 A.D. With many works of wonder attributed to him, the folklore abounds. Fertile ground for the birth of Sinterklaas, and later Santa Claus, brought forth to tickle childrens Christmas dreams around the world. (Some adults, too! We believe, don’t you?)

Born in a Greek colony in what is now Turkey, Nikolaos has a reputation for making “secret” gifts to those in need. The epitome of modesty, and the true spirit of giving, Nik wanted no recognition. He just wanted to help. Good reminder, eh?

This year to celebrate the occasion (on Dec. 4th and 5th) we joined hundreds of Passport holders all bound for a gala tour of wine-tasting all over Woodinville. With over 25 wineries participating, and the option of purchasing a two-day pass, we tucked in at Davenport Cellars. Jeff and Sheila Jirka are nice folks, and we were happy to be their guests.  Live music and beautiful art made our time extra delightful.

Their lovely wines made for some great pairings with our Intrigue truffles.  Our 12pc Gift Boxes and Truffle Bars were as popular as ever, but the five flavors of Hot Cocoa mix were the real hit when people were thinking of stocking stuffers.

Warm, festive and jolly are all good adjectives to describe the weekend for us. And it sure seemed that the crowd that passed through felt exactly the same way. Next year consider a drive up to Woodinville (about 30 miles North of Seattle) for this annual event.