Columbia Winery and Covey Run have formed a partnership with spokeswoman Kathy Casey – celebrity chef, mixologist, and entertainer, in conjunction with Washington Wine Month 2009.

Casey, named one of Food & Wine’s “hot new American chefs,” renowned for her creative Northwest cuisine, will create new seasonal recipes with a Pacific Northwest flair, to pair with the award winning wines from Columbia Winery and Covey Run; most notably the Rieslings from these two outstanding wineries.

Columbia Winery is Washington’s first premium winery, and Covey Run us the winner of 20+ Wine Spectator Best Value awards.

Casey will also share creative and economic tips for how to entertain friends and family at home with the Columbia and Covey Run wines. Casey’s entertainment tips and recipes will be found on bottle neckers, the wineries’ websites (columbiawinery.com and coveyrun.com), broadcast on KRWM-FM 106.9 and KKWF-FM 100.7, and at retail displays of Columbia and Covey Run wines.

Casey will be appearing on behalf of Columbia Winery and Covey Run at the Bellevue Downtown Safeway from 4-8 p.m. July 24, where she and Columbia Winery winemaker Kerry Norton will speak about food and wine pairing and sample Safeway customers on some of Casey’s most wine-friendly appetizers paired with Norton’s signature Riesling. Following the tasting Casey will be signing books, including her newest cookbook Sips & Apps.

During the month of August, consumers will have the opportunity to win a private food and wine pairing and cooking class with Casey by participating in Columbia Winery and Covey Runs “Taste the Flavors of Washington” sweepstakes. Entry forms can be found at special displays where Columbia Winery and Covey Run wines are sold, or by visiting www.columbiawinery.com.

People also can meet the celebrity chef during her appearance at the newly remodeled Columbia Winery in Woodinville on Saturday, Aug. 22. She will be serving some of her signature appetizers and sign her latest cookbook from 1-3 p.m.