Psst wine fans! Walla Walla is almost as much fun off-season as it is in the prime months. Yes, we may not have the picture perfect blue sky each and every day in late fall and winter, but our wineries are open, our restaurants are humming and the rest of us go about our lives, enjoying the reasons we stayed here after college, moved back after our other world experiences or thoughtfully chose WW as the best place to be.

The cool thing about Walla Walla is that for those of us who live here, we really like it! While you are here, you bump shoulders with real people, people who may also be winemakers, chefs and artists. That is the premise behind a bold new campaign launched by “Experience Walla Walla,” designed to showcase great reasons to visit in our off-season, including terrific deals on hotel stays.

To add evidence to this claim, there are great wine events, notably, this weekend’s Holiday Barrel Weekend, which is returning to its traditional roots of saying thank you to our community with active participation in “Barrel Full of Money” — a fund drive for BMAC Walla Walla Food Bank.

In addition, various wineries are donating a portion of their weekend proceeds to various other causes, such as Blue Mountain Humane Society. Our benefit choice will be to clean out our closet to support Dama Winery’s YWCA drive for used, business clothing for women.

Just in time, Alaska Airlines and the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance have announced a pilot program called “Walla Walla Wine Taste & Tote” where passengers can enjoy waived tasting fees at area wineries AND bag-check one case of wine free on their flight out of Walla Walla.

Come experience Walla Walla like we do!

With Crush still in full frenzy mode throughout the valley, this weekend’s Fall Release will give visitors a great opportunity to see winemaking happening everywhere. Grapes continue to arrive at cellar doors daily and it is now a mad dash to get the fruit picked and in fermentation tanks before the onset of freezing temperatures. The unusual 2011 vintage continues to challenge our winemakers with the clock running out.

There are plenty of new vintage varietals ranging from great new blends (many), Syrah (Kerloo, Saviah Cellars, Spring Valley, Stephenson Cellars, Va Piano, WW Vintners), plenty of Malbec (WW Vintners, Flying Trout, Gifford Hirlinger), Petit Verdot (SuLEi Cellar, Otis Kenyon, Three Rivers, Gifford Hirlinger), a Walla Walla Pinot Noir (Stella Fino), Grenache (Trio), Cab Franc (Three Rivers), Mourvedre (Trio), Tempranillo (Gifford Hirlinger), a Super Tuscan from Zerba and a new Zinfandel from Trio.

We are excited to hit some of the harder-to-get-into tastings such as Abeja (by invitation to their list), Bunchgrass, a Maurice, Long Shadows, Foundry Vineyards, Reynvaan and Corliss (invitation).

We are also keen on the great member events such as the Blending seminar at Northstar given by winemaker David (Merf) Merfeld and club parties at Three Rivers, Sinclair Estates, Saviah Cellars and Dusted Valley. Even if you are not a club member, check out these events as they will generally allow guests for a slight upcharge for non-members.

Of course, the fun doesn’t wait for Saturday to start. Friday is often the best day to visit your favorite tasting rooms, it is far less crowded and the wineries are more inclined to hang out, show you what they have in tanks and maybe offer a special taste. If you haven’t checked out Charles Smith‘s new tasting room on Spokane Street, his Blues and BBQ every Thursday night is another good reason to get to town early.

Another good reason to get here early is to not miss the tour de force that is Marilyn, Forever Blonde playing at the new Power House Theater. The one-actress play has just had its run extended through next weekend before heading to Off-Broadway.

Walla Walla has become as much a foodie town as it is a wine center, so you won’t go hungry. L’Ecole No. 41 is having a special winemaker dinner on Friday evening in celebration of their 10 consecutive Wine & Spirits Magazine “Winery of the Year” honors. Saturday night sees wine dinners at Va Piano and Dunham Cellars. And of course you’ll want to check out the new Public House 124 and be sure to stop when you see Andrae’s Kitchen, Walla Walla gourmet food truck.

With so much going on, you had better do some planning, here’s a link to the Fall Release Guide that the WWV Wine Alliance has published and be sure to check our event calendar as some wineries are knee deep in grapes and are only now figuring out that Release weekend is right here right now!

While many wineries are releasing their new vintages, Fall Release is also an excellent time to taste wines that have received great scores. Here is a listing of some of the 90+ wines being poured next weekend.

Dumas Station

• 2007 Dumas Station Estate Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon – 90 points Wine Spectator, Double Gold from Seattle Wine Awards, “Excellent” from Wine Press NW $32

Forgeron Cellars

• 2008 Syrah Boushey Vineyard Rattlesnake Hills – 91 Wine Advocate $30
• 2008 Merlot Columbia Valley – 90+ points Wine Advocate $30
• 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley – 90 points Wine Advocate $30
• 2008 Syrah Les Collines Vineyard Walla Walla – 93 points Wine Advocate $46

L’Ecole No. 41

• 2008 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Merlot – 93 Wine Enthusiast, 90+ Wine Advocate $36
• 2008 Estate Syrah Seven Hills Vineyard – 92 Wine Advocate, 91 Wine & Spirits, 90 Wine Enthusiast, 90 Stephen Tanzer $36
• 2008 Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – 94 Wine Advocate, 93 Wine Spectator, 90 Wine & Spirits $36
• 2008 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Perigee – 91 Wine Advocate, 90 Wine Spectator, 90 Wine & Spirits $49
• 2008 • Pepper Bridge Vineyard Apogee – 91 + Wine Advocate , 91 Wine Spectator, 91 Wine & Spirits, 91 Wine Enthusiast $49
• 2008 Columbia Valley Merlot – 92 Wine Enthusiast $24
• 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley – 90+ Wine Advocate $29
• 2008 Columbia Valley Syrah – 91 Wine Enthusiast, 90+ Wine Advocate $24

Northstar Winery

• 2006 Walla Walla Valley Merlot – 92 points Wine Advocate $50
• 2006 Columbia Valley Merlot – 91 points Wine Advocate $41
• 2007 Walla Walla Valley Merlot – 94 points Wine Spectator, 94 points Wine Enthusiast, 93 points Wine Advocate $50
• 2007 Columbia Valley Merlot – 91 points Wine Spectator, 92 points Wine Advocate, 93 points Wine Enthusiast $41
• 2008 Columbia Valley Merlot – 90 points Wine Spectator, 91 points Wine Enthusiast $41
• 2008 Walla Walla Valley Merlot – 92 points Wine Enthusiast $41
• 2008 Walla Walla Valley Merlot – 92 points Wine Enthusiast $50

Saviah Cellars

• 2010 The Jack Columbia Valley Riesling – 91 Points Wine Enthusiast and Best Buy (Dec 2011) $15
• 2008 Syrah, Walla Walla Valley – 91 Points Wine Enthusiast (Dec 2011) $32

Skylite Cellars

• 2007 Minnick Vineyard Yakima Valley Syrah – 90 Wine Enthusiast $28

SYZYGY

• 2007 Columbia Valley Red Wine – 91 Pt Wine Spectator
• 2007 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – Seattle Met Magazine top 100
• 2008 Syrah – 90 Wine Advocate
• 2007 SAROS – 90 Wine Advocate

Tero Estates

• 2007 TERO Estates Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon – 91 points Wine Enthusiast $42

Tertulia Cellars

• 2007 Pepper Bridge Merlot 90 points Robert Parker
• 2007 Les Collines Syrah 91 Wine Enthusiast
• 2007 Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 91 Wine Spectator
• 2007 Columbia Valley Malbec 90 points Robert Parker
• 2008 Les Collines Tempranillo 90 points Robert Parker

Three Rivers Winery

• 2007 Malbec – 91 Tasting Panel Magazine
• 2007 Boushey Vineyards Syrah – 90 Wine Advocate
• 2008 Weinbau Vineyard Cabernet Franc – 91 Cellar Selection Wine Enthusiast (new release)
• 2007 Champoux Vineyard Merlot – 93 Wine Spectator
• 2007 Champoux Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon – 91 Wine Spectator
• 2007 Svelte – 90 Wine Spectator (new release)

Walla Faces Winery

• 2007 Walla Faces Syrah – 90 Wine Spectator $25

The most exciting development in this city so nice they named it twice, is the new Power House Theatre in what was formerly the city power plant.
A group of investors, including Mark Anderson from Foundry Vineyards, did an amazing repurpose of the aging brick structure and have created a replica of Shakespeare’s Blackfriars theatre in London, England. Look for Shakespeare and other live theatre throughout the year.

This month, Marilyn Forever Blonde, opens for a two-week run before heading to New York. In December, Truman Capote’s A Christmas Memory will take the stage.

Always heralded for our great historic downtown, some fun new restaurants and specialty stores have joined the retail mix. In April, Green Spoon Eatery started serving their healthy, tasty food for brunch (weekends) lunch and dinner at a sophisticated new spot on Main Street just a few doors from Bright’s Candies. Look for Green Spoon to offer ready-to-go meals sometime this month.

At the end of July, Public House 124 (124 E Main) opened on the block between Colville and Spokane to fans and steady crowds. Everyone’s favorite bartender at the hotel, Matthew Price-Huntington and building owner Jim Sanders put together a great team including chefs David Ponti and Chris Teal, former sous chef at Whitehouse Crawford to create what they are calling “a social dining experience.” What that means is an exciting, casual but seriously good food joint with a dizzying lineup of liquid refreshments, where reservations are unnecessary and you will definitely want to wait for a table on busy nights.

Up Hwy 12, in Waitsburg, Charles Smith opened Anchor Bar on Main Street across jimgermanbar. Look for live entertainment on weekends, including the ‘burg’s resident wine writer and musician, Paul Gregutt.

Vegans rejoice! The Garden Vegan Café opened this summer, next door to Colville Street Patisserie with healthy choices including gluten-free options.

Two new establishments for breakfast are also in the works. Maple Counter Café on Alder next to Marcy’s Bar plans to serve breakfast and lunch, while Bacon & Eggs will be another breakfast option on Main closer to the Whitman Campus. No dates yet for their respective openings.

Over on Spokane Street in the Warehouse District, Stephenson Cellars has morphed into an art gallery with new artists showing every month as well as a pop-up store within the tasting room called Casa Girasol.

If that name sounds familiar, it should. The pop-up pottery shop is a venture from the people who own Girasol Vineyard & Inn and features artisan pottery from Mexico. These rustic, earth-toned clay pots, many belt-high and taller, are crafted by traditional methods in small family compounds.

Next door to Stephenson Cellars, (in Annabelle’s former spot, they closed in June) Lotus, a new import store for clothing and jewelry from Thailand and India has opened. Further up Spokane Street, Charles Smith Wines is a mecca for everything black and white in his stunning new tasting room. If you are in town Thursday nights, don’t miss his Blues & BBQ from 7-10PM.

Several new vintage stores have opened, our fav from last year, DéBouché, next door to Brasserie Four, has great vintage furniture updated with carefully chosen vintage and new accessories.

In July, Door Number Two, a vintage clothing and furnishings store, opened next door to The Garden Vegan Café in a tiny space but some friends have told me what great finds they have uncovered including designer handbags and gently worn cowboy boots.

And in the former location of Cheese Louise, Greg Roybal and Alexa Palmer opened a higher-end recycled clothing store, Blue Mountain Trading Company. If we have their concept right, they canvas the best of the discount and consignment stores on the coast and pick only the most fashionable, highly desirable pieces to bring back to Walla Walla. Some of their finds are repurposed into an entirely different garment, such as taking a fleece hoodie and reinterpreting it into a sexy halter dress.

On the sad news, downtown saw the closing of the only full-time art gallery, Willow in September. And currently, the home decor and accessories shop, By Arrangement, is selling everything as the owner is retiring and closing the store.

You’ll notice that we haven’t even started talking about what’s news in the Walla Walla wine world. We’ll leave that for our Fall Release edition that will come out just before the big weekend in November (4-6).

However, if you are planning a visit, book your stay now. Long-time visitors know that accommodations go quickly and you will want to reserve those dinner reservations as well.

Until then, go drink some Walla Walla wine.

The vines look lush and maybe a bit wilder than usual, so you might think that it’s another banner year for Walla Walla grape harvest. Look closer and you’ll see that there is a notable lack of fruit throughout much of the Walla Walla valley floor.

Last November’s hard freeze knocked out the primary buds on those vines and a lot of the secondary ones.

Many growers had the unpleasant task of cutting down their vines and allowing new canes to come up from the roots. These new canes are being thinned to just the ones that will get retrained next spring on the wire and produce fruit for this time next year.

However, not all the vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) were affected by the freeze. Those at higher elevations, such as Seven Hills, Les Collines and Spring Valley, weathered better. Also, some growers, especially those whose reputation is based on their estate wines took an extra fall precaution and buried their canes. They will have grapes to harvest this year.

Why doesn’t everyone do this? Cost is the biggest reason as it is an added expense to bury canes and one that many growers gamble by not doing, for in most years, it is money that one didn’t need to spend.

Fortunately, most valley wineries contract with growers in other AVAs such as Red Mountain, Horse Heaven Hills, Wahluke Slope and the newly formed Ancient Lakes, in order to insure fruit supply but also to add the nuances (flavor, structure and dimension) that comes from the different growing regions.

So while there will be far less wines from the 2011 vintage with Walla Walla Valley on the label, Crush itself, the actual making of this year’s wine is just getting started. And as always, it is the best time of the year to be here. Isn’t it time to come see for yourself and drink some Walla Walla wine?

by Guest Blogger, Denise Slattery, Director of Marketing, Power House Theatre.

What pairs best with all the amazing wines you’ll taste in Walla Walla this summer? Shakespeare performed live under the stars! This summer, Shakespeare Walla Walla expands its fourth season to include three professional productions in two fantastic venues – 24 performances in all over two weeks. Come for two days and see two plays!

Walla Walla is truly fortunate to have a devoted audience for Shakespeare’s works and now, with the addition of the stunning indoor Power House Theatre, Shakespeare has a year-round home in Walla Walla.

When you visit Walla Walla you can now plan for extraordinary nights at the theatre.

In addition to the much-loved outdoor productions at the Fort Walla Walla Amphitheater, Shakespeare Walla Walla is pleased to offer a second venue for patrons in the newly opened Blackfriars-inspired Power House Theatre. This new state-of-the-art theatre is a renovated 120-year-old gas plant/powerhouse in downtown Walla Walla, just a few short blocks from Main St. For two consecutive weeks, theatregoers can experience a festival environment and take in Shakespeare in the outdoor setting of Fort Walla Walla Amphitheater or enjoy Swansong in the intimacy of the Elizabethan-era configuration, 340-seat, Power House Theatre.

The Amphitheatre at Fort Walla Walla – Shakespeare Under The Stars!

The Tragedy of Macbeth Aug. 3 – 7

The Comedy of Errors Aug. 10 – 14

The outdoor productions of Shakespeare Walla Walla are truly special. The immensely talented Seattle Shakespeare Company will return to the Ampiththeatre with two productions by William Shakespeare.

Macbeth will open the Summer Festival at the Fort playing August Wednesday, 3rd though Sunday August 7th. Expect plenty of sword fighting, blood, leather, and shields with an eclectic medieval feeling. Think HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones’ series! Director Tim Hyland is exploring issues of innocence versus violence as well as family lineage. “Something wicked this way comes” – don’t miss it!

Next up will be The Comedy of Errors from Wednesday, August 10th through Sunday August 14th. This is a family event laced with vaudevillian fun. Enjoy singing and some old soft shoe, mystifying magic acts, ventriloquist dummies, showgirls, and even a few keystone cops enhancing this much-loved comedy about two sets of identical twins and mistaken-identity mayhem! Director George Mount evokes Laurel and Hardy, The Three Stooges, Buster Keaton, and more.

Power House Theatre – A Truly Unique Setting For Main-Stage Theatre

Swansong by Patrick Page Aug. 4 -14

Spend time with William Shakespeare the man as Swansong makes its Walla Walla debut at the Power House Theatre. The play runs for two weeks starting August 4 through August 14. Nominated by the American Theatre Critics Association for Best New Play in 2006, Swansong is the often funny, often heartwarming, and always remarkable story of the friendship between William Shakespeare and peer/rival playwright, Ben Jonson.

For a wonderful local twist: Swansong was written by Whitman College Alum Patrick Page, who happens to be starring on Broadway as the Green Goblin in Spiderman. Patrick is a deeply respected Shakespearean actor of national acclaim. It takes a man of the theatre to write about a man of the theatre: a factor that makes this play an inviting companion piece to our outdoor productions. Directed by Stephanie Shine.

The year is 1623. William Shakespeare has been dead for seven years and the public has all but forgotten his plays. A devoted member of his acting troupe, John Heminges, is determined to have all of Will’s plays published together in folio, preserving them for all time. King James will not allow the publication to go forward unless Ben Jonson, now Poet Laureate of England, writes a prefatory poem for the book. As Jonson struggles to write the poem, he wrestles with feelings of guilt, envy, and fear that history will forget his own work if Will’s plays are published and is flooded with memories of their lifelong love and tumultuous friendship. Rooted in true events, Swansong is a story of love, loss, and regeneration that allows us to imagine one of the most extraordinary friendships of all time.

For anyone who knows anything about Shakespeare, you don’t want to miss this. It’s an insider’s look at his life and times. For anyone who is just being introduced to Shakespeare, let this be your primer. Swansong is a must-see. You’ll be transformed into a friend of William Shakespeare yourself!

About Shakespeare Walla Walla

Shakespeare Walla Walla provides professional Shakespearean productions and youth education to Walla Walla Valley residents and visitors. The family-friendly performances are enjoyable and accessible for all.

For online ticketing visit www.shakespearewallawalla.org or call 509-742-0739

With Spring Release starting today, if you are coming to Walla Walla, you are probably already here or the car is packed and you’ll be escaping early this afternoon. This annual new release weekend is always an awesome event with almost every winery in the valley open to the public including Long Shadows and Tranche.

The latter (part of the Corliss Estates group) is hosting a great event Saturday night that includes AK’s gourmet food, music and a bonfire at dusk with s’mores. They’ll charge $10 at the gate, but if you move quickly to their Facebook page and “RSVP” the event, you’ll get in free!

Other “list-only” release parties are also going, from the famed Leonetti (who started this event by choosing the first full weekend in May as the only date they are open to all their list), Corliss Estates and Abeja.

Of course, the most rockin’ venue this weekend, will be at Charles Smith Wines’ new tasting room on Spokane Street. Only Charles can pair wine tasting with burlesque! We are hearing that the event is sold out, however, if you are in the warehouse district after 9PM, you’ll be sure to hear all the groovin’ along with some bump & grind.

Get ready for a weekend of incredible food, great music and a huge party all over town! And at the core of this weekend is some awfully good new wine releases.

Now we know that it is possible to fork over some serious change on these weekends, so we combed through the new releases to see what we thought was awesome wine at a great price.

In addition, you will find opportunities to stock your cellar for much less at several wineries as they use this weekend to help push out older vintages to make room for their new releases.

After your stop at Zerba Cellars, Winepress NW’s winery of the year, drive into Milton-Freewater and be sure to check out Watermill Winery & Blue Mountain Cider’s VAULT SALE with cases of cider at $50, cases of white wine at $60 and their Chances R Red Wine at $125/12 bottles case.

RED WINES $25 and under:
2009 Three Rivers Red, $14
2009 Tamarack Cellars Firehouse Red, $16
2009 Trio Vintners RIOT, $18
2009 Mannina Cellars Cali, $18
2009 Three Rivers Merlot, $19
2009 SuLei Cellars Roller Girl Jammer Red, $19
2008 Dumas Station Cow Catcher Red, $19
2008 Robison Ranch Cellars Red Table Wine, $19
2007 Stephenson Cellars Red Blend, $20
2009 Trio Vintners Sangiovese, $20
2009 Mannina Seven Hills Sangiovese, $22
2009 Mannina Cellars Pepper Bridge Merlot, $24
2007 Tranche Cabernet Franc, Estate Grown, Walla Walla, $25

WHITE WINES $20 and under:
2010 L’Ecole No. 41 Chenin Blanc, $14 (check out their first release with the new label)
2010 Robison Ranch Cellars Pinot Gris (off dry), $15
2009 Three Rivers Riesling, $15
2009 Three Rivers Chardonnay, $17.50
2010 SuLei Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, $18
2010 Robison Ranch Cellars Viognier, $19
2009 Rulo Winery Sundance Chardonnay, $20 (listed on April’s Top NW Wines, Paul Gregutt’s blog)

ROSE’ WINES:
2010 Rulo Winery Rose’, 15
2010 Mannina Cellars Maddily Rose’, $15
2010 SuLei Cellars Roller Girl Blocker Rose’, $15
2010 Trio Vintners Tres Rose’, $16
2010 Tranche Pink Pape Dry Rose’, $16

There are many, many more new releases this weekend. Be sure to visit your favs and also, add on a few new wineries. This valley’s wine people work hard at what they do and this is the weekend they love to introduce their wine to new fans.

Recently, WWWN put a call out to area bloggers to report on various topics in Walla Walla. Several people have stepped up to give their perspective on our community. Here is the first in our series from guest bloggers.

by Guest Blogger Michele Rennie

If Walla Walla was just wine, it would be just half the winning equation, don’t you think? While it has been the wine that brings our valley its most recognition, increasingly, W2 has become renowned for really good food and celebrated food producers. And this chemistry of award-winning wine, great food and an audience that gets excited by the fusion, makes Walla Walla a compelling place for both residents and visitors alike.

April’s Good Food News starts with national recognition for Chef Chris Ainsworth of Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen, when the talented chef made the short list for this year’s James Beard’s Best Chef Northwest nomination. Frequent visitors and food savvy locals have had Island’s number memorized since the restaurant opened in 2007.

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Walla Walla wineries have been making the news lately. Most prominent was the shuttering of Whitman Cellars in late January. While the bank sorts out what it wants to do with the property, winemaker Stephen Lessard is focusing his attention on his other winery project, Corvus Cellars, a venture with Randall Hopkins.

More recently, Precept Brands announced the purchase of Canoe Ridge Vineyard Winery and Sagelands wineries from Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines. Given Precept Brands’ attention to Waterbrook‘s brand, we are confident that these venerable labels will regain their status in the industry.

In December, Mike Neuffer announced that he was closing his Nicholas Cole Cellars winery and tasting room due to family issues and Steve Brooks of Trust Cellars found himself without a winery when his landlord gave him notice. This month, winemaker Matt opened his Fjellene Cellars & Vineyard on the Merlot Drive property.

In January, Trio Vintners changed hands when founders Denise Slattery and her husband, Steve Michener, sold their winery to Karen LaBonte. Karen plans to re-open the 2nd Street tasting room later this month. As for Denise & Steve, we are fairly certain that some involvement with wine is in their future.

In February, three tasting rooms opened in the Marcus Whitman Hotel, with 2nd Avenue store front locations for Tero Estates and Flying Trout and Locati Cellars. For beer fans, Locati’s depot tasting room will feature brews and cigars. Around the corner on Rose, Don Carlo Vineyard opened their hotel tasting room.

Looks like Plumb Cellars (9 S. 1st Ave.) will be getting a tasting room partner, when Mansion Creek Cellars joins them in that space. Look for a marquee change to Wine@Nine!

Finally, work is zipping along at Charles Smith Wines on Spokane Street. Seattle firm Olson Kundig offers a rendering of the front of the building that has been nicknamed “The Velvet Devil.” The winery says they are planning a grand opening on Saturday, April 9, which is also Cayuse Release Weekend and Feast Walla Walla.

Exciting times here in the valley. We’ll post more as it comes our way!

by Guest Blogger, Catie McIntyre Walker

The 13th Annual Walla Walla Holiday Barrel Tasting is once again wrapped up like a present and put away to be opened again next year. As I visited with the wineries about wine lovers coming out to sample, sip and swirl, the numbers may have been down, but spirits were up.

There were concerns about the weather, of course. Hey, it’s winter, right? It was also a big weekend for WSU Cougar and UW Husky rivals to once again face each other at the long-standing Apple Cup. There were also concerns that Seattle-ites may have forsaken the frosty wine country of Walla Walla to stay home and visit the Woodinville “strip-mall” wineries instead. This may have been a convenient choice for many since a few of the Walla Walla wineries also have tasting rooms in Woodinville. (more…)