Word is just out that Walla Walla’s Nicholas Cole is opening a downtown tasting room at 229 E. Main Steet in time for Spring Release Weekend. The new location, across from Back Stage Bistro, will be designed by Joe Chauncey of Boxwood (his firm also built Waters Winery and Col Solare.)

Last year, the vineyards and winery facility owned by Nicolas Cole owner, Mike Neuffer, was sold to Washington Vintners LLC, one of this state’s more engimatic winery projects.

While Nicholas Cole will continue to source grapes from Neuffer Estate, the winery will also get grapes from Klipsun, Canoe Ridge, Seven Hills and Champoux. Winemaking will happen at Artifex Wine Company, the custom crush facility owned by Norm McKibben and partners and managed by winemakers Jean Francois Pellet and Chris Dowsett. Nicholas Cole plans to maintain production at 4500 cases.

For Spring release, Nicholas Cole will release their inaugural vintage of ‘Michele’- a Left Bank style Bordeaux blend, named for Neuffer’s daughter and released on her 16th birthday.