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!

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

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!

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.

Snow or no snow, those who braved the roads and the elements were rewarded with holiday sights, great food, arts and crafts, Macy’s Parade of Lights and of course – barrels of wines to be sampled. One of the best things about the Walla Walla Holiday Barrel tasting is over 50 wineries decorate with their own unique style and plan special treats and events. This year, visitors to the many wineries were able to find it all from new releases to library wines, live music to an art walk and even toasting marshmallows for s’mores to one of the largest displays of chocolate in the valley (this writer will tell you she filled her pockets …).

Some of the best parties in town were the wine club parties. If you are not a member of a wine club, especially one of your favorite wineries, you should be. They are easy to join and affordable. Wineries will often give their members options to purchase select vintages that are not available to the general public, as well as incentives and events. Friday night of Barrel Tasting weekend is definitely the night to go party-hopping to the many wine club events.

Last week, just in time for the weekend, Al Roker of MSNBC Today asked the question, “Is Walla Walla America’s new wine capital?”

By the looks of the wine being poured and the merry visitors clutching bags and boxes of treasured bottles of wine, we think it is.

Catie McIntyre Walker is the original Walla Walla wine blogger at Walla Walla Grape Vine. After eight years of cleaning spit buckets and pouring for the masses in local tasting rooms, Catie hung up her cork screw to pursue her writing and open her online wine store, Walla Walla Wine Woman. In November 2010, Catie opened a bricks and mortar wine shop on 2nd Avenue in Walla Walla, named appropriately, Wild Walla Walla Wine Woman. Catie also writes a wine column for Walla Walla Union Bulletin’s magazine, “Lifestyles”, blogs for Tourism Walla Walla and is a contributor to Palate Press and Washington Tasting Room magazines.

We have known for years that Walla Walla Valley wineries are producing some of the finest wines in our state. We also know firsthand that our wineries are keen to pour their very best every chance they get. So when we asked what 90+ wines they are pouring this weekend, we were staggered by the response by just a handful of wineries. We know that there are plenty of others that will be pouring their best wines. If you are looking to taste the very best this valley has to offer, you might want to print out this list of wines that have scored 90 points or higher and will be available for tasting and purchasing this weekend.

Don’t miss our 2010 ‘Must-See” Report for winery events.

96 Points
Rulo Winery * 2007 Syrah * Wine Enthusiast * Sunset Magazine 2010 ‘Best of the West’ Red Wine $15-$30 winner

95 Points
Long Shadows Vintners * 2009 Poet’s Leap Riesling * Wine Enthusiast – Editors’ Choice * 91 pts Wine Advocate * 91 pts Connoisseurs Guide * 90 pts Wine Spectator * 90 pts Tanzer
Long Shadows Vintners * 2008 Poet’s Leap Riesling Ice Wine * Wine Enthusiast * 94 pts Wine Advocate
Rulo Winery * 2007 Silo (Syrah reserve) * Wine Enthusiast

94 Points
Bergevin Lane Vineyards * 2006 Barrel Select Syrah * Wine Advocate
L’Ecole No. 41 * 2007 Pepper Bridge Vineyard Apogee * Wine Advocate * 92 pts Wine Advocate * 92 pts Wine Spectator * 91 pts Wine Enthusiast * 90 pts Tanzer
Long Shadows Vintners * 2008 Poet’s Leap Riesling Botrytis * Wine Enthusiast – Cellar Selection * 93 pts Wine Advocate
Long Shadows Vintners * 2007 Pedestal Merlot * Wine Advocate * 92 pts Wine Enthusiast
Rasa Vineyards * 2007 QED * Wine Enthusiast * 93 pts Jay Miller * 91 pts Tanzer
Rulo Winery * 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon * Wine Enthusiast
Tamarack Cellars * 2007 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Reserve * Wine Spectator

93+ Points
Long Shadows Vintners * 2004 Chester-Kidder * Wine Advocate * 91 pts Tanzer * 90 pts Wine Enthusiast
Long Shadows Vintners * 2007 Pirouette *Wine Advocate * 92 pts Wine Enthusiast
Long Shadows Vintners * 2006 Sequel Syrah * Tanzer * 93 pts Wine Advocate * 92 pts Wine Spectator * 90 pts Wine Enthusiast

93 Points
Bergevin Lane Vineyards * 2006 Intuition * Wine Advocate
Corvus Cellars * 2006 Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon * Wine & Spirits * Wine & Spirits Top 100 Cabs of 2009 * Seattle Wine Awards – Double Gold
Cougar Crest Winery * 2005 Reserve Syrah * Wine Spectator
Cougar Crest Winery * 2006 Cabernet-Sauvignon * Wine Spectator
Dumas Station Wines * 2006 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon * Wine Advocate * 91 pts Wine Spectator
L’Ecole No. 41 * 2007 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Perigee * Wine Advocate * Wine & Spirits * 92Wpts Wine Enthusiast
L’Ecole No. 41 * 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley * Wine Enthusiast *92 pts Wine Spectator * 91 pts Wine Advocate
Long Shadows Vintners * 2006 Chester-Kidder * Wine Advocate * Tanzer * 92 pts Wine Enthusiast
Long Shadows Vintners * 2005 Chester-Kidder * Wine Advocate * 92 pts Tanzer * 91 pts Wine Enthusiast * 90 pts Wine Spectator
Long Shadows Vintners * 2006 Pirouette * Wine Spectator * Wine Enthusiast * 92 pts Wine Advocate * 92 pts Wine Enthusiast
Long Shadows Vintners * 2007 Sequel Syrah * Wine Enthusiast * 92 pts Wine Advocate
Long Shadows Vintners * 2007 Feather Cabernet Sauvignon * Wine Advocate * Wine Enthusiast
Nicholas Cole Cellars * 2005 Camille * Wine Enthusiast
Rasa Vineyards * 2007 Principia Reserve Syrah * Tanzer * 94 pts Seattle Met (#7 of 100) * 96pts The Rhone Report * 20/20 Rand Sealey
Reininger * 2006 Reininger Syrah * Wine Spectator
Reininger * 2007 Reininger Cabernet Sauvignon * Wine Enthusiast * 92 pts Wine Spectator * 91 pts Wine Advocate
Rulo Winery * 2008 Sundance Vineyard Chardonnay * Wine Enthusiast
Saviah Cellars * 2007 Une Vallee Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley * Wine Spectator Dec 2010
Saviah Cellars * 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley * Wine Spectator Dec 2010
Saviah Cellars * 2007 Syrah, Walla Walla Valley * Wine Spectator Dec 2010
SYZYGY * 2007 WW Syrah * Wine Spectator
Tamarack Cellars * 2006 Sagemoor Vineyard Reserve * Wine Spectator
Tamarack Cellars * 2007 Du Brul Vineyard Reserve * Wine Spectator
Tertulia Cellars * 2007 Les Collines Syrah * Wine Enthusiast
Three Rivers Winery * 2007 Champoux Vineyard Merlot (Horse Heaven Hills) *Wine Spectator *Tasting Room Exclusive
Watermill Winery * 2006 Walla Walla Valley Syrah * Wine & Spirits *90 Points Wine Enthusiast

92 Points
L’Ecole No. 41 * 2007 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Merlot * Wine Enthusiast * 91 pts Wine Advocate * 91 pts Wine Spectator
Rasa Vineyards * 2009 The Composer Riesling * Jay Miller* 91 pts Seattle Met (#47 of 100)
Reininger * 2005 Helix Merlot * Wine Enthusiast
Reininger * 2007 Reininger Syrah * Wine Spectator * 91 pts Wine & Spirits * 90 pts Wine Advocate
Saviah Cellars * 2007 Syrah, Red Mountain * Wine Spectator Dec 2010
Seven Hills Winery * 2009 Viognier * Wine and Spirits * 90 pts Wine Enthusiast
Seven Hills Winery * 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Rsv Red Mountain (Library release) * Wine Review Online * 90 pts Wine Spectator
Watermill Winery * 2007 Praying Mantis Syrah * Wine Enthusiast – Cellar Selection
Watermill Winery * 2007 Estate Petit Verdot * Wine Enthusiast – Editors’ Choice

91 Points
Bergevin Lane Vineyards * 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon * Wine Spectator * Wine & Spirits – Best Buy
Bergevin Lane Vineyards * 2006 Syrah * Wine Spectator
Bergevin Lane Vineyards * 2006 Oui Deux Syrah * Wine Advocate
Cadaretta * 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Spectator * 90 pts Wine & Spirits
Cougar Crest Winery * 2006 Merlot * Wine Spectator
Dumas Station Wines * 2007 Estate Merlot * Wine Enthusiast
Foundry Vineyards * 2007 Artisan Blend * Wine Spectator
Glencorrie * 2007 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon * Wine Advocate
Kontos Cellars * 2007 Alatus Blend * Wine Advocate
Kontos Cellars * 2007 Pepper Bridge Cab Sauvignon * Wine Advocate
Kontos Cellars * 2007 Merlot * Wine Advocate
Nicholas Cole Cellars * 2006 Dauphine * Wine Enthusiast
Rasa Vineyards * 2008 Vox Populi Minick Mourvedre * Jay Miller
Rasa Vineyards * 2008 PB Wines Yakima Valley Syrah * Jay Miller
Reininger * 2005 Helix Sangiovese * Wine Enthusiast
Reininger * 2007 Helix Syrah * Wine Spectator
Reininger * 2006 Reininger Merlot * Wine Advocate
Rulo Winery * 2007 Syrca * Wine Enthusiast ~ Top 100 Best Value
Seven Hills Winery * 2007 Petit Verdot, WW Valley *Wine Enthusiast
Seven Hills Winery * 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Seven Hills Vineyard, WW Valley * Wine Enthusiast
SYZYGY * 2007 CV Red Wine * Wine Enthusiast
Three Rivers Winery * 2006 Svelte CV * Wine Advocate * Tasting Room Exclusive
Tamarack Cellars * 2008 Cab Franc * Wine Spectator
Tamarack Cellars * 2007 Cab Sauvignon * Wine Spectator
Tertulia Cellars * 2007 Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon * Wine Spectator
Whitman Cellars * 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon * Wine Spectator * 90 pts Wine Enthusiast * Platinum – Wine Press Northwest * Gold – Seattle Wine Awards * Gold – Grand Harvest Awards * Silver * Northwest Wine Summit

90 Points
Bergevin Lane Vineyards * 2007 Calico Red * Wine & Spirits – Best Buy
Bergevin Lane Vineyards * 2009 Viognier * Wine Enthusiast
Fort Walla Walla Cellars * 2006 Merlot * Wine Spectator
Fort Walla Walla Cellars * 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon * Wine Spectator
Foundry Vineyards * 2006 Artisan Blend * Wine Spectator
Glencorrie * 2007 Cuvee Marquis * Wine Spectator
Glencorrie * 2006 Walla Walla valley Cabernet Sauvignon * Wine Enthusiast
L’Ecole No. 41 * 2009 Columbia Valley Chardonnay * Wine Enthusiast
L’Ecole No. 41 * 2008 Estate Syrah • Seven Hills Vineyard * Wine Enthusiast * Tanzer
Rasa Vineyards * 2008 P B Wines Red Mountain, Kiona Vineyards Syrah/Cab * Jay Miller
Seven Hills Winery * 2009 Pinot Gris * Wine Enthusiast
Seven Hills Winery * 2007 Malbec WW * Wine & Spirits * Wine Enthusiast * Wine Spectator
Tamarack Cellars * 2008 Firehouse Red * Top 100 Wines of the Year Wine Spectator 2010

Highly acclaimed * Not Scored on 100 pts
Nicholas Cole Cellars * 2005 Estate Reserve * #20 Paul Gregutt’s Top 100 WA Wines
Nicholas Cole Cellars * 2007 GraEagle RedWing * Best Buy- Rand Sealey’s Review
TL Cellars * 2008 TL Cellars “Release No. FIVE” Grenache, Walla Walla Valley * Rand Sealey’s Review 19+/20 points
TL Cellars * 2006 TL Cellars “Release No. SIX” Petit Verdot, Columbia Valley * Rand Sealey’s Review 19.5/20 points

Over the Top Barrel Samples
Rasa Vineyards * 2008 Creative Impulse DuBrul Vineyard Cab/Merlot * (93-96) Jay Miller
Rasa Vineyards * 2008 Principia Reserve Syrah * (92-94) Tanzer

It is the wheat farmers, who are busy right now;  the combines are in the fields and the Grain Trains are on the move. It will be a great harvest year with droughts in the world’s other growing areas giving a boost to American wheat prices!

Word from the grape growers is the veraison (when the grapes begin to change color) will be a bit late this year, pushing harvest into October throughout the valley.

On the news front, July was a busy month. The new Hwy 12 opened in June and by July, the exits to reach the wineries on the old Hwy 12 were finally opened after several frustrating weeks for the now-bypassed venues.  Many wineries, including Glencorrie and Skylite Cellars, reported severe drops in visitor traffic due to the new highway.

Green Gables Inn, Walla Walla’s longest operating B&B, closed their doors in July with prospective guests scrambling to rebook their accommodations. Then, at month’s end, we heard the sad news that Creektown Cafe was closing while they restructured.  Hopefully, the restaurant’s closing will be temporary.

At the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance,  Executive Director Elizabeth Martin-Calder resigned to pursue other opportunities.

However, the cycle of business continues; some close, as others are opening. Mackey Vineyards is opening on 2nd in the former Ash Hollow location, who have now moved to the airport at 460 F Street, Bldg 924.  Trio Vintners, the first winery to open in the incubators at the airport, have moved their tasting room downtown to 102 S 2nd and will now be open Thursday-Monday.

By September, a joint tasting room for JLC Winery and Plumb Cellars will open on 1st beside Aloha Sushi. And we hear that the most famous Walla Walla blogger and wine gal, Walla Walla Wine Woman, Catie McIntrye Walker will be opening a retail wine shop on 2nd across from Salumerie Cesario sometime soon.

Vineyard & winery real estate sales chug along under the radar. Drew Bledsoe’s Flying B ranch and vineyard in Echo, Oregon has sold. Rasa Vineyards, who are currently making their acclaimed wine at Artifex, have purchased Hence Cellars property on Powerline Road.

La Porte Brune continues to make a culinary name for themselves with their celebrated underground dinners, now in Seattle, Boise and Walla Walla.  With a mobile kitchen truck arriving soon, look for more white tablecloth vineyard dinners with this talented chef.

Farm-to-Table dinners will be the rave this harvest. Dunham Cellars has their series of harvest lunches and dinners posted on our event calendar. And at Spofford Station, they are putting a twist on the culinary theme by offering vineyard tours and then dinner in their famed Cabernet Cow pasture.  Dinner, of course, will feature the grass-fed, grape-must finished, organic beef that winemaker and grape grower -where does she find the time to do it all? – Lynne Chamberlain produces.

Until next time!

How to open a bottle of wine with a shoe.  Check out the dude in the white sweater. I grabbed my Wine Away just in case.

How to remove a cork from an empty wine bottle.

This year, more than 50 winery events have been posted on our events calendar. We can’t remember as many special events in previous years. This year’s offerings include wine dinners, barrel-making demos, music and more music and of course, great food to accompany the newest releases from the valley’s wineries.

Here are our best picks of special events for this great weekend! In addition, there are plenty of wine club events that can be found on our event listings.

Then, stay tuned next week when we release our list of the “Must-See Wineries” for 2010 Spring Release Weekend, including ones celebrating their first release and our short list of “always favorite” stops.

Featured Winery: Tero Estates and Flying Trout

Typically, Spring Release Weekend doesn’t start until Friday, however, for those who can get here Thursday, you won’t want to miss the bonfire and s’mores at one of the valley’s newest wineries, Tero Estates.

Winery and vineyard owners, Doug and Jan Roskelley have teamed up with Ashley Trout of Flying Trout to give her brand a winery home. In exchange, Ashley will  collaborate with Doug on his estate wines.

To kick off their joint venture, they have planned a whopping four days of Spring Release events with imaginative and different activities each day.

Getting to them is a bit of an adventure, but a happy one that takes you to the historic site of Windrow Vineyard, part of the original Seven Hills Vineyard, planted in 1980. Once you get there, you are literally surrounded by both established and newly planted vineyards of some of the most illustrious names in Washington winemaking that includes Seven Hills, Marty Clubb and Figgins Family.

This is where it started for Walla Walla’s wine industry and with the recent vineyard arrivals that include JM Cellars, Octave, Cadaretta and Drew Bledsoe, we predict that this is where wine legends will be created.

Make the trip on any one of the four days, but for those lucky enough to be there on Thursday from 3-7:30 PM, you will enjoy their wines paired with s’mores around the bonfire and great hospitality from Ashley, Jan & Doug!

Highlights Friday, April 30:

• Spring Valley Vineyards Ranch will be open. Off Middle Waitsburg Road. 1-4PM
• Tero Estates & Flying Trout: Fiesta and Bluegrass 9-7:30 PM
• Wine Dinner at Waters Winery with Chef Mike Davis of Purple Bellevue. Reservations required.
• Wine Dinner at Basel Cellars featuring Chef JT of NW Wine Bar & Restaurant. Reservations required.
• Paella Dinner Party at Castillo De Feliciana Winery. Reservations required. (almost sold out)
• Northstar Winery features an Artist Reception featuring watercolors by Jill Ingram. Appetizers, wine tasting and meet the artist. 4:30 -7:00 pm
• Sapolil Cellars: The Randy Oxford Blues Series with The Fat Tones. 8-11 PM
• Kontos Cellars Mixer starts at 7PM. The Black Mercies start playing at 8 PM.

• Spring Valley Vineyards Ranch will be open. Off Middle Waitsburg Road. 11-3PM
• Celebrate with more than just wine at Three Rivers Winery’s  VIETRI Primavera Event from the producers of authentic Italian home decor. 10am-5pm
• Lodmell Cellars, 598 Piper Ave, Walla Walla Airport hosts Tonnellerie Radoux “LIVE” barrel making demonstration. 11-12:30PM.
• Incubator Wineries: West of the Blues BBQ Brunch and Lunch served up at the both days from 10-3 PM.
• Wine Dinner at Basel Cellars featuring Seattle’s favorite Italian chef, Chef Mauro Golmarvi of Assaggio Ristorante. Reservations required.
• Wine Dinner at Waters Winery with Chef Mike Davis of Purple Bellevue. Reservations required.
• Sapolil Cellars presents The Cut where local musicians compete for $100 or more in this local showcase. Each drink purchase allows guests a vote for the best of this night.

Highlights Sunday, May 2

• Pastries and Massage in the Vineyard at Tero Estates and Flying Trout. 9-2 PM.
• Incubator Wineries: West of the Blues BBQ Brunch and Lunch served up at the both days from 10-3 PM
• Lodmell Cellars, 598 Piper Ave, Walla Walla Airport hosts Tonnellerie Radoux “LIVE” barrel making demonstration. 11:30-2 PM.
• Watermill Winery hosts Sequin Moreau Master Cooper Douglas Rennie for a barrel-making demonstration on the patio. 11-3PM.
• Check out this video  on barrel making: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBHB1ek8Qjo

Have fun, taste safe!

Overall, it was a year where everyone worked a bit harder to sell wine, cheese and hotel rooms; more bottles than cases as some wineries shared with us.

And while wineries and consumers did not spend as freely as they may have in the past, the visitors still came to Walla Walla giving a weekend boom for lodging properties and putting the pressure on the remaining restaurants.

In response or perhaps just part of Walla Walla’s evolution, winery dinners were offered on busy crush weekends at Dunham Cellars, Waters Winery & Northstar. Guerrilla dinners jumped to the surface at a certain downtown winery over the summer. The only way you knew about it was if a friend invited you but good food news spreads rapidly and virally throughout our valley. Look for a more upscale underground version to start in January from Chef Andrae; sign up for the email notification at http://laportebrune.com

Some wineries were able weather the challenging times well. Reynvaan Family Vineyards opened their doors at Fall Release Weekend and sold their inaugural vintages completely out, only had futures to promote by Holiday Barrel. Sapolil Cellars became the place to hang out on Friday & Saturday nights to listen to music and drink wine. Charles Smith scored 100 points on his Royal City Syrah, ensuring that his winery was always crowded.

For other wineries, it was a year to learn direct marketing techniques when west side restaurants took it on the chin. Less wine was sold through this channel and what was sold was at lower retail prices.  Some wineries, such as Dusted Valley, Gifford-Hirlinger and Isenhower Cellars opened satellite tasting rooms in Woodinville this year.  Everyone else jumped on Facebook to find friends and fans, beefed up their email newsletters and focused on selling whatever, wherever. With the advent of Twitter, Leonetti’s 2006 Sangiovese appearing at Tukwila’s Costco was a 140-character revelation.

Of course, as in every challenging period, there are opportunities to realize and several projects are waiting in the wings to reveal themselves! More about these in an upcoming 2010 blog.

For now, say goodbye to 2009. We survived this tough, challenging year, learned new ways of doing things and said adios to others.

We wish all of our readers, a better 2010 and we’ll be right here making sure you know all the wine news in Walla Walla!

Cheers!

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