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!

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!

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 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.

Be sure to check with Walla Walla Wine News for a listing of all the winery events all weekend. Join in the fun by posting status updates, great happenings by using #WWFallWines as the weekend twitter handle.

Currently, we have more than 50+ events listed on our event calendar that weekend, here is our growing short list of some of the best!

“MUST-SEE HIGHLIGHTS”

• Don’t miss visiting Kurt and Vicki Schlicker at Rulo Winery. This gem of a winery (one of those great finds when you get off the official map) had their $15 Syrca recognized on Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 Best Buy List 2010. Sunset Magazine‘s November issue named the 2007 Rulo Syrah $20 in their Top 8 Western Wine Awards.
• Sunset Magazine also gave shout outs to Waterbrook’s 2007 Merlot-Cab $11 ($15 and under), Rotie Cellars’ 2008 Southern Blend $35 and Northstar 2006 Walla Walla Merlot $50 ($30-$50). Congratulations to these wineries!

• Wild Walla Walla Wine Woman, Catie McIntrye Walker, opens her wine shop on 2nd Ave, just a few doors south of the Marcus Whitman Hotel.

• We admit it, we are crazy about Andrae’s Kitchen Food Truck ever since we profiled them in our September What’s Up issue. The great news is that they will be stationed at various wineries throughout the valley during Fall Release Weekend. Look for their delicious gourmet grub at Corlis Winery on 2nd Ave., Thursday, 11-3. On Friday, November 5, AK’s will be parked at Saviah Cellars on the southside for lunch, then back to Corliss Winery for dinner 5-7:30 PM. Saturday is booked for a private winery gig at Dusted Valley (all you lucky Stained Tooth Society members!), but if you miss them at any of the above, you can catch them at Woodward Canyon on Sunday from 11-3PM.
• Tero Estates & Flying Trout Wines invite you to a rooftop party, appetizers, a bonfire & s’mores at their Milton-Freewater vineyard on Saturday 11/6 from 1-4pm. For those who have made the trek out to historic Windrow Vineyards, you already know the great wines, the great people and the awe-inspiring view.Soon, though, you will be able to taste their wines right downtown, at the corner of Rose and 2nd. Where you say? The former bank location at the Marcus Whitman Hotel is being renovated to hold two to three wineries. Oh, room service!
• Le Chateau Winery launches their Nicola’s Redmark tier of wines; Red Blend, White Blend, Pinot Grigio and Riesling, each priced at $9.99/btl/$99.99 a case. Also, don’t miss the buy of the weekend, Kelso Case Sale $44. Your choice of white or red wine.
• Be sure to check out the new digs for Trio Vintners. This summer they moved out of their airport location and into downtown. They are celebrating their move downtown with a Grand Opening celebration all weekend. You can find them on 2nd between Alder and Popular.
• For the best food & wine experience, reserve a space at winemaker dinners being held at Waters Winery, Northstar Winery, Patit Creek Cellars and  Dunham Cellars.
• Wine writer Paul Gregutt will be all over town this weekend, signing copies of his new book. You’ll find him at Abeja on Friday, noon to 3; Isenhower from 3 to 6. On Saturday, he’ll be at Nicholas Cole from noon to 2; L’Ecole from 2:30 to 4:30; then at Northstar’s Winemaker dinner that evening.

• CreekTown Cafe has reopened under new ownership and with a new name: South Fork Grill. The great news is that you will see familiar faces as owners, Jodi Worden and her husband have rehired many of the CreekTown employees. Even better news is that Chef Namil has retained CreekTown favorite dishes, but has also added Indian-influenced dishes to the menu along with Sunday night curry specials.  Sample menu from a recent Facebook posting: Clams with a green curry sauce & arugula cherry tomato salad and/or Braised Indian spiced chicken with curried chickpeas and spinach, fresh baked naan sprinkled with kalonji seeds. Phone number remains the same 509 522-4777.
• Someone’s in the Kitchen (SITK) has added Thursday through Saturday evenings from 5-9PM. We love Chef Gene’s preparation of healthy, creative, yummy food at affordable prices. Check out their dinner menu.
  
• For an insider’s Walla Walla experience, sign up for the cheese and wine class with Monteillet Fromagerie & Lullaby Winery. While you are in Dayton, be sure to stop by Dumas Station Winery. Their Cow Catcher Red is one of the great values in the valley.
• Not quite ready for prime time, Plumb Cellars will be opening their doors literally on this weekend at 9 S 1st (next to Aloha Sushi). Their tasting room will still have  renovation dust in the air, but you’ll have a chance to meet the enthusiastic gang and taste their wines.

We will be adding to this list right up until Thursday, November 4. So be sure to check back or add your picks in our comment section.

Have a great and safe Fall Release Weekend!

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!

For those who are on the vaulted list, the Cayuse weekend is THE reason to travel to Walla Walla to taste the next vintage release and to pick up this year’s allocation as it is the only time that the winery opens up to its customers.

Yes, there is the Provence-yellow store front on Main Street near Merchant’s Deli (recently sold to T. Maccarones, and soon to will reopen as Olive Café). Hopeful visitors often comment that they stopped by the Cayuse tasting room only to see the note on the door, “Sorry, we are sold out.” It takes a local to tell them that that sign has been a permanent fixture throughout this past decade and that the only way to sip the famed Bionic Frog is to get on the list.

Yes, the Frog does things his way. And it appears that while most pricey wines have taken a battering in the snapping shut of consumer’s wallets, he remains just as cheeky.  He does it his way or one imagines no way at all.

In a state with recognized industry leaders such as Leonetti, Quilceda Creek, Woodward Canyon and a handful of others, Cayuse and its iconic frog remain the single most creative (and successful) brand we have. Even the usually irreverent and innovative Charles Smith bows to conventionality when it comes to his tasting room experience. Perhaps this aspect of the business bores Charles and he feels assured that “they will buy.”

What does this change mean? In the past number of years, many wineries have adopted the November Cayuse weekend as their fall release date. We don’t see this changing. The first full weekend in November is a perfect time for Walla Walla wineries to host their harvest celebration. The weather is usually good, if a bit chilly, the mountain pass on I-90 from Seattle is clear and there are no competing industry events. It is a few weeks before the Thanksgiving weekend wine events for Yakima, Prosser and Red Mountain region and a month before St. Nick’s in Woodinville.

No, the real impact will be felt at Spring Release, which got its start from Leonetti when they established the first full weekend in May as their release date. The dilemma will be for those fortunate to be on both lists, “which weekend do I pick if I can only do one?”

Cayuse’s change is great news for our hotels, B & B’s, restaurants and other businesses driven by wine visitors as this will jumpstart our wine season by three weeks.

Did the Frog think about all of this when he made his decision? Probably not! More likely, it was the sheer logistics of hosting his growing list inside the winery that made this decision necessary. By moving the date to April, they can move the party outside.

And what a party it is; great wines, tasty morsels, beautiful people pouring wine for equally attractive tasters and a ribbon of expensive automobiles waiting to pick up their allotted yellow boxes, make Cayuse releases happenings.

Or maybe it is as the Frog said, he needs the warmer weather to be randy!

10:  Taste Stella Fino Italian varietal wines while nibbling on Petit Noirs exquisite chocolates. For all of us dreaming of someday chucking the day job, there is no better inspiration than Marlene & Matt’s  story of leaving corporate NYC to come to Walla Walla to pursue their passion to make wine. Well…the only story that might compete with their story, is the one of the Petit Noirs’ owners of leaving corporate world to learn how to make fine chocolate and artisan baking in NYC and then following their passion here in our valley.

9:  Malbec, everywhere you can find it. Don’t miss Kontos Cellars Malbec (25 cases only), Basel Cellars are barrel tasting their 08 Malbec.

8: Amavi Cellars ‘ new digs on Pepper Bridge Road. While their grand opening is slated for Spring Release, they are inviting everyone to follow their progress on their new facility. And if that wasn’t reason enough, pairing their wines with Diane’s stew makes it a “must-see” on our list.

7:  Rock it out at Sapolil Cellars Friday night with The Randy Oxford Band. Tacoma based Randy Oxford and his energizing blues trombone leads this award winning headliner 6-piece band belting out rock, soul, funk, R&B, and jazz all wrapped around a blues core. 8-11PM. $15, 80 tickets only.

6:  Check out Ryan Raber’s new digs at Castillo de Feliciana! You gotta love just saying that name. Their newly-opened tasting room in the south end of WW is actually in Oregon, but don’t let that stop you, it is literally just over the line and the views and the wines are mighty fine.

5: Reynvaan Winery: Under the helpful direction of Christophe Baron of Cayuse, this winery is poised for great things. Take a drive all the way up Cottonwood Road into the foothills to meet Mike and Gale and their winemaker son Matt. This family is super friendly and clearly delighted to welcome visitors to their property.

4:  Rasa Vineyards: Probably the most diverse story we have seen in a long time. After working almost two decades in the lucrative tech world “to satisfy family expectations,” the brothers, Pinto and Billo Naravane are now making ultra premium, terroir specific Syrah based wines.  Stephen Tanzer scored their first release, 2007 Rasa Vineyards QED 91 pts; the Wine Advocate gave it 93 pts and the Wine Enthusiast Magazine made it an Editor’s Choice 94 pts. This is a winery to track.

3:  Substance Wines will be pouring at Waters Winery. This iconic brand has a lot of mojo;  cool award-winning labels and web site add up to a brilliant way of marketing affordable wines. Oh yes, their winemaking team are pretty cool too!

2:  Grand Opening of Tranche Cellars: This sister winery to Corliss Estates is holding an Open House Saturday from 10-5PM at their facility on Berney Drive (formerly Nicholas Cole Winery). Corliss Winemaker Kendall Mixx oversees  winemaking for the brand, whose mission to provide “uncompromised quality and deliver it to you at a reasonable price.”  Prices range from $16 -$35, with Stephen Tanzer scoring five wines 90+.

1: It wouldn’t be the Holidays without experiencing how we celebrate it here in Walla Walla. On Saturday, Macy’s Parade of Lights starts at 6PM downtown. Best viewing location is right on Main Street.  Dress warmly and enjoy this time-honored expression of small town life!

Enjoy Holiday Barrel safely!

It is the bottle you grab when only you want a glass of wine with dinner.  Or when you just can’t bring yourself to open a more expensive wine when eating lasagna, pizza or hamburgers.  So when you find a great weekday wine, it is a treasure!

Walla Walla is chock full of great weekday wines as more wineries address the magic price point. Certainly, the premier spot needs to go to Tamarack Cellars Firehouse Red $20, a wine so popular they built their wine club on the premise that everyone needs at least a case in their cellar at all times.

Our current favorites are Mannina Cellars Sangiovese $22 and Saviah Cellars Jack $18. Another weekday staple, Balboa Winery has staked a claim on tasty red wines such as Cat’s Meow $20. If you are really lucky, your favorite mid-week restaurant’s house wines will be from Balboa.

No stranger to quaffable wines, Charles Smith of K Vintners perfected this concept with Magnificent Wine Company and then sold it to Precept Brands. As soon as he did, he started all over again with new black & white affordable labels.

Substance, a division of Waters Winery, has the cleverest labeling. Their budget-priced varietals are based on the chemistry table that stymied so many of us in college.

Rulo Winery is always in the running for great wines with terrific value.  Just down the road from them is Dusted Valley Vintners with their Boomtown Syrah and Merlot, both wines at $16.

Of course, we can’t forget Three-Legged Dog ($19) by Dunham Cellars and Kick Ass Red ($16) from Yellow Hawk Cellar.

More new wineries are offering wines in this price range. Don’t miss Cow Catcher Red $19 from Dumas Station Winery. This winery recently received 91 pts for their 2006 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($32) from Wine Spectator.  This weekend,  you can check them out at Merchant’s and even better, your tasting is complimentary.

Without a doubt,  there are many more,  so please send your favs.

In the meantime, it’s Thursday so raise your glass with a great weekday red wine!

Tasting wine around the airport in Walla Walla is an excellent way to spend a wine- tasting day.  Once referred to as the “wine ghetto of Walla Walla” by Esquire Magazine (not sure this is a compliment or not!) it certainly does offer delicious treasures for even the most serious of wine collectors.  With over 18 wineries open on a regular basis, you’ll easily discover something wonderful to drink for dinner or a fabulous bottle to stash in the cellar.

Port of Walla Walla Wine Incubators

Up on Piper Ave., the Winery Incubators are a ‘must-see’ and, if you have not yet visited this destination, put the incubators on your wine tasting itinerary this fall.   Five start-up wineries in nearly identical buildings are nestled together in one place, each offering something different in their style and varietals.  Cavu Cellars, Adamant Cellars, Lodmell Cellars, Trio Vintners and Kontos Cellars make up the village and between them have dozens of wines on hand to sample. Stop by on any given day and you’ll most likely be greeted by the winemaker, or be able to spy the work he or she does.  Like many of the wineries at the airport, all the winemaking’s done right there, within full view of the tasting rooms.

Be aware, however, that ‘start-up’ does not necessarily mean ‘new’. The truth is that none of these folks are new to winemaking – just the commercial businesses are. In order to lease a space at the incubators the winery must be brand new.  At the end of the 6 year lease the winery must move out and make way for a new ‘baby winery’. The bare bones buildings allow the winemakers to fashion their own styles in a professional atmosphere and grow their brands.   The resulting quality of wine made here is certainly on par with what you would expect from the wines of the region; excellent wines produced from quality fruit grown in the region and made with great care and passion.

Denise Slattery is one of the trio of winemakers and owners of Trio Vintners in Walla Walla, Wa.