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!

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.

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!

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

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!

We are all familiar with the song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” It’s a melodic and repetitious rhyme with a list of strange gifts.  I mean like if you live in the city, where are you going to put all of those birds, let alone house and feed all of those lords, maids, dancers, pipers and drummers in today’s economy? At least the price of gold has gone up so you can sell the five gold rings to take care of everybody for a while.

However, in the interest of Walla Walla Valley wines, I found an easier way to gift your favorite wine lover during the Twelve Days of Christmas.  And in the interest of time and space, I have listed just the full twelve days of the gifts.   But of course, you are welcome to start the song from the first day of Christmas in honor of traditions: lather, rinse, repeat and sing the carol’s tune.

“On the first day of Christmas, my wine-o friends sent to me: A Leonetti in a grape field. On the second day of Christmas…”

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
My wine-o friends sent to me
Twelve Geoff Tate’s Insania a-humming,
Eleven North Stars a-shining,
Ten Long Shadows a-leaping,
Nine Nina Lees a-dancing,
Eight Calico Cats a-napping,
Seven Buty’s and a Beast,
Six Flying Trouts,
Five Star Cellars
Four-Legged Dogs
Three Waldeaux Smithies
Two Sleight of Hands
And a Leonetti in a grape field!

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. 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.

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!