Live! KUJ (1420 AM) Wine Bloggers - Destination Walla Walla!

When Jim Bock, News Director of KUJ Radio located in Walla Walla, asked me if I would consider a live interview and suggested that if I was shy, he would make it easy...

Shy? Are you kidding? Where's the mic?

Turn the dial to Jim Bock on radio KUJ (1420 AM) at 7:30 this Thursday morning (July 30)! Jim will interview me about the upcoming Wine Bloggers Conference scheduled for June of 2010 in Walla Walla, WA!

The Faces of 2009 Wine Bloggers Convention

These are just some of the 277 faces that gathered this year in Napa/Sonoma for the Wine Bloggers Convention 2009. In June of 2010 we will see these wonderful faces once again, but this time in Walla Walla, WA. I can hardley wait! These are my wine blogging homies - my online wine peeps and they will get to see what I have been blogging about now for over five years.

Wine bloggers are a curious bunch - wherever one goes, several follow. We migrate to other wine bloggers like ourselves, those who are ever faithful and have dedicated themselves to their craft.

Wine Bloggers Convention 2010: Destination Walla Walla!

It's official! The Wine Bloggers Convention will be moved out of California to Walla Walla for 2010! The votes were cast, collected and counted and it's destination Walla Walla, June 25-27! The organizers of this event have lined up an incredible team of supporters including the Washington Wine Commission, Chateau St. Michelle Winery, and the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance. The convention will be held at our beautiful and historic Marcus Whitman. Check out this link for more info:http://winebloggersconference.org/america/2010-wbc-location-poll/

And a note to all of you WBC 09 convention wine peeps here at Santa Rosa/Flamingo Hotel - come see me and pick up your Welcome To Walla Walla token gifted by Tumac Outdoor Equipment and arranged by Michael Mettler, Marketing Consultant/Graphic Design and PR Hustler!!! And if you time it right - I'll pour you a taste of wine from Forgeron Cellars in Walla Walla! Welcome to Walla Walla WBC '10!!!

Wine Bloggers Conference 2009: Sonoma, CA

This Thursday morning I will be flying out of Walla Walla to attend the Second Annual North American Wine Bloggers Conference held in Sonoma and Napa Counties, CA. on Friday, July 24 to Sunday, July 26th. I will be joining 2oo+ wine bloggers from all over the United States and even a few from Europe, as well as new media innovators, and wine industry leaders.

The conference will be filled with meet and greets, keynote speakers, panel discussions, vineyard walks, break-out sessions regarding wine blogging and social media, Grand Tastings of Sonoma and Napa Valley Wines and even a Live Wine Blogging gathering on Friday scheduled for 2:30 pm PDT! Oh, and one more thing - -

For over a year now, I have been throwing hissy-fits at WBC organizer’s Joel Vincent (what a saint!) about moving the WBC 2010 out of California and into Washington State. At times it’s been a bit controversial whether the WBC 2010 should be held at Woodinville or Walla Walla. Well, after much discussion, the votes have been cast, collected and counted. Stay tuned and follow me on Twitter, as Sunday morning the announcement will be made regarding the WBC 2010 Washington State destination - Woodinville or Walla Walla?

I will soon post a Twitter widget so you can follow me for live updates on my wine blogging journey!

Listen Up Gaming Geeks and Millennials: 8-Bit Vintners is here!

The story of Michael James and his wine project in Walla Walla is a great example of what I love about the Internet. You can find stories of interest just as close as your "own back yard." I couldn't wait to get ahold of Mike to find out the scoop of his up-and-coming wine project, named 8-Bit Vintners.

W5: Mike, I first heard about your wine project on my daily subscription to Google Alert. However, the website I checked out was not about wine. For me, it seemed a rather obscure website - - a gamer’s board named, Kotaku.com. I have to admit, I am rather clueless about gaming, even though I've been known to whoop some butts during a mean game of Ms. Pacman. But what was so surprising, and of course the most interesting to me about this website is you were listed as a finalist in a contest as having the "Most Unique Job" (a vintner)! So how did the contest end up?

Mike: It makes me so happy that you found me the way you did. It illustrates how the Internet can be such a great tool to promote a new or existing product with little or no marketing budget.

Anyway, so yeah, I'm a geek. I'm really into video games and I always have been. I remember the first time I picked up a controller to play Super Mario Bros. for Nintendo and I was mesmerized. I had a good buddy who lived down the street from me and when we weren't at school or playing sports, we were in his basement, or mine, trying to beat the newest game. I really cherish those times. I used to love reading the newest gaming magazines every month. Seeing all the upcoming games and picking the ones I just had to have. Unfortunately, most of those magazines have either gone under or web sites have replaced them. The site you found, the story about me on Kotaku is one of the most visited and well respected video game news sites on the web. When I found out that I was a finalist for their most unique job contest, I was pretty excited! To me, the best part was thinking of all the people that would see what I was doing with my wine. But, after three days of collecting votes, I came out on top and won a $1400 gaming laptop from Dell. It was a cool experience!

W5: I understand you just graduated from the Center for Enology and Viticulture at Walla Walla. What was the driving force that sent you to the school? Your background?

Mike: I did just graduate. I had a great two years at the college. Next to marrying my wife, it was the best decision I (we) ever made. I graduated college in 2005 with a business degree and had been working various sales jobs and was really unsatisfied. I had been really passionate about wine for about three years at that point and decided it was time to make a change. I visited Walla Walla once before on a road trip around the western U.S. I loved the wine and the people of Walla Walla and remembered someone talking about a two-year Enology/Viticulture program. So, I applied. We moved up before the following new fall semester. I have always loved history and hand crafted things, so grape growing and wine making were an instant attraction. I worked my first harvest in 2007 for Bergevin Lane under Steffan Jorgensen (who makes fantastic wine). Then I was offered a tasting room position at Seven Hills Winery. That position turned into a sales/production position and I currently am the national sales rep for Seven Hills Winery as well as starting my own label, "8-Bit Vintners."

W5: Tell me more about your new winery project, "8-Bit Vintners" and your soon-to-be released wine named, "Player 1." Also, how about your gaming and how it ended up blending with viticulture?

Mike: "8-Bit Vintners" is a concept that I came up with when I was driving wheat truck for a local family in Walla Walla the first summer we moved here. You get a lot of time to think when you're up in those hills. I really wanted to do something different in the industry. Something that was totally unique and niche driven. I knew it had to be something that represented me and my passions, or people would see right through it. First however, and above all else, the wine should over deliver on both quality and price. I feel like you can go one of two ways when creating a wine label. You can either be incredibly broad and try to reach every demographic or be incredibly focused on reaching a very specific one.

I obviously chose to be specific. Incorporating my love of games and the nostalgia I have for the games of my youth seemed liked a no brainer. I feel like there is this untapped amount of people who grew up playing Mario, MegaMan and Contra, who now get zero attention in the wine industry. I hear all this stuff about marketing to Millennials and I struggle to find one wine label that does it effectively. Anyway, I knew it was incredibly risky, but with so much wine sitting on store shelves, I figured it was better to stand out than get lost in the shuffle. Currently, 8-Bit Vintners is producing wine in collaboration with Casey McClellan of Seven Hills Winery. My first wine, "Player 1" is a red blend of 50% Syrah, 30% Tempranillo, 10% Cab Sauv, and 5% of Carmenere and 5% Malbec. "Player 1" will be around a 250 case production. And next spring, I have plans to create a white wine called "Player 2."

W5: And what will the future hold for 8-Bit Vintners?

Mike: My dream, is that this is only the begining. I am working with a very limited budget and a lot of prayer. I would love to have my own facility one day and create a place that is carried on by my kids. I'm realistic to the challenges of starting a new label, but I never want to look back and say I should have. Oh, and I want to be the first to have a Pacman machine in my tasting room.

For more information about Mike James and to stay tuned to the lastest news about 8-Bit Vintners, check out:

facebook.com/8bitvintners

twitter.com/8BitVintner

Glencorrie Winery: History Making History

Glencorrie is a fitting name for a winery that's tucked away in a small glen. The south facing slope reminds us of the corries that were left behind by the result of the historic Missoula floods which shaped our celebrated area, so many years ago.

The timing of my visit to this new winery could not have been any better, as the liquor board had just left a few hours before and leaving their seal of approval. It was official! On June 5th, Glencorrie Winery was open for business and it was just in time for the Vintage Walla Walla weekend!

It’s quite picturesque – the winery grounds has yards of blue sky above, framed with a view of the Blue Mountains from the south and in a lush countryside surrounding. At the end of the long drive-way you are met with a custom designed 3,000 sq. foot horse barn positioned in the middle of a 13-acre parcel along Highway 12, west of Walla Walla.

Ronn Coldiron, co-owner of Glencorrie greeted my guest, Sue Tarver and me, as we arrived from the drive. However, Sue wasn't really a "guest," as she was coming back to a place she use to refer to as "home." Sue was the former owner who established the barn and would eventually sell it and the parcel to Ronn and his brother, Dean. At this point, I was the observer, who not only learned about the exciting future for the winery and vineyards, but also learned about the wonderful history and the thoughtful craftsmanship that went into the structure and the land.

In 2002, brothers, Ronn and Dean Coldiron planted a small 150-vine experimental vineyard in California and started their search of the perfect location for an estate vineyard and winery setting in the Walla Walla Valley. They will tell you that they could not believe their good fortune when they discovered the custom built pole building with the monitor-style roof. The traditional barn red colored building holds six stalls with a center aisle. Pine tongue-and-groove paneling is lined on the stall fronts and the interior. The center aisle holds a unique part of Walla Walla history as it is paved from used brick that was salvaged from the demolition of the old St. Patricks Catholic School dated back to the 1860's. Sue told us how she painstakingly cleaned each brick by hand.

The land, which features a good, but slight elevation with a south facing slope, also has its share of Walla Walla history. It was owned by an early French Canadian resident of the valley who was married to a local Native American woman. The land had been awarded to them in the mid-1800's under the Donation Land Claim Act, which preceeded the Homestead Act.

There have been some new additions to the barn structure in keeping with a working winery environment. The former open hay storage is now the enclosed tasting room. The new tasting room features a compass-like map on the floor showing that all good wines from all around the world, lead to and from the Walla Walla Valley. Some of the stall area is currently holding barrels and eventually some of the actual stalls will be part of a barrel room.


Once the Coldirons had the land and the building, they also needed the wine. Again, with their good fortune, they were able to commission Charlie Hoppes, owner and winemaker of Fidelitas Wines at Red Mountain to make their inaugural releases. Charlie is no stranger to wineries on Walla Walla West Highway 12, as he was the original winemaker at Three Rivers Winery when they also opened their doors on Highway 12. Hoppes's approach to wine is a style the Coldirons want to identify with for their winery - acknowledging that wine is food and meant to compliment a meal. Production will be limited to 500-600 cases of premium Bordeaux-influenced varietals and blends.

The Glencorrie Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon - 2006 had all of the components I look for in a Walla Walla cab. It was dark and rich as if I had just popped a chocolate covered cherry in my mouth. The nose hinted of those crisp Autumn evenings in the Walla Walla Valley. This Walla Walla wine made my Walla Walla Wine Woman palate swoon!

Glencorrie Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - 2006 released notes and flavors of juicy blackberries, with just a hint of spice. Even by itself, I could tell this wine was going to compliment a rich dining experience - - say steak au poivre or a steak with a wine redux of the same.

Glencorrie Cuvee Marquis - 2006, a tribute to the Coldiron's mother’s maiden name, Marquis, this is a distinguished blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 10% Malbec. It was rich, leaving a mouthful of currant jelly, anisette, and juicy brambleberries - - with just a playful touch of graham cracker.

These wines are rich, smooth and very well balanced. The fruits are allowed to shine through showing their true character by being aged in 50% new French and American oak including 50% one year old barrels. And while these wines are made to compliment food, they complimented my palate even without the food. I look forward to Glencorrie making their own history in the Walla Walla Valley.

(Ronn Coldiron with Heidi Harrison, Tasting Room Manager)

Righteous! Up Close and Personal with Josh McDaniels of Sweet Valley Wines

Sweet Valley Wines, in Walla Walla, was labeled by the press as Washington State's 500th winery. The winery project was established in 2004 and started out as simply with a father and a uncle wanting to showcase their young winemaker's talent. Their first release in 2007 was 105 cases of their signature Double Barrel Red Blend which completely sold out.

Josh McDaniels was that young winemaker and along with his talent, Sweet Valley Wines has seen their winery grow. In fact, a lot is happening at Sweet Valley right now: they have opened a new tasting room downtown Walla Walla at 12 N. Second and have developed a second label. And on a personal note, Josh just graduated from the Center for Enology and Viticulture in Walla Walla, and Josh finally turned 21 on May 4th, right after his third release! With all of this great news for Sweet Valley Wines and Josh, I knew I had to visit with this very ambitious winemaker.

W5: "Okay Josh, I know there is a story here. I understand that Don Redman of Mannina Cellars and Chris Figgins of Leonetti Cellar exposed you to the world of wine. Why wine? What was it about the grapes that intrigued you?"

Josh: "Luckily Don and Chris did expose me to wine and I could not have asked for two better people. I grew up in Walla Walla and remember Gary (Figgins of Leonetti) and my Dad working at the local cannery together. I remember my sisters and I picking peas off of what is now the Loess Vineyard, so I have been around for the growth of the valley to expose me, in ways, to itself.

It had to be wine because of the true beauty, competitive lifestyle, the personal challenge, and the allure that quality and Walla Walla wine has going for it. I guess I have always been attracted to these things, and after hours of working for Don, with no pay, I knew I had to like it, right? I tend to get bored with monotonous work, and the number of hats I can wear in this industry has definitely been a plus too.

W5: "Josh, I 'heard through the grape vine,' actually it was from your father David, who told me you weren't even 21 years of age when you first started on your venture of cellar rat. How old were you and did any of your underage friends think it was cool that you were in an alcohol environment?"

Josh: "My parents were definitely aware of my age at the time (especially my mom), so I am sure he let you know (I turned 21 a few weeks ago, so no more worries!)… I believe I was 15 when I started volunteering for Don as his 'cellar rat.' That soon turned into, with Chris’s (Figgins) help, a small vineyard in my parents backyard, and the beginnings of Sweet Valley.

It was my senior year of high school that we bottled our first vintage of Sweet Valley, the 2005 Double Barrel. A lot of my friends did think it was cool, but that didn’t help me get them out to the winery to help me work. I think at that time, the focus was more on Keystone Light and Pabst Blue Ribbon than premium red wine - - imagine that!

As the winery has gotten more serious, a lot of friends have been there for me, and not just for the alcohol!"

W5: "What is your favorite place to be? In the cellar or out in the vineyards and why?"

Josh: "There’s nothing like being in the vineyard at 6 in the morning with the Hispanic radio stations blaring out of the tractor, and on the other hand, seeing the winemaking process in the winery is amazing too (usually a different music choice though). I could not put a 'favorite' on either of the two, but they do have their moments, for sure."

W5: "Josh, tell me about Sweet Valley Wine's new label, 'Righteous.' I had an opportunity to taste the Righteous Malbec at the Vintage Walla Walla's Pavilion Pour. And it was well - - - righteous! The name and the label are so different from the traditional Sweet Valley label and in fact, it expresses youth. I am betting this is your conception?"

Josh: "The new Righteous label (malbec, red blend and rose') has been a lot of fun for me and yes, it was my conception. And sometimes it really reflects on the lifestyle that I live, in respect to extreme sports, being at the beach, on the mountain, drinking wine, friends, family, God, food, and a lot more. The debut, in this down economy, has been perfect, too. With lower prices and different winemaking styles, it has allowed us to branch out from our typical Sweet Valley customers and reach a whole new demographic- for the most part.

As the label says, I try to bring the class of the Last Supper, and the savvy of surfer dudes into each glass of Righteous Wine. I agree that it does express a sense of youth, but with all of the millennials out there drinking wine, and the baby boomers retiring and wishing they were still young, how could we go wrong? "

W5: "I couldn't agree more with your thoughts on the millennials and us baby boomers wishing we were still young - at least when it comes to the creaking joints.

So, tell me - - what does the future hold for Josh McDaniels?"

Josh: "Lately, my Dad and I have been very busy getting into a vineyard, drawing up our new winery plans, and working on our own private wine label, which have all been our own personal long term goals since the beginning. All of this is being taken very seriously with no hurry, in order to preserve the quality of the grapes and the wine experience. Along with that, I am continuing my education in wine, with plans to move on to my next degree which, as of right now, will be business related. Lastly, I have been building my winery and vineyard consulting company up (j.d. mcdaniels consulting) to be able to hopefully take on more clients upon graduation of college.

Ultimately, the future will be trying to enjoy the life I lead as much as possible."

Wine Blogging Wednesday #58: Wine & Music

Katie Pizzuto of Gonzo Gastronomy has challenged us to put forth a little more effort on this month's WBW than just finding a nice wine to write about. Instead Katie wants us to enjoy a wine or two, while playing different types of music, and taking notes on how our experiences changes with each wine and song.

(I am going to have to tell the truth here - - as I already had my wine and music notes (excuse the pun) completed a few months ago due to a recent article I wrote for a local wine and food magazine about the exact same topic.)

I haven't exactly found that playing different types of music will change the experience of the wines, but what I have found there are certain wines that pair well with certain songs and musicians. And I also base the music and song according to my day. Good day? Bad day? Or maybe a flatline of a day and I need a bit of a spark to get going? In my sanctuary, which holds my collection of wine and eclectic music, and where I hide from the elements of ring tones and gab, I find a bold, yet supple cabernet sauvignon with layers of black ripe fruit and cocoa is completed with Luciano Pavarotti belting out the aria, Nessun Dorma, from the final act of Puccini's opera Turandot.

Any sultry song sung by Patsy Kline or the 1970's girl rock band, Heart goes well with a locally produced merlot that shows flavor notes of chocolate-covered cherries, nutmeg and a deep nose of autumn leaves. I play Annie Lennox's Little Bird or Whiter Shade of Pale as I sip on a viognier with its nose of fresh pears and a long finish of cotton candy. A Bordeaux-style rose'? Nothing else will do but the warbling of the little French sparrow Edith Piaf.

A well-chilled, crisp and grassy-toned sauvignon blanc makes me yearn for some honky-tonk from country artist Alan Jackson. Yee-Haw! When the album Laundry Service by Colombian/Lebanese singer-songwriter-belly-dancer Shakira comes up, I have been known to reach for the zills (finger cymbals) and shake and shimmy while balancing a glass of spicy and inky-colored syrah.

Which wine pairs the best with the dark and gothic heavy-metal riffs of Brian Hugh Warner, also known as Marilyn Manson? Well, that's a wine pairing I haven't decided on yet. Instead, I skip the wine and make a Bloody Mary. That's when I know I have had a really bad day.

Send Walla Walla Homegrown Thomas Thompson to Healdsburg!

This is one of the many good things I love about the internet. Murphy-Goode Winery in Healdsburg, CA got to thinking about the new age of communications and figured it was a pretty good thing, too!

They are looking to hire a “Murphy-Goode Wine Country Lifestyle Correspondent” (a social media whiz) who knows how to use Web 2.0 and the social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, blogs and all sorts of good stuff like that - - to tell the world about their wines, winemaking and the place where their winery is located: the Sonoma County Wine Country. It's a wine country dream job!

In exchange, for this “Really Goode Job” at Murphy-Goode, the chosen person will receive a six-month job paying $10,000 a month plus accommodations. And note, they are not asking for your typical hard copy resume. Applicants are asked to send a 60 second video and Murphy- Goode is asking us to vote for our favorite!

So won't you help my friend and former winery co-worker, local homegrown Walla Wallan Thomas Thompson? Thomas is more than a social techie, he is very familiar with wineries and vineyards as he is a grad of the Institute of Enology and Viticulture of Walla Walla. Let's all give Thomas our vote and send him to Sonoma! Vote Thomas applicant #836 on the Murphy-Goode website or at this link:
Thomas Thompson #836

Applications close on Friday, June 19 - - so vote soon!

A Vintage Wine Weekend in Walla Walla

It’s so appropriate that the weekend of Vintage Walla Walla is also the weekend for me to celebrate my very vintage birthday. Believe it or not, I have finally reached a point in my life where I am comfortable with my age. And thankfully, I can always lean towards the old quote of “Women are like fine wine. They all start out fresh, fruity and intoxicating to the mind and then turn full-bodied with age...” However, I will skip the rest of that old quote. Of course, it doesn't pertain to me (she said in denial) “...until they go all sour and vinegary and give you a headache."

Anywhooo - The seventh annual nation's premier vintage tasting experience, Vintage Walla Walla is once again upon us! And besides a weekend of great wines flowing in abundance, there will also be wine education. Now, don't be all groaning when you read the word, "education." Let’s face it, how tough is it anyways to sit in a class room knowing you'll be sipping on a glass of wine? Contact Walla Walla Wine Alliance for more information on how you can be part of a terroir tour (Wear those comfy shoes. Seriously, we don’t care how glamorous you think your legs look with heels - - and I’m not just talking to the women, either), a panel discussion on vintage syrah, and even a wine tailgating party to a vineyard complete with a session on blending your own wines and a picnic brunch with the winemakers!

The Walla Walla Wine Alliance plans on keep you busy in the evenings, too! Friday, June 5 is an evening of “Vintage Pour” held at the Marcus Whitman Hotel Renaissance Ballroom. Over twenty Walla Walla winemakers are going to peruse through their private libraries and bring out their finest releases from 2002 or earlier for you to taste! Amuse your palate with culinary treats by guest chefs from the Northwest. And take a chance by bidding on exclusive rare wines, not available anywhere else in the world, besides an opportunity for a chauffeured wine tasting planned just for you the next day!

"Dinner with the Wineries" package is also available. Dine and have conversation with the proprietors, winemakers, and growers of the Walla Walla Valley. Arrive to-and-from in chauffeured transportation to the world of the vintner’s own “pad.”

And last but not least, Saturday, June 6 is the Grand Pavilion Pour on the creek side lawns of the Whitman College Campus. Featuring an opportunity to taste the current releases of the valley from 50 wineries all in one convenient location. You’ll be entertained with a “battle of the grills” between regional guest chefs (and of course, with a sampling). And don’t forget to check out the silent auction with a special focus on large format bottles. After all that wine tasting, can you say, “Methuselah”?

Of course, the Walla Walla Wine Alliance’s Vintage Walla Walla events are going to drive you to wanting more of Walla Walla, so check out the new tasting room of Sweet Valley Wines. They will hopefully open their doors for the first time this weekend (upon clearance of the liquor board and a new dishwasher) at their new location at 12 N. Second St. (Right in the middle of Vintage Cellars and Ash Hollow tasting room). Or as winemaker, Josh McDaniel points out “Granted I get the dishwasher put in!”

Also, take the opportunity to visit the new Waterbrook Winery, located on 10518 West Hwy 12, just west of Walla Walla for their Grand Opening weekend. Check out their 53,000 sq. ft. wine making facility and 5,000 sq. ft. tasting room. Sip wine on the patio. Tasting fee is $5 and visitors will receive a souvenir wine glass.

And once you are out on the highway, listen up pardners. there’s a new winery in the valley. Friday, June 5, Glencorrie Winery will be opening its tasting room at 8052 West Highway 12. Glencorrie will be featuring small lots (645 cases) of 2006 Bordeaux-style varietals from Walla Walla and Columbia Valley. Stay tuned next week for my blog about Glencorrie Winery, as I will be visiting tomorrow with Ronn Coldiron, co-owner of Glencorrie Winery and the Coldiron Family Vineyards of California and Washington State.

As the spokeswoman from Overstock.com use to purr, "It's all about the 'O'." Well, in Walla Walla, this weekend it's all about "Vintage." Welcome to Walla Walla and our Vintage Wine Walla wine events! Welcome to our Vintage downtown! If you see me out and about, say "hello." I'll be at the Vintage Pour and the Grand Pavilion Pour - - tasting wine, and taking notes of course!

Over and out from your soon-to-be Vintage Wild Walla Walla Wine Woman!

Be Heard from Your Keyboard!

Blogging and Social Networking For Wineries!

Monday, June 15, 2009

9:00 am - Noon
Center for Enology & Viticulture Room 1608
500 Tausick Way - Walla Walla
Cost: $30.00

If you own a winery and you are not blogging, you should be! Give your winery a voice in the blogosphere, whether you are a new or an established winery. Increase your sales and keep the ones you have. Discover the basics of getting your winery blog online, finding your niche, reaching out to other bloggers and adding tools that can enhance your winery’s blog and readership.

There’s a new generation of wine drinkers who spend a lot of time on the internet via computers and cell phones. Podcasting and online videos are another way to blog your wines. Discover how to tie your winery’s blog to Twitter, Facebook, My Space and other social media and networking tools.

This seminar will be lead by Catie McIntyre Walker (me!)

In 2005, Catie McIntyre Walker started Through the Walla Walla Grape Vine, a wine blog. She was the first to author a wine blog in the Walla Walla area and had no idea of where the project would take her. Eventually, it would lead her to her own column, The Grape Vine in the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin’s Lifestyle magazine. Catie also blogs about wine for Tourism Walla Walla. After eight years of working in wine retail, she hung up her corkscrew to open her own online wine store, Wild Walla Walla Wine Woman. She is a graduate of the Walla Walla Institute for Enology and Viticulture. When Catie isn’t writing, she keeps in contact with other wine bloggers and organizations for the latest tools in blogging and social networking.

For more information: http://www.campusce.net/wwcc/course/course.aspx?C=327&pc=60&mc=&sc=

Waterbrook Winery and Walla Walla Wine Works

Exactly one year from its ground-breaking announcement, the new Waterbrook Winery and Tasting Room in Walla Walla will hold its Grand Opening celebration on June 5-6, which is the perfect timing for Walla Walla wine tourists who will be in the area for the “Vintage Walla Walla” event. This weekend will also celebrate Waterbrook’s 25th Anniversary.

The new Waterbrook Winery is a 53,000 sq. ft. winemaking facility located on 10518 West Hwy 12, just west of Walla Walla. Also included is a 5,000 sq. ft. tasting room. The public tasting room will offer guests a wide selection of highly-acclaimed Waterbrook wines, produced by winemaker John Freeman. The tasting room will be open to the public from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday (no appointment needed) with a tasting fee is $5 (note: visitors will receive a souvenir wine glass during the Grand Opening weekend).

For those who prefer to taste outdoors, Waterbrook is the perfect place to celebrate Walla Walla's natural beauty. With panoramic views of the sprawling grounds and picturesque Blue Mountains, visitors can relax on the patio with a glass of wine or engage in outdoor activities such as bocce ball on the expertly constructed bocce ball court. The goal of the Seattle-based Precept Wine Brands, who purchased the winery from Waterbrook founder Eric Rindal in 2007, is to create the ultimate wine tasting experience. They drew inspiration from Walla Walla's natural landscape to create facilities that would act as a window into the beautiful surrounding scenery from the tranquil ponds, wheat fields and stunning blue mountain range

Aside from Waterbrook (70,000 annual case production), the new winery will produce an additional 230,000 cases of premium Washington wines under the “Walla Walla Wine Works” contract name including: The Magnificent Wine Company, Apex Cellars, Pendulum and more. The entire production facility includes 10,000 barrels, 60 tanks (ranging from 1,000-3,000 gallons), a new bottling line (100+ bottles per minute) and state-of-the-art crush, bottling and warehouse capabilities. Additional amenities include a catering kitchen, large patio and multi-functional spaces for hosting private and corporate events. There will also be a private, three-bedroom bungalow located on the property for members of the trade and Waterbrook guests to stay.

The new winery opening also brings news of a retail transition for the Waterbrook tasting room on First & Main in downtown Walla Walla. The tasting room formerly known as Waterbrook reopened its doors on May 1 as Walla Walla Wine Works. With “new vino” and a “new vibe,” the Walla Walla Wine Works Tasting Room offers a vast portfolio of premium Washington wines including: Apex Cellars, The Magnificent Wine Company, Pendulum, Waterbrook 1st & Main exclusives and more! Walla Walla Wine Works Tasting Room is open every day and during the warmer months, guests can enjoy free, live music and extended hours on Wednesdays and Sundays. Visitors are invited to enjoy wines by the glass and light fare, relax on the patio amidst our charming downtown Main Street and of course, purchase their favorite selections in this destination tasting room and bottle shop.

Ashley Trout of Flying Trout Wines

Walla Walla Union Bulletin Web Producer, Jeremy Gonzalez produced this short video of Ashley Trout telling her story about winemaking. As a fan of Flying Trout Wines, I think that Jeremy has really captured Ashley's enthusiasm about her craft.

For more information about wining and dining in Walla Walla, check out: UB's Wine & Dine Walla Walla.

Buy Local Wine

This poster was designed by Fox Run Vineyards in California. It is a take-off of "Rosie the Riveter," the cultural icon, whose image was used to promote American women who worked in war factories during World War II.

The other day, this poster was published on Facebook and my name was tagged on it by Randy Hall, co-host of Wine Biz Radio from Sonoma Valley. I was flattered, that even as far as Sonoma Valley in California, someone has been paying attention to the importance I have placed on the wines from Walla Walla. I truly support buying local wines: my local - my hometown - local wines from Walla Walla. Thanks Randy for the recognition.

I Drink Your Wine - Dan McCool

Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting (over a glass of wine, of course) with Dan McCool, from I Drink Your Wine. "I Drink Your Wine" is one of those concepts, that you kind of thump yourself later and say, "Why didn't I think of that?" And yet, Dan will be honest that it is not an original idea, as others before him have been marketing items this way on the internet.

Dan started on April 1, 2009, and everyday since he's been "selling" his love of wine. "Selling his love of wine," you're thinking? Yup, he's "sellin' da lovvve." On April 1st, he started drinking a different wine everyday and will continue for the rest of 2009. In fact, he wants to drink your wine! Then, after he drinks your wine, he will post a short video, taking multiple pictures throughout the day and then blog about your wine! These days of drinking your wine are sold at “face value” so if you were starting on January 1, it would cost $1 and then of course, December 31 would cost $365.

This year, with the concept being new and all, and beings that Dan started April 1, you are getting a real bargain, because even if you don't have Dan "drink your wine" until December 31, 2009 you will only have to pay $275 instead of $365. Also, the first 50 early adopters in 2009 get preference for their choice of days in 2010.

Maybe you've already seen Dan around the wineries in Walla Walla selling his "love?" So far, he has drank the Walla Walla wines of: Elegante Cellars, Cougar Crest Winery, Cavu Cellars, Skylite Cellars, Russell Creek Cellars, LeChateau Winery, Walla Walla Village Winery, Locati Cellars, Crossroads Steak House, Dunham Cellars, and there's more to come!

The day Dan and I visited, he had just finished filming the Hendersons at Lowden Hills Winery. Sonja and Lulu look as lovely as ever - oh, and of course, so does Jim. Enjoy!

Wine Blogging Wednesday #57: California Inspirations and the Visionary Vintner

I love stories and especially stories than can tie people and places together - giving us a common ground and a sense of home. From the time I was a little girl, I loved reading stories about young heroines searching for their own sense of home like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Or young women who, like fruit on the vines, understood their sense of place - their terroir, such as Meg in Little Women and Laura from Little House on the Prairie. The colorful and detailed illustrations of these stories also captivated me as a child and would take me away deep into the colored pages. And I think because of those wonderful stories of my youth, along with the beautiful pages of color and often whimsy, it is one of the reasons why I get caught up on the story of winemakers and their wines. I am intrigued with their stories, and especially if those stories are shared on wine labels like an artist’s palette.

The May theme for Wine Blogging Wednesday #57 is “California Inspirations.” Our host is Jeff Leverre from the colorfully illustrated wine blog, Good Grape: A Wine Manifesto. His chosen theme is inspired by the 1-year anniversary of Robert Mondavi’s passing. Jeff has asked us to choose a California wine that has acted as a memorable mile marker on our wine journey and to share the story.

I had to really think about this theme. As you know, I have limited this blog to wines from my home - the Walla Walla Valley. How could I fit a California wine into this blog? I thought about it and came up with the answer - - a true inspiration - - with a wonderful story!

One of my many favorite wines from the Walla Walla Valley has been inspired by a winemaker from California and the winery responsible for this unique consortium, has deep roots back to Robert Mondavi. Long Shadow's Vintners, located in the Walla Walla Valley, was founded by winemaking and viticulture pioneer, Allen Shoup who has forged winemaking partnerships from acclaimed winemakers throughout the world and now - - many of these winemakers have partnered with Allen to create world class wines that showcase the viticultural excellence of Washington State.

Randy Dunn of Dunn Vineyards in California, is one of those winemakers who have partnered with Long Shadows to create wines from Washington grapes. Dunn has a reputation for creating world class Cabernet Sauvignons and Randy brings his artistry and expertise to Long Shadows, from California, to produce small quantities of Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington State's finest vineyards.

"Feather" is Dunn's creation from Washington State. A couple of weeks ago, I did a private tasting at the winery of the new 2006 release. Beautiful! Rich and full-bodied like a Cabernet Sauvignon should be crafted, but at the same time it was velvety and smooth. The nose was aromatic of fresh berries and the palate was spicy and condensed with notes of dark ripe cherries. As a fan of Feather's past vintages, the new vintage didn't disappoint me. It's on my list of "swoon-worthy" wines - - and a wine I would consider a "California inspiration" and journeyed all the way up to Walla Walla, WA!

And as I near the end of inspirations and wine journeys, I am reminded back to May 16, 2008, the morning of Robert Mondavi's passing. After I heard the news, I thought about the legacy Mondavi left to everyone who was a New World wine aficionado, whether they knew of him or not. And I also wondered how he may have influenced Washington State's own wine legacy and of course, especially the wine industry in Walla Walla. Later that morning, I was reminded of this quote from Allen Shoup, of Long Shadow's Vintners in Walla Walla, WA. It was from an article in the March 21, 2008 issue of the former WASHINGTON CEO Magazine, "Refined Vintages" and I added the quote to my blog about Mondavi, titled: Visionary Vintner.

"The genesis for Long Shadows goes back to Robert Mondavi, who I got to know when I worked for Gallo in the 1970s and who is still a good friend," says Shoup. "In 1978 he and the Baron de Rothschild came out with Opus One, their joint project in Napa Valley. It instantly hit me as an ingenious thing to do. California was still fighting back then for recognition and Opus One helped put Napa wine on the map -- I give a lot of credit to Bob, who always promoted Napa ahead of his own wine. But if Bob was building a mountain in California, up here in Washington we were still in a chasm." - - Allen Shoup

A couple of days after the Mondavi blog entry, Allen Shoup of Long Shadows left a comment that he was one of the five speakers who had been invited to speak at the private event held for Mondavi. Allen thanked me for remembering Robert Mondavi on my blog. I felt humbled and honored that Allen took the time to share this with my readers and me.

So that's my personal wine journey of my "California inspiration." It tells a story of tying people and places together - giving us common ground and a most of all, still leaving me with a sense of home.

The Blind Wine Taster

The New York Times video collection, "One in 8 Million" features a collection of "characters" from New York City displayed in sound and images. It's a collection of these "character's" passions and problems, relationships and routines, vocations and obsessions, from the subway, the Midtown, the streets, and the neighborhoods - - all with something to say.

From that collection is The Blind Wine Taster." Even before losing her sight in 1995 because of diabetes, Alexandra Elman, 40, had a sophisticated palate. Elman, and her seeing eye dog Hanley, travel the globe to find family-owned vineyards with a dedication to producing wines that reflect the uniqueness of their sites and grapes. And from these vineyards, Elman selects wines for restaurants and shops.

The people. Their stories. The black and white images. Wonderful.

Spring Release 2009: The After Mass - Final

After my visit to Mannina Cellars, I decided to venture out to the end of the airport to the Port of Walla Walla winery incubators. Stopping at the Winery Incubators is one way to taste several wines without having to drive and look for another parking spot in the rain. And wow! Were they drawing a crowd and it would soon be time for lunch! But sure enough, someone just pulled out of the parking lot, so I secured my space. Also, this was my opportunity to find out what Seattle's Skillet Street Food was all about, but first - wine to taste.

My first stop was Kontos Cellars to taste the new release of their Merlot - 2006. I had tasted it back in November during a tasting with Cameron, but wanted to see how it had changed (oh and btw - the Merlot was beautifully constructed with fruit from great sources: Alder Ridge, Boushey, and Ash Hollow Vineyards). And most of all I wanted to drop in and say hi to Chris and Cameron's better halves - Kelli and Becca. The Kontos brother's may be pouring the wine, but these two "wild Walla Walla wine women" are the ones really keeping the show going.

After my visit, I stood under the eaves of the Kontos building and looked around the incubator village - who do I "prey" upon next? I had met Andrew Lodmell a couple of years ago, and in fact at his lovely home for a dinner party, but I hadn't had an opportunity to visit his winery. For Lodmell Cellars, it seems it is a natural progression in their family to have a winery. Andrew is a Walla Walla fourth generation, whose family's original interest was farming wheat. Now a portion of their family's original land is home to Lodmell Vineyards.

Not only have the Lodmells received praise for the Merlot from their vineyard, but praises should go to their wines, especially the whites! I was very impressed with the Sauvignon Blanc - 2006 and even more so with the Lodmell Cellars Chardonnay - 2006! The Chardonnay was very Burgundian in style, bringing fruit and minerals to the palate. Truly a great food wine and one that you need to keep on hand (chilled, of course) for "porch sippin'" and especially with light summer meals. Andrew's Saigne Rose' was another nice surprise! A blend of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon that was barrel fermented. Another perfect summer sipper which left the palate with touches of rhubarb and tart fresh berries. I believe that Lodmell Cellars is a winery to keep an eye on and visiting with the Lodmell family and hearing about their wines, really added to my day.

(Photo Right: Andrew, winemaker and his sister, Kristie Lodmell Kirlin, Lodmell Cellars Marketing Director)

And just next door was Adamant Cellars ("No!" to my wacky sisters! It is not Adam Ant!) Winemaker and owner, Devin Stinger also added to my day with bliss! Bliss, I tell you! Bliss is the name for one of the most aromatic whites I've encountered. The Bliss - 2008 was alive with floral and citrus notes. In the nose I detected grapefruit and tangerines and frankly - - I wanted to dab a bit of it behind each ear as my new signature fragrance. It really caught me by surprise! 65% Sauvignon Blanc and 35% Semillon makes this blend a very fruit-forward wine with overwhelming notes of honey, pear, citrus, and yet with only 0.5% residual sugar. Seriously, I think this is a wine you need to drink with caution because before you know it - - you could drink the whole bottle by yourself. I mean "you" could - ummm - but I would never...

As always it was a delight to visit with Devin. When he first opened his winery, the first Semillon he produced made me realize, as someone who has never really enjoyed Semillon, that I could change my mind and actually enjoy them! And it is still holding true today. Now Devin's reds ain't too shabby, either. The new Adamant Red is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon & 40% Merlot. Lots of dark fruit (even rich dates!) along with cigar box and spice. And no matter if it is an Adamant red or white - if you want them, you have to get them NOW. Adamant Cellar wines sell out - - fast!

It was the first big weekend for CAVU Cellars at the incubators. Why CAVU? CAVU is an acronym for the aviation term ceiling and visibility unlimted. Winemaker, Joel Waite's father, James is a former pilot and the aviation reference is very appropriate when you consider their location is in the airport area and was also a former Air Force base. James is also helping Joel fulfill his goal of producing small-lot, unique varietals that Joel himself enjoys drinking, such as Malbec and Barbera.

Joel is a graduate of the Center for Viticulture and Enology at Walla Walla and his former profession was a chef and he owned a catering company that focused on high-end private dinners in the Washington DC area. With a food background, such as Joel's, there isn't any doubt that he understands the "art" of great food and wine pairings. It was a treat to be able to barrel sample his Barbera that is set for release this fall.

Before I knew it, my time was running out and my watch was letting me know if I didn't make my 2:30pm obligation, my coach would turn into a pumpkin and my glass slippers would turn into an ordinary pair of Birkenstocks. However, I could smell the food from Skillet Food. Many satisfied stomachs extend their thanks to Denise and Steve from Trio Vintners for bringing Skillet Street Food from Seattle to Walla Walla for the weekend. I waited in line for my bacon cheese burger with ARUGULA! And to my surprise, it even came with a generous serving of pomme frites! Skillet Street Food is not your ordinary lunch truck with not your ordinary lunch menu. Instead it is a bistro on wheels, based in a shiny Airstream, serving up fine cuisine or making the "ordinary" not so ordinary!

And how was my burger? It was delicious and grilled perfect for my taste. I was happy! The crispy arugula and eggy brioche-style bun really complimented it. The fries were crunchy with the right amount of salt and fresh parsley for added flavor. However, later I thought the burger and fries was missing just one important element considering where I was and everything - - I should have gone back into Kontos Cellars and had Cam pour me a big glass of Merlot to pair with it!

My one and only day of the Spring Release weekend was great fun and ever since I keep hearing from many locals how the "Three-R's" (Rain, Remoteness and Recession) did not keep the crowds away. Some wineries were saying it was one of their biggest turn-outs and other locals told me how the highway coming into Walla Walla on Friday afternoon was bumper to bumper. And as I pointed out earlier, the traffic downtown Walla Walla absolutely showed no signs of "remoteness" as the oh-too-eager journalist pointed out our so-called "remoteness" in an earlier article. And let me say this about Spring Release in Walla Walla:

I know that for many lovers of the grape, they are still shocked to hear that Walla Walla is a viable and growing wine community featuring many world class wines, and far too often these wine lovers are still in the mind-set that we are only known for onions and the Washington State Penitentiary. So for those of you who still don't understand - Spring Release is not a weekend in Walla Walla where the inmates are released on a Spring weekend into the community...

Cheers!

(For more photos of Spring Release in Walla Walla, check out the "Walla Walla Wine Woman" Fan Page on Facebook.com - - and don't forget to become a fan! )

Walla Walla Spring Release 2009: The After Mass - Part II

My first winery visit for Saturday morning was a 9:00 am appointment at Garrison Creek Cellars. I looked forward to seeing the final completion of the winery, as I had seen it in several stages while it was being built. The weather, on my drive out on Cottonwood Road, reminded me of the Oregon Coast. There was a bit of fog rolling from the multi-colored foothills of the Blue Mountains. The sky was gray, but clear and calm. The drive through the Les Collines Vineyards to the winery reminded me back to the days when it use to be pea fields and now there were beautiful buds of soft green and pink hued grape leaves breaking on pefect trellised rows.

From the distance, Garrison Creek Cellars seems to blend in with the rest of the rural setting. A lone barn sitting in the middle of a "field" until you get up close and realize this isn't just any old barn and those fields are yes - - "grape" fields! The new pond in front of the winery had been filled and the setting was peaceful. David March, winemaker and manager, not only gave me the tour, poured their current releases, but we went down to the caves and did some barrel sampling of some of the 2008 from Les Collines Vineyard's fruit. These are rich and intense reds and as David explained, the winery is at the advantage as they can give the fruit some extra hang time as once it is picked it can be pressed within almost eight minutes from the vineyard. From the barrel, the Zinfandel was very distinct with loads of raspberries and dark cherries and an ongoing spicy finish. The ultimate was their Malbec. Putting my nose deep into the bowl of my glass, I would have sworn I was smelling a 'Bux extra bold sumatra coffee. It was intense and the finish kept going. What really blew me away were these wines have just begun to get some barrel age and they were already showing overwhelming and distinct qualities.

I left Garrison Creek and destination was out to the Middle Waitsburg Road to Couvillion Winery. I know - I know, I am always tasting the wines of Couvillion, but Jill is one of my "gurlz" - my "homies." (do the youngsters still use that term?) And besides - I was feeling a bit peckish and I knew she was serving up authentic tacos with spicy shredded chicken prepared with citrus juice and wrapped and cooked in banana leaves. For dessert, spicy chocolate truffles from Petit Noirs chocolatier were paired with Jill's red wines. I also wanted to taste the new 2006 Cabernet and Riesling and visit with the rest of the Couvillion family - Craig, Lisa, Nicole, and Felicia. So there!

Back on the highway with destination: the airport "wine ghetto." My first planned stop would be the new winery, Le Chateau housed in a 10,000-square-foot former Army warehouse. However, with a little paint, a mural on the front of the building designed by using the French technique of trompe-l'œil and - - voila! You have an elegant chateau complete with fifth century Ionic columns! While I visited with tasting room manager Angela Locati (also in the photo with Angela is Marissa) and winemaker, Bruno Corneaux, a French-born winemaker, (also winemaker for Claar Cellars in Pasco, WA) I tasted Castle White, a blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon. It was a full bodied wine and with a big fruit forward taste, yet with less than 1% residual sugar. The fullness of the fruit made the wine almost sweet, yet still showing layers of acidity. Also, an impressive blend was Masterpiece Red, from local vineyards Ash Hollow and Winchester which really showed off the quality of Walla Walla fruit.

I decided my next stop at the airport was - - whatever winery that didn't have tons of cars in front. Mannina Cellars actually had plenty of cars parked around the winery, but all of a sudden there was an empty spot! Perfect, as I wanted to taste Don's new release Maddily Rosè named after Don and Nicole's two young daughters, Madeline (who also designed the label) and Emily. Maddily is a 100% Sangiovese Rosè, crafted from the free run juice of cold-soaked Walla Walla Sangiovese. It was dry showing notes of strawberries, raspberries and I even picked up a bite of almond in the finish. And it went so well with the assortment of imported cheeses Mannina was offering.

Next stop: The Port of Walla Walla Winery Incubators! Part III

Walla Walla Spring Release 2009: The After Mass - Part I

To the writer who penned the AP article, "Remoteness hurts winery-oriented businesses in Walla Walla, Wash., during recession.:

So much for "remoteness." Since when has our "remoteness" hurt our wine sales? Walla Walla is a destination and in fact, Sunset Magazine recognized us as Best Wine Destination of 2005. Oh and by the way missy, have you even visited Walla Walla? We could have used your ass Friday afternoon during our height of so-called "remoteness" to direct traffic on Main Street. Downtown was packed! Sounds to me (excuse the pun) a bit of sour grapes going on. Now that I have that off my chest - -

This morning the news quoted the Swine flu was on the decline, but I had to wonder if those who attended Walla Walla Spring Release weren’t suffering from the Wine Flu this morning. For the last couple of weeks, I pondered how I would maneuver Spring Release, as my motto is: "So many Walla Walla wines, so little time." First of all, I was able to do some pre-tasting of Spring Release wines days before. Some highlights of my Pre-Spring Release tasting:

Downtown Walla Walla I found all kinds of surprises waiting for me. Ashley Trout’s winery, Flying Trout released a gorgeous dark pink rose' from 21-year-old Malbec vines. It was crisp, fruity and just the right amount of acidity. A mouthful of berries! And as I was leaving with my share, she informed me the winery was just about sold out! When I asked Abigail Schwerin out of all of her wines at Sapolil Cellars which one would she want me to taste, her answer was their proprietary blend, "Papa Loves Mambo." Good choice! A rich blend of 70% Syrah, 20% Sangiovese, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon that was dense, dark fruit, chocolately and left a real juicy mouthfeel leaving me to want more! Gotta love the name "33 1/3" for a Rhone-style blend with 1/3 Counoise, 1/3 Syrah and 1/3 Viognier. Dean Morrison claims this wine was an accident, but rolled with it. And now it is one of Morrison Lane's first to be sold-out wines! And guess what the price is - - $33.33. And yes, do I dare say I left with a 1/3 of my share?

Out on the highway I found Woodward Canyon was busy getting ready for the big weekend. They were putting some final touches to their new Reserve House and the gardens and I was busy leaving with some great wine. Marlene, Woodward's Marketing Assistant told me I had almost the last of their 2007 Dolcetto - a red wine that is lighter in body and oh so perfect for upcoming summer months. And being a variety with Italian roots, it pairs nicely with all of those summer tomatoes. Back down the highway, making a left on Frenchtown Road, viewing the rolling green hills, right in the middle were a few golfers trying out the new Wine Valley Golf Club. Indeed it was a lovely day for 18 holes. Past the golf course, I made a right onto the twisty and elevated drive to Long Shadows Vintners. It was a great way to spend my lunch while doing a complete tasting of all of their wines and even some wines that are not ready for release. The new '06 Feather Cabernet was swoon-worthy as always and the new '07 Poet's Leap Riesling is going to be another outstanding vintage once it's released. It's barely been in the bottle for a couple of months. An interesting note: the 2007 Poet's Leap was showing some very different qualities that past vintages of this Riesling hadn't showed before - which I think is exciting.

And somewhere between downtown, the highway and before Spring Release, I was able to taste the wines of Cadaretta. Wow! They are everything I would expect from winemaker, Virginie Bourgue - elegant and layered. The Syrah 2006 was inky, meaty, yet leaving a silky finish. The SBS 2007 (a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon) goes down too easy - too easy, especially with the right amount of chill on it. I've been hearing that the trend is to make "wine-tails" out of the SBS. GASP! I cannot imagine wanting to add any kind of a mixer or booze to this white refreshing blend. That kind of a move calls for a spankity-spank with a barrel stave!

Oh about that "remoteness" in Walla Walla? The wineries out on Mill Creek Road, especially around the Upland Vineyard area, is about as remote as can be. It was the weekend before Spring Release and Gordy (co-owner and co-winemaker) of Walla Walla Vintners was expecting me and I was running a bit late. You sure couldn't tell Walla Walla was a remote area, especially the Blue Mountain foothills, as the Walla Walla Vintners tasting room was crammed-packed around 11:30 am! Al Rose, their steady and dependable tasting room staff member, was busy pouring and I felt guilty adding another glass to the reach of Al's pouring. But as always, the red wines of Walla Walla Vintners were solid and rich. I wanted them all, but left with their swoon-worthy Cabernet Franc and "Bello Rosso," their version of a Tuscan-style blend.

A Pre-Release Spring Release event was held Thursday evening at College Cellars at the Enology/Viticulture Center. Not only was there wine, but the students of the Culinary Arts program presented us with food pairings for the wines to be poured that evening. Whoever said you cannot pair asparagus with wine didn't know what they were talking about. College Cellars Semillion 2007, from the Sagemoor Vineyards, could not have been more perfect with the locally grown asparagus from Locati Farms. The green and tender stalks were lightly seasoned, chopped and placed in baskets of parmesan crisps. The accent of citrus and pineapple from the white wine and the creamy mouth feel from the parmesan just worked! Finally - the new College Cellars Lemberger 2008 is here! Reminded me of strawberry jam, with a hint of pomegranate and a long finish of black pepper. Really a red wine you want to put a slight chill to and sip on the patio during these long cool summer evenings in Walla Walla. And last, but not least, the wine I was looking forward to tasting was College Cellars Syrah - 2005. It was the wine that made the top two in the college cellars round-up on Wine Library TV with host Gary Vaynerchuk. The syrah was paired with a coconut macaroon. And not just any coconut macaroon - it was sweet and moist, but with accents of bacon, thyme and topped with a blueberry. That cookie, with a sip of Syrah, was really a party for the taste buds! So good - so good!

A couple of days before Spring Release 2009 I contemplated how I would approach the upcoming weekend. Would I take hostages with me, like I did for December Barrel Tasting? Or would I be the "Lone Taster?" (Who was that masked woman?) There were several wineries on my list, some new and some old, and I had to get it all done before 2:30 pm on Saturday. And besides tasting, I love visiting with the winemakers and often mingle with new faces like they are my long lost relatives. Or as I was recently accused: "working the crowds." Hey! Someone has to tell the new visitor to a winery not to turn his nose up at a great Sauvignon Blanc or the terrific saignee-style rose' without tasting it first! Stay tuned for Part II!