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July 14, 2010

Views of Walla Walla Valley

Every 4th of July, we head east to celebrate Independence Day with family and friends in Walla Walla. Here are a few shots of vistas I captured during this recent visit. With unseasonably cool temperatures and blue skies, the weather was absolutely perfect this year. Vineyard Row Country Road Wind Farm...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:45 PM |

March 13, 2010

Dunham Cellars 2007 Riesling Lewis Estate Vineyard

In the glass, the Dunham Cellars 2007 Riesling Columbia Valley (13.4%) was a clear, golden yellow color providing notes of petrol, wet stone, and a hint of honeysuckle. This Washington riesling lacked enough acidity to balance the residual sugar, which generated a candied, syrupy finish. We paired the Dunham Cellars riesling with chicken cacciatore on the first night and it was consumed alone on the second. It may best to drink this wine with a more spicy dish, such as Asian fare. I purchased this bottle for $26 while visiting the Dunham Cellars tasting room last year. Related Links Dunham...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:23 PM |

October 11, 2009

Foundry Vineyards 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley

The Foundry Vineyards 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley (13.9%) was a deep garnet red in the glass, delivering these floral notes of black fruit (e.g., cherry and blackberry) followed by earthy, wood scents. In the mouth, this Walla Walla cabernet was a well balanced wine, offering good fruit, terrific acidity, and a long delicious finish. We paired this wine with Italian sausage, onions, and tomato ragu served on soft polenta. A hearty dish that matched well with this food-friendly cab. This wine retails for $30, but lucky for me, I received a bottle as a gift from my father-in-law,...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:45 PM |

September 28, 2009

Trust Cellars 2007 Syrah Walla Walla Valley

In the glass, the Trust Cellars 2007 Syrah Walla Walla Valley (14.4%) is a deep, dark purple with reddish tint on the edges. Blackberry and cherry fruit notes are combined with a rich earthiness to the nose. This Walla Walla Valley syrah is a well balanced wine offering black fruit flavors and food-friendly acidity. I was pleased that the fruit was not over-ripe nor was the oak overplayed. There was a bit of tannin coming off of the small amount of cabernet sauvignon (11%) blended into this wine. Even still, this gave the wine a good structure. I think...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:07 PM | | Comments (2)

September 13, 2009

àMaurice Cellars 2006 Chardonnay Columbia Valley

In the glass, the àMaurice Cellars 2006 Chardonnay Columbia Valley (13.6%) is a beautiful, golden yellow color. Unfortunately, this is all that I found pleasing in this wine, for it was essentially a vanilla oak bomb on the nose and in the mouth. Little, if any, fruit or bouquet from a variety that has much to reveal, unless it's been smothered in new oak. I thought this treatment of chardonnay went out of style in the 90's. There must remain demand for this approach, as I just don't understand why anyone would adulterate this grape with so much oak....

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:01 PM |

September 06, 2009

L'Ecole No 41 2008 "Walla Voila" Chenin Blanc

The L'Ecole 2008 "Walla Voila" Chenin Blanc (13.5%) is a wonderfully refreshing, food friendly wine, one that I am becoming a big fan of after drinking two consecutive vintages (see my coverage of the 2007 here). In the glass, the Walla Voila is a clear, light golden yellow color, offering scents of ripe melon and pineapple. Just as the back label describes, this Washington chenin blanc offers good fruit, crisp acidity, and a slight sweetness that pleases the palate. At $15, its a very good value, especially for those looking for a good wine to go with spicy foods....

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Posted by Thad W. at 02:58 PM |

August 16, 2009

Woodward Canyon 2007 Dry White Riesling

One of my favorite all time Washington wines was the Woodward Canyon 2005 Dry White Riesling. My only regret with this wine was not buying a case when it was available. I wasn't a big fan of Rick Small's 2006 riesling, as it clocked in at 14.2% alcohol, making it far too high octane for my taste. Rick and I chatted about this at the 2008 Taste Washington, where he assured me that the 2007 would be more to my liking. Rick was mostly right about his Woodward Canyon 2007 Dry White Riesling, but the alcohol level still remains...

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Posted by Thad W. at 12:44 PM |

June 07, 2009

Nicholas Cole 2005 Camille Columbia Valley

With a rib-eye grilling on a mesquite wood fire last night, I headed down to the cellar wanting something big and bold to pair with my Texas-style steak. Scanning the racks, I noticed the Nicholas Cole 2005 Camille Columbia Valley Red Wine (14.6%), a bottle I received free as part of a mixed case prize from Northwest Palate magazine. The Camille is a blend of merlot (45%), cabernet franc (28%), cabernet sauvignon (26%), and petit verdot (1%), with the merlot coming from Canoe Ridge and the rest from the Nicholas Cole estate vineyards in Walla Walla. In the glass,...

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Posted by Thad W. at 06:43 PM |

May 25, 2009

Sleight of Hand "The Magician" 2007 Gewurztraminer

This Columbia Valley gewurztraminer, Sleight of Hand's "The Magician" (12.7%), is a clear, straw yellow color in the glass, delivering tropical floral scents to the nose. Flavors of ripe pineapple and creamy coconut remind one of a piña colada. Too creamy, viscous for my taste, as I was hoping for more spice and acidity along with the slightly residual sweetness. Purchased at retail for $17. Related Links Sleight of Hands "The Magician" Web Page...

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Posted by Thad W. at 01:58 PM |

May 18, 2009

Review: Adamant Cellars Winery

One of the aspects I enjoy most about visiting new wineries is that you are usually served by the winemaker him/herself. It's a great opportunity to not only meet the person behind the wines you're sampling, but more importantly to hear firsthand their motivations to getting into the business and their approach toward their craft. Entering Adamant Cellars on a late March Sunday afternoon, I was immediately approached by Devin, founder/winemaker, who proceeded to pour several of his wines at no charge. Along the way, he offered stories about growing up in Portland and learning to make wine from...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:32 PM | | Comments (2)

Review: Kontos Cellars Winery

To see firsthand that starting a winery can be a full time family affair, all one needs to do is walk into a tasting room and see kids hanging out. Such was the case when I arrived at Kontos Cellars, where I had the privilege of meeting Chris Kontos and his young daughter working one Sunday afternoon in late March. Kontos Cellars is one of several incubator wineries built in an identical group of buildings on the northeastern edge of the Walla Walla Regional Airport industrial park. Kontos and its neighbors each have a six year lease on their...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:04 PM |

May 17, 2009

Review: Mannina Cellars Winery

If you're looking for evidence of things changing out at the Walla Walla airport, then look no further than Mannina Cellars. This winery is located on a street containing several newly constructed buildings housing some upstart winemakers in the valley. The backdrop of wheat fields and the Blue Mountains just behind this stretch of wineries is just beautiful. On the Sunday afternoon I visited, a Walla Walla Community College eunology student was working in the tasting room, pouring a merlot and a red blend with no tasting fees attached. I was impressed when the young woman behind the counter...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:01 PM |

Review: Dunham Cellars Winery

Dunham Cellars is located at the Walla Walla airport in an area that used to serve as the hangars and barracks for flight test crews during WWII. It is an interesting setting and Eric Dunham, winemaker/founder, has made the most of it converting their building into a combination tasting room and "hanger lounge". On the Sunday afternoon I visited, there were eight different wines being poured for a $5 tasting fee, which was refundable with purchase. These wines included a chardonnay, two rielsings, two cab sauvs, two syrahs, and a red blend. The woman serving me was very knowledgeable...

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Posted by Thad W. at 06:38 PM |

Review: Otis Kenyon Tasting Room

What a terrific experience I had at the Otis Kenyon tasting room in downtown Walla Walla. On the Sunday afternoon I visited in late March, I was greeted by Jessica, who proceeded to pour four distinct red wines with no tasting fees attached. These included a cab sauv and a syrah, both 100% varietal makeup, as well as a malbec and a carmenere, both blends. Jessica is the type of person you want working in a tasting room, for she is well trained about serving and well informed about the wines she pours. Even better, she's a good story...

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Posted by Thad W. at 03:10 PM |

Review: Zerba Cellars Tasting Room

Just south of Walla Walla across the WA-OR border on highway 11 is the Zerba Cellars tasting room. It is located inside a modern log cabin next door to one of their estate vineyards. On the Sunday I visited, Marilyn Zerba was pouring a broad flight of wines for about half a dozen folks, with everyone clearly having a good time. I really enjoyed meeting Marilyn and hearing her story about how she and Cecil, her husband, were long standing nursery owners in the area who decided to go into the wine business about ten years ago. She did...

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Posted by Thad W. at 02:21 PM |

Review: Saviah Cellars Winery

In late March, I paid a visit to the Saviah Cellars winery, which is located about 10 minutes south of downtown Walla Walla. Having enjoyed a bottle of the Saviah 2005 Malbec, I was eager to taste the 2006 vintage in hopes of getting more. On the Sunday of my visit, I was greeted by a friendly young woman who offered eager pours but seemed a bit reserved when it came to going beyond the bottle with each wine. Fortunately, there were some detailed winemaker notes available with each of the four wines poured on this day, which included a...

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Posted by Thad W. at 01:36 PM |

May 09, 2009

Cayuse 2005 God Only Knows Grenache

After seeing some of the rave reviews about this wine and then trying it for myself over dinner recently, I could not help but think, "God only knows what the fuss is all about..." or maybe it's better put "God only knows how anyone could claim to taste anything but alcohol..." I am a big fan of grenache and have enjoyed many a Washington rendition of this variety. But I just don't get it with Christophe Baron's version, the God Only Knows 2005 Grenache Cayuse Vinyeards. At 14.7%, this wine packs a bunch beyond that delivered to one's brain...

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Posted by Thad W. at 06:44 PM | | Comments (4)

May 02, 2009

L' Ecole No. 41 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley

For the record, I am extremely biased toward Walla Walla Valley fruit, therefore my subjective palate has a tendency to become fully smitten with wines made from grapes sourced in this area of Washington state. Such is the case with the L' Ecole No. 41 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley, a wine I am left with feelings of regret for not having another bottle to enjoy. I came into possession of this wine as part of a mixed case I won well over a year ago after completing a customer survey for Northwest Palate magazine. In the glass,...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:32 PM |

March 30, 2009

A Weekend in Walla Walla

I just got back to Seattle tonight after spending a few days in one of my favorite places in Washington wine country: Walla Walla. During this trip, I was able to visit a number of wineries in the valley, including Isenhower, Saviah, Zerba, Otis Kenyon, Dunham, Mannina, Kontos, and Adamant. Best of all was our dinner at Saffron last night, a wonderful restaurant that I will be covering in an upcoming post. This was our second visit to Saffron and it just blew us away again in terms of the food, wine, service, and setting. If you're planning a...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:40 PM | | Comments (6)

March 27, 2009

Tertulia Cellars 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon

The Tertulia Cellars 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon (13.9%) specifies Columbia Valley on the label, but the winemaker notes online state most of the fruit came from the Pepper Bridge and Seven Hills Vineyards, both in the Walla Walla Valley. No matter, as just one taste is all one needs to realize its made of Walla Walla fruit. In the glass, this 85% cabernet sauvignon, 12% cab franc, and 3% merlot blend is a medium purple color with cherry, cedar, spice, and floral notes on the nose. The Tertulia is a well balanced and integrated cabernet, offering delicious, earthy black fruit...

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Posted by Thad W. at 02:29 PM |

March 01, 2009

Saviah Cellars 2005 Big Sky Cuvee

This Washington wine is a blend of Stillwater Creek fruit, comprising 57% merlot, 24% cabernet, 14% cab franc, 3% malbec, and 2% petit verdot. In the glass, the Saviah was a beautiful deep purple, delivering scents of black fruit, especially cherry. Silky tannins and a velvety finish confirmed this wine's varietal make up being mostly merlot. But the sweet, candied fruit and flavors of new oak were just not my style in this type of wine. We paired the Saviah Cellars 2005 Big Sky Cuvee Columbia Valley (14.1%) with grilled beef tenderloins, roasted broccoli that had been dressed in...

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Posted by Thad W. at 04:07 PM |

February 21, 2009

Mannina Cellars 2006 Sangiovese Walla Walla Valley

This Washington sangiovese was a clear, dark purple in the glass, delivering notes of cherry and other red berry fruit with an ever-so-slight hint of oak. On the palate, the Mannina Cellars 2006 Sangiovese Walla Walla Valley (13.6%) offered cherry fruit forward flavors with well integrated acidity and tannins leading to a nice, velvety finish. This was a very nice, food friendly wine. The Mannina sangiovese is comprised of 89% sangiovese combined with 8% merlot, 2% cab, and 1% syrah. We paired it with a traditional Pasta Bolognese that Kari crafted, combining beef, veal, pork, and pancetta, ground together...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:41 PM | | Comments (2)

January 25, 2009

High Praise for Washington Syrah

Two of my favorite wine columnists/critics, Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher, recently offered some high praise for Washington syrah, tasting through over fifty wines and then singling out half a dozen as their favorites. Check out the video above or you can read the details at The Wall Street Journal site. Here is their overall assessment of Washington syrah: As a group, these are the most exciting red wines being made in America today that you might actually find on a shelf. This is a strong testament not only to the quality of syrah in Washington state, but more...

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Posted by Thad W. at 02:08 PM | | Comments (2)

December 28, 2008

Watermill 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) With a fondness for Walla Walla cabernet and an appreciation for Richard Funk's winemaking skills, I was excited to try his Watermill 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley, a bottle I purchased at retail for $24. You may recall me going nuts over Funk's 2005 Malbec back in October, which he produced under the Saviah label, a winery he founded in 2000. Through that experience, I learned that Funk holds down a second job as winemaker at Watermill Winery, which is located in Milton Freewater, Oregon, a town 10 miles south of Walla...

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Posted by Thad W. at 05:01 PM | | Comments (1)

December 20, 2008

Seven Hills 2005 Syrah Walla Walla Valley

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) During consecutive nights recently, we enjoyed two terrific Washington syrahs with our dinner. The first night's wine was a Columbia Valley syrah, which you can read more about in my previous post. On the second night, we opened a Seven Hills 2005 Syrah comprised of fruit from the Walla Walla Valley, a bottle I purchased for $28 during a visit to their tasting room last summer. Seven Hills describes this wine as "truly a valley-wide blend, with grapes from cobble, hillside and terrace microclimates: Seven Hills, Morrison, Dwelley and Double River Ranch vineyards."...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:32 PM |

December 18, 2008

L' Ecole No. 41 2005 Syrah Columbia Valley

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) At this time of year, the food we serve at our table becomes hearty fare, and so do the wines that go with it. With winter arriving, there is nothing I like more than to reach for a bottle of Washington cabernet or syrah, especially wines from Walla Walla. And one of my favorite winter meals is a dish Kari crafts by sautéing onions, adding Italian sausage and then her homemade tomato sauce. While this combines in the pan on the stove stop, she starts a pot of soft polenta alongside it. As...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:50 PM |

November 24, 2008

Upcoming Events in the Willamette and Walla Walla Valleys

For fans of Oregon and Washington wine, there are two events coming up that are worth considering. This weekend (Nov 28 thru 30) is the annual Wine Country Thanksgiving event in the Willamette Valley. Many wineries throughout the valley will be opening their tasting rooms for the public and holding special events during the holiday weekend. For more information, please visit the Willamette Valley Wineries site. The following weekend (Dec 5 thru 7) is the annual Walla Walla Holiday Barrel Tasting in Walla Walla, Washington. Over 50 local wineries will be offering barrel tastings and other activities to celebrate the...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:57 PM |

October 22, 2008

Trio Vintners 2007 Riesling

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) The Trio Vintners 2007 Riesling Lewis Vineyard Yakima Valley is a wine that executes well on the inside and the outside of the bottle. And it is easy on the pocket book as well, retailing for $16 at the wine shop where I purchased it. We paired the Trio riesling (12.8% alcohol) with a wonderful chicken yakisoba dish Kari crafted, which combined cut up chicken thighs stir fried along with fresh shitake mushrooms, green onions, julienne carrots, and yakisoba noodles. Best of all was this amazing sauce Kari made that pulled it all...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:44 PM | | Comments (1)

October 21, 2008

LA Times Profiles the Walla Walla Valley

Earlier this month, Patrick Comiskey wrote a nice feature on twenty wineries to visit in the Willamette Valley. In Wednesday's food section of the Los Angeles Times, he's now turning his attention to a special place in southeastern Washington, "Walla Walla wineries: a place for exciting reds". Comiskey, a senior editor for Wine & Spirits magazine, focuses much of his feature on the amazing syrahs coming out of this part of the Pacific Northwest, but along the way highlights the unique characteristics of Walla Walla fruit. I wholeheartedly agree with Comiskey on his fondness for Walla Walla Valley wines....

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:01 PM |

October 18, 2008

Saviah Cellars 2005 Malbec

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) The Saviah Cellars 2005 Malbec is one of my new favorite wines from the Walla Walla Valley. From the first sip to the last glass, I was completely smitten, if not carried away, with this delicious wine. In fact, after learning it was crafted by Richard Funk, Saviah's founder and winemaker, it wasn't long before I started channeling George Clinton of Parliament: "Ow, we want the funk Give up the funk Ow, we need the funk We gotta have that funk" Okay, so my wife didn't think it was very funny either when...

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Posted by Thad W. at 12:56 PM |

September 18, 2008

Rulo 2007 Sauvignon Blanc

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) It is amazing how some folks can invest so much of themselves into making good wine, yet do the bare minimum to connect their customers to the people and places behind their craft. For example, there are times when little detail about a wine is offered on the bottle's label. And then there are instances when even less information is provided online at the producer's web site. Granted making wine is an incredibly time consuming process, yet it seems a shame that for all of the energy invested, the only testament to this...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:04 PM |

July 22, 2008

Review: Seven Hills Winery

When it comes to running a tasting room, there are wineries that get what it means to provide a truly connected experience. And then there are those that clearly don't. The folks at Seven Hills Winery get it, for their tasting room is one that provides strong connections to the people and places behind their wines. Seven Hills Winery is located in the historic Whitehouse-Crawford building in downtown Walla Walla. Their spacious tasting room offers a wide bar with views into the winery's barrel room. The restored wood plank floors, high ceilings, exposed beams, and brick walls provide a...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:19 PM |

July 13, 2008

Review: Trust Cellars

While in Walla Walla over the Fourth of July, my father-in-law, Bob, a.k.a. Pappa Rosso, suggested I check out Trust Cellars. Then Catie, the Walla Walla Wine Woman, urged me to stop by as well. As a result, it quickly moved to the top of my list of wineries to see during that weekend. The Trust Cellars winery and tasting room is just a short drive south from downtown Walla Walla. It is located in a small building situated on the outskirts of a sizable vineyard. Trust shares its tasting room with Chateau Rollat, another start up winery, which...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:31 PM |

July 11, 2008

On the Walla Walla wine trail

I love visiting the Walla Walla Valley in the summer. The long, hot days combined with being outside amongst acres of farmland rekindles memories of my childhood in Oklahoma. It's hard not to feel a bit at home in this part of Washington state, especially at this time of year. Walla Walla is a much prettier place as evidenced by the panorama above, which I shot at my brother-in-law's place a few miles southeast of downtown. With each visit to this valley comes new places to see, new people to meet, and new discoveries to be made along the...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:49 PM | | Comments (2)

July 09, 2008

Review: aMaurice Cellars Winery

àMaurice Cellars is located east of downtown Walla Walla on Mill Creek Road. It is next door to Walla Walla Vintners and just down the road from K Vintners and the Abeja Inn. Along the lane leading to the winery, rows of lavender greet you, which were in full bloom on the Saturday afternoon I visited. The winery is housed in a temporary structure (there are plans to build a larger complex) next to the 13 acre estate vineyard planted in 2006. àMaurice, is a family-owned and operated winery, named after Maurice Shafer, the father of founder Tom Shafer,...

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Posted by Thad W. at 05:44 AM |

July 03, 2008

4th of July in Walla Walla

Tomorrow, I make the five hour journey east from Seattle to Walla Walla for our annual Fourth of July gathering with family and friends. Kari and the girls flew out on Tuesday, therefore I am looking forward to seeing them again as well as spending time with my extended family. To celebrate our nation's birthday, we gather at my brother-in-law's place southeast of downtown Walla Walla, in the heart of wheat country. After an afternoon of the kids swimming and adults playing bocce ball, we come together around a long table outside to celebrate local food and wine. I...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:32 PM |

July 02, 2008

L'Ecole No 41 "Walla Voila" 2007 Chenin Blanc

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Whenever I stumble upon a bottle of Washington or Oregon wine that is made from a varietal that is off the beaten path, I will always buy it. No matter what the chance it might be poured down the drain, these wines are worth a try. Why? You just never know when one of these easily overlooked varietals might become a newly discovered favorite. Such is the case with the L'Ecole No 41 "Walla Voila" 2007 Chenin Blanc ($12.99), which was described on the back label in the following manner: A trademark of...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:25 PM | | Comments (1)

June 21, 2008

Tertulia Cellars 2006 Viognier

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) With pork chops and onions grilling, a pot of Spanish rice cooking, and fresh avocados ready to be sliced, I pulled from the refrigerator a bottle of Tertulia Cellars 2006 Viognier. This wine immediately reminded me of the visit I enjoyed at the Tertulia Cellars winery in Walla Walla last spring, which was where I purchased this bottle for $18. The Tertulia '06 Viognier (14%) is comprised of 76% viognier and 24% roussanne. Some of the viognier and all of the roussanne was sourced from the Lonesome Spring Ranch in the Yakima Valley...

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Posted by Thad W. at 01:10 PM |

May 29, 2008

Vintage Walla Walla: June 6 and 7

Although we regularly visit Walla Walla every few months, our timing is always off relative to the seasonal wine events held there. We make the annual trek for Thanksgiving, which is the week before Holiday Barrel Tasting, and then for Easter, which is several weeks in advance of Spring Release Weekend. Fourth of July is our regular summer trip, which comes after Vintage Walla Walla. It's time to start planning more trips to Walla Walla that are scheduled around key wine events, for I am starting to feel left out of all that is going on in this special part...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:12 PM |

May 14, 2008

Seven Hills 2006 Pinot Gris Oregon

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) One of the nice things about living in the Pacific Northwest is having access to a wide assortment of local wines. This access enables us to try new Washington and Oregon wines on a regular basis at our dinner table. It's a rare occasion when we repeat a bottle, for there are just too many new producers or new releases in our region to sample. However, there are dinners when a decent everyday wine is worth repeating. Such is the case with the Seven Hills 2006 Pinot Gris. At $15 retail, it is...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:11 PM |

May 13, 2008

Otis Kenyon 2005 Syrah

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Ever since several readers had recommended a visit to Otis Kenyon winery in Walla Walla, I have been eager to try one of their wines. It was rather fortuitous that I received a bottle of Otis Kenyon 2005 Syrah (14.3%) in the mixed case prize from Northwest Palate a few months back. With some steaks to grill, I thought it was an opportune time to pull the Otis Kenyon from the cellar and give it a try. Our dinner consisted of grilled tri-tips with caramelized onions, roasted red peppers, and twice baked potatoes....

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Posted by Thad W. at 04:45 PM |

May 12, 2008

Fort Walla Walla Cellars 2003 Syrah

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Last July, I paid a visit to the downtown tasting room of Fort Walla Walla Cellars, where I ended up having a memorable experience sampling their wines and learning more about this winery (read the review here). After tasting their wines, I decided to purchase a bottle of the Fort Walla Walla Cellars 2003 Syrah Walla Walla Valley (13.8%). It's too bad I didn't purchase more than one bottle of this wine, for it was a terrific syrah. We paired the Fort Walla Walla Cellars syrah with an Italian sausage and white bean...

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Posted by Thad W. at 06:57 AM | | Comments (2)

May 02, 2008

Walla Walla Spring Release Weekend

It's the first Saturday in May and that means Spring Release Weekend in Walla Walla. Over sixty wineries will be opening their doors to the public, some for the only time during the year, to celebrate the release of new wines. Although we can't make it this year, I am looking forward to hearing from Catie of Through the Walla Walla Grapevine and Amy of amyrootvik.com about their experiences at the weekend event. Catie and Amy are must read bloggers covering the local wine scene in the Walla Walla Valley. If you happen to attend, then please share your experiences...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:14 PM |

April 29, 2008

WIDWD: Boedecker Cellars 2004 Athena Pinot Noir

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) While shopping for wine, I am always on the lookout for any 2004 or 2005 Oregon pinot noirs that I have yet to try. Such was the case with the Boedecker Cellars 2004 Athena Pinot Noir (13.9%), a wine I discovered at Esquin Wine Merchants a few weeks back. Unfortunately, I recall little after having this wine with dinner, while forgetting the meal entirely. Goes to show the downside of forgetting to write anything down. I guess it was due to being somewhat neutral on this wine. The label describes the wine as,...

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Posted by Thad W. at 05:56 AM | | Comments (2)

April 09, 2008

Isenhower Cellars: Team Terroir

While in Walla Walla weekend before last, I had the opportunity to stop by Isenhower Cellars to visit with my father-in-law, Bob, who works in their tasting room. For full disclosure, I have no financial or business interest in this winery, just a connection through family. It was an opportune visit, in that they had recently started pouring some of their new releases. At the same time, it was a very inspiring visit, for Isenhower Cellars has clearly set a new benchmark when it comes to focusing on terroir. While tasting through their new wines, I noticed how the...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:38 PM | | Comments (2)

April 03, 2008

Tertulia Cellars: A Social Approach

A few miles south of downtown Walla Walla amongst acres of wheat fields, a new colorful winery has arisen. Tertulia Cellars is a place that stands out amongst its peers in terms of architecture and design. From the outside, one is immediately struck by the bold multi-colored building as a place that might be taking a different approach to the winery experience. Walking inside only confirms what these folks have brought to the Walla Walla Valley: a place designed to be a social gathering around wine. The approach Tertulia Cellars is taking with their tasting room is in keeping...

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Posted by Thad W. at 09:13 PM |

April 02, 2008

Weekend in Walla Walla

Yesterday I returned from a few days in Walla Walla visiting family. Weather wise, it was a bizarre weekend for late March, with snow showers throughout the day on Sunday. I did get a chance to visit a couple of wineries and eat at a few restaurants, which I will be writing about in the coming week. I was really jazzed about the wine experiences that were a result of this short trip. After going thru pages of notes that have yet to be crafted into worthwhile reading, I am feeling way behind on sharing my experiences with Washington and...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:21 PM |

March 06, 2008

WIDWD: Seven Hills 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Seven Hills Vineyard

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) I am becoming a big fan of Walla Walla Valley fruit. Red or white, I enjoy the flavors, the acidity, and many times the lower alcohol in wines sourced from this valley. I have become especially fond of cabernet sauvignon from Walla Walla Valley, with Pepper Bridge and Amavi being two of my favorite Washington cabs. While shopping at Esquin Wine Merchants a few weeks back, I picked up a bottle of Seven Hills 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Seven Hills Vineyard for $31.95. Last Saturday night, we grilled a couple of fillets along with...

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Posted by Thad W. at 03:55 PM |

February 03, 2008

WIDWD: L'Ecole Nº 41 2002 Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Syrah

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Boy, did this L'Ecole Nº 41 wine live up to its label, which states, "The fruit for our Seven Hills Vineyard Estate Syrah was harvested ultra-ripe, resulting in a dark, massive and dense wine." It certainly was a big, extracted wine with dark cherry fruit, providing a hearty wine on a cold winter night. Even still, it paired well with the grilled filet mignon we had last night with roasted fennel, red onions and carrots along with onion rings. The kosher salt and ground pepper seasoned free range beef was served with a chipotle...

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Posted by Thad W. at 08:32 PM |

November 29, 2007

Local Guidance for Holiday Barrel Tasting

If you're headed to Walla Walla this weekend for the annual Holiday Barrrel Tasting, I encourage you to visit Catie's blog, Through the Walla Walla Grapevine, and Amy's blog, amyrootvik.com. Both bloggers not only live in Walla Walla, but have been involved in the valley's wine industry for some years now. Catie has been writing about Walla Walla wine for over two years now, while Amy began blogging last December. Their blogs offer some useful guidance on how to get the most out of this weekend's event as well as providing insightful background on both established and new wineries in...

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Posted by Thad W. at 10:46 AM |

November 26, 2007

Walla Walla and Woodinville Wine Weekend Events

This weekend there will be two significant wine events in Washington state. In Walla Walla, the 12th annual Holiday Barrel Tasting will be held with over 50 wineries offering barrel tastes of upcoming releases on Saturday and Sunday. In Woodinville, the St. Nicholas Day Open House will be held with more than 30 wineries opening their doors to visitors on both days as well. For those planning to attend either event, I wanted to highlight the wineries I have visited in the last six months that provided experiences that went beyond the bottle to connect me to the who, what...

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Posted by Thad W. at 03:56 PM |

WIDWD: Walla Walla Thanksgiving Weekend

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) For the last five years, my wife's parents have hosted Thanksgiving dinner in Walla Walla. It has become an annual tradition to bring both sides of our family together to celebrate and give thanks, making this holiday a truly unique occasion. Moms, dads, brothers, sisters, and friends from both clans have come from near and far each year for this special gathering. As a result, an extraordinary bond has been established over the years between our respective parents and siblings. This year's Thanksgiving was yet another fun celebration, although it went by far too...

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Posted by Thad W. at 10:04 AM |

November 19, 2007

The Fruits of Paul Gregutt's Labors

Fall is always a busy time for wineries, with harvest bringing in the new vintage and the previous years' bottlings being released. It seems Paul Gregutt, wine columnist for The Seattle Times, has been just as busy crafting some enjoyable and insightful pieces on the Pacific Northwest wine scene. Terroir Is Not A Small Dog! - an excerpt from Paul's new book, "Washington Wines & Wineries", which should be a good read considering the witty approach he takes with this piece about Washington state vineyards. Acquiring A Taste - a recent cover story for the Pacific Northwest magazine's annual wine...

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Posted by Thad W. at 01:43 PM | | Comments (1)

November 05, 2007

A Toast to Pappa Rosso

You may recognize Bob, aka Pappa Rosso, from a Washington wine event or the tasting room at Isenhower Cellars in Walla Walla. I wanted to write about Bob for several reasons, all of which focus on how he celebrates wine in a way that clearly distinguishes him from others. First, I believe Bob is the benchmark when it comes to tasting room managers. He is truly unique when it comes to connecting folks to the wine he pours. Second, Bob's been a terrific teacher and mentor to me. Over the last decade, my knowledge and appreciation for wine has...

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Posted by Thad W. at 12:22 PM | | Comments (4)

October 31, 2007

WIDWD: Woodward Canyon 2005 Dry White Riesling Columbia Valley

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) With teriyaki chicken thighs on the grill and chow mien noodles (with egg, shaved carrots and green onions) sautéing on the stove last night, I opened a bottle of Woodward Canyon 2005 Dry White Riesling Columbia Valley to pair with our spicy Asian meal. Not only did this wine complement our food, but it just about stole the show, as I enjoyed it so much. I absolutely love this wine and can't wait to have another glass tonight. It has a beautiful, floral bouquet and the initial taste brings to mind fresh, summer...

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Posted by Thad W. at 01:04 PM |

October 05, 2007

WIDWD: Amavi 2006 Sémillon Columbia Valley

What I Drank With Dinner (WIDWD) Last night, my wife crafted a delightful linguine alle vongole (pasta with fresh clams) which I paired with the Amavi 2006 Sémillon Columbia Valley. The wine was a delicious complement to both the seafood and our red leaf lettuce salad with fresh radishes. The sémillon had a nice floral nose, crisp pear/citrus and mineral notes in the mouth, and a balanced creaminess from the oak. I can't wait to have another glass of this superb wine tonight. The Amavi sémillon reminded me why I enjoy Washington white wines so much (maybe more than...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:18 AM |

September 25, 2007

Washington wineries going beyond the bottle

With the official arrival of fall, Washington wine country will see more folks visiting to taste new releases and experience the harvest season. I thought it might be useful to list the state's wineries that went beyond the bottle to connect me to the who, what and where of their wines. Of the twenty wineries and tasting rooms visited these last few months, the following places (in alphabetical order) received either a four (highly recommended) or five (exceptional) cork rating: Amavi Cellars (Walla Walla) Basel Cellars (Walla Walla) Brian Carter Cellars (Woodinville) Covington Cellars (Woodinville) Dama Wines (Walla Walla) Fort...

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Posted by Thad W. at 10:20 AM |

July 20, 2007

Review: DaMa Wines Tasting Room

DaMa Wines was a pleasant surprise amongst the many tasting rooms in downtown Walla Walla. On the day I visited, Mary Derby, the “Ma” in DaMa, was working the tasting room bar in their well designed, modernist space located on Main Street. She and her business partner, Dawn Kammer, the “Da” in DaMa, have clearly created something novel with this new wine venture. DaMa Wines was offering complimentary tastes of 4 wines (a riesling, viognier, syrah, and cab sauv), all from various appellations within the state. Although DaMa’s wines are targeted primarily to female drinkers, they would be suitable at...

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Posted by Thad W. at 11:03 AM | | Comments (1)

July 18, 2007

Review: Fort Walla Walla Cellars Tasting Room

Fort Walla Walla Cellars maintains a tasting room in downtown Walla Walla, while the actual winery is located outside of town. The tasting room is housed in what was once a corner gas station, although you wouldn’t know it from either the outside or inside. I learned this from Terry, their tasting room manager, who also informed me that Fort Walla Walla Cellars’ name was chosen due to the two founders, Cliff Kontos and Jim Moyer, being history buffs. I enjoyed meeting Terry and hearing his stories about the winery's founders, why they got into the business, and how they...

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Posted by Thad W. at 02:55 PM | | Comments (1)

Review: Whitman Cellars Winery

Whitman Cellars winery is located a few blocks west of downtown Walla Walla. It's in the same industrial area where Amavi Cellars and Canoe Ridge wineries are located, but is situated on a corner underneath some trees giving it a sense of being "in the country". Their tasting room is spacious and offers one of the most unique ways to go beyond the bottle while sampling their wines. As soon as you enter the front door, there is a glass wall that allows you to see right into the barrel room. What a great design idea to help showcase what...

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Posted by Thad W. at 01:50 PM |

Review: Amavi Cellars Winery

Wow, what an amazing beyond the bottle experience I had visiting the Amavi Cellars winery, which is located in an industrialized area west of downtown Walla Walla. The name, Amavi, is derived from the Latin words, amor (love), vita (life), and vinum (wine). Their mission is “to capture the best of love and life in every bottle” of wine. It’s clear this mission extends to the winery experience. Whatever the Amavi Cellars winery lacks in terms of its setting, they more than make up for it in providing a great experience inside their tasting room. In fact, they lived up...

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Posted by Thad W. at 12:41 PM |

May 30, 2007

Review: Basel Cellars Estate Winery

Driving up to the Basel Cellars mansion-turned-winery, I expected to be received with pretension and high-brow attitudes. Instead, I was treated with good old Southern hospitality from their winemaker, Trey Busch, a native of Atlanta, Georgia. Trey just happened to be in the tasting room on the day I visited, which made my experience at Basel Cellars really fun. If it weren't for my chance meeting with Trey, I wouldn't have left Basel Cellars feeling connected to their wine in a way that went beyond the bottle. With each sip I took of the 1 white and 6 red wines...

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Posted by Thad W. at 02:51 PM |

May 08, 2007

Review: Pepper Bridge Winery

A few months back, I was grilling steaks for dinner and decided to open a bottle of Pepper Bridge 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon. I had not tasted a Pepper Bridge wine before, therefore was excited when someone gave me a bottle to try. A very generous gift considering this bottle retails for $50. From the first sip before dinner, throughout our meal, and then afterward, my wife and I were really taken with this wine. We were pleasantly surprised that it wasn't your usual high alcohol fruit bomb, like many Washington cabernets made from Columbia Valley fruit. The fact that this...

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Posted by Thad W. at 04:41 PM | | Comments (1)

May 03, 2007

Winery Reviews and Ratings

Whenever I visit a winery, the one thing I look for more than anything else is a connection to the wine beyond the bottle. What makes this connection happen? Stories. Stories about the people and places behind the wine I am sampling. The more unique and understandable the stories being shared, the better the winery experience for me. This connection is what ultimately determines whether or not I would recommend a winery to family, friends or you. It also influences what I buy. In fact, I would much rather visit a winery that serves mediocre wines but offers a deep...

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Posted by Thad W. at 04:49 PM |

Review: Woodward Canyon Winery

About 12 miles west of Walla Walla on the main highway into town, you’ll find Woodward Canyon Winery. The tasting room is located in an old farm house, which provides an appropriate setting for one of the state’s earliest wineries. Opening the door to the farmhouse, I was immediately greeted with a friendly welcome by Sarah, the person behind the bar. The tasting room takes up most of the first floor of the house, with plenty of space to walk around and enjoy your wine. This is a shop focused on selling wine, with few, if any, of the traditional...

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Posted by Thad W. at 11:14 AM |

Review: Reininger Winery

Reininger Winery is located about 6 miles west of Walla Walla on Highway 12. This winery is housed in two former potato sheds, which were renovated into a nice facility with a comfortable tasting room. On the Monday I visited in early April, the new tasting room was nearly finished, providing a much larger expanse with beautiful pine flooring reclaimed from the old potatoe sheds. This new addition, which will offer a view of acres of wheat fields, will serve as a nice spot to try Reininger wines, including those under their other label, Helix. The tasting room features some...

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Posted by Thad W. at 11:06 AM |

Review: L' Ecole No 41 Winery

On Highway 12 going to Walla Walla, you'll find L'Ecole No 41 winery just outside the town of Lowden. Like the other wineries on Highway 12 coming east into town, L'Ecole is a frequent stop for folks traveling to Walla Walla. And this Monday visit was no exception, with about a half dozen cars in the parking lot. L'Ecole No 41 is named after the school house in which it is located. It is a beautifully restored building that was originally constructed in 1915. L'Ecole produces about 30,000 cases each year, making it one of the larger wineries in the...

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Posted by Thad W. at 11:02 AM |


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