A note from the Editor

It's another warm and sunny summer in wine country. While the weather in Seattle fluctuates between abnormally balmy temperatures in the 90's to the typical Pacific Northwest drizzle in the 60's, wine country has seen consistently warm temperatures. There was an early threat of fires for some. Vineyards and wineries were on the look out in Red Mountain and safely escaped the dangers of the fires as did others.

Nevertheless, sun and fun await on the Eastside of the mountains. Whether it's boating on the Columbia River, whitewater rafting near Ellensburg or taking in the sweet sounds of Jazz at a winery concert, you'll find a great summer destination in Washington's wine country only a short car ride away from Seattle. And as always, our winemaking friends will be happy to see you arrive. While you're there, take in some of the beautifully cool wines of summer like luscious dry Rieslings and Rosé made from most every varietal of Washington red grape you can image. It's summer in wine country.


Salut!

Jackie Walsh
Editor
Washington Wine Country
jwalsh@winecountrywashington.org

Music in the Vineyards:  Summer Concerts in Wine Country

One of the best kept summer secrets in the world of music in Washington state, are the fabulous concerts taking place on the East side of the mountains. Wine is a lifestyle and with that comes food, art, entertainment. It’s only natural that many of the wineries have caught on to this fact and are now offering an array of music to enjoy. Weather it be a light jazz trio while enjoying a glass of Rose’ on their patio or a full blown concert in one of their outdoor concert areas or amphitheatres. Washington wineries are definitely offering an experience to visitors this summer. Here’s what they have to offer.

Three Rivers Winery in Walla Walla

Each year Three Rivers has their Music on the Lawn Summer Concert Series hosted in their natural outdoor amphitheatre. Outside the beautiful rock winery is a large wrap around deck that leads to a grassy hill. The incline of the hill flows down to a flat performance area where performers gather and belt out anything from jazz and Rock ‘n Roll tunes to a bonanza of blues or bluegrass. Concerts are often time accompanied by an optional barbecue on the deck and if you arrive early, you may be able to squeeze in a quick round at the winery’s infamous three hole golf course.

For their next concert, Three Rivers is featuring the Jazz Connection with Kate Bray September 22nd. For more information, visit www.threeriverswinery.com or call (509) 526-9463.


J. Bookwalter Winery

For a more casual musical experience, stop by the J. Bookwalter Winery in Richland where you can grab a table in the wine lounge or outdoors on the rustic patio setting. While there, have a glass of wine and a light nosh while enjoying the sounds of a variety of musical entertainment. Some nights it’s a lone guitarist or a jazz quarter and others it’s a local band with a latin flair; nonetheless, most evenings Wednesday through Saturday and Sunday afternoons, you will find a nice musical accompaniment to your time spent at Bookwalter.

“We’ve had music at the winery for nearly four years now. It’s part of the lifestyle and we feel it really adds to the wine tasting experience,” states Winemaker John Bookwalter.

If you’re heading to the Tri-cities area, be sure and take in the J. Bookwalter Winery experience. Look ahead at their August music schedule and learn more about the winery at www.bookwalterwines.com. 


Mary Hill Winery

With the largest winery concert hall in the region, Mary Hill typically hosts an amazing summer line-up of concerts. However, this year, due to bridge construction, they will not be having their usual concert season. But never fear, all hope is not lost. The winery has informed us that they are still having free, live music on the arbor every weekend through September in a more casual setting this summer. The winery has a truly gorgeous setting in the Columbia Gorge with picnic areas and expansive lawns. For more information, visit the winery Web site at www.maryhillwinery.com.


Tsillan Cellars

On a different side of wine country in  Chelan, you’ll find Tsillan Cellars, a beautiful Tuscan themed winery with an expansive lawn perfect for concerts. With breathtaking views of the Chelan Valley and three cascading waterfalls forming an amphitheater backdrop for the island stage, your summer concert experience is sure to be a memorable one.

This summer Tsillan Cellars is hosting performers such as The Kevin Jones Band and The Brothers Four. For a full schedule and more information, visit www.tsillancellarswines.com or call (877) 682-8463.


Balsamroot Winery

Also located in the Chelan is a smaller winery named after local, indigenous wildflowers, Balsamroot. A little newer on the scene, Balsamroot has worked to create an experience for the senses for the visitors including a special aroma evoking wine tasting and now . . . music. In August, they are hosting the blues and folk sounds of The Bickles as well as jazz from the Bob Soost Trio and others. Visit their Web site for more information at www.balsamrootwinery.com or give them a call at (509) 628-1619.
 

Facts & Tidbits

2006 Wine Report Shows Top Varietals

Did you know?

Together with the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, The Washington Wine Industry Foundation, released a 2006 Wine Report showing, among other statistics, the top reported varietals in inventory amongst Washington wineries. In first place at 23.7% was still Merlot. Chardonnay was a close second at 22.4% and Cabernet Sauvignon made up 19.4% of the inventory in third.
 
Source:  Washington Wine Commissionn
 

Along The Wine Road

Kiona Opens Beautiful New Facility on Red Mountain

It truly is a great story. Kiona Vineyards was planted in 1975 as the first vineyard on the now highly acclaimed and ever growing Red Mountain viticultural area. Right across the road planted around the same time is Ciel du Cheval. Owner Jim Holmes is the former partner of Kiona owners John & Ann Williams. Kiona’s first vintage from their new grapes was produced in 1980 and in 1983 they had a small building and production facility there on Red Mountain.

My, how times have changed. You can now find Kiona in a large number of retail and grocery stores in Seattle and beyond and their current case production is around 25,000 a year. This growth explains their need for a new facility. Not only does it provide extra space but the new 18,000 square foot building also showcases their heritage and long time presence on Red Mountain. The bottom underground “basement” level is used for barrel storage and is 10,000 square feet while the upper remaining 8,00 square feet of space is used for offices, tasting room and a meeting room which can be used for private events or Winemaker dinners.

Yost, Grube & Hall Architects out of Portland designed the facility with Yoachim Grube as the principal designer and contractor SM Anderson Co., also hailing from Portland, was the contractor.

Kiona managed a soft opening at the End of April for the Spring Barrel Tasting, but had an official Grand Opening May 8th. Party goers were impressed with the new facility as they walked amongst vaulted, wood ceilings and took in an amazing view of the vineyards from the large wrap around deck.

Kiona is open 7 days a week from 12-5. Stop in and taste their Vivacious Vicky Rosé, a nice treat in the Red Mountain summer heat. To get directions and find out more information, visit their Web site at www.kionawine.com. 



Get a Taste of the Destination

Washington Rosés Keep You Cool in the Summer

The popular rise of rosé continues this summer and Washington has some highly notable ones to stock up on for your summer barbecues, weddings or just for your personal summer lounging consumption.

As WIne Press Northwest Editor Andy Perdue recently pointed out in his "The Wine Knows" blog, rosé  has gotten a bad wrap due to the infinite supply of white zinfandel being produced in California. Many folks are now catching on and can tell the difference between a good rosé and what Perdue refers to as "California Kool-aid."

Several Washington rosés have risen to the top to make quite an impression. Amavi Cellars in Walla Walla has both a 2005 & 2006 vintage of their 100% Cabernet Franc rosé that has caused quite a stir. Winemaker Jean-François Pellet notes that the 2006 vintage is a wonderful mix of raspberry, cherry, strawberry and citrus flavors. 

An all time favorite of many is the ever consistent Barnard Griffin Winery's Sangiovese Rosé. The 2006 retails for about $10.99 making it an affordable everyday picnic wine; however, it is a part of Barnard Griffin's Reserve line of wines so quantities are limited. If you like it, it's best to stock up while it lasts.

“I featured the Barnard Griffin last Thanksgiving, and it was by far the favorite wine on the table.,” said Perdue, demonstrating the versatility of the Rosé as not only a cool summer wine but a wine for many occasions.

A few other highly notable Washington rosés are the Syncline 2005 Rosé made of a blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, Cinsault and Syrah, the Sangiovese-Cabernet Franc rosé produced by Skylite Cellars which also got high marks from Perdue and the Thurston Wolfe Rosato is a very affordable rose’ style wine produced from Lemberger and Zinfandel grapes.
 

5th Annual Wine Country Celebration Showcases Commerce and Regional Support


In June Washington Wine Country saw great success with our annual fundraiser, the Wine Country Celebration and Grand Gala Benefit Dinner and Auction. Held on Friday and Saturday, June 22 & 23, the event showcased Regional sponsors The Vineyards, US Bank, LeMaster & Daniels, Yakima Regional Hospital, Northwest Farm Credit Services and Yakima Memorial Hospital. 
 
The new Regional Partnership Fund saw grand support in a Raise the Paddle Auction where together auction goers donated a total of $62K. That along with the nearly $75K in Sponsorship donations demonstrates the ever increasing growth and support of the continued economic development of wine country.

In addition to the Grand Gala, the weekend included an array of winemaker dinners from Walla Walla to Yakima. Honorary recognition was given to famed Walla Walla grower Norm McKibben of Pepper Bridge Winery and winemaker Jean Francois Pellet.

“Many of the great visionaries of wine country were present to support this important event,” said Allen Shoup, the event’s Co-chair and owner of Long Shadows Vintners. “This was not only a beautiful event, it was a significant achievement for this organization as they continue the important work of bringing national and international awareness and acclaim to this rapidly growing wine region.”

For more information on the details of the event's success, you can find the latest press release and news at  www.winecountrywashington.org