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May 2005
This e-zine has been designed to inform readers of news, facts,
events and updates from Washington's wine country. We welcome your ideas,
comments, questions and submissions. Please e-mail them to us at
info@winecountrywashington.org. Thank you for reading!
In This Issue:
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A note from the Editor
The Washington Wine Country Celebration and Grand Gala is fast
approaching. As many of you know, this is our annual fundraiser that funds all
of Washington Wine Country's work throughout the entire year. Thus, it is a
crucial event for us. It also serves to bring visitors into our state's wine
country, many for the first time. The proof is in the pudding . . . once they
visit, they will return and that's what we want.
I hope to see all of you at our event. If you've not gotten on the bandwagon,
now's the time, visit out Web site at
www.winecountrycelebration.com.
Meanwhile, this vast region just continues to amaze me. This month I am
continuing to report on economic development within Washington's wine country.
Our Founding Director, Janet Leduc sat on a panel last month for the Puget
Sound Business Journal. Accompanied by Tom Hedges and David McFadden, they
discussed this very topic. It's catching on folks and we will continue our work
to educate people as to the effects Washington's emerging wine industry has on
our state's economy. Read on about Prosser!
How many of you can honestly say you've tried a new Washington wine lately? At
my recent venture out to Taste Washington I did not allow myself to flock to my
old favorites. Instead I sought out the new vintages and the new names in
winemaking. It is so exciting to me that our state continues to turn out the
best of the best and there are definitely some new stars to be excited about.
Seek out one of your own this month.
Salut!
Jackie Walsh
Communications Director
Washington Wine Country
jwalsh@winecountrywashington.org
Economic Development Report: Prosser
 Washington Wine Country recently reported on the
effects that the emerging wine industry is having on the economic vitality of
many of Eastern Washington's rural communities. Following this report, we were
flooded with new information and got word of many new developments in one city
in particular, Prosser.
Future home of the new Walter Clore Wine & Culinary Center, Prosser is fast
creating a cluster of wine related business. The Clore project, headed up by
Director Gayle Wheeler, is in the process of raising funds towards their $7.6
million goal and recently received a $2,250,000 boost from the State Capital
Facilities Budget. What's it all about?
"Walter Clore Wine & Culinary Center will educate and promote the areas of
viticulture, enology and culinary practices. Its vision and goals are to
showcase the quality of Washington’s wine industry and to: Increase the tourism
industry in the State of Washington, showcase and promote Washington wine and
foods, stimulate related economic development, raise consumer awareness and
appreciation of wine, promote Washington’s greatest assets: agriculture and
tourism, provide educational experiences tied into state universities and
colleges."
The Center will be located in Prosser on Wine County Road off I-82 from Yakima
to the Tri-Cities. It overlooks the Yakima River westernly toward the Cascade
Mountain range.
 Another new development is the North
Prosser Business Park opening on Port of Benton property. Like the Prosser Wine
and Food Park that houses Hogue, Kestrel, Cowan, CR Sandidge and Thurston
Wolfe, the new North Park will also house a plethora of wineries. Thurston
Wolfe will be relocating to the new park in 2006. Kicking the area off
with its second location is David Minick of Willow Crest Winery. The new
winery just off Merlot Road and I-82 opened on Spring Barrel weekend. It houses
a wine warehouse, production facility and a tasting room with attached arbor to
come. In addition, Mike Haddox of Silver Lake Winery is opening The
Wine Maker's Loft, a communal winemaking facility consisting of
a full production area and six retail shops.
One of the advantages of being a part of a cluster such as this one is that
together these businesses create a destination for tourists. All of the
businesses involved will benefit from being part of such an area and this
causes them to pull together in support of one another.
After all, "in the wine business, you're not in competition with your
neighbor," said Minick, "you're in competition with yourself."
Minick reported that during Spring Barrel Weekend he still got 70% of his
business from returning customers out at his vineyard location on Snipes Road.
A sign that wine country visitors are, in fact, returning and they love the
picturesque, country locations. His hope is to capture new business in the form
of highway traffic at the new winery thus getting in on a piece of the pie he
had long  been seeing wineries such
as Hogue and Kestrel gather at their central locations.
Other city wide developments in Prosser include an expansion in capacity of the
Prosser Memorial Hospital. Citizens will be voting on a bond May 17 for a new
High School. A 100+ acre spray field area is currently being pursued for new
development that could include residential, commercial as well as city parks.
There are also three different sites that are being reviewed for a new golf
course.
This is all very exciting for Prosser and one can't help but wonder what the
future will hold for this rural community gone wine crazy.
"Prosser is the birthplace of Washington wine," Minick states proudly, "and I
think it should be the capital."
For a more expansive report on PEDA, Prosser Economic Development
Association, please contact Executive Director Deb Heintz at
deb@prosser.org. To learn about investment and leasing opportunities
with the Port of Benton and the new North Prosser Business Park, contact
Executive Director Scott Keller at keller@portofbenton.com.
Facts & Tidbits
Washington Wine's Standings
Did you know . . .
Washington is the second largest premium wine producer (wines sold at $8 or
higher) in the United States after California.
There are currently 300+ wineries with equal numbers of grape growers producing
20+ grape varieties.
Washington receives 17.4 average hours of summer sun a day. This is two hours
more than California's prime growing region.
From the Washington Wine Commission, washingtonwine.com
Living Wine Country
Along The Wine Road
Walla Walla's Airport Cluster
We all hear about Walla Walla and its large cluster of wineries, now some 60
wineries in a 40 mile radius. What about the clusters within the larger mass?
As a visitor, I often stop at the individual Highway 12 wineries of Woodward
Canyon, L'Ecole No 41 and Three Rivers on my way into town. I then make my way
to downtown for lunch. Where to next? The Port of Walla Walla. That's right,
the airport.
There are currently 13 wineries within an approximate six block area at the
Port of Walla Walla. The most obvious reason that wineries move to this area is
because of the existent concentration of wineries. Also, and just as important
for winery owners, the rent is reasonable.
Some of the current tenants the Port of Walla Walla include Buty, Cougar Crest,
Dunham Cellars, El Mirador, Five Star, Russell Creek, Sapolil, Syzygy and
Tamarack. Newest tenant Colvin Vineyards recently moved into Reininger's prior
location and Stephenson Cellars is another new kid on the block. Coming soon is
Braden View Cellars and Ensemble Cellars who will be open for 2005
Holiday Barrel Tasting selling futures.
If you would like to learn more about the wineries of Walla Walla visit the
Walla Walla Wine Alliance at http://www.wallawallawine.com.
Get a Taste of The Destination
Tagaris Winery & Bistro
 In March 2005
Tagaris Winery broke ground on a brand new facility in Richland. The third
winery to be a part of the Tulip Lane cluster of Barnard Griffin and J.
Bookwalter Winery slated to be opened late June.
Michael Taggares founded the Tagaris Winery in 1987. The winery honors the
proper Greek spelling of the family name and is the modern day result of three
generations of grape growers in Washington's Columbia Valley.
The new Mediterranean style winery and bistro will feature a wood stone brick
oven for authentic fire grilled pizzas and an espresso bar. A take-out deli
accommodates visitors during the day for picnics on the patio prior to the
bistros opening at 4PM. Evenings on the patio will consist of live music around
a 33 foot fountain and outdoor fireplace. The 9,000 square foot dining patio
has its own outdoor kitchen with a separate menu than the main indoor bistro.
The Tagaris wine bar, touting leather couches, will open with all new packaging
for the new wine releases.
For more information on Tagaris wines and their new winery, visit
www.tagariswines.com or you can e-mail
info@tagariswines.com
Washington Wine Country Collection
JOIN IN THE FUN
- REGISTER TODAY!
Wine Country Celebration & Grand Gala, June 24th &
25th
Wine Country Golf Classic
Team up with local winemakers and golf enthusiasts for the Wine Country Golf
Classic at Columbia Point golf course in Richland. The tournament includes
lively competitions, lunch at the turn, an awards ceremony finale and
admittance to the WAVE.
WAVE (washington’s arriving vintners event)
Kick off your wine country weekend with WAVE held on Red Mountain at Hedges
Family Estate Winery. It’s the hipper-than-thou wine tasting of the year;
drawing attention to emerging local vintners and offering the public a chance
to discover the latest and greatest of what Washington has to offer.
Vintners Appellation Dinners
Get outta town and escape to the hidden charms of some of wine country’s
finest estate wineries for an evening of culinary indulgence. Friday's dinners
will be held on Red Mountain at Hedges Family Estate and Fidelitas/Canon de Sol
and in Prosser at Alexandria Nicole Cellars and Kestrel Vintners. Saturdays
dinners are at Sheridan Vineyards in Zillah and Three Rivers Winery in Walla
Walla featuring a concert with Al Stewart.
 Picnics in the Vineyards
Take in an exclusive wine tasting and a lovely, gourmet lunch or a playful
picnic among the lush vineyards hosted by one of Washington’s renowned
viticulturists. Picnics include a vineyard chic brunch at Columbia Crest, a
tour, lunch and tasting at Northstar in Walla Walla and the Picnic on Tulip
Lane featuring winemakers from Barnard Griffin, J. Bookwalter and Tagaris with
motorcoach transportation from Seattle provided by Victoria Clipper.
Grand Gala - Saturday, June 25, By Invitation Only!
Join in an exclusive, star-studded evening at the heralded DeAtley Estate in
Yakima with a spectacular performance by jazz vocalist Marilyn Scott . Dine
among the stars as you experience spectacular flavors prepared by celebrated
chef Bobby Moore of the Barking Frog at Willows Lodge. Indulge in select
bottlings of Washington wines and swoon over our amazing, must-have auction
items.
Individual tickets & weekend packages available, call 206-285-0514 or
www.winecountrycelebration.com
Tickets subject to availability. All programs and artists subject to change.
Mark Your Calendar
Please submit your upcoming special events or regional events
that you are aware of to events@winecountrywashington.org
and we will post them in our next issue.
May/June
5/14 - 5/15 2nd Annual Weekend of Wine & Roses -
Join in welcoming the spring bloom of Windy Point's beautiful rose gardens
overlooking the Yakima Valley. This special weekend will feature wine tasting
with paired appetizers, including a special weekend release of their 2002
Estate Syrah and 2002 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, live music, and of course the
roses! www.windypointvineyards.com
5/22, 5/29, 6/5 & 6/12 Salmon Dinner Sundays at Silver Lake Winery -
Salmon dinner on the deck of Silver Lake Winery. Paired with Silver Lakes award
winning wines. Bring your friends and family and enjoy the sweeping views,
spectacular weather, and laidback lifestyle enjoyed in the Yakima Valley.
www.silverlakewinery.com
5/28 & 5/29 Pontin Del Roza's Annual Open House and Salmon BBQ -
Enjoy our annual open house, and salmon BBQ as we celebrate our 20th
Anniversary. (509) 786-4449
6/3 Vintage Walla Walla at 26 brix - Featuring Forgeron Cellars,
Ash Hollow Winery & Beresan. Lonnie Chandler of Vintage Distributing will
host this unique evening. Cost for the specially prepared six-course dinner is
$150 per person. www.twentysixbrix.com
6/4 Vintage Walla Walla - Vintage Walla Walla is an exclusive annual
tasting event celebrating the art of Walla Walla Valley wineries. Vintage Walla
Walla features wines of the present as well as gems from the past that
winemakers have pulled from their own private cellars. For more information,
visit www.wallawallawine.com/events.html
6/11 An Evening of Wine and Tapas - The Spanish have long known the
delight of eating tapas style, serving many first course dishes together &
experiencing the delightful intermingling of the different flavors. Chef Chris
Van Dyke will create an array of tapas paired with Windy Point wines to create
a "meeting of the cultures." Ole!
www.windypointvineyards.com
6/12 Wine & Cheese Appreciation at Snoqualmie - Sample
delectable cheeses while sipping on Snoqualmie’s finest wines. Wine and cheese
pairing will be discussed and guests will enjoy a 20% discount on select
Snoqualmie wines. All guests are welcome. Pre-registration required. This is
the first of a series of monthly Wine and Cheese classes to be held on the
second Sunday of the month.
www.snoqualmie.com
View a complete wine country calendar at
www.winecountrywashington.org/eventCalendar.aspx.
Formed in 2003, Washington Wine Country is a non-profit
association of Eastern Washington businesses promoting wine-related tourism,
economic development and recognition of the world-class wine-growing region
comprising the Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley and Red
Mountain appellations.
www.winecountrywashington.org
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