A note from the Editor

If you subscribe to this newsletter, you're probably already a lover of Washington wines. I had my first love affair with our wines nearly four years ago when I moved here from Texas and I have to say, the flame is still burning. There's a lot of wine out there and as I was perusing my local Cost Plus recently, I noticed all of the intense label marketing going on. At a time when consumers are easily pulled in by "trendy" labels and off the wall names, it's the way many wineries have chosen to go. It just makes sense. It's true, for fun gifts and a talking point at a party, label buying can be entertaining. However, I would just like to say, that no amount of marketing can take the place of taste and pleasing a knowledgeable consumer.

So, I would encourage you to never stop learning. Just like any love affair, you have to keep the embers stoked. Keep trying what's new and on the horizon in the world of Washington state wines. There are always new, exciting winemakers doing amazing things. On the other side of that, don't forget the world class quality of those wineries who have long been delivering consistent, beautiful wines to consumers. I have my favorites and I never cease to let them know how much I still enjoy the wines they produce. Over dinner this weekend I shared a beautiful bottle of Fidelitas Cab with friends and I was reminded that good wines like these are always there to be enjoyed.

As you enter the holiday season, it's a great time to return to those you love.


Salut!

Jackie Walsh
Editor
Washington Wine Country
jwalsh@winecountrywashington.org

W2U Brings Buyers to Taste and Explore Walla Walla Valley Wines

The 2007 W2U Event took place September 16 - 19 in Walla Walla attracting influential buyers from around the country. A group of 40 Walla Walla wineries pooled their resources to send out this special invitation to a select group of buyers with serious purchasing power.

Led by an Advisory Board consisting of Norm McKibben (Pepper Bridge Winery & Amavi Cellars), John Abbott (Abeja), Greg Harrington, MS, (Gramercy Cellars), Krista McCorkle Davis (McCorkle Davis Consulting), Lynne Anderson (Lynne Anderson Graphic Communications), and Mary Tuuri Derby (DaMa Wines), the wineries got much of their inspiration from the popular Pinot Camps of the Willamette Valley. They wanted to create a similar following, but with Walla Walla hospitality. Their goal? To sell wine and Walla Walla Valley's terroir.

"We want these folks to come and taste, smell and experience the region first hand," said McCorkle-Davis. "Wineries take their wines to trade events in other cities all the time. This event offers a premium, first hand experience."

The group set out to create an annual event which attracts high level wine buyers to the Walla Walla Valley for the express purpose of teaching them about its unique growing region, its wines and wine community. They also wanted to ensure that their attendees experienced the uncommon quality the region is known for. In turn, the hope was that attendees would return to their occupations with a passion for the Walla Walla Valley that would eventually be expressed in terms of increased sales and exposure.

So, did they achieve their goals? In speaking with attendee Clint Sloan, Sommelier and Beverage Director of McCrady's Restaurant in Charleston, SC, it seems the event made quite an impression.

"Because of the trip I will be buying more Washington State wines. Before this trip I had felt that Washington wines were a good value substitution to Napa. I found that this is not true. Washington wines have their own unique flavor profile."

With the goals laid before them, the group prepared an action packed weekend to not simply entertain their special guests, but to educate them. Each day consisted of an intense itinerary alternating presentations from various wineries and organizations and formal wine tastings where buyers would sample wines from several of their host wineries. Even meals were coupled with some sort of learning experience and of course, some of the best Washington wines. All of this was done while touring the region, taking in the viticulture and terroir.

"The event was truly amazing. I attended Oregon Pinot Camp this year as well. I felt that W2U was much more personable and hands on," Sloan added. "Because of the trip I will be buying more Washington State wines."

Jake Kosseff, another trade attendee and a local wine consultant is no stranger to Washington wines.

"It was a great event, and even for someone like me who is fairly knowledgeable about Washington Wine, I learned a lot and was pleasantly surprised by many of the wines" said Kosseff. "I was particularly impressed by the Vinea Trust, and the level of love that was going into the vineyards at the top properties."

As mentioned, every moment was action packed and the host wineries played major roles throughout the event escorting guests, leading presentations and discussions and of course presenting their wines. The wineries themselves felt that the time, money and energy they invested was well worth it.

"We all feel that bringing the buyers to the region is the way to go. It's a golden opportunity for these wineries as far as investment. They have a captured audience and a one-on-one experience. Most have already expressed interest in sponsoring next year," said Norm McKibben, who played a major role in the invention of the event.

The W2U event represents a fantastic group effort on the part of Walla Walla wineries, one which created lasting impressions and what is sure to lead to effective marketing.

Ari Soroken, Wine Director of the Morrell Wine Bar in New York City summed up his impressions of the event.

"W2U introduced me to a very passionate group of winemakers.  Their enthusiasm made me take a closer look at the evolution of Washington wines.  What I discovered is a fanatical commitment to quality and a desire to please customers, while staying true to Washington terroir and artisan winemaking."
 

Facts & Tidbits

Look Who's Blogging Now!

Did you know?

We're all familiar with his fine craftmanship in the barrel room. Now, Fidelitas Winemaker Charlie Hoppes is trying his hand at a new on-line blog. He'll be keeping his reader's posted on how Crush is going, what's happening in the barrels and his thoughts on anything and everything wine. Catch up on the latest news and happenings at Fidelitas and get an interesting winery perspective at fidelitaswines/blogspot.com.

Living Wine Country

Along The Wine Road

Bonair Winery Showcases New Hospitality Center

Bonair is one of the tried and true estate wineries of the Yakima Valley. Now part of the Rattlesnake Hills, Bonair Winery and Vineyards opened a beautiful new French Chateau this past April. Owners Shirley and Gail Puryear have dubbed it the "hospitality building" which fits perfectly with this couple's take on wine and life.

Chat with Shirley for just a bit and you'll find her love for what she does contagious. She and Winemaker husband Gail used to refer to their winery as the "little habit that got out of hand." Now they say they're "living the dream - and loving every minute of it."

"Most days after our work, we go outside, have a glass of wine and just look over the vineyards," says Shirley.

It helps that work is only a short walk from their home, nestled next door on the Chateau Puryear Vineyard which was planted in 1980 to produce Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling. Their other vineyard is the Morrison Vineyard which they purchased from the Morrison Family in 2001 and is the oldest vineyard in Rattlesnake Hills.

The new Hospitality center is 4,000 square feet and houses a large tasting room with an extra long tasting bar for visitors to belly up to. There is a formal dining room for 12 where Gail holds his weekly Sunday Winemaker dinners, a full commercial kitchen and office space. There is also a wine cave below that stores nearly 150 barrels of wine. Here the winery hosts private barrel tastings.

The couple says they have seen a large increase in visitor traffic. They attribute the increased visitation to of course the new building, new signage on the freeway and also their involvement in the Rattlesnake Hills wine trail.

"Sundays are a great day to visit. Gail leads guided tours of the vineyards which he is so good at," Shirley beams. "He strolls through the vineyards like Moses and tells all about the Missoula floods, the history and geology of the area and how it affects the soil and the grapes."

The winery also has tapas and wine on the patio every afternoon at the winery. Visitors are often seen strolling and wandering the expansive patios and taking in the ducks resting on the pond. Shirley says it's a great activity for stressed-out  city dwellers.

"Like Gail always says," quoting her husband, "Slow down and enjoy wine country. Wine tasting is a journey, not a race."

That's a great way to sum up the laid back attitude, relaxation and hospitality you'll find at Bonair Winery.


Get a Taste of the Destination

Yakima's Cafe Melange Under FRESH New Ownership

Located on Yakima's historic Front Street, Cafe Melange is a quaint Mediterranean bistro not to be missed on your next visit to wine country.

New proprietor Lisa Rembold has been a part of the Cafe Melange staff since moving to Yakima ten years ago and having recently acquired the cafe as her own, she is making some fresh new changes. She describes the cuisine as "contemporary Mediterranean inspired/Northern Pacific cuisine, in a charming family atmosphere." Not only has she made some upgrades to the decor and opened up the dining area, Rembold is working hard to ensure that their menu is made from fresh, farm-to-the-table ingredients.

"We go to the market everyday for fresh produce and seafood. We're no longer buying from large wholesalers. We want to make sure we're using the freshest ingredients possible," says Rembold.

Chefs Verlene Elm and Jeremy Charlton are a crucial part of the Cafe Melange Team. The pastas are homemade in house and the sauces for each dish are made to order. When possible, Rembold and her cuisine team are showcasing regional produce.

"We always have some of our favorite desserts like creme brulee, our chocolate brownie and in the fall pumpkin cheesecake," she touts, "but right now we're showcasing local pears with our Pear filled Brulee and we have a special Fall bread pudding with cranberries, nuts and apples."

The main menu offers visitors favorites like a Smoked Salmon Ravioli in a basil cream sauce or Marionberry Duck breast served with port sauce and grilled polenta, both Melange appetizers. The Melange Salad is a fresh and delicious blend of mixed spring greens, fresh apple slices, toasted walnuts, gorgonzola and dried cherries tossed with champagne maple vinaigrette. For entrees the Dijon Tenderloin or Aioli Baked Salmon offer either meat or seafood favorites. The Veal with Pine Nuts, a restaurant favorite, is a scaloppini cut of veal served over linguini with a sauce of butter, wild mushrooms, Madeira wine, cream, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard and toasted pine nuts.

Cafe Melange offers an extensive wine list encompassing the region. It's made up of mostly local wineries, coupled with wines from the pacific northwest and other regions of interest.

"Another thing we're now doing is catering," said Rembold proudly. "We recently catered the Yakima Schools Foundation, Tour de Harvest for 350 people and I was so proud of my staff. We received many compliments from attendees. They really pulled it off."

For more information on this lovely wine country cafe and bistro, visit their Web site at www.cafemelangeyakima.com. Rembold and her staff will be happy to help you.

2008 City Revitalization Fund:  Now Accepting Applications

Washington Wine Country is once again pleased to announce the availability of funds for the City Revitalization matching grant program for fiscal year 2008. Eligible associations, organizations and municipalities are encouraged to apply for funding up to $15,000. This grant program is designed to support improvements and aesthetic additions to tourist areas within wine country.

Washington Wine Country’s City Revitalization Fund was formed in 2005 and is funded solely through individual contributions at the Wine Country Celebration Grand Gala and the new corporate giving program, Friends of Washington Wine Country Sponsorship. The funds are raised specifically to support tourism enhancements in the wine-growing region of the state. Last year’s grant recipient was Red Mountain Estates Association; funds were given toward the final Red Mountain Viticulture Park Master Plan which includes complete design and drawings of the park’s entry points, tourist facilities, roads, trails and other land use components.

Organizations are encouraged to apply for funds for upcoming projects that not only enhance your community, but brand the region as wine country. Interested organizations should contact Industry Relations Director David Wheeler to discuss projects and streamline the application process, ensuring its compliance with the fund's selection criteria. The application, which includes instructions and selection criteria, is online at www.winecountrywashington.org/press/CityRevitalizationApplication-2007.pdf or by e-mail at dwheeler@winecountrywashington.org.

Please note that all applications are due no later than December 1, 2007. Washington Wine Country’s advisory committee will review applications and select projects for funding. Funding decisions are expected to be made by the end of January 2008, at which time all applicants will be notified regarding the outcome of this process.