The Yakima Valley is celebrating its 30th year as the Pacific Northwest’s oldest American Viticultural Area with its annual Spring Barrel Tasting Weekend on April 26 through 28.
Those who purchase a Premier Pass for $35 will have access to special events and, in many cases, waived tasting fees. Those who purchase a Premier Pass and visit at least six wineries will receive a commemorative Yakima Valley 30th anniversary wine glass (while supplies last).
Here’s a rundown of what various Yakima Valley wineries are doing for the upcoming Spring Barrel Tasting Weekend.
Agate Field Vineyard in Zillah will offer live music Saturday and Sunday by Alexius Harris, who performed last year. Those who purchase a Premier Pass will receive complimentary tasting of wines, including new releases and tank samples. Those purchasing six or more bottles will receive an Agate Field wine glass. The winery also will be serving appetizers and have Salsa Dogs for sale.
Airfield Estates in Prosser will sample favorite spring and summer wines and offer tastings from the barrel. Local musician Adrienne Bousquet will be performing, and Hogg Heaven BBQ will be providing lunch. Tasting fees are waived for Premier Pass holders.
AntoLin Cellars in Yakima will waive tasting fees for Premier Pass holders and provide light appetizers. At its production facility, it will provide live music from Rondi Marsh and the Jazz Crush Combo.
Chandler Reach Vineyard west of Red Mountain will pour its newly released estate reserve wines and upcoming vintages from barrel. Live music will be performed Saturday and Sunday. O’Callahan’s Catering will be selling gourmet flatbreads. Tasting fees will be waived for Premier Pass holders.
Chinook Wines in Prosser will be open by appointment only.
Cultura Wine in Zillah will feature Guerra’s Gourmet, which will serve up its wine valley gourmet hot dog lunches on the patio on Saturday. Cultura will release some of its 2010 reds and pouring its 2009 reds. Tasting fee waived for Premier Pass holders.
Desert Wind Winery in Prosser will provide a discounted tasting for Premier Pass holders. Mojave at Desert Wind will be open for lunch and dinner Friday and Saturday, featuring a three-course dinner.
Gamache Vintners in Prosser will be pouring nine wines. The $5 tasting fee will allow patrons to taste five wines. Premier Pass and wine club members will taste for no charge. Jewelry and cigars will be for sale, and Tex-Mex food will be available for purchase.
Gilbert Cellars in Yakima will provide live music Friday evening. Barrel tasting will take place all weekend, and Premier Pass holders will be able to enjoy special snacks. At The Cave in West Valley, Chad Bault, Navid Eliot and Jennifer Borst of Really Not Amy will put on a concert from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Goose Ridge Vineyard & Winery near Richland will provide tastes of barrel samples and upcoming releases, and Gabe Knutzen will be singing Saturday afternoon. Premier Pass holders will receive complimentary tastings and 10% savings on regularly priced wines.
Horizon’s Edge Winery in Zillah will provide live music Saturday and will release its new cherry fortified dessert wine.
Kana Winery in Yakima will be barrel tasting its 2010 Syrah-Grenache-Mourvedre red blend and will be serving Hog Wild BBQ from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday. It will have live music from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tasting fees will be waived for Premier Pass holders.
Kitzke Cellars on Candy Mountain near Red Mountain will waive tasting fees for Premier Pass holders and wine club members.
Lookout Point Winery in Yakima will waive tasting fees for Premier Pass holders and provide light appetizers.
Maison de Padgett Winery in Zillah will provide live music Saturday.
Masset Winery in Wapato will celebrate its 10th anniversary and offer lunch. It will open a few library wines and provide a sneak peek at upcoming releases.
Naches Heights Vineyard near Yakima will offer live music Saturday, barbecued food and wine tasting for Premier Pass holders
Paradisos del Sol Winery near Zillah will sample from barrel.
Severino Cellars in Zillah will offer oysters on the half-shell, ribs, Riesling and live music.
Silver Lake Winery near Zillah will offer samples of newly fermented wines from barrel, live music and waived tasting fees for Premier Pass holders.
Sleeping Dog Wines in Benton City will release its 2010 Montepulciano, a red Italian variety. It will provide samples of a Sleeping Dog Wines Merlot-infused dark chocolate.
Steppe Cellars in Sunnyside will offer pre-blended components of its 2011 Artemisia blend from barrel, as well as wood-fired pizza and snack plates. Complimentary tastings of reserve bottlings for Premier Pass holders.
Tagaris Winery in Richland will waive tasting fees and offer discounts to Premier Pass holders.
Tapteil Vineyard Winery on Red Mountain will offer a comparison tasting of wine from different oak barrel aging. Premier Pass holders will enjoy waived tasting fees.
Thurston Wolfe Winery will be tasting Petite Sirah from barrel and also offer library tastings of its 2006 Petite Sirah. Chef Cathleen Williams serves up savory treats for Premier Pass holders.
Treveri Cellars in Wapato and Yakima will offer Fondue Night Happy Hour on Friday by reservation only. Cost is $15. There’s food available Saturday and Sunday, along with a 15% case discount for Premier Pass holders.
Wilridge Winery near Yakima on Naches Heights will waive tasting fees for Premier Pass holders and provide live music.
Wineglass Cellars in Zillah will sample red wine from barrel and provide free tasting of reserve and library wines for Premier Pass holders.
Yakima Valley Vintners in Grandview will offer tours of its facility by student winemakers at Yakima Valley Community College. Premier Pass holders will receive a complimentary reserve tasting.
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