WALLA WALLA, Wash. - As the 2016 harvest draws to a close, winemakers celebrate by scrubbing the deep purple stains from their hands and popping corks on new wines to share with friends, family and customers old and new. Fall Release Weekend is a tradition in Walla Walla, and the majority of wineries will be pouring special bottles. This year, it will run Nov. 4-6, and if … [Read more...] about Plan for Walla Walla’s Fall Release Weekend
Columbia Winery 2013 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $17
Canadian native Sean Hails has made more wine than most as a result of his years of work in California on behalf of Gallo. His latest release of Merlot for the Woodinville showpiece also ranks as one of the largest in Washington. It hints at dark currants and cherries in the aromas with lavender, jasmine and smoked meats - perhaps a sign of the Syrah (11%). There’s a match on … [Read more...] about Columbia Winery 2013 Merlot, Columbia Valley, $17
Baer Winery 2013 Star Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $34
A star serves as the logo for Baer Winery, and the latest release named for the North Star is a stellar and straight-forward blend of Merlot (59%) and Cabernet Franc, a style of wine that inspired the late Lance Baer. His family and winemamker Erica Orr focused on picturesque Stillwater Creek Vineyard on the Royal Slope and a 22-month program in 59% new Demptos and Saury … [Read more...] about Baer Winery 2013 Star Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $34
Maloney Wine 2013 Scooteney Flats Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $65
Cornell grad Joshua Maloney’s background in Washington state includes a long list of acclaimed red wines for behemoths Chateau Ste. Michelle and the Milbrandt brothers, but his young eponymous project is tiny and focused. The latest in his single-vineyard series highlights the work of viticulturist Damon Lalonde and Scooteney Flats, a site established in 2007 on Red Mountain. … [Read more...] about Maloney Wine 2013 Scooteney Flats Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $65
Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards 2015 Dolium Grüner Veltliner, Umpqua Valley, $32
Southern Oregon vintner Stephen Reustle began growing Grüner Veltliner in 2003 in his original Romancing Rock Vineyard, and he’s now up to 5 acres of the white Austrian grape when factoring in the 2008 planting of Prayer Rock Vineyard. This marks his second vintage of fermentation of Grüner in concrete, hence its name in honor of the traditional vase used during Roman times. … [Read more...] about Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards 2015 Dolium Grüner Veltliner, Umpqua Valley, $32