BENTON CITY, Wash. — If not for Larry Pearson, the top of Washington’s famed Red Mountain’s Sunset Road might look similar to the housing development at the bottom. Fortunately, in 1984, he began to purchase small chunks of property to create Tapteil Vineyard Winery. "It could have been a manufactured home park or something like that,” Pearson said. "There were some 24 … [Read more...] about Tapteil Vineyard Winery continues to evolve on Red Mountain
Podcast
Jean-François Pellet: Walla Walla’s busiest winemaker
WALLA WALLA, Wash. - Perhaps the busiest person in the Walla Walla Valley is Jean-François Pellet. Here's a partial list of his current involvements: Winemaker and partner for Pepper Bridge Winery. Winemaker and partner for Amavi Cellars. Partner in Octave Vineyard in the southern Walla Walla Valley. Partner in Artifex, a custom-crush facility. Partner in a … [Read more...] about Jean-François Pellet: Walla Walla’s busiest winemaker
45 years in, Ponzi Vineyards still pushing innovation
NEWBERG, Ore. - In the late 1960s, Dick Ponzi was a mechanical engineer in Los Gatos, Calif. He was successful, and life was good. But Ponzi and his wife, Nancy, had an itch. They'd been to Burgundy, and they'd fallen in love with Pinot Noir. So they packed their belongings and headed north. "They got started on a whim, like a lot of the pioneers," said their daughter … [Read more...] about 45 years in, Ponzi Vineyards still pushing innovation
3 decades later, Columbia Valley still defines Washington wine
PROSSER, Wash. - More than 30 years after it was created, the Columbia Valley American Viticultural Area continues to define the Washington wine industry - even as it has been further refined with the additions of smaller AVAs within it. Wade Wolfe, owner and winemaker of Thurston Wolfe Winery in this Yakima Valley town, was instrumental in defining the Columbia Valley, … [Read more...] about 3 decades later, Columbia Valley still defines Washington wine
L’Ecole No. 41’s iconic schoolhouse turns 100
LOWDEN, Wash. - The old schoolhouse has seen a lot happen during its first century, while at the same time emerging as one of the iconic buildings in the Washington wine industry. The Lowden Schoolhouse, now home to L'Ecole No. 41, turns 100 this August. Along with Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville and the stone chapel at Red Willow Vineyard in the western Yakima Valley, … [Read more...] about L’Ecole No. 41’s iconic schoolhouse turns 100