Every so often I get a deluge of requests to post information about upcoming events in my column. I try to point out the ones that I either am attending, or wish I was attending, as I know the world rotates around my tastes and opinions (just kidding).
First, the wineries of the Horse Heaven Hills Wine Growers are celebrating the fourth anniversary of the Horse Heaven Hills appellation with their “Horse Heaven Hills Trail Drive” on Saturday, July 18. The event includes a winery tour from 11a.m. to 5 p.m., with a BBQ dinner, music, and prizes from 6 to 8 p.m. at Crow Butte State Park.
Wineries and tasting rooms taking part in this annual event are: Columbia Crest, Canoe Ridge Estate, Alexandria Nicole, Heaven’s Cave, Canyon’s Edge, Chateau Champoux, & McKinley Springs Wineries pouring at Crow Butte park also include Coyote Canyon, Martinez & Martinez and Robert Karl. Some of these facilities are rarely opened to the public, making this a great opportunity to go where few have gone before.
Cost for this event is $40 through July 11 and $50 after July 11. Tickets include an event glass, tour & tasting and BBQ dinner. To secure tickets and make reservations for the BBQ call 1-509-894-4528.
Second, The Seattle Wine Awards second annual Grand Awards Tasting will be held at The Rainier Club, located at 820 4th Avenue in Seattle, tomorrow, Sunday, June 14. The event offers an exclusive opportunity to taste award winning wines, meet the winemakers, and enjoy an array of gourmet cuisine. VIP Tickets are $125, and General Admission is $85.
I’ve included a provided list of the Double Gold winning wines that will be tasted at the event. If you can’t attend on such short notice I suggest purchasing these locally and trying at home as they really are very good wines.
Dessert Style Wines - 2006 CR Sandidge "KISS".
Rieslings - 2008 Kiona Vineyard, 2008 Silver Lake Roza, and 2006 Steppe Cellars Dry Riesling.
White Varietals - 2008 Kyra Wines Chenin Blanc, 2008 Whitman Cellars Viognier, 2006 Ste Michelle Cold Creek Chardonnay, 2007 Red Sky "Sémillon Rosebud", and 2008 Coyote Canyon Winery Roussanne.
Cabernet Sauvignons - 2006 Alder Ridge Winery, 2006 Barnard Griffin CV Reserve, 2005 Boudreaux Cellars Reserve, 2006 Cougar Crest Estate Winery, 2007 Obelisco Estate, 2006 Alexandria Nicole Cellars, 2006 Milbrandt Vineyards Estates, 2006 Reininger Winery Helix, and 2006 Watermill Winery.
Malbecs - 2006 Alder Ridge Winery, 2006 Watermill Winery, and 2007 William Church Winery.
Merlots - 2005 FortWalla Walla Cellars Pepperbridge, 2005 Kestrel Vintners Old Vine, 2006 PepperBridge Winery, 2006 Five Star Cellars, and 2006 Maryhill Proprietor's Reserve.
Red Bordeaux Styles - 2004 CR Sandidge "Tri*Umph", 2005 FortWalla Walla Cellars "Treaty", and 2007 Waters Winery "Interlude".
Red Proprietary Blends - 2005 Buty "Columbia Rediviva", 2003 Gordon Brothers Cellars "Tradition", 2006 Walla Walla Vintners Cuvée, 2006 Gamache Vintners "Boulder Red," 2006 Goose Ridge Winery "G3 Red Blend", and 2007 RiverAerie Cellars "Spring Creek Red".
Other Red Varietals - 2006 O.S. Winery Petit Verdot, 2007 Walla Walla Vintners Cabernet Franc, 2007 Walla Walla Vintners Sangiovese, and 2007 Syncline Mourvèdre.
Syrahs - 2005 Anelare, 2006 Bergevin Lane Barrel Select, 2006 DeLille Doyenne Grand Ciel Vineyard, 2006 Grand Rêve Vintners "Collaboration Series”, 2006 Long Shadows Vintners "Sequel", 2007 Olsen Estates, 2006 Ch Ste Michelle "Ethos", 2007 Dusted Valley Vintners Stained Tooth Syrah, 2006 Maryhill, and 2006 Northwest Totem Cellars Longhouse.
Check my blog at www.onerichwineguy.blogspot.com for more events each week. Have a great week, and see you there!
Showing posts with label McKinley Springs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label McKinley Springs. Show all posts
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Good People & Good Wine At McKinley Springs
In general, what I like most about the wine business is the people. It is inevitable that when you are out tasting you will run into old friends, and make a few new ones along the way. Last night I met a couple of new friends in Doug and Sandy Rowell, the owners of McKinley Springs Winery.
Doug and Sandy have been in the wine business for many years, beginning as grape growers for some of the most prestigious wineries in the region since 1980. Their considerable 1800 acres of vineyards, located south of Prosser in the Alder Ridge area, supplies juice for Bookwalter, Northstar, Columbia Crest, Waving Tree, and many others.
In 2002, like many other growers, Doug decided to take the difficult trail toward starting his own winery. With Sandy by his side, Doug started producing Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. They have since branched off into producing Viognier, Chenin Blanc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and are working on many other varietals and blends.
The 2006 Viognier opens up with a nose of honeysuckle and spring flowers. It features flavors of peaches, pears, and a wonderful dry minerality which gives it a slight sparkle. The finish is quite acidic, which paired with the mineral clears the palate but leaves a nice lingering finish. My immediate thoughts were to pair this with grilled Tilapia and a nice spicy mango salsa.
I next tasted the 2005 Syrah. Doug produces his Syrah in the traditional Cote Rotie style by blending in a little more than three percent of whole Viognier grapes during the initial fermentation. This method produces a famously meaty, dark, rich Syrah that you can really sink your teeth into, while providing a beautiful elegant nose. A wonderfully balanced wine with a long tannic finish.
After the Syrah we went on to try the 2005 Malbec. As you already know, I’m a pretty ardent Malbec fan, and drink a considerable amount of the stuff. So, let’s say I wasn’t expecting anything out of the ordinary. Right away I was impressed with the dark, rich nose of blueberry pie and the nearly black colors in the glass. This wine opens up with dark cherries, blueberries, vanilla, and finishes with the lingering rainforest flavor that I love. I’ll tell you now, that this is among the best being produced in this region.
Last, we tasted the 2006 Petit Verdot. Usually used as a mixing grape with other varietals, I am usually hesitant to just reach out and grab a bottle at my favorite wine shop. Doug has, however, done a nice job of tackling this very difficult grape. The Petit Verdot opens with dark colors and flavors of stone fruit. It fills the mouth with espresso, cinnamon, and fresh black pepper. Serve this with a smoked ribeye and you’ll be in love.
In closing, I want to mention that you can’t get these wines in Eastern Oregon at this time. However, if you want a reason to visit the winery they are planning several Barbeque events when things warm up this year. The one to not miss is their BBQ Showdown & Benefit on June 13th. The cost is $25 per person over 19. 18 and under are free. This includes wine for those over 21, soft drinks, food, and a lot of fun. The proceeds go to feed returning troops at Ft. Lewis. To find out more about McKinley Springs go to www.mckinleysprings.com . Enjoy!
Doug and Sandy have been in the wine business for many years, beginning as grape growers for some of the most prestigious wineries in the region since 1980. Their considerable 1800 acres of vineyards, located south of Prosser in the Alder Ridge area, supplies juice for Bookwalter, Northstar, Columbia Crest, Waving Tree, and many others.
In 2002, like many other growers, Doug decided to take the difficult trail toward starting his own winery. With Sandy by his side, Doug started producing Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. They have since branched off into producing Viognier, Chenin Blanc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and are working on many other varietals and blends.
The 2006 Viognier opens up with a nose of honeysuckle and spring flowers. It features flavors of peaches, pears, and a wonderful dry minerality which gives it a slight sparkle. The finish is quite acidic, which paired with the mineral clears the palate but leaves a nice lingering finish. My immediate thoughts were to pair this with grilled Tilapia and a nice spicy mango salsa.
I next tasted the 2005 Syrah. Doug produces his Syrah in the traditional Cote Rotie style by blending in a little more than three percent of whole Viognier grapes during the initial fermentation. This method produces a famously meaty, dark, rich Syrah that you can really sink your teeth into, while providing a beautiful elegant nose. A wonderfully balanced wine with a long tannic finish.
After the Syrah we went on to try the 2005 Malbec. As you already know, I’m a pretty ardent Malbec fan, and drink a considerable amount of the stuff. So, let’s say I wasn’t expecting anything out of the ordinary. Right away I was impressed with the dark, rich nose of blueberry pie and the nearly black colors in the glass. This wine opens up with dark cherries, blueberries, vanilla, and finishes with the lingering rainforest flavor that I love. I’ll tell you now, that this is among the best being produced in this region.
Last, we tasted the 2006 Petit Verdot. Usually used as a mixing grape with other varietals, I am usually hesitant to just reach out and grab a bottle at my favorite wine shop. Doug has, however, done a nice job of tackling this very difficult grape. The Petit Verdot opens with dark colors and flavors of stone fruit. It fills the mouth with espresso, cinnamon, and fresh black pepper. Serve this with a smoked ribeye and you’ll be in love.
In closing, I want to mention that you can’t get these wines in Eastern Oregon at this time. However, if you want a reason to visit the winery they are planning several Barbeque events when things warm up this year. The one to not miss is their BBQ Showdown & Benefit on June 13th. The cost is $25 per person over 19. 18 and under are free. This includes wine for those over 21, soft drinks, food, and a lot of fun. The proceeds go to feed returning troops at Ft. Lewis. To find out more about McKinley Springs go to www.mckinleysprings.com . Enjoy!
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