September 2005 This e-zine has been designed to inform readers of news, facts, events and updates from Washington's wine country. We welcome your ideas, comments, questions and submissions. Please e-mail them to us at info@winecountrywashington.org. Thank you for reading! In This Issue: A note from the Editor A Perfect Fall Weekend Facts & Tidbits Living Wine Country Washington Wine Country Collection Mark Your Calendar

A note from the Editor

I know I may have said this before, but Fall truly is my favorite time of year. It's Harvest season. It's Crush time. It's Indian Summer. It's a time of bounty, of good and plenty. Summer is passing, the crisp fall air starts to settle in, the grass ceases to grow, the wind is stirring and blowing the leaves that begin to fall in colorful layers on the ground. It is most definitely the crowning glory of the year as all the year's toil is reaped in one fell swoop.

What's going on in Wine Country during this time? I'm so glad you asked because lying across the Cascades is an expanse of land that many of you have not yet explored, a region full of life . . . and it's about to explode into one fabulous weekend. Read on to discover what you may be missing out on this Fall season.

Salut!
Jackie Walsh
Communications Director
Washington Wine Country
jwalsh@winecountrywashington.org

A Perfect Fall Weekend

"O Autumn, laden with fruit, and stained with the blood of the grape, pass not, but sit beneath my shady roof; there thou may'st rest, And tune thy jolly voice to my fresh pipe; And all the daughters of the year shall dance! Sing now the lusty song of fruit and flowers." - William Blake, To Autumn, 1783

There's no time like Fall to jaunt over the mountains and into Washington Wine Country. If I were to recommend a specific time, it would be the last full weekend of September. Here's what awaits.

As you enter Yakima, the gateway of Washington Wine Country, you will be arriving just in time for opening weekend of the Central Washington State Fair. The primary purpose of the fair has always been to promote agriculture within the state; however, fair goers will find a weekend full of activities. A great line-up of concerts in the Sundome includes performers such as Lee Ann Womack, Smash Mouth and Sugarland. You'll also find car races,  rodeos,  a demolition derby and of course, carnival rides.

As you stroll around the grounds to tour the exhibits and vendor booths, you will notice that this isn't your typical county fair. The Central Washington State Fair is over 100 years old and truly is a historical event.  Still the "premiere Northwest agricultural showcase," the fairgrounds are pristine with historic buildings and grounds designed by famed architect Fredrick Olmstead.

The fair's real mainstay is the presentation of our region's wonderful agricultural bounty. The fair will be paying premiums for prize-winning livestock, produce, flowers, preserved foods, baked goods, photos and other entries, which fill several buildings and make for some very impressive displays. All of this wonderful bounty culminates into the fair's 2005 theme . . . SWEET! www.fairfun.com.

Moving just a tad further through the region down Highway 82, you will arrive in Prosser where The Great Prosser Balloon Rally takes place every year, this year's being September 23-25.

Rise before the sun, grab a latte and head out to take a prime seat at the Prosser Airport. The rainbow colored balloons will take flight each day at sunrise, weather permitting, of course. Arrive early and you can watch the pilots prepare the giant balloons for lift off. The rally also includes a Night Glow at dusk Saturday evening where the balloons will be anchored and illuminated at Art Fiker Stadium, displaying their colors against the night sky. Gates open at 5:15 pm and admission is free. www.prosserchamber.org/balloon_rally.htm

Following the day's festivities, the Port of Benton is co-hosting the follow-up event with Balloons N' Tunes, a dance party on Friday night, September 23rd at the Port of Benton's Prosser Wine & Food Park. A beer and wine garden will feature local brewed and distilled beverages and admission is only five bucks at the gate. You'll be rockin n' rollin with Highway 12, the band that won this year's battle of the bands contest at Cool Desert Nights. Highway 12 plays the old classic tunes that made the 60's and 70's a groovin' era to grow up in.

Still further down the region and into the Columbia Valley, the heart of Washington's Wine Country, visitors can take part in a special Catch the Crush event. All fifteen wineries of the Columbia Valley Winery Association will be hosting special events such as grape stomping, harvest and crush activities, winery tours, live music, hors d'oeuvres and of course, wine tastings. You can bring your own glass or purchase a special logo glass for $5. www.columbiavalleywine.com.

All of these activities converge to create one fabulous weekend in wine country. Sounds like a "sweet" "groovin'" good time to me.
 

Facts & Tidbits

New American Viticulture Area

Did you know . . .

There's a new AVA in town or should I say the state? Horse Heaven Hills was established on August 1st making it the seventh official American Viticultural Area in the state of Washington.

Located in Klickitat County within the Columbia Valley AVA, there are currently four wineries within Horse Heaven Hills. Total acreage is 570,000 with 6,040 being vineyard acreage. The leading varietals are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah.

Source: Washington Wine Commission, Puget Sound Business Journal

Living Wine Country

Along The Wine Road

Hedges Family Estate Opens Tasting Room for CMS

Hedges Cellars recently changed their name to Hedges Family Estate in order to reflect the fact that they are a family owned and operated business. Going a step further, they have also separated their brands and tasting rooms into estate and non-estate wines.

The ever famous CMS (Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah) label now has its own label, brand and tasting room. The CMS Tasting Room, which shares space in the warehouse on the Red Mountain estate, offers a laidback and casual atmosphere where they welcome tasters who are looking for great value and wines for everyday drinking. The Sunset Road wines are also poured in the CMS Room; although, the focus for these wines is the export market.

Hedges Family Estate wines are poured in the Chateau's Tasting Room where the family strives to provide in depth education and conversation about the Red Mountain AVA and their estate wines. A small tasting fee is charged but is refunded upon purchase.

Stop in and visit the two tasting rooms at Hedges on Red Mountain. For more information visit www.hedgesfamilyestate.com.

Get a Taste of the Destination

Washington Wine Country Collection

City Revitalization Fund - Applications Available September 12

Applications for Washington Wine Country's new City Revitalization Fund will be available beginning September 12, 2005. The applications packets will include full instructions and criteria for applying, an application and artistic renderings.

As a reminder, Washington Wine Country has designed a campaign to attract tourists and investors into the region and enrich our state's wine country. We have developed the City Revitalization fund to go towards cities within the appellations of Columbia, Walla Walla and Yakima Valleys and Red Mountain and it will assist in preserving the history and promoting the lifestyle and romance found within these wine regions. Examples of improvements will be avenue banners, store-front awnings, barrel planters, signage and other accents and improvements.

Washington Wine Country will be sending out application packets to the towns and various organizations within Washington Wine Country; however, those interested in applying can contact Jackie Walsh at (206) 285-0514 or e-mail jwalsh@winecountrywashington.org. to ensure that they receive their packet.

Applications will be due in the Washington Wine Country office by November 1st, 2005 and awards are expected to be made in early December.

 

Mark Your Calendar

Please submit your upcoming special events or regional events to events@winecountrywashington.org and we will post them in our next issue.

September - October

9/10 Vine, Wine & Dine at Windy Point Winery  - Join Mike & Liz Stepniewski for a fun and informative evening, while you learn about the growing, making, blending, and finally food pairing of wine. Begin in the vineyard with grower Mike and learn about trellising & thinning vines. Then test the brix, collect berry samples, & taste the berries. Can you decide if they are ready to harvest? In the winery with winemaker Liz, test the samples for pH & acidity. See what happens to the grapes over the next year, as you sample wines from the 2004 harvest and try creating blends. At the tasting room, Chef Chris Van Dyke will discuss how he pairs wine with food. You'll sample pairings that work, and those that don’t. Finally, cap off the evening with dinner where you will be certified a "wine expert". $75.00 per person with 50% deposit required. Contact 509-877-6824. www.windypointvineyards.com

9/10 The Apex Bistro Club Finale - You're invited to join us in the kitchen as we explore French Cuisine, Bistro Style for the final event of the season. Price includes demonstration of course preparation and wine tasting and a five-course dinner prepared by Chef Big John, along with wine perfectly paired with each course. Class participants receive a 20% discount on wine purchases. $75.00 each. Contact 509-839-9463. apexwine@earthlink.net  

9/11 Wine and Cheese Appreciation at Snoqualmie Vineyards - From 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. sample delectable cheeses while sipping on Snoqualmie’s finest wines. Wine and cheese pairing will be discussed and guests will enjoy a 20% discount on select Snoqualmie wines. $15 admittance fee. Pre-registration required. www.snoqualmie.com

9/11, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23,  Salmon Dinner Sundays with Silver Lake Winery - Salmon dinner on the deck of Silver Lake Winery. Paired with Silver Lake's award winning wines. Bring your friends and family and enjoy the sweeping views, spectacular weather, and live music. Hours: 12:00 - 4:00 pm.
www.silverlakewinery.com

9/17 Annual Clam Bake at Silver Lake Winery-  This annual event pairs some of our best wines with CLAMS! Learn what works best with this popular seafood. Hours: 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm.
For more information visit www.silverlakewinery.com

9/17 Chateau Champoux Grape Stomp  - Fund Raiser to keep Crow Butte Park a viable recreational area. Grape stomp contest (must be signed up by September 10, 2005) from 11a.m. - 1p.m. with prizes at 2p.m. Your ticket gets you into the BBQ, wine tasting, & stomp. Tickets must be presented at the gate for your complimentary "Support Crow Butte Park" T-Shirt.  www.chateauchampoux.com

9/24-9/25 Catch the Crush - Join the Columbia Valley wineries in celebrating harvest and crush at the annual "Catch the Crush" event in the heart of Washington's wine country. All of the fifteen wineries offer unique events including grape stomps, harvest, crush activities and more! Don't miss out on the beauty of the Indian Summer in the Columbia Valley vineyards on this special weekend. Please bring your own glass or purchase a beautiful logo glass for only $5 each. There is no charge for admittance. For more information visit www.columbiavalleywine.com

10/1 - 10/31 Wine Yakima Valley - Savor the Art  - Forty regional artists have paired with Yakima Valley and Red Mountain wineries to display their art in tasting rooms throughout October. The event will create an artisan's atmosphere in wine country offering visitors the opportunity to sample and purchase both art and wine collectively. Art pieces include water color, fiber arts, pottery, photography, sculpture, glass and more. Each participating artist will also display a one-of-a-kind piece incorporating cork from his/her partnering winery. There are no stipulations so these one-of-a-kind pieces will be a must see! For more information, visit www.wineyakimavalley.org.

View a complete wine country calendar at www.winecountrywashington.org/eventCalendar.aspx.

Formed in 2003, Washington Wine Country is a non-profit association of Eastern Washington businesses promoting wine-related tourism, economic development and recognition of the world-class wine-growing region comprising the Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley and Red Mountain appellations. www.winecountrywashington.org

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