Columbia and Walla Walla Valley!

Like salmon spawning up the Columbia River, staff of The Oregon Wine Blog headed northeast this past weekend into the heart of Washington Wine Country. A trip that had been in the planning stages since February and conceptualized months before that, I was pleased to take our group to my hometown and showcase the wine, food, and culture that most certainly didn’t exist there when I was growing up. I’m going to share some overall thoughts on the trip, culinary, and lodging experiences – look for upcoming posts about specific wineries and wines.

We started the weekend in Richland, WA gateway to a number of appellations within the Columbia Valley AVA. Known for arid soil, warm days, and cool nights, the 300-plus days of sunshine in this region make for some excellent big reds. While in Richland we stayed at the Red Lion Hanford House, a recently refurbished property sitting on the edge of Howard Amon Park, bordering the Columbia River. The view was nice (be sure to ask for a view room), the balcony was perfect for sipping a bottle of wine in the evening, and beds were quite comfortable. Free internet and parking, what more can you ask for? While in the Tri-Cities area, we primarily visited Red Mountain and patronized the following wineries:

• Barnard Griffin
• Kiona Winery
• Fidelitas
• Terra Blanca

In terms of dining, we explored Katya’s Bistro and Wine Bar in Richland one evening and had a wonderful experience. A mix of Italian and Greek cuisine with an expansive local wine list, be sure to ask for a seat out on the deck where you can get a sliver of a view of the river nearby. Service was a little awkward; however, we had some delicious food and great wine. I enjoyed one of the specials, fresh coho salmon in a nectarine sauce. The next evening, after a long day of wine tasting, we stopped by Atomic Ale Brewpub and Eatery before hitting the road. The wood-fired, gourmet pizza hit the spot and gave us fuel to finish the day right.

The next stop in our journey was Walla Walla Valley, the aptly-named AVA currently home to over 85 wineries and 1,400 acres of vineyards. We had the fortune of finding a wonderful 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom rental home for a very reasonable price, courtesy of VRBO.com. It served as the home base for our journey to the following wineries:

• Cougar Crest Winery
• Tamarack Cellars
• Sapolil Cellars
• Three Rivers Winery

Much of our culinary experience in Walla Walla was centered around the farmer’s market that was downtown on Saturday morning. There, we were able to pick up farm-fresh Walla Walla sweet onions, elephant garlic, corn, blackberries, Serrano peppers, and garlic jalepeno focaccia bread. Add some sirloin steak, and we feasted all night with delicious food and wine. For breakfast we tried Merchants, Ltd. downtown and for the most part had a nice meal. When stopping by later in the day, though, to grab a baguette and some cheese to take out to Three Rivers, we were really turned off by the rude manner in which one of the employees told us the kitchen was closed (which apparently means they can’t sell cheese out of the deli case). Yes, we saw the sign – but it doesn’t necessarily require the kitchen to cut off a block of cheese and you didn’t have to be rude! That place is crossed off the list.

All in all, an amazing weekend that is indicative of the bounty of the Pacific Northwest. What more can you ask than good friends, food, wine, and great scenery? It was a fairly inexpensive weekend, at least in travel expenses. Wine purchases? That’s a whole different ballgame.

Cottonwood Canyon 2000 Synergy Classic

Last night, Bob Woodshed of the [BW] Beer Blog and I were putting the final touches on a project that we had been working on, and the completion called for celebration. To the wine rack I went, were our choice was whittled down to three different options -- a Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Kiona, a Dolcetto from Erath, and the 2000 Synergy Classic from Cottonwood Canyon. The Synergy hit the spot, so open it became.


If you recall from a post from some time ago, Cottonwood Canyon Winery is in the Santa Maria Valley AVA (California), and my aunt works there part time so I visited the winery in March of 2007 when I was down in the area. They focus on Chardonnay and Pinot, but put out some bigger red bordeaux varietals as well. The Synergy is a bordeaux blend -- 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. Interestingly, by taste I would have sworn there was some Syrah in there but of course then it wouldn't be a true bordeaux blend due to the Rhone origin of the Syrah.


According to the winery, the wine had a deep, warm blackberry color, and opened with a nose of pomegranate and smoke. I detected some leather in there as well. Flavors of rich, dark cherries come through in the mid-palate. Soft, smoky tannins and flavors of blackberry, blending into chocolate cherry repeatingly throughout, create the lingering, complex finish. It was very pleasant and very enjoyable for both of us -- thankfully, since Bob mentioned that he wasn't interested in Merlot that evening (and I didn't even think about it until we were well into the wine). Definitely a winner. I'm looking forward to opening the bottle of 1996 Synergy that's on the rack waiting for another special occasion.


We rounded out the evening with a Barnard Griffin 2005 Syrah (tulip label), always a standby winner and a great value wine.

Honeywood 2006 Pinot Noir

I have a confession to make - I have been consuming quite a bit of wine, yet not blogging about it. I am hanging my head in shame, as I write this entry.

Those of you who read some of my entries know that I am a fan of starting the week/ending the weekend with a nice glass (or 2) of great wine, and this week is no exception. Today, while looking at my quickly diminishing wine selection and deciding what I should partake in, I decided I would open a 2006 Honeywood Pinot Noir. About a week and a half ago, Aileen, Kristen, Dan, and I decided that a trip to Honeywood was in order. Stan was unavailable, so another one of the staffers assisted us with the tastings. Once again I tasted the 2006 Pinot Noir.

I really enjoy this Pinot Noir. They have an 04, which just doesn't compare (I am tempted to buy a bottle and review that one as well...). Everything about the 06 just speaks volume of the quality wine this is - from it's color, coat, nose, and taste, everything is absolutely enjoyable.

I left the bottle to breathe for about 45 minutes while I prepped some pasta for dinner and did a little bit of cleaning up. Then came the first pour. The hue on this wine, from the very beginning, is one of a very deep grape red in shade. The nose is one rich with oak and spices. The website writes - "in the nose are strawberries, black cherries and cinnamon, but there's more in the background with bay rum, violets and black pepper." I, unfortunately, am not able to smell the strawberries and cherries as much - I find them to be very light and the cinnamon to be only slightly heavier (this could be due to my allergies).

The first sip is very subtle. It really takes the second sip for things to really kick in, but it is worth it. After a couple of sips, you can really taste the oak and spices, and feel them warm your body as you swallow. This Pinot is not very heavy on the palate, even after it goes down. When you take in the wine, there is a burst of flavor and sensations on the palate, but then is dies down, almost like a wave - coming in, then receding. The aftertaste leaves the palate warm with the spices lingering, but not annoying. There are some moments where some of sips are sweeter than others, something I am crediting to the fruits. After a little bit, things mellow out a little with this Pinot.

Overall, very enjoyable, two thumbs up on my end for this great Pinot Noir. If you are feeling adventurous, you can try the 04, but the 06 is definitely better.

That Perfect Wine Rack

Have you found it? I sure haven't. For the past two years I've been on a mission to find the perfect wine rack / cabinet to hold the delicious nectar, to minimal success. It has to be just right. Not too big, not too small...classy enough...and not too expensive. You'd think I was asking for a miracle. There seems to be a void of 72 - 120 bottle offerings that aren't either really cheap or really expensive. In a tragic turn of events, some friends in Pullman found exactly what I was looking for in Spokane at Pier 1, so I dutifully went down to the Pier 1 in Eugene only to find that cabinet had been permanently discontinued and wasn't in stock in any store in Oregon. The search continues. In the meantime, my wine will stay in the hodge-podge of storing devices that it has been since I moved here.

It's been quite a while since I've posted -- sorry -- I've been in California for the past 11 days and was on vacation for a week before that. No excuse, I know. The readers of The Oregon Wine Blog will be happy to know that we drank some delicious wine in both venues, and have some great features in the works for the next few months. Notably, we are working on a trip to Eastern Washington which will feature wines from Walla Walla, Red Mountain, and Columbia Valley.