Walla Walla Vintners ’ relatively higher elevation treats the vineyard to cooler temps , while the southwest exposure ensures abundant sunlight .
almost no history of indulging in it ( beyond mixing a bottle of Gallo with 7Up at college parties in Bellingham ). And , I don ’ t particularly have a palate to distinguish good quality from poor . But as Harold Ramis said in Stripes , “… but I am willing to try .”
So off we went to Walla Walla Vintners .
Back to Highway 12 , this time eastbound for about four miles and then continuing east on Mill Creek Road for another four . A left on Vineyard Lane and you ’ ve arrived . The driveway looks like it was cut through a lavender Chia pet as our car was engulfed in a flowery purple blanket of the aromatic , calming , native herb of the Mediterranean .
Immediately , to the right , you pass a ’ Maurice Cellars , which was closed on this day , but a place to definitely return to another time . Continuing up the drive a little farther and you come to Walla Walla Vintners .
This was my first time at a winery , so
I had really no idea of what to expect . I wasn ’ t disappointed . As we pulled into the gravel parking lot , there was a patio directly in front of us with umbrellaed tables and couches nicely spread throughout . Off to the right was the vineyard itself . To the left , was a big , beautifully-designed barn which served as the tasting room . On the backside of the barn is where we were sat on the grass , under the shade of three old-growth beech trees , in Adirondack chairs . It was a perfect setting for this first-timer .
The tasting menu consisted of five wines , moving from lighter to heavier . I imagine this is the way it ’ s normally done but you already know that , so indulge me .
The first on the list was a 2020 Sagemoor Vineyard , Sauvignon Blanc . A white . I ’ m not much of a white wine fan but it was a nice way to kick off the afternoon . I swirled it around in the glass , recognizing that I couldn ’ t determine good legs from bad , jammed my nose deep into the bowl in a futile attempt to distinguish an aroma I wasn ’ t trained to recognize , took a sip and swished it around in my mouth trying to pick of a variety of notes that my unrefined palate can ’ t diagnose and finally swallowed . That was the best part . Rinse and repeat . I earnestly continued this pattern throughout the tasting . Making every effort to pick up on the descriptions given to us by the lovely Rose , who was delivering us a new bottle to savor , every 15 minutes or so .
Next on the list was a Walla Walla Valley , 2017 Syrah . Syrah is my favorite wine . One of my wine snob friends told me once that Syrah is for amateurs , so this may explain why it works for me . It was excellent .
That was followed by a 2016 Rive Gauche and a conversation about tannins with John , the staff manager . He was extremely helpful and patient with my way-too-many questions about tannins and oakiness and peppery notes . It was great to hear someone with rich knowledge about wine and a passion for their job . I could have capitalized John ’ s time the entire afternoon but I knew Rose awaited with her next pour and kind smile .
Next on the list was a 2018 Walla Walla Valley Merlot , which was followed by a 2017 Sagemoor Vineyard , Cabernet Sauvignon and things became less about the wine and more about great conversation and hanging out with good friends .
I ’ m starting to understand why trips like these are so sought out and special . kenmoreair . com
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