NotJustGrapes

One of my favorite first stops on the way into Walla Walla is Waterbrook. They have the most gorgeous tasting room and outdoor space. Even if their wines weren’t as good as they are it would be worth the stop.

The interior is gorgeous with art and high-ceilings. Lots of windows overlook the outdoor space. Pick a gorgeous day to visit so that you can sit in front of the outdoor fireplace or overlook the pond. They have great landscaping.

During the several times we have visited the staff has always been super friendly and accommodating. I always enjoy the reserve tasting more than the regular one. The Reserve Merlot and Reserve Malbec have become staples in our wine cellar.

We have browsed the menu but never eaten there except at special events. At that time the food was excellent. I have had friends tell me that they love their burgers and salmon salad. Next visit, in October, we will give it a try.

Recently I went back to my hometown of Rochester, NY and one of my girlfriends took me to Casa Larga Winery in nearby Victor NY. They have a cute tasting room that is very convenient to Eastview Mall. At the time of our visit they were offering 5 wine tastes for $4 and tastes of their “special” wines for $1 each.

Our wine steward was Meghan. She was very sweet but not very knowledgeable. She told us she had been pouring wine at Casa Larga for about a week. She also told us her mom worked in the office and that was the reason she was working there.

So without much to go on we jumped into tasting. Lilac Hill is one of their most popular wines especially around the Lilac Festival.  I found it to be very sweet with a finishing note of “bubble gum”. The Vidal Blanc is one of their best sellers and I think it would be a good accompaniment to a lunchtime salad.

My favorite wine was their Meritage at $21.99 per bottle. It was a bit dry but has a nice berry finish.

The tasting room is nice and you can also purchase chocolates or a cheese plate to compliment your tasting experience. They offer several special events such as Cabin Fever Thursdays in the winter and Patio Parties in the summer.

The location makes it a perfect diversion – near the city and near the mall. It is a great way to spend a couple of hours.

Obelisco has always been one of our favorite wineries and was my very first blog in October of 2011. On our first visit, I thought my palate was broken –I loved every single one of their wines. That never happens to me. I came back a second time and such delicious reds, I had to join their wine club. We continued drinking a lot of Obelisco wine and even had my husband’s birthday party at the Woodinville tasting room.

Obelisco had their first vintage in 2007 and opened their tasting room in 2010. A lot has changed over the past few years. We recently stopped by for a tasting and the wines are still just as delicious as I remembered. However, the tasting room itself is a very different experience. The tasting room was really crowded and there was a real lack of personal attention.

A small display outlined the current wine club membership. It is also a very different club than we had joined years ago and also had a “waiting list” stamped across it. The first two years the wine club had its annual event at the Gig Harbor home of Doug Long, one of the winery’s founders as well as Manny’s Brisket on select Friday nights. The current club membership includes a Gala Dinner that felt stuffy from the description.

I think it is always interesting to see how local wineries handle growth. From the crowd that was there the day we visited a ot of people enjoy Obelisco wine and must also like the new feel of the tasting room. My personal preference is for something a bit more laid back and personal.

Smasne Cellars is one of the favorite wineries of my friend Raye, so I have done several tastings here. Always a good choice, Smasne has a great range of wines from $14 Tuesday wines to a $110 special occasion bottle of 2010 Robert O Smasne Owens Reserve.

The Woodinville tasting room is always a good time. On the day we visited Jeff and Tracey were pouring. A really fun couple that are very knowledgeable about both the wine and the winery. A large space in the winery warehouse district of Woodinville includes a really long tasting bar so there is room for everyone. There are also plenty of tables and chairs – perfect for relaxing and enjoying the wine.

Robert O. Smasne, the winemaker, graduated from Washington State University and then began his career at Covey Run Winery with David Lake of Columbia Winery fame. From there he went on to Amavi Cellars and Alexandria Nicole Cellars. In 2006 he started his own winery.

On our most recent visit, we really enjoyed Ancient Rocks, a wonderful blend of Mourvedre and Grenache. We also picked up a case of Bunkhouse Red, a really versatile everyday wine. We also still have some ½ Ass Red in our cellar

In addition to a very large assortment of wines and winemaking styles Smasne Cellars is a great place to visit. Fun people, a nice atmosphere and wine to suit most tastes – I definitely would recommend a visit.

My friend, Leslie, has been telling me how good the wines are in Chelan. I hadn’t been there in over ten years but could not even remember seeing a winery when I was there. So, as always, I was excited to try something new and something different. She recommended “A Hard Row to Hoe”.

This is such a fun place. I don’t want to say too much and spoil all the fun. When you go, you must ask for the story of how the winery got its’ name. I will give you a hint – it has something to do with an enterprising man in the 1930’s with a row boat who started a taxi service on Lake Chelan to take the lonely miners to a brothel across the bay at Point Lovely.
The winery doesn’t take itself too seriously. From the x-rated wallpaper to the red sofa where you can don a feather boa and have your photo taken – this is a must visit for a good time.

Even their wines carry on the theme with names like: “Good in Bed”, After noon Delight” and “Seduction Red” – this was my favorite with a blend of Malbec, Primitivo and Merlot – it was delicious. They also had a Petit Verdot that I really enjoyed.

On a second visit the winery was featuring a throw-back to Woodstock. They had a very fun band and were serving wine and snacks and people had blankets out on the lawn. It was a very enjoyable time.
Checking their website their sense of humor continues through Crush in October when they feature “Live Nude Grapes”. Everything is tongue and cheek, the wine is good and the winemaker and all her staff are interesting and fun. This is a definite visit.