What could be better for wine-lovers than a day tasting Walla Walla wines under one roof? How about two days?
Vintage Walla Walla, the signature event of the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance, returns to the Whitman College campus next weekend with a new look and expanded program. A full slate of activities are also planned, including educational seminars and vineyard tours, Wine Alliance officials said.
The costs to participate at the sixth annual event vary from $35 to $125, depending on the selected activities. Proceeds from Vintage Walla Walla will benefit the Walla Walla Food Bank, part of the Blue Mountain Action Council.
In the past, participating wineries poured their current and older vintages during a single tasting event. This year will feature two tasting events: a special Vintage Pour on Friday evening, and the Pavilion Tasting on Saturday afternoon, when the Valley's wineries will pour current and new releases.
"We wanted to truly show off the Valley's history and heritage of fine winemaking with a special event that focuses solely on vintage wines," said Elizabeth Martin-Calder, executive director of the Wine Alliance, in a prepared statement. "As a result, our patrons will have a truly, one-of-a-kind tasting experience. Many of the wines that will be poured Friday are rare, library wines that you simply cannot find or taste anywhere else."
Friday's Vintage Pour is an intimate event in the Reid Campus Center with a focus on wine selections from the 2001 vintage or older. Participating wineries will showcase their vintages to show how their wines are aging.
Saturday's Pavilion Tasting will include more than 50 wineries under one roof in an outdoor setting at the Reid center lawn. Cooking demonstrations by regional guest chefs will pair food flavors with numerous varietals. A silent auction with a special focus on large format bottles and current and vintage wines will be included. For information or to purchase tickets to Vintage Walla Walla, visit www.wallawallawine.com.
Speaking of wine events, here's one for rock fans: Geoff Tate, the frontman for Seattle band QueensrĂøche is apparently creating his own wine through a partnership with Three Rivers Winery. Futures of his wine, "Insania," will be released Sept. 20, when Tate performs his first solo gig in six years at the winery off U.S. Highway 12. According to Three Rivers' Web site, he'll play from his solo album, as well as some QueensrĂøche songs. QueensrĂøche emerged from the Seattle area to become a rock radio mainstay in the mid- to late 1980s and into the 1990s.
Tickets to see Tate this fall are $100 per person and include a picnic dinner and logo wine glass. Only 250 tickets are available. For more information, call 526-9463.
Strictly Business is a local business column. Vicki Hillhouse can be reached at vickihillhouse@wwub.com or 525-3300, ext. 284.
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