Good with salad and meal
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Tertulia Cellars
After we left Casa Girasol, we stopped at Tertulia Cellars down the street form our B&B. The wine was mild. We decided to get some Tempranillo 2006 which was the most complex of the ones we tasted. They seem to appeal to a younger crowd, which included a modern-looking tasting room with an eclectic flair. I liked it so much I considered changing our living room when we return to Texas this summer.
Another Breakfast at the Girasol
We had a late breakfast with our innkeepers, Ed & Michelle. Ed cooked a - mushroom, chorizao, pepper frittata with potatoes, buttered wheat toast, homemade scones, with fruit & yogurt. Yummy! Although the food was delicious, we thoroughly enjoyed a great discussion about marketing. You see, Michelle coordinates direct marketing for several large wineries. We automatically had several things in common...wine, marketing, food, entertaining. I hope to continue our relationship in hopes of helping both of our businesses.
Amavi Cellars
After a couple of shopping stops, we made our way to Amavi Cellars. Amavi is one of the main reasons we visited Walla Walla. Last summer, we enjoyed a bottle of Amavi as recommended by our waiter at Nectar in Moscow. He also told us there were lots of wineries in Walla Walla that you can visit and find wines that you like. So, we decided to find out for ourselves.
At Amavi, we tasted Semillion, Syrah 2005, and Cabernet Sauvignon. We also learned about the history of the tasting room's construction. Amavi tasting room is a lesson in history. The beams and siding comes from an old cabin in Montana. You can even see some of the 1900 newspaper they used for insulation. Pretty fascinating!!!
Amavi is owned by Pepper Bridge owners. Pepper Bridge is higher end and make specifically Cabs and Merlots (50-60) maybe a few syrahs
Amavi comes from amas, meaning love, and vive, meaning life...thus "love life".
Jean-Francois Pellet, Amavi Winemaker tells us the 2005 Syrah is packed with violet, blueberry & dark fruit aromas with a hint of smoked meats. Notes of fresh-tilled earth mingle with intriguing mineral flavors that have a subtle briny characteristic. The wine has fine-grained tannins and well-embedded acidity that work together to create a tremendously long finish and a body of real depth & distinction.
2005 Vintage from wine maker's perspective
The 2005 vintage started off as a big challenge because the previous year has been a freeze year with very little fruit to harvest. I was somewhat envious and worried about how the vines would come back. WE made an extra effort pruning, shoot thinning and crop thinning to ensrue the fruit came back evenly. Mother Nature provided us wiht a classic wine-growing season. Bud break started around th 3rd week in April, and very warm, sunny days filled the summer. WE had plenty of heat units to fully ripen the grapes. Then the weather cooled off a little earlier than usual, dropping into the 80s around the end of August. This cooling-down period maximized flavor development. The wines form the 2005 vintage have terrific fruit intensity, show great natural acidity and are beautifully balanced.
At Amavi, we tasted Semillion, Syrah 2005, and Cabernet Sauvignon. We also learned about the history of the tasting room's construction. Amavi tasting room is a lesson in history. The beams and siding comes from an old cabin in Montana. You can even see some of the 1900 newspaper they used for insulation. Pretty fascinating!!!
Amavi is owned by Pepper Bridge owners. Pepper Bridge is higher end and make specifically Cabs and Merlots (50-60) maybe a few syrahs
Amavi comes from amas, meaning love, and vive, meaning life...thus "love life".
Jean-Francois Pellet, Amavi Winemaker tells us the 2005 Syrah is packed with violet, blueberry & dark fruit aromas with a hint of smoked meats. Notes of fresh-tilled earth mingle with intriguing mineral flavors that have a subtle briny characteristic. The wine has fine-grained tannins and well-embedded acidity that work together to create a tremendously long finish and a body of real depth & distinction.
2005 Vintage from wine maker's perspective
The 2005 vintage started off as a big challenge because the previous year has been a freeze year with very little fruit to harvest. I was somewhat envious and worried about how the vines would come back. WE made an extra effort pruning, shoot thinning and crop thinning to ensrue the fruit came back evenly. Mother Nature provided us wiht a classic wine-growing season. Bud break started around th 3rd week in April, and very warm, sunny days filled the summer. WE had plenty of heat units to fully ripen the grapes. Then the weather cooled off a little earlier than usual, dropping into the 80s around the end of August. This cooling-down period maximized flavor development. The wines form the 2005 vintage have terrific fruit intensity, show great natural acidity and are beautifully balanced.
Dunham Cellars
Our last and BEST stop was Dunham Cellars. The couples staying at our B&B told us they were wine members of Dunham and the innkeepers also mentioned Dunham in our conversation, so we had to stop. Interestingly, Dunham's facility is out by the airport. We discovered several wineries are near the airport which used ot be an old World War 2 air force base with lots of old building and hangers. The rent is low, especially for newly formed wineries. Dunham is not new; it is the 8th winery in the Walla Walla area.
Let me tell you . . . we saved the best until last. I'm not saying that because my taste buds were worn out. Dunham had some of the best flavors and soothest wines we tasted all weekend long. Our tasting consisted of Chardonnay, Three-Legged Red (table blend), 2005 Trutina, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot & Resling. Sorry, I don't have the years, but they were all excellent. In the middle of the tasting, we were shown the "party room", the place where airplanes used to be stored. All of there parties are held in the hanger, with unique lighting and art work by the wine maker.
Eric Dunham, the winemaker and son of Dunham's owners, makes wine, paints, and cooks. A man of many talents! I'm excited about being part of their Wine Club because we might make it back for the spring release and wine club part. Eric also has wine tastings in Dallas and Austin planned on his calendar. So, that means we might enjoy him in Texas, too! (whoop!)
After joining their wine club, we added the Trutina and Three-Legged Red. I look forward to sharing this with our family when we return home. With Valentines Day, my birthday and my daughter's 18th birthday, we will surely enjoy one of their bottles this week :-)
With the wine club, we received the 2005 Lewis Reserve Syrah and the 2002 Library Syrah. I'll let you know how they are.
One thing I learned several years ago is to find a wine maker whose wines you enjoy. If you enjoy the ones in the tasting, you will probably enjoy his other wines. That has been quite true with Lava Cap and the wines we receive in their wine club. I anticipate some great wines from Dunham Cellars, as well.
After Dunham, we left Walla Walla to return home. Ahhh....I told Steve we needed to stop somewhere along the way to just sit & read. I really didn't want to go back to reality.
Let me tell you . . . we saved the best until last. I'm not saying that because my taste buds were worn out. Dunham had some of the best flavors and soothest wines we tasted all weekend long. Our tasting consisted of Chardonnay, Three-Legged Red (table blend), 2005 Trutina, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot & Resling. Sorry, I don't have the years, but they were all excellent. In the middle of the tasting, we were shown the "party room", the place where airplanes used to be stored. All of there parties are held in the hanger, with unique lighting and art work by the wine maker.
Eric Dunham, the winemaker and son of Dunham's owners, makes wine, paints, and cooks. A man of many talents! I'm excited about being part of their Wine Club because we might make it back for the spring release and wine club part. Eric also has wine tastings in Dallas and Austin planned on his calendar. So, that means we might enjoy him in Texas, too! (whoop!)
After joining their wine club, we added the Trutina and Three-Legged Red. I look forward to sharing this with our family when we return home. With Valentines Day, my birthday and my daughter's 18th birthday, we will surely enjoy one of their bottles this week :-)
With the wine club, we received the 2005 Lewis Reserve Syrah and the 2002 Library Syrah. I'll let you know how they are.
One thing I learned several years ago is to find a wine maker whose wines you enjoy. If you enjoy the ones in the tasting, you will probably enjoy his other wines. That has been quite true with Lava Cap and the wines we receive in their wine club. I anticipate some great wines from Dunham Cellars, as well.
After Dunham, we left Walla Walla to return home. Ahhh....I told Steve we needed to stop somewhere along the way to just sit & read. I really didn't want to go back to reality.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Girasol Inn Breakfast
We awoke to a delicious breakfast of gourmet french toast, homemade (hot) applesauce and bacon. It was quite filling and a great way to start off the day. We spent another hour reading in the room and resting awhile.
Northstar Winery
We left Girasol and stopped at the next door winery, Northstar . :Later this afternoon, we learned that our innkeeper, Michele, started Northstar as part of St. Michelle out of Seattle. I had no idea it was from a larger winery. Northstar is suppose to be excellent Cabs and Merlots from St Michelle. Our favorites were the Syrah and Petite Verdot.
Our pourer showed us a map of the Columbia Valley which includes the Walla Walla area. It was nice to see geographically where the area these wineries use for their grapes.
As soon as we arrived at Northstar, a large party arrived for a tasting. When we left, we realized that group hired a hummer limo to take them around to the wineries. We continued to see them throughout the day.
Our pourer showed us a map of the Columbia Valley which includes the Walla Walla area. It was nice to see geographically where the area these wineries use for their grapes.
As soon as we arrived at Northstar, a large party arrived for a tasting. When we left, we realized that group hired a hummer limo to take them around to the wineries. We continued to see them throughout the day.
Isenhower Cellars
Next, we visited a family-owned winery, Isenhower. We tasted a white, library Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The white's label was art work by the owner's 4-year old daughter. The other labels were art work by a local artist, which included a painting of the owner's dogs.
At the Isenhower, I learned that a library wine is an older, stored wine. At Isenhower the owner puts away some wine for personal use. Since they decided they would not use all of that reserve, they are re-releasing their 2003 Syrah. We were lucky because that was our wine of choice at Isenhower.
At the Isenhower, I learned that a library wine is an older, stored wine. At Isenhower the owner puts away some wine for personal use. Since they decided they would not use all of that reserve, they are re-releasing their 2003 Syrah. We were lucky because that was our wine of choice at Isenhower.
Downtown Walla Walla
It was off to downtown Walla Walla for the afternoon...a little shopping, a little food, and a little wine. What more could I ask for my birthday?
Once we parked downtown, we stopped to read the menu at T. Maccarone. The other couples at our B&B were taking a cooking class at this restaurant, so we considered going there for dinner. While we were reading the menu, one of those ladies waved to us and they opened the door. Julie told us they weren't open and they were getting ready to eat their lunch. We said we just wanted to see what they served for dinner. We later learned they had a great time cooking, even the men!
Once we parked downtown, we stopped to read the menu at T. Maccarone. The other couples at our B&B were taking a cooking class at this restaurant, so we considered going there for dinner. While we were reading the menu, one of those ladies waved to us and they opened the door. Julie told us they weren't open and they were getting ready to eat their lunch. We said we just wanted to see what they served for dinner. We later learned they had a great time cooking, even the men!
Fort Walla Walla Cellars
After strolling through several shops, we stopped at Fort Walla Walla Cellars for a tasting. We were served 2004 Trapper Red, 2005 Cab Sauvignon, 2005 Merlot and 2005 Syrah. I liked all of them, but we chose the 2005 Syrah which includes 91% Syrah and 9% Merlot. I guess we usually lean towards the spicier wines. This is another one I will enjoy at home with our family.
Lucious For Lunch
We made our way to Lucious for lunch. It's an old, converted gas station. If you visit Walla Walla, you must eat at Lucious some time during your visit. Almost everyone recommended Lucious to us, so this was our chance. We enjoyed a Chicken Waldorf Wrap, German Potato Salad and Southwestern Chicken Soup with penne pasta. I liked the soup the best because it was hot & spicy. Steve liked the wrap and even enjoyed the potato salad. He's not into potatoes, but liked this dish.
DaMa Wines
Steve & I decided to stroll though a few more tasting rooms before returning to the Girasol. First stop was DaMa Wines. The name comes from Dawn and Mary, the partners of the winery. Not only does the name have the first 2 initials of the partner's name, it also means "lady" in Spanish. Mary poured our first tastes and then Jack, Dawn's husband continued our tasting. We had met Jack at Sapolil the night before after the piano bar was finished.
DaMa buys juice and makes their own blends of wine. Although we heard some wineries buy juices, this is the first one we had actually tasted. Their wines were okay. We felt compelled to buy a bottle because Jack made a comment about a group in Waterbrook that didn't have any bags with them. . That meant none of them were buying. We do want to support the wineries, but don't always think their wine is what we like.
DaMa buys juice and makes their own blends of wine. Although we heard some wineries buy juices, this is the first one we had actually tasted. Their wines were okay. We felt compelled to buy a bottle because Jack made a comment about a group in Waterbrook that didn't have any bags with them. . That meant none of them were buying. We do want to support the wineries, but don't always think their wine is what we like.
Ash Harbor
Lastly, we stopped at Ash Harbor, one of the few wineries that charged a tasting fee. Steve & I split the tastings with a fee. We can both get a sip to see if we like any of them well enough to buy. Plus, we can go to more wineries without feeling the effects. Their wines were okay, but by that time, the tastes were all running together in my mind.
Afternoon at the Girasol
Back at the Girasol, we met the other couples staying there. Julie motioned to us while were getting out of the van to join them for crackers and cheese. So, we visited awhile in the dining room. The, Ed showed up. Even though he was the innkeeper, we hadn't met him because he had been in Seattle. The Snoqualmie pass outside of Seattle was closed so he & Michele had to drive down to Vancouver and over to Tri-Cities and Walla Walla... a bit out of the way to get home. Soon, Michele joined us.
I told Steve later that Michele makes a great hostess because she is attentive to details...who wants decaf coffeee, who had questions about the wineries while she was gone, and even why each of us was there. If you ever visit Walla Walla, I highly recommed the Girasol. It is beautiful south of town, even in the dead of winter. I guarantee the experience will be wonderful. Ed & Michele can even help you choose where to eat or what wineries to visit.
I told Steve later that Michele makes a great hostess because she is attentive to details...who wants decaf coffeee, who had questions about the wineries while she was gone, and even why each of us was there. If you ever visit Walla Walla, I highly recommed the Girasol. It is beautiful south of town, even in the dead of winter. I guarantee the experience will be wonderful. Ed & Michele can even help you choose where to eat or what wineries to visit.
Safron Restaurant
From Ed's suggestion, we at dinner at Safron (cancelling our reservations at Creek Town Cafe) He said both were good, but Safron is unique. After a relaxing meal, we understood why he and all the other locals recommend Safron. It is a quaint little restaurant that is packed! Thank goodness, we made reservations.
I chose a glass of Syrah. Unfortunately, I don't rememember the winery. Steve was trying to choose which Cab to get, so our waitress brought him a tasting of each one available by the glass. He tasted each and then my Syrah. He chose the Syrah which was warm and inviting. When I first tasted the Syrah, it was exciting!
Now, to decide what to eat. Since we had steak yesterday, we wanted something else. Steve had fried, stuffed quail and Kerry ahd a homemade semolina pasta with chorizo sausage in a tomato sauce. Steve doesn't usually like pasta, but he liked his taste of this sauce. It was warm and unusual. I was stuffed full and couldn't eat any dessert. Steve had a vanilla nut custard. He loves custards, but I'm not really into them. But, this one was cold, soft and smooth, like a extra creamy ice-cream that isn't quite frozen. It was so rich we didn't finish it. I think Steve thought he had died and gone to custard heaven :-)
I chose a glass of Syrah. Unfortunately, I don't rememember the winery. Steve was trying to choose which Cab to get, so our waitress brought him a tasting of each one available by the glass. He tasted each and then my Syrah. He chose the Syrah which was warm and inviting. When I first tasted the Syrah, it was exciting!
Now, to decide what to eat. Since we had steak yesterday, we wanted something else. Steve had fried, stuffed quail and Kerry ahd a homemade semolina pasta with chorizo sausage in a tomato sauce. Steve doesn't usually like pasta, but he liked his taste of this sauce. It was warm and unusual. I was stuffed full and couldn't eat any dessert. Steve had a vanilla nut custard. He loves custards, but I'm not really into them. But, this one was cold, soft and smooth, like a extra creamy ice-cream that isn't quite frozen. It was so rich we didn't finish it. I think Steve thought he had died and gone to custard heaven :-)
Friday, February 8, 2008
Our Trip to Walla Walla
Steve & I leave Moscow around 11 am and head to Lewiston. Thank goodness the snow and winds have subsided and our drive is pleasant. We stop in Lewiston to find amethyst earrings for our daughter's 18th birthday next weekend. After a few stops, we arrive in Walla Walla around 3pm. We drove downtown to visit a few wineries. It was pretty cool because you can walk from one tasting room to another.
Waterbrook Winery
Our first stop was Waterbrook Winery. We weren't sure if there would be tasting fees at these wineries. What we discovered is it varies from one winery to another. Waterbrook Winery has a free tasting and has been around since 1984.
We tasted their Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Chardonnay Reserve, Melange Blanc (white blend), Melange Noir, Merlot 2004, Syrah 2005 and Meritage. Steve liked the slight oakey flavor of the Chardonnays. The Reserve was fuller and richer than the 2005. He also enjoyed the Melange Noir, which was smooth, but not outstanding to Kerry. Kerry thought the Meritage had several deep flavors. It should at $45 a bottle.
Besides a bottle of the 2005 Melange Noir, we bought some Garlic Grapeseed Oil for cooking at home. I learned that grapeseed oil has half the fat as olive oil. Once we paid, we were given a coupon for 15% off our next purchase. It was cute since it had a cork tied to the coupon. A great way to be unique.
We tasted their Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Chardonnay Reserve, Melange Blanc (white blend), Melange Noir, Merlot 2004, Syrah 2005 and Meritage. Steve liked the slight oakey flavor of the Chardonnays. The Reserve was fuller and richer than the 2005. He also enjoyed the Melange Noir, which was smooth, but not outstanding to Kerry. Kerry thought the Meritage had several deep flavors. It should at $45 a bottle.
Besides a bottle of the 2005 Melange Noir, we bought some Garlic Grapeseed Oil for cooking at home. I learned that grapeseed oil has half the fat as olive oil. Once we paid, we were given a coupon for 15% off our next purchase. It was cute since it had a cork tied to the coupon. A great way to be unique.
Sapolil Cellars
We walked on down the sidewalk and found our next stop, Sapolil, probably our favorite stop that day. Winemakers are father and daughter at this fun wine tasting room. The space was the wife's interior decorating shop turned wine tasting room. All of the wines were good, with plenty of action and spice. These included Rawhide Red, 2005 Tre Amici, 2005 Dwelley Syrah, 2005 Patina Syrah. Our favorite, the Patina Syrah, was the daughter's only wine. We had the priviledge of having her pour our tasting. She was vibrant and excited about her wines. Her dad retired from wheat farming to begin making wine.
Tonight they have a piano bar so we hope to return after dinner.
Tonight they have a piano bar so we hope to return after dinner.
Preston Wines
On down the sidewalk and around the corner is Preston Premium Wines. We had a pleasant visit with the another couple who happened to be from Texas. Then we discovered the girl pouring our wines had grown up near Houston. Preston had nice wines and we ended up with a flavorful Merlot.
Girasol Inn
Off to our B&B...Jane welcomed us when we arrived as she was inn-sitting for Ed & Michelle at the Girasol Inn. To our delight, there was a small bottle of Sapolil Patina Syrah in our room, along with some cheese and crackers. The room was comfy, with plenty of room. This is one of the only B&B's where we had a tv.
26 Brix
Next we ate a delicious dinner at 26 Brix. Even though our waiter was good, we were disappointed by the atmosphere. There were only 3 other tables in a rather large room. 26 Brix is in an old, restored building. It's too bad, there aren't more people eating there.
Our steak was surprisingly delicious. It was hanger steak which is similar to flank steak. A wonderful blackened flavor was enhanced by garlic and mushrooms. Even the french fries made the entire meal terrific.
We later learned from Ed & Michele that 26 Brix closed last year after disappointing sales. They originally wanted to be a classy, 5-star restaurant, but Walla Walla just can't support that type of restaurant all year long. From what Ed said, their prices used to be $40-50 for an entree. Ours was only $25 for hanger steak, fries and a side of mushrooms. They also have a similar menu as many of the other restaurants, so locals don't necessarily eat there on a regular basis.
Our steak was surprisingly delicious. It was hanger steak which is similar to flank steak. A wonderful blackened flavor was enhanced by garlic and mushrooms. Even the french fries made the entire meal terrific.
We later learned from Ed & Michele that 26 Brix closed last year after disappointing sales. They originally wanted to be a classy, 5-star restaurant, but Walla Walla just can't support that type of restaurant all year long. From what Ed said, their prices used to be $40-50 for an entree. Ours was only $25 for hanger steak, fries and a side of mushrooms. They also have a similar menu as many of the other restaurants, so locals don't necessarily eat there on a regular basis.
Sapolil Cellars & Piano Bar
Off to the piano bar at Sapolil. When we arrived the daughter walked up to me and said we left our credit card. I was stunned, but it was true. Then, we saw the other couples who are staying at the Girasol and visited with them. When Steve paid our tab, I sat down at a table to wait. Tom and his wife joined us and we began talking about marketing and their unique bottles. Sapolil uses wax instead of foil to cover their corks. We discovered that smaller wineries often was their bottles because they don't have enough quantity of bottles to foil the top.
Before long, we were sitting with the winemakers and three of their friends discussing the philosophy of corking or not corking. I couldn't believe it was 11:25 when we left.
All in all....a fun-filled, first day in Walla Walla.
Before long, we were sitting with the winemakers and three of their friends discussing the philosophy of corking or not corking. I couldn't believe it was 11:25 when we left.
All in all....a fun-filled, first day in Walla Walla.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Girasol Inn near Walla Walla, Washington
We receive a confirmation email for our Girasol reservations. The innkeepers, Ed & Michelle, suggest we make dinner reservations if we want to eat at one of the more popular restarurants.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
B&B Reservations for My Birthday
New York Giants beat undefeated Patriots in Super Bowl 42. Afterwards, Steve makes reservations at Casa Girasol outside of Walla Walla next weekend. It's a new B & B that has all positive reviews. We'll be celebrating my 49th birthday.
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