The Wine Knows - history

How the Columbia Valley came to be

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:33:22 -0400

Nearly a quarter-century ago, the Columbia Valley American Viticultural Area was approved by the federal government. But there's a little-known story that was recounted to me Sunday by one of the people primarily responsible for Washington's second appellation (after the Yakima Valley).

'Bottle Shock' fun, but it's no documentary

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 18:39:42 -0400

It is difficult to tell whether wine lovers will like Bottle Shock, the film released this summer loosely based on the 1976 "Judgment of Paris" tasting.

It's beautifully filmed and is loaded with big film stars. The soundtrack, a combination of jazz and the Doobie Brothers, is superb. The story flows with love, anger and the quest to succeed.

Bottle Shock

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:32:57 -0400

It appears I won't need to wait for Bottle Shock to come to the Columbia Valley (which could be awhile because we're far from being a primary market for film releases).

I just returned from a week of vacation (spent writing about wine) and found a review copy of the movie on my desk, thanks to the effort of Managing Editor Eric Degerman, who worked with the agency to receive the DVD.

What a difference a decade makes in Oregon

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 03:30:51 -0500

I just found a couple of great reports on the National Agricultural Statistics Service Web site (does this make me a geek, a procrastinator - or both?). One of them looks at several statistics for Oregon vineyards and wineries for the past decade.

What we see is some startling growth for the United States' fourth-largest wine-producing state.

E.B. Foote turns 30

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:52:31 -0500

When Eugene Foote decided to start a winery in south Seattle in 1978, there were just a half-dozen in operation in Washington.

Foote ran his eponymous winery until selling it in 1991 to Sherrill Miller and Rich Higginbotham. By that time, the state had 35 wineries and few imagined Washington ever having more than 100. They moved the operation south to Burien in 1999.

Wine industry could learn a thing or two from Rainier Beer

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 20:54:24 -0500

If you lived in the Pacific Northwest in the '70s, then you might fondly recall the famous Rainier Beer commercials. They were sometimes poignant, often funny and generally captured the nature and humor of our region.

Fear factor

Sat, 05 Jan 2008 17:59:46 -0500

These are dangerous times for the Washington wine industry. The next couple of months are when grape growers and winemakers have the most fear of what are euphemistically known as "winter events."

Over the past 50 years, a "winter event" occurs every five to eight years. The last was four years ago, when a sudden freeze wiped out 90 percent of the crop in the Walla Walla Valley.

Sabrage!

Sat, 29 Dec 2007 17:37:54 -0500

Today, we published our 100th episode of the Northwest Winecast, our weekly video show that features the people and places of Northwest wine country. To celebrate, we decided to open a bottle of bubbly. With a saber.

Happy No More Prohibition Day

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 12:04:33 -0500

On this day in 1933, the 21st Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, effectively ending Prohibition.

In Washington, St. Charles Winery in Grapeview opened almost immediately, becoming the state's first post-Prohibition winery. It operated into the 1960s. The winery eventually became a museum of sorts, focusing on Puget Sound ships and ferries. It may still be open, but I haven't stopped by in several years.

An unknown bit of Washington wine history

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:30:53 -0500

Today, I was at a luncheon in Pasco, Wash., that featured Allen Shoup as the speaker. The former CEO of Ste. Michelle and current owner of Long Shadows Vintners provided a compelling speech on the opportunities available in Washington wine country, and he also tossed out a fascinating story I'd never heard, a tidbit that could have changed a lot about the Washington wine industry.

The big game

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 13:38:03 -0500

For Cougars and Huskies, there's only one game to worry about this weekend, and it starts at 4 p.m. Regardless of how bad a football season goes (and it's been horrid for both sides this year), all wounds can be healed with a season-ending Apple Cup victory. Throughout Washington wine country, there are many connections to the University of Washington and Washington State University.

Oregon's top vineyards: No. 2. Del Rio Vineyards

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 12:38:43 -0400

Appellation: Rogue Valley

In less than a decade, Del Rio Vineyards has become one of Oregon's most important vineyards. And it has very little Pinot Noir.

Rob Wallace manages Del Rio Vineyards in Gold Hill, a community 15 miles north of the city of Medford along Interstate 5 in southern Oregon. The 185-acre vineyard grows 14 different grapes, primarily warm-climate varieties, the most famous of which is Syrah with 40 acres in the soil. The vineyard was planted in 1998. The south-facing slopes are about 1,000 feet above sea level, so the warm days and cool nights ensure good ripeness balanced with all-important acidity.

Oregon's top vineyards: No. 3. Seven Hills Vineyard

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 12:20:26 -0400

Appellation: Walla Walla Valley

One of Washington's most famous vineyards is, in fact, in Oregon. Seven Hills Vineyard is co-owned by Leonetti Cellar, Pepper Bridge Winery and L'Ecole No. 41, all Walla Walla Valley wineries. It was planted in 1981 and now has more than 200 acres of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Semillon.

Oregon's top vineyards: No. 4. Temperance Hill Vineyard

Sun, 30 Sep 2007 13:38:24 -0400

Appellation: Eola-Amity Hills

One of the real gems in the northern Willamette Valley is the Eola-Amity Hills, a landmass that is northwest of the capital city of Salem. Some of Oregon's finest wineries (Bethel Heights, Cristom and Witness Tree) are in the AVA, and winemakers from farther north in the Dundee area rely on Eola-Amity Hills for great Pinot Noir.