Seattle, WA

It is ‘CRUSH’ time at the wineries in the Rattlesnake Hills!

‘Crush’ simply means harvest, and harvest is just beginning. While the grapes are about three weeks later this year because of the cooler, wetter spring, this year promises to be outstanding with the smaller, more intensely-flavored berries. A couple of the wineries began last week by picking chardonnay grapes, and some of the Merlot grapes were harvested, too. Which grapes are picked at what time differs at each winery, based on when the blocks are ready and the location of the vineyard. Different blocks ripen at different times, so a Chardonnay block might be ready now, but a separate block of the same variety might take another week or two before it is ready. Just a few feet in elevation can make a big difference in when to pick those luscious berries. And, of course, each winemaker must decide the perfect time to pick for their style of wine. Once a block is picked, the grapes are crushed and the process begins to turn the wine into “Nectar of the Gods”.

We have a full calendar and plenty of fun times left in the Rattlesnake Hills this year, so read on for more info!

Coming up in the Rattlesnake Hills:

October:

1st – 31st: Taste the Grapes!

You can ‘Taste the Grapes’ yourself this month! During the whole month of October, the wineries in the Rattlesnake Hills bring fresh wine grapes in from the fields so visitors can taste the ‘wine’ before it magically becomes the delectable juice that Washington is becoming famous for.

At Bonair Winery, you can taste test a variety of wine grapes as well as table grapes. Tapas are available from noon to 4:30 Friday, Saturday and Sunday throughout the month of October. The weather is still beautiful- a perfect time to enjoy tapas and a glass of wine by the duck pond and vineyard.

3rd - 5th: Claar Cellars’ 12th annual Grape Stomp to “Help Stomp Out Breast Cancer”, held at the winery in Zillah, WA for Breast Cancer Awareness and benefiting Wellness House. Have you ever wanted to jump in a barrel of grapes and feel them squish between your toes? Now’s your chance, and it benefits a wonderful organization! The competition for teams of two begins at 3 PM on Saturday, the 4th. A fun and exciting grape-stomping event! Purchase their Busty Blush wine, knowing that $1 from each bottle sold goes to the Fred Hutchison Cancer Center in Seattle for research. Pre-registration for the grape-stomp suggested but not required. Claar Cellars for more information at 509.829.6810.

11th: Steppe Cellars’ third annual “Federweisser und Zweibelkuchen”, Steppe Cellars will be celebrating 2008 crush with its annual Federweisser und Zwiebelkuchen. This traditional German harvest celebration is always a lot of fun. We will be tasting the new and still fermenting white wines- the Federweisser, along with the Zwiebelkuchen, which is a caramelized onion tart. It is interesting to sample the wines at this stage of fermentation because the flavors are so bold. The celebration will be the 2nd Saturday of October- the 11th –from 11:00 -6:00. You will be able to purchase a glass of Federweisser and a slice of Zwiebelkuchen for $5.00. Sit out in the picnic area, and enjoy autumn in the Yakima Valley.

Steppe Cellars will also be releasing their new Bordeaux-style Blend - Artemisia - this weekend.

And — This harvest, Steppe Cellars will be selling local pumpkins and apples fresh from our orchards. Pick out a pumpkin from our “pumpkin patch” - or choose from our Gala and Golden apples. All proceeds will go to benefit Project Hope, a health-care organization Gabrielle has worked with both in Africa and after Hurricane Katrina.

Stop by the winery or call for additional information ~ (509 837-8281) or visit their website for a full listing of events.

18th: Two Mountain: Life in the Day of a Winemaker Afternoon–October 20th from 2-4pm. Please call 509-829-3900 or visit their website for information. This fun, educational event was featured in Sunset Magazine and Northwest Palate. There is limited space left, so get your reservations made before it is too late.

HalloWine2008

“I Vant to Drink Your…….WINE!”

October 25 – 26 is a themed weekend in the Rattlesnake Hills. What’s it about? Sampling great wine, costumes, artist-carved pumpkins, wine discounts, and fun – and it’s called HalloWine. Stop in at each of the wineries to discover what treats they have available, or what ‘costumed persona’ will serve you. There could be wine-bar witches, pirates talking funny, or vampires dribbling wine (not blood) down their chins as you approach the tasting bars. But don’t be afraid. “Ve only vant you to taste our vines!”

No charge – complimentary to the public. Here are some of the supernatural occurrences at the Rattlesnake Hills wineries this weekend:

Bonair Winery’s staff will greet you in their scary best for some wonderful Hallowine specials. Come in costume for a fiendishly good deal. During the month of October enjoy a sampling of our wine and table grapes, fresh from our estate vineyards. Our fall tapas menus will continue Friday, Saturday and Sunday through the month of October.

Eaton Hill Winery will have “the HalloWine works” during this special fall weekend – costumes, pumpkins, soup and their award-winning wines. Stop in 10 AM – 5 PM.

Masset Winery will host some of the best, big pumpkin carving you’ve ever seen for HalloWine. Internationally known artists will provide the carvings – you’ll have to see these up close to believe they weren’t carved from fire and brimstone! See them in action on October 17 & 18, and again on November 1 & 2. The carved creations will be on display from mid-October through Thanksgiving. For a preview, visit www.masterpumpkinscultor.com

Paradisos del Sol: Halloween – Haloo-Wine – HalloWine!

The end of October is also the end of harvest. All the wineries are just wrapping up the tail ends. Stop in to taste a bubbling frothing fermentation. Corn mazes and pumpkin stands nearby. Join Paradisos del Sol in a REAL costume and they will sell you a wine for a buck!

Piety Flats Winery celebrates HalloWine with Kris’ favorite Pumpkin Soup, a tasty orange delight that will have you screaming for more. Available at the winery.

Severino Cellars is very spoooooky this HalloWine. If you are up for sipping some yummy wines in the Rattlesnake Hills and you aren’t a scaredy cat then stop by Severino Cellars and see our 100 year old haunted farm house. All ghouls and boys welcome. Open daily from 10am-6pm. For more information contact us at 509.829.3800.

Silver Lake Winery staff will greet you in some great costumes this annual themed weekend, and for a spook-tacular HalloWine, they are offering 25% off certain wines through the 31st.

Steppe Cellars celebrates Hallowine this year with harvest décor, treats of wine, and hot cider. Samples of their newest release, Artemisia, a Bordeaux-blend sure to please the palate, will be available for the wine aficionado. And for the designated drivers, have a cup of hot apple cider while you wait for the rest of your party.

Tefft Cellars is ready for the HalloWine trick-or-treaters with their new release of Concordia – a port-like wine made from Concord grapes as a special request from local Concord grape growers and bottled in a 500 ml bottle. Peanut butter and chocolate candy will be on hand to pair with their delicious Concordia. Come visit Jack and see what spooky things are in the tasting room this year.

November:

28 – 30th: Thanksgiving in Rattlesnake Hills features all the wineries participating with specialty foods paired with their wines. You’ll find many of the wineries gorgeously decorated for Christmas, and some of the wineries will have new releases to sample and purchase. Avoid the shopping frenzy and relax at the wineries instead. You’ll find delicious foods prepared by regional chefs and some prepared by the winemakers themselves. And wine is always the perfect size! Watch our web site for updates.

Awards and Ratings:

Wine Press Northwest, Fall 2008 Issue, noted several Rattlesnake Hills wines:

Silver Lake Winery’s 2003 Grand Reserve Cabernet was rated ‘Recommended’. “This older release saw 30 months in new and 1-year old barrels. It shows off aromas of black cherries, toffee and mint, followed by robust flavors of Bing cherries and a latte’ with a dash of caramel.

Silver Lake Winery’s 2006 Reserve Zinfandel was rated ‘Outstanding’.

Two Mountain Winery was rated ‘Outstanding’ for their 2005 Reserve Cabernet Franc. “This beautiful Cabernet Franc reveals aromas of red currants, raspberries, and mint, followed by flavors of black cherries and underlying sweet herbs. Its plush entry leads to silky tannins and a gentle finish.”

Two Mountain Winery was also rated a ‘Recommended’ for their 2007 Chalk Art Rosé.

“ . . . a tasty rosé that reveals aromas of rhubarb, rose hips and cranberries, followed by flavors of white strawberries and peaches.”

2004 Eaton Hill Konnowac Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon was rated ‘Excellent’. “Hidden near the Yakima Valley town of Granger is the longtime and often- overlooked producer. Yet the Stear family is crafting some remarkable wines. This Cabernet Sauvignon was aged in oak for 29 months. It opens with intriguing aromas of sweet spices, black currants, chocolate syrup, and coffee, followed by fruit-driven flavors of blackberries and raspberries. Spices and sweet herbs provide complexity.”

2006 Eaton Hill Gamay rated ‘Excellent and Best Buy’ “Gamay is best known in the French regions of Beaujolais and the Loire Valley. Very little is planted in the Northwest, yet this wine might make the argument for more. It’s a delicious and straightforward red with aromas of plums, blackberries and strawberries and flavors of plums and blackberries. A hint of chocolate provides depth. It’s not a wine you need to sit around and contemplate adjectives over–just enjoy it with lasagna.”

Tefft Cellars 2007 Pinot Grigio was rated ‘Recommended’. “Owner/winemaker Joel Tefft has been making Pinot Grigio for a number of years. This vintage shows off aromas of lemons, lychee, and honeydew melons, followed by flavors of tropical fruits. Pair with shellfish or halibut with a mango salsa”

The Better Tasting Institute awarded Hyatt Vineyards a 90/gold medal for their Roza Ridge Roadside Market Red.

AppellationAmerica.com awarded a gold medal to Masset Winery for their 2005 Petit Sirah in the ‘Best of Appellation’ competition held recently.

Wine writer/advisor Paul Gregutt visited the Rattlesnake Hills recently, and determined Bonair Winery’s 2007 Dry Gewurztraminer, $11, to be his ‘Pick of the Week’.

“This unusual gewürztraminer puts the flavor focus squarely on grapefruit and pineapple, with a bone dry, high acid underpinning. It has moderate concentration and length, with alcohol rated at just 12.5 percent. Time to practice your new turkey recipe for the coming holidays — here’s your wine.”

Notes From the Tasting Rooms:

Piety Flats Winery has just released their new red blend, Junkyard Red. Jim and Kris Russi, owners of Piety Flats Winery, report tongue-in-cheek on their newest wine:

“In honor of the Yakima County Commissioners unanimous vote to establish a new site for a wrecking yard right at the beginning of and gateway to Wine Country in the Yakima Valley, Kris and I have released a fantastic blend we call Junkyard Red”

“This is a mix of 5 different wine grapes that will blend with any food group or road kill. Now I know what the wine writers mean when they say a wine has a touch of asphalt and a hint of rock with a barnyard nose. Please do not ask where the acids come from.”

“We could have gone into a rage over the new wrecking yard site but Kris and I like to make lemonade from lemons. The boys at the County have given us that opportunity and we just want to thank them with this wonderful new wine. All joking aside, this is truly a very fine wine created by one of the most experienced winemakers in the Yakima Valley, Mr. Joel Tefft of Tefft Cellars and one of two winemakers Piety Flats Winery is associated with. The humor is only in the name and the reason we call it by that name.”

“Tasting Notes: It is a very smooth red wine that is ready to drink immediately after opening. No need to lay it down. It is ready. Low in acids but strong in flavor. This will surprise many when they hear what the five wine grapes are.”

Two Mountain Winery: Check out the new version of their website at www.twomountainwinery.com. It just went live ten days ago so be one of the first to view it. Blog postings, virtual tasting room visit and other industry resources are among some of our favorite features.

Announcements:

The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) and the CEIP Review Panel has honored Greg Masset, winemaker and co-owner of Masset Winery as well as the Executive Chef at the Yakima Country Club, by inviting him to be a member of the inaugural class for the Culinary Enrichment and Innovation Program.

Hundreds of impressive culinary talents were reviewed across the United States for this prestigious honor, and there were many well-qualified candidates for consideration, but only sixteen were chosen. It is a well known fact amongst the winery circles that if you have the palate to make fine wine, you have the palate to cook fine cuisine, and Greg Masset is proof of that fact. We are very proud of Greg and expect to hear a lot of media buzz about this talented gentleman for years to come.

Bonair Winery will be at several places in the near future for tasting:

• September 27th ~ George’s Wine Shop in Bellevue tomorrow from 2 – 5 PM
• October 24th ~ Water to Wine in Gig Harbor from 3 – 6 PM
• October 25th ~ D & W Wine Cellar in Bonney Lake, all day

As always, check the web site for more information on upcoming events, and we hope to see you again soon at the wineries on the Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail!