Holiday Barrel Tasting 2007

Walla Walla is preparing for the annual winter barrel tasting which always falls on the first full weekend in December. This year, the festivities actually begin on Thursday, November 27 with the the second annual Winemaker’s Fête at the Marcus Whitman Hotel. The following wineries are hosting tables at the event: Canoe Ridge Vineyard, Dama Wines, Dunham Cellars, Forgeron Cellars, JLC Winery, L’Ecole No 41, Long Shadows Vintners, Mannina Cellars, Nicholas Cole Cellars, Northstar Winery, Otis Kenyon Wines, Pepper Bridge Winery, Reininger Winery, Russell Creek Winery, Spring Valley Vineyard, SYZYGY, Three Rivers Winery, Trio Vintners, Whitman Cellars, and Woodward Canyon Winery.

Online sales of tickets have ended, but you may still be able to get tickets by calling the office directly at 509-526-3117. Looks like a mouthwatering menu is planned. Chef Bear has pulled out all the stops.

Most of the participating wineries are open for tasting from Thursday through Sunday. The Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance has provided a printable information sheet listing details for the wineries including hours and tasting fees if any.

This is a busy and crowded weekend in Walla Walla, so come prepared for a different pace than is normal for this small town in wine country. Everything is cranked up a notch. Please make sure you have made dining reservations as most downtown restaurants are booked a year in advance for this weekend.

Note to locals: Don’t expect to just walk in and sit down like you may be used to. This weekend you may have to wait your turn. And that’s okay. It can help us to appreciate the slower pace we usually move in, and it can show us what we are capable of as a community.

Have you seen the trees on Main Street? They are lit for winter, and thanks to the hard work of some local businesses and the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation (especially the fabulous Jennifer Northam) the lights will be up year-round. I think they look lovely. It is details like the lights that remind me why Walla Walla won Best Main Street award some time back. (I love being charmed by my own town.)

For those visiting to taste wine, the earlier you begin on Friday, the less crowded it will be. Saturday will be the busiest. Sunday morning wineries and tasting rooms will be busy putting together last minute orders, the decisions finally made before people head home.

Look back over my How to Survive Wine Tasting series for more hints: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3. But here are a few pointers.

Drink lots of water and carry it with you.

Make sure you eat a good breakfast, lunch and dinner. Take snacks with you if you need.

Spit (unless you’re not really interested in tasting).

If you’re just wanting to get drunk, go to the bar.

Be patient with tasting room and winery staff as this is one of the busiest weekends of the year and they’re still trying to recover from crush.

Drive safely. Even if you spit, the body still absorbs a lot of alcohol through the soft membrane as wine is swished around in the mouth. The safest plan is to have a driver.

And have a route planned out for whomever is driving. Grab one of the new maps from the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance that will be available on November 27, and map out a tasting route. This is fun strategizing!

Please also note that Saturday, December 1 there is a Holiday Farmers Market on Main and Fourth from 9am – 1pm. Victorian Christmas Jubilee is from 1:30-5:30 at Kirkman House Museum. “Welcome the holiday season with music, stories and sweet treats with Saint Nicholas.” And Macy’s 12th annual Parade of Lights is Saturday at 6pm. The parade travels down Alder from Palouse to Fifth and back up Main. The Library and Verve will be open for viewing the parade.

Sunday, December 2 at 7pm at Cordiner Hall, Whitman college hosts the Feast of Carols. You can pick up a FREE ticket to the concert at Earthlight Books, Union-Bulletin, Whitman College Book Store or Hot Poop.

Happy planning and I wish everyone a safe and fun weekend.