My wife and I will be driving to Pasco, WA and staying in the area from 25 May thru 28 May. She loves her whites but I need my REDS. We would love some ideas as to what wineries are worth hitting. Any recommendations are very welcome.

Thanks a lot!

quote:

Originally posted by rsschneck:
My wife and I will be driving to Pasco, WA and staying in the area from 25 May thru 28 May. She loves her whites but I need my REDS. We would love some ideas as to what wineries are worth hitting. Any recommendations are very welcome.

Thanks a lot!

rsschneck, welcome to the boards. I enjoy making a pilgrimage to the east side of the mountains a couple times a year. Most often I continue on to Walla Walla, just because there is a higher concentration of wineries, but there are a bunch worth a visit in the area. Most are open on weekends, some everyday, but hope the list below helps:

Chandler Reach
Sandhill
Hightower
Seth Ryan
Kiona
Barnard Griffin
Goose Ridge Estate
Bookwalter

tpb has a great list.

I really love Goose Ridge wines, and they often have something discounted deeply in the tasting room. Just up the road is Canon del Sol and, if you can get ahold of Victor Cruz for an appointment, their wine is awesome.

If you're headed to Red Mountain (which, technically, Kiona / Seth Ryan / Sandhill are), Fidelitas has a new tasting room up there that is supposedly pretty nice. Charlie Hoppes is a sure talent, so that's why I love Canon del Sol, Goode Ridge and Fidelitas.

Bookwalter makes some serious reds, too, and they've got a great facility.

Guys, Thanks for the GREAT suggestions and the "Welcome" to the forums. My wife and I live in Portland, OR and try to visit the Dundee and Yamhill areas 2 or more times a year, tpb. So we understand completely. We just want to explore and try a few new areas we haven't been before. Tpb, you mentioned that you tend to continue on to Walla Walla. What top 4 wineries would you pick to visit? I may just have to take an additional day off work .

BRR, it funny you mention Fidelitas. About 6 months ago, a good friend of mine shared a 2000 cab with me. I couldn't remember the winery until you mentioned it. Wow, good vino. Thanks!

Thanks again for the GREAT suggestions!

Boy, a challenge for top for wineries to visit in Walla Walla. The list would be quite long, and some are not open all the time. If you are just dropping in and want to only visit a handful without appointments, you might try:

-Woodward Canyon - its on the way into Walla Walla in Lowden (L'ecole No. 41 is right next door)

- Whitman Cellars, (Amavi and Canoe Ridge are right across the street) on the west side of town.

- I like to visit Northstar and Pepperbridge, just because they have beautiful chateau/wineries.

- I'd probably hit the airport area also. There are a bunch, I believe are still out there. Dunham, Buty, Five Star, Tamarack and a whole bunch more....

BTW, I am actually in Portland as I type. My wife works down here most of the week, so we are closing on a condominium in the cultural district, near Portland State U. Maybe an offline down here some time...

Tpb, Thanks for the info. We'll play it by ear and see what happens. So your moving to Portland. Awesome! Downtown is lots of fun. Gear up for the Portland Bite! Wine, wine and more wine down on the water front. We go every year. Cheers!

quote:

Originally posted by rsschneck:
Tpb, Thanks for the info. We'll play it by ear and see what happens. So your moving to Portland. Awesome! Downtown is lots of fun. Gear up for the Portland Bite! Wine, wine and more wine down on the water front. We go every year. Cheers!

What time of year is the Portland Bite? I probably would like to be around for that.

The Bite is usually around end of July to the middle of August. Trust me it's a good time to be had by all. About 40 different restaurants from greek, mexican, pizza and etc. The list just goes on. Then wineries from all of Oregon come to pour and let you taste. This usually lasts 3 solid days with food, wine, and live music.

quote:

Originally posted by rsschneck:
My wife and I will be driving to Pasco, WA and staying in the area from 25 May thru 28 May. She loves her whites but I need my REDS. We would love some ideas as to what wineries are worth hitting. Any recommendations are very welcome.

Thanks a lot!

A couple of others to try in Walla Walla are Reininger (right off Hwy 12 not far from L'Ecole & Woodward Canyon), and just for fun, try Dusted Valley Vineyards esp the "Stained Tooth Syrah". Definitely check out the airport area, including Buty.

Dusted Valley Vintners got several glowing reviews for their Syrahs in a recently Wine Press Northwest blind tasting. Could be another up-and-comer!

Thanks for all the info. This is going to be a great trip! The "Stained Tooth Syrah" has my interest peaked

Thanks again.

Please make sure you report back on the stops you made and some of the wine highlights, if you would. Have fun!

BRR, you can count on it. We head out in about 2weeks...can't wait. So as soon as I get back you can expect a post on the subject.