Three Rivers Winery Blog

Fall Release Weekend and 10th Anniversary Celebration Coming Up

The crisp chill in the morning air. Leaves turning sunset shades of orange, yellow and red. Vineyards bare and stripped of their bounty.  Pumpkins, squash and gourds coming to fruition in our winery garden.  These are a few images of Autumn at Three Rivers Winery.  It is October at the end of this week, which means our 2009 Harvest is coming to a close, and it is time to celebrate our 10th Anniversary and the beauty of the season!

On the weekend of November 6-8, 2009 it will be Fall Release Weekend in Walla Walla Valley.  We have some exciting events lined up to celebrate our 10th Anniversary, and we hope you will join us.

November 6-8, 2009: Fall Release Weekend - Open daily from 10am-5pm we will be releasing our new signature wine, the 2006 Svelte.  Packaged in a sexy Bordeaux bottle with gold silk screen details this wine is a bold blend of 57% Petit Verdot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Tempranillo and 7% Malbec. 

November 7-8, 2009: Wine Club Pick Up Party 10am-5pm - Stop by the winery at your leisure to pick up your wine club shipment which includes the 2007 Tempranillo and the 2006 Svelte!  Invite up to 5 of your friends to enjoy complimentary tastings with you which includes our full line-up of wines, and graze the tasty treats we will have on hand for pairing.

November 7, 2009: VIETRI Holiday Preview Event 12pm-5pm - Join VIETRI representative Rebecca Star who will be showcasing the holiday collections from VIETRI, the largest importer of handcrafted Italian decor for the home.  Old St. Nick, Rosso Vecchio Dot, Snowflake and Incanto collections will be featured in a setting inspired by a crackling warm fire, sweet treats,  and the excitment of gift giving for the holidays.  We will be giving a VIETRI Reindeer wine bottle holder to one lucky guest in attendance as a door prize.  All VIETRI purchases during the event, including special orders, will receive a 15% discount.  To view some of the VIETRI items we will be showcasing please visit www.VIETRI.com

First Grapes of the 2009 Harvest Arrive at Three Rivers Winery

The 2009 harvest is well under way this week.  Our first fruit brought in was Sauvignon Blanc from Klipsun Vineyard in Red Mountain.  The winemaking team is busy on the crush pad and in the cellar preparing the fruit for the barrels.  We have also brought in some Chardonnay and expect Merlot from Seven Hills Vineyard to start coming in next week.  As of today winemaker Holly Turner says we are about 20% through the 2009 harvest.  She is very excited about the Merlot from Seven Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley because we haven't been able to source fruit from them since 2000, and it is such a reputable and prized vineyard. Expect to see some great wines from this vintage!

Employee Dinner at T. Maccarone's

This was our first Three Rivers employee dinner out on the town at T. Maccarone's in Walla Walla.   We have all worked together a number of years, and it finally occurred to us that we should go out and relax together once in awhile.  To start the evening we had the cheese plate and the antipasto with a glass of Prosecco.  A few of the guys ordered the T.Mac and Cheese, which turned out to be amazing!  One pleasant surprise for me was the Cauliflower Soup, which was caramelized with crispy pancetta.  This might be the best soup I have ever tasted, and I thought I didn't like Cauliflower.  Also on the table were vegetable and lamb gnocchi plates, mascarpone polenta, Kobe rib-eye steaks, and duck.  Dessert featured coconut and blackberry tarts, orange cardamom carrot cake, and creme brulee.  Thankfully we all shared our dishes.  And how could we forget the wine!  We drank 2006 Malbec, 2005 Meritage Red Wine, 2004 Boushey Vineyards Syrah, and 2006 Minnick Hills Cabernet Sauvignon. By the end of the night none of us could move, or breathe.  So much fun!  If you haven't eaten there yet you have to go try it out, such a great selection of foods and the staff was very nice and attentive to our unruly group!

 

Clockwise left to right: Assistant Winemaker Andy Slusarenko, Winemaker Holly Turner, Vineyard Employee Pedro Nunez, Groundskeeper Derek Slusarenko, Tasting Room Employee Abel Ferreira, Tasting Room Employee Jan Wessel, Hospitality Manager Amy Locati, Cellarmaster Craig Hall.

Recipe Pairing: Three Rivers Chardonnay and Grilled Rock Lobster Tails

As if cooking wasn't hard enough, now you have to decide what wine to serve with your meal.  While Chardonnay is easily a sipping wine, there are many things it pairs well with, such as baked halibut, crisp salad greens with pears, walnuts and gorgonzola, and even poached peaches.  However, this is one of my favorite pairing with our 2007 Chardonnay, and it is a fairly simple recipe to prepare.   Grilled Rock Lobster Tails are a perfect compliment to our 2007 Chardonnay, especially at the height of summer. It makes my mouth water just thinking about it!  Our 2007 Chardonnay also happens to be our Wine of the Month for August, so all purchases receive a 15% discount.  Enjoy!

Grilled Rock Lobster Tails
Submitted by Joe Nekrasz 
Allrecipes.com

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup olive oil 1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
2 (10 ounce) rock lobster tails

Directions:
Preheat grill for high heat. Squeeze lemon juice into a small bowl, and slowly whisk in olive oil. Whisk in salt, paprika, white pepper, and garlic powder. Split lobster tails lengthwise with a large knife, and brush flesh side of tail with marinade. Lightly oil grill grate. Place tails, flesh side down, on preheated grill. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, turning once, and basting frequently with marinade. Discard any remaining marinade. Lobster is done when opaque and firm to the touch.

Last Few Days to Buy 2006 Malbec at 15% Discount

For the month of July we selected our 2006 Malbec as our featured wine in the tasting room and online at Three Rivers Winery. As our 'Wine of the Month' we honor a 15% discount on all purchases of that wine.  Since our Malbec makes such a great food pairing with Barbequed fare we figured July would be the perfect time to highlight it. Over the last year the 2006 Malbec has received numerous accolades and awards:

Gold Medal-Seattle Wine Awards 2009

Chairman's Award (Unanimous Gold)-Riverside International Wine Competition 2009

Excellent-Wine Press Northwest, Spring 2009
"Winemaker Holly Turner brought in grapes from North Ridge Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope and Sagemoor Vineyard north of Pasco for this luscious and pleasing Malbec. It opens with aromas of blackberries, minerality and an ever-so-slight hint of tobacco leaf, followed by bold flavors of black fruit and a touch of tar and leather."

Gold Medal-2009 Grand Harvest Awards

Recommended-Wine Press Northwest, Winter 2008/2009 "A growing number of Northwest wineries are successfully taking this Bordeaux variety beyond its blending background. The fruit hails from Northridge on the Wahluke Slope and Sagemoor near Pasco, Wash., and gets a bump from nearby Bacchus with Cab Sauv (23%). Cherry cola, pomegranate, French vanilla and green peppercorns seem stirred into this lighter offering that strikes a smooth balance of acidity and tannins."

89-Wine Enthusiast, November 2008
"This Malbec-firm and muscular- is amplified with 23% Cabernet Sauvignon from the estimable Bacchus vineyard. The wine is dark, what some call brooding, with tight, spicy boysenberry fruit, wrapped in smoky tannins. It seems to be holding something in reserve, for it tails off after an auspicious beginning once it hits the mid-palate. Tannins are well-managed but astringent; this wine needs a few more years in the cellar to show its best."

Update on Direct Shipping Wine: Is Your State on our List?

Three Rivers Winery is excited to annouce that we have finally receive permits to direct ship wine into quite a few new states.  It has been a long process and many of you have been waiting with anticipation to order our wines, and the day has finally come.  Below is an updated list of all the states we can direct ship wine to, we hope yours is included!  This also means you can now sign up for our wine club and receive quarterly shipments from Three Rivers Winery.  Click on this link to find out more about the Three Rivers Wine Club.

Alaska

Arizona

California

Colorado

Connecticut

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Iowa

Illinois

Indiana

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Massachusettes

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

New Hampshire

New Mexico

New Jersey

New York

Nevada

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oregon

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Three Rivers Winery Now Offering Chardonnay in Half Bottle 375ml Size!

While we have always had success with our Late Harvest Gewurztraminer in the 375ml size, we thought it might be nice to offer a dry white in the half bottle size as well.  We only produced 72 cases of our 2006 Chardonnay in the 375ml bottles.  Perfect for picnics, and our summer concerts on the deck.  At only $10 a bottle it makes much more sense than paying for an $8 glass of the same wine!  We hope you enjoy it.  Here are a few accolades this wine has received:

91-Wine & Spirits, October 2008
"So direct and forward, the fruit in this chardonnay smells like crisp apples. The wine feels rich at first, before a taut acidity lifts the ripe pear flavors, feeling poised in the finish. It would make a fine aperitif, or pair well with potato-crusted halibut."

91-Wine Spectator, June 2008
"Beautifully silky and refined, with lively acidity to keep the plush grapefruit-accented pineapple, spice and cream flavors zippy, finishing harmoniously. Drink now through 2012."-H.S.

Gold Medal-West Coast Wine Competition 2008

Summer Wine Sale: Up to 50% Off Select Red & White Wines

It's that time of the year again!  Three Rivers Winery needs to make room for newly bottled vintages, which means some special award winning gems are deeply discounted while supplies last.  We are offering 40% off bottles and 50% off cases of the following wines (mixed cases ok):

2004 Boushey Vineyards Syrah - 90 Points, The Wine Advocate

2005 Boushey Vineyards Syrah - Gold Medal, Grand Harvest Awards

2005 Meritage Red Wine - 90 Points, Wine Enthusiast Magazine

2007 Late Harvest Gewurztraminer - Recommended, Wine Press Northwest

To receive the discount simply add the wines to your shopping cart and the qualifying discounts will automatically calculate.  Don't miss out on the biggest Walla Walla wine sale of the summer, order today!

BlueZette to Play at Three Rivers Winery July 17th

BlueZette, a retro pop band from the Tri Cities, will be bringing their unique musical style to Three Rivers Wineryin Walla Walla, WA on July 17, 2009.  The trio of Cathy Kelly, Steve Haberman and Trish Thompson will perform a wide variety of music including hits from the 70's, and standards sure to please many musical tastes.  Music begins at 6:30pm and will be held on the Three Rivers Winery deck and lawn, with unparalleled views of the Blue Mountains.  To find out more about BlueZette, or to listen to some samples songs please visit their website at BlueZette.Net

CrossRoads Steakhouse and Catering will be offering an assortment of picnic dinner items for under $10 each, including their famous BBQ, salads, rolls, fruit and non-alcoholic beverages.  Dinners will be available starting at 5:30pm.

Tickets must be purchased ahead of time since seating is limited.  Cost is $5 per person, $30 for a table of 4 reserved on the deck, or $35 for a table of 6 reserved on the deck (Table prices include tickets).  Table reservations do sell out fast so don't wait!  Please call Three Rivers Winery at 509-526-9463 for tickets today.

Three Rivers Winery Featured on Wine Skinny!

Online wine resource WineSkinny.com featured Three Rivers Winery in its Winery Spotlight section.  Four wines were tasted and reviewed.  To get the skinny on our 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005 Champoux Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 Merlot and 2007 Chardonnay view the article at: WineSkinny.com.  We are almost sold out of the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 Merlot and 2007 Chardonnay so pick some up before they are gone! The 2005 Champoux Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is sold out at the winery.