Sean P. Sullivan - Washington Wine Report

Note: Today's promised post on how Wine Advocate compares to its print peers remains under the knife (under anesthesia I might add). Check back.


A round-up of stories on Washington wine from October 22^nd to 31^st.

First up, Walla Walla Wine News publishes an excellent .pdf list of Walla Walla wineries open for this weekend’s Fall Release Weekend (Okay it was published on November 1^st but next week will be too late so mark this listing with an asterisk).

Two big stories this week. In the first, the Seattle PI among others report on Amazon.com’s decision not to sell wine on-line. This decision will have a significant impact on Washington wineries. In the blogosphere, in Washington, Paul Gregutt, Wine and Beer of Washington State, and WINO Magazine weigh in. Elsewhere Dr. Vino, The Winery Website Report, and Tom Wark's Fermentation write about it among many, many others.

In the second main story, the Associated Press kicks the hornet’s nest with a story from the Geological Society of America conference about terroir. The story, which was picked up by many (many) sources, was titled “Geologists debunk soil impact on wine at Ore. talk” (The AP does know how to sell don’t they? Having spoken with some of these folks earlier that week, I do not believe 'debunk' would have been the word they would have chosen). The internet tweets and twitters. The Oregonian and the San Francisco Chronicle write on this. Dr. Vino weighs in.


From around the country

Wine Enthusiast names Ste. Michelle Wine Estates’ CEO Ted Baseler “Person of the Year.”

The Capital Press writes about grape insurance being extended to a number of Washington counties.

The Honolulu Advertiser writes about golf and wine with quotes from Salvarra Vineyards’ owner Gary Seidler.

The Capital (Annapolis, Maryland) includes wines from Seven Hills Winery and Chateau Ste. Michelle in its wine picks.

The Boise Weekly lists L’Ecole No. 41’s 2008 Chenin Blanc in its wine picks.

An Associated Press story (picked up by many outlets including the LA times, the San Francisco Chronicle, and ABC News) writes about the growth of Washington’s wine industry.

The Flathead Beacon (MT) writes about Giant Wine Co.’s Sinner’s Punch.


From the blogosphere

Walla Walla Wine News writes about Fall Release Weekend.

Paul Gregutt writes about the Charles Smith Royal City Syrah, the first wine he has rated 100 points. He also writes about Riesling, Bunchgrass, and Spring Valley Vineyard.

Palate Press writes about Walla Walla’s harvest.

Decanter Banter does a video entry of Rob Newsom of Boudreaux during crush (see 10/22/2009 entry).

Wine Peeps writes about Couvillion’s Jill Noble. They also write about Long Shadows.

Washington Wine looks at Pine & Post Riesling. They also look at Barrelstone 2007 Syrah and write about Precept Wine Brands.

Wine and Beer of Washington State writes about King 5’s Best Washington Winery winners. They also write about Washington wines that haunt their consumers.

Wine Review On-line writes about the Walla Walla wine scene.

WAwineman looks at Patterson’s 2006 BDX. They also look at Alexandria Nicole 2008 Shepard’s Mark, Boomtown 2008 Viognier, and Parejas 2007 Dos Pinots.

Write for Wine writes about Fidelitas’ Optimum.

Wine Foot writes about Hard Row to Hoe.

Through the Walla Walla Grapevine writes a Washington wine Halloween story. They also write about the WBC-or-Bust contest leading up to next year’s Wine Blogger’s Conference and look at Merlots with callouts to Basel, Skylite, Nelms Road, and Revelry.

Woodinville Wine Update writes about Woodinville wineries who tweet. They also write about the WBC-or-Bust contest, Airfield Estates coming to Woodinville, and William Church Winery.

Just Grapes profiles Andrew Will.

Ken’s Wine Guide looks at Reininger’s 2006 Walla Walla Valley Cabernet.

The Pour Fool writes about Haystack Needle. They also write about Page Cellars.

Creators.com writes a tasting note on Seven Hills 2007 Merlot.

Midtown Stomp writes about Kiona.


From the locals

Seattle Magazine writes about Grand Reve.

The Yakima Herald writes about the upcoming Introduction to Viticulture course at Yakima Valley Community College.

The Walla Walla Union-Bulletin writes about L’Ecole No. 41, Saviah Cellars, and Tamarack Cellars being named Wine & Spirits magazine’s “Wineries of the Year” (three of twenty-five to receive the honor).

King 5 released the results of its reader survey of Best Winery (Alexandria Nicole), Best Wine Bar (The Grape Connection), and Best Wine Shop (Wine Alley).

Woehler writes about Yellow Hawk.

Writing for the Spokesman-Review, Gregutt writes about Washington wines on Wine Enthusiast’s Best Buy list.

The Spokesman-Review writes about upcoming Spokane wine events.

The Puget Sound Business Journal writes about Amavi and Pepper Bridge opening a tasting room in Woodinville.

The News Tribune writes about Walla Walla’s winery incubator region. They also write about the WSU Wine Science Center’s search for a home.

The Tri-City Herald writes about wine distribution to China.

The Whitman Pioneer writes about the Wild Wine Woman of Walla Walla.

That's all folks!