Sean P. Sullivan - Washington Wine Report Note: Site has moved to www.northwestwinereport.com

Last weekend’s Spring Barrel activities in Yakima Valley proved perfect for all – great weather, lots of local culinary excellence on hand, and enthusiastic wineries bubbling with gracious joy for the throngs of wine lovers who sipped the weekend away. Doggedly crisscrossing the valley’s wineries from Yakima to Prosser, resident photographer Richard Duval spent three days capturing the unofficial start of the Valley’s wine season.

“The wineries are as beautifully varied as any region in the state,” Duval noted of his first of many visits this season. “From elegant rooms to shiny new barrel rooms to big wineries surrounded by expansive vineyards like this image of acclaimed Dineen Vineyard, Yakima Valley’s stunning beauty and slew of wine choices makes for a great wine getaway all season long.”

Click on the picture to see a larger image.

The April Virtual Tasting wine is the 2014 Renegade Wine Co. Rosé Columbia Valley. This wine retails for $11 and is widely available. The tasting will take place on Thursday April 30th from 7-8pm Pacific.

What you need to do to participate is:

1. Buy this month’s wine from the winery or a local retailer (see below)

2. Tweet your comments about the wine on Twitter between 7 and 8pm Pacific on the specified date using the hashtag #renegadewine. For those on Twitter, follow me @wawinereport.

A round-up of stories on Northwest wine from April 8^th to 14^th. Read previous round-ups here.

From around the country…

Wine Spectator writes about Larry Stone’s new winery and vineyard.

The Miami Herald recommends the Ponzi Pinot Gris.

The Boston Globe writes about a Washington red that pairs with fish.

The Chicago Tribune writes that Walla Walla makes its case as a wine destination.

Fortune writes about twelve must try New World Pinot Noirs.

The TTB writes about a proposed Lewis-Clarke Valley appellation.


From the blogosphere…

Great Northwest Wines writes that Washington and Oregon wine leaders oppose a new proposed appellation rule. They also write about wines from Yakima Valley, Barrister Winery, Oregon Wine Month, and the Oregon wines fly free program.

Snooth talks with Oregon sommelier Pamela Heiligenthal.

Northwest Wine Anthem writes about Jackalope Cellars.

Write for Wine writes about Taste Washington.

Table Talk Northwest writes about Woodinville Reserve.

Zinfandel Chronicles writes about the 2006 Cayuse Camespelo.

Woodinville Wine Update writes about a new Woodinville wine country event.

Vindulge gives a Washington wine photo preview.

The Wild Walla Walla Wine Woman writes about Feast Walla Walla.

Oregon Wine Marketing writes about TTB restrictions on wineries and Social Media.


From the locals…

The Press Herald writes about what it means when we talk about old vines.

Eugene Daily News writes about the Kung Fu Girl Riesling.

Seattle Metropolitan gives a weekly wine pick (article by yours truly).

The Seattle Times recommends $10 wines.

The Bellingham Herald writes about the Great Northwest Wine Competition.

Kingston Community News writes about gold for reds.

Good Fruit Grower writes about irrigation effects on wine.


That’s all folks!

Resident photographer Richard Duval logged a full weekend at Taste Washington last month, capturing a slew of sips and swirls.

“From the morning seminars to the afternoon’s delights, Washington wine lovers reveled in one of the great wine events in the country," he said.

Here is Duval's photo collage of the event. Click on the picture to see a larger image.

A round-up of stories on Northwest wine from April 1^st to 7^th. Read previous round-ups here.

From around the world…

The Drinks Business writes about Chateau Ste Michelle sharpening its export focus.

Wines & Vines writes that Red Mountain goes on-line.


From around the country…

The Atlanta Journal Constitution writes that Oregon’s getting excited about Chardonnay.

Napa Valley Register writes about the Gravel Bar Cabernet Sauvignon.

CNN Money writes that Alaska Airlines’ Oregon wines fly free program has been extended.

The Washington Post gives five bargain wines to try this week, with a callout to the Obelisco Riesling.


From the blogosphere…

Great Northwest Wine writes that Washington grape growers dodge a spring frost. They also write about Olympia Winery’s Merlot, the Great Northwest Wine Competition, and Greg Jones speaking to scientists in the Columbia Valley.

Northwest Wine Anthem writes about the search for Guido.

Zinfandel Chronicles writes about the 1998 Leonetti Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon.

Woodinville Wine Update writes about upcoming events.


From the locals…

The Seattle Times writes about David O’Rielly of Owen Roe.

Good Fruit Grower writes about new marketing videos from the Washington Wine Commission.

The Bellingham Herald writes that red wines rule the day at Taste Washington. They also write thumbs up on Washington wine month.

Boise Weekly writes about Barbera.

Seattle Metropolitan writes about the 2014 Renegade Rose. They also write about the 2013 Tamarack Cellars Firehouse Red (both articles by yours truly).  

The Kitsap Sun writes about whites at Taste Washington.

The News Tribune writes that a pink wine wins the Great Northwest Wine Competition.

Oregon Live writes about the Oregon wines fly free program. They also write about The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater.


That’s all folks!

Playing catchup, a round-up of stories on Northwest wine from March 22^nd to 31^st. Read previous round-ups here.

From around the world…

The Drinks Business writes about Oregon rose in a can.


From around the country…

Wine Enthusiast writes about eight excellent Oregon varieties that aren’t Pinot Noir.

The Boston Globe writes about Washington state wine.

Nashville Scene writes about Charles Smith.

Youngstown Vindicator writes about Oregon wine.

D Magazine writes about wine from women, with a callout to Eugenia Keegan of Gran Moraine.

The Port Huron Times Herald recommends Waterbrook Chardonnay.

The Daily Beast writes about Washington wine country’s nuclear threat.


From the blogosphere…

Palate Press writes about Oregon’s Chardonnay clone wars.

Wine Searcher.com writes about Red Mountain.

Snooth writes about Marie-Eve Gilla of Forgeron Cellars.

Great Northwest Wine writes about Walla Walla’s remarkable reds. They also write about Taste Washington, a rosé topping the Great Northwest Wine Competition, a new tasting experience at Argyle Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon is home in Washington, and Chris Peterson’s journey from DeLille to Avennia.

The Examiner.come writes about the Columbia Crest 2012 Grand Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. They also give highlights from Taste Washington.

Community Digital News writes about Le Cadeau.

Seattle Refined writes about Taste Washington. Read their synopsis of the event here.

Go Local PDX writes about Oregon’s urban winemaking industry.

The Wild Walla Walla Wine Woman writes about the Stoller Family Estate Pinot Noir. Catie also writes about thoughts from a former tasting room staff.

Write for Wine writes about Woodhouse Wine Estates.

Zinfandel Chronicles writes about the Quilceda Creek release party.

Uncorked Ventures writes about McCrea Cellars.

Woodinville Wine Update writes about Savor at Sunset Wine Walks. Shona also writes about weddings at Willows Lodge.

Wild 4 Washington Wine writes about the 2013 Barnard Griffin Chardonnay.


From the locals…

Seattle Magazine writes about the best new Washington wines.

The North Kitsap Herald writes about Tempranillo.

The Seattle Times writes about Brian Carter.

Oregon Wine Press writes about Pinot Gris. They also write that Oregon wine must never forget its humble beginnings, and unusual varieties.

Corvalis Gazette Times writes that winemakers are wary after warm winter weather.

Seattle Weekly writes about Taste Washington.

Eugene Daily News writes about the Oregon Chardonnay Symposium.

The Dalles Chronicle writes about Maryhill.

Good Fruit Grower writes that there are few bees in the vineyard.

Wine Press Northwest writes that mid-Columbia vineyards get a head start on the growing season.

Oregon Live writes that drought and warm weather forces Oregon agriculture to prepare for a tough year.

The Bellingham Herald recommends wines for pairing with salmon.

The Statesman Journal writes about what wines to serve with ham.

Willamette Week writes about the keeper of the old vines.

SC Times writes about the Barnard Griffin rosé.

The Mail Tribune writes about the meaning of scores and medals.


That's all folks!