“Last Call!” for the Society’s Columbia Gorge wine tour but without the train trip as we are bringing the wines to you! I hope you’ve marked your calendars for Sunday, July 18, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., Best Western Pasco Inn & Suites, and made your reservations for tasting wines from this diverse region. But if you haven’t, you still have time – until July 13.

If you are not a member of the Tri-Cities Wine Society, you can either give them a call and become ask about becoming sponsored guest, allowing you the opportunity to learn about the Society and all it does for the local wine community.  Or for a really reasonable fee, you can join the club right now and get your tickets while they last!

The Columbia Gorge is actually comprised of two AVAs – The Columbia Gorge AVA to the west and the Columbia Valley AVA to the east – and our July event will feature wines from both. Although the climate and grape varietals grown differ between the AVAs, they share one thing in common: both regions rely on the coastal winds blowing up the Columbia River Gorge to buffer the weather extremes. An extraordinary combination of climate, soil and geology create distinct micro-climates for growing premium grapes.

Combining the 2 AVAs, the Columbia Gorge has almost 40 wineries. On the Oregon side, many are located near Hood River or The Dalles. On the Washington side, wineries are scattered all along the Columbia River with several in the Klickitat Canyon area near Lyle.

Want to know more about this area? To provide more information, we are pleased to have Peter Brehm as our guest moderator to help answer questions and provide insight about the history of the Columbia Gorge. Peter has grown grapes in the Columbia Gorge since 1990 and was instrumental in securing federal approval of the Columbia Gorge AVA.

When guests arrive at the Tuscany Room, Best Western Pasco Inn & Suites, they will receive maps, literature and a “welcome” wine – a 2006 Milbrandt Traditions Riesling, paired with marinated shrimp. After a brief social reception, guests will be seated and receive an assortment of fresh fruit, cheeses, and crackers for sampling with the 3 white wine selections: NV Brehm Vineyards Pinot Grigio, 2008 Domaine Pouillon Deux, a Chardonnay/Viognier blend, and 2008 Phelps Creek Estate Reserve Chardonnay.

Each table will then be provided with a tray of smoked salmon, meatballs in marinara sauce and cold cuts to accompany the red wines. The 3 reds are: 2007 Cathedral Ridge Huber Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2008 Waving Tree Sangiovese and 2005 Maryhill Proprietor’s Reserve Barbera.

There will be time to try numerous food/wine pairings to see what works and what may not. Who knows – there may be a cheese/cracker combination that works well with one of the red wines! It will be interesting to see what guests find works for them.

Then, the grand finale – a “special” wine I referenced in the June EVOE. Yes, we had success in our efforts for a special wine to end our event and I predict it is one that will “knock your socks off.” From The Pines Vineyard and Winery – a century-old vineyard in The Dalles – we’ll have the 2008 The Pines 1852 Old Vine Zinfandel! According to the winery’s web site, the vineyard was “planted by an Italian stone mason in the late 1800s,” therefore, “this Zinfandel is from one of the oldest vineyards in the Northwest.”

So, we hope you can join us Sunday, July 18, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., Best Western Pasco Inn & Suites, for an informative but relaxing wine tour and sampling through the Columbia Gorge. Finally, if you have friends who might like to join you, bring them along and introduce them to the Tri-Cities Wine Society!

Wines of the Columbia Gorge
Scott Abernethy
Member, TCWS Board of Directors

July Event Details
Wines of the Columbia Gorge
Event Chairman: Scott Abernethy
Event Committee: Ken Kramer; Lois McGuire
Date: Sunday, July 18
Time: 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Best Western Pasco Inn & Suites
2811 North 20th Ave., Pasco
Price: Members, $30; guests, $35
Limit: 48
Type: AVA orientation/overview with wine tasting;
assorted fruits, cheeses, and meats
Dress Code: Casual
Bring: 2 glasses each
Cutoff date: Tuesday, July 13

Cancellation Policy: For a full refund, cancellation must be made by phone to Judy Stewart, 627-6579, on or before, Tuesday, July 13.