Wilbur for fine wine? You bet

Wilbur might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Washington wine country.

But the shores of Lake Roosevelt are actually among the finest places in the state to grow grapes, according to Michael Haig of Whitestone Winery, with conditions that are similar to Bordeaux, France. The area was home to one of the biggest Eastern Washington vineyards before it was flooded by the waters behind the Grand Coulee Dam in 1941, Haig says.

Haig’s parents, Judy and Walter Haig, planted the vines 12 years ago and until 2001 the grapes were sold to other winemakers, including L’Ecole No. 41, Walla Walla Vintners, Canoe Ridge, Sorensen Cellars and Robert Karl Cellars.

“I was 16 years old when my parents decided they wanted to plant a vineyard and I was cheap labor,” Michael Haig said. Now, the self-taught winemaker is ushering the grapes through the fermentation process into bottles of their own. Whitestone Winery specializes in cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and merlot. Prices range from $13 to $22 per bottle. Haig also makes a red blend called Pieces of Red, which sells for $12.

Whitestone Winery has a tasting room in a converted gas station in downtown Wilbur, Wash., along Highway 2, 65 miles west of Spokane. The address is 115 N.E. Main St.

The winery is hosting a barrel-tasting party Saturday at its tasting room. Those who attend will have a chance to taste pure juice (depending on the harvest), barrel samples and the 2002 cabernet sauvignon. There will be food to complement the wines. The event is $5 in advance or $7.50 at the door.

For more information call, (509) 647-5325 or go to www.whitestonewinery.com.

Whitestone wines are also available at the Old Spaghetti Factory and are sold at Huckleberry’s Natural Market.

‘Local’ stickers debut

Shoppers who like to buy local foods will get a hand identifying them at Huckleberry’s Natural Market.

The store begins marking regional products with bright purple stickers this week. Store Manager Monica Hampton said items including produce, wines, cheeses, frozen foods, grocery items, breads and natural living products will be marked.

“Our customers are concerned with social and environmental issues, including supporting local businesses.” Hampton said in a news release. “This sticker program is a way to let shoppers quickly identify products that they can buy that will support regional businesses.”

Huckleberry’s Natural Market at 926 N. Monroe St. will be celebrating its 10th anniversary later this year. For more information, visit huckleberrysnaturalmarket.com.