A toast (or several) to Mom
Area wine-lovers know this weekend promises more than just brunch in Mom’s honor.
It’s also time for the Spokane Winery Association’s annual Spring Barrel Tasting, when moms, dads and everybody else can sample the latest releases from area wineries.
Participating wineries include: Grande Ronde Cellars, Knipprath Winery, Latah Creek, Lone Canary Winery, Mountain Dome Winery, Townshend Cellars, Robert Karl Winery, Caterina Winery, Barrister Winery, Arbor Crest and, for the first time, Vintage Hill Cellars.
Wineries will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday to offer samples of new releases, soon-to-be-released varieties and some wines still aging in barrels.
Maps of the tour can be found at each winery. Or you can get started at www.spokanewineries.net or by calling any of the participating wineries.
Barrel of wine news
Arbor Crest is extending its summer hours. Starting June 8, the tasting room and grounds will be open from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Regular hours are noon to 5 p.m. daily. The winery has also started a new private tour package. Contact the winery at www.arborcrest.com or at (509) 927-9463.
Barrister Winery will be sampling five new releases this weekend, including a 2005 cabernet vranc, a Walla Walla syrah and a dry riesling.
China Bend Winery in Kettle Falls, Wash., is celebrating its 15th season, with a wine release party May 26-28. Visitors can sample organic and sulfite-free wines. Old favorites and new wines will be poured. Bring a picnic or sample some of the available organic foods. Log on to www.chinabend.com or call (800) 700-6123 for more information.
Coeur d’Alene Cellars has earned a variety of honors recently. The winery’s 2003 Washington syrah won its second double gold medal in March and the 2005 Washington viognier took home a silver medal. Several wines also earned 90-plus ratings from this month’s issue of Wine Enthusiast magazine. Contact the winery at www.cdacellars.com or at (208) 664-2336.
Lone Canary’s 2003 Proprietors’ Reserve, a blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc, earned gold medals and “best of class” honors in recent competitions. For more information on the winery, log on to www.lonecanary.com or call (866) 822-6279.
The Wine-By-Cougars wine club out of Washington State University is shipping a small-batch release this month, called Artist Expression. The bottle’s label was designed by a member of this year’s graduating class, and the wine was crafted by WSU alumnus Rick Small of Woodward Canyon. For more information, log on to www.winebycougars.com or call (509) 526-7700.