The Tero Estates Release Party

 

On Friday, September 30, Doug and Jan Roskelley and Mike Tembruell hosted Tero Estates' Release Party. Many guests came for the event which was held under a tent outside the winery. Tim and Lori Kennedy (Don Carlo Estate, one of the Marcus Whitman tasting rooms wineries) were there, as were Lori and Dennis Fischer (the Fischer House B & B) and Catie McIntyre Walker (Wild Walla Walla Wine Woman). Many Tero wine club members were there, too. At our table were Jeff (teaches viticulture at Walla Walla Community College) and Michelle (who helps out at the Tero tasting room) and Carlos (also teaches at WWCC) and Georgi. During the course of the dinner, Doug Roskelley spoke about each of the wines being poured by Jan Roskelley and co- winemaker Ashley Trout (also of Flying Trout Wines). See the Review of Washington Wines Facebook Wall for pictures of this event.

 

The dinner was prepared by Paul Freeman and Jeanine Gordon, owners of the Bank and Grill in Milton-Freewater. Paul's culinary technique is simple: take a cut of meat, season it, and roast it until rare. It works very well with about any cut of meat. In this case, it was New York style beef cut in loin roasts rather than strip steaks. The result was beef that was tender and juicy on the inside, like prime rib. The beef was accompanied by the couple's signature Caesar salad and roast potatoes. These paired beautifully with Tero Estates' newly released 2008's which are reviewed in the October issue.

2008 Tero Estates Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla Valley, Windrow Vineyard

2008 Tero Estates "Herb's Block" Merlot, Walla Walla Valley, Windrow Vineyard

2008 Tero Estates Windrow Red Blend, Walla Walla Valey

 

2011 Harvest Update

 

In my last report on this year's wine grape harvest, I observed that the outcome could be exceptional if good weather held on, which was a big if. As of this writing (Monday, October 10) there were two fair days over the weekend, and today is cloudy, with rain forecast for tomorrow. Winemakers are understandably nervous. Harvest commenced in late September, consisting mostly of whites. On the 28th, I was at Buty, where Caleb Foster was crushing Semillon for his "Bordeaux-style" white blend. Last week, Merlot was starting to come in. Cabernet Franc comes next, and Cabernet Sauvignon later. Trey Busch (Sleight of Hand) stated that some beautiful Red Mountain Merlot was coming in and Ryan Crane (Kerloo Cellars) got terrific Tempranillo from the Stone Tree Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope. More later!