The following are recommendations of wineries to visit during Walla Walla's Fall Release Weekend, November 2nd through 4th. Before going, also check out the October and November issues of the Review of Washington Wines for recommended new releases.

 

Long Shadows - There is a $20 tasting fee, but is applicable toward purchase of some mighty fine wines. Open Friday and Saturday.

Tero Estates and Flying Trout - This winery near Milton-Freewater is having a "Fall Release Argentine Style BBQ in the Vineyard" Friday through Sunday.

Trio Vintners has moved to the Marcus Whitman Hotel. See the November issue for Karen La Bonte's fine values.

Ellanelle, a promising new winery (see the November issue) is pouring its 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon at Petit Noirs in Milton Freewater.

Sinclair Estate Vineyards is having live music at it tasting room on Main Street from 3 to 4 on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Proper Wines is pouring its debut 2010 Walla Walla Valley Syrah (to be reviewed in the December issue - 19/20 points) at Olive Restaurant downtown on Saturday from 11 to 3.

Mark Ryan Winery opened a new tasting room on downtown Main Street in August. See the October issue for reviews of the 2010's Two more 2010's, Long Haul and Dead Horse will be released (to be reviewed in December).

Sleight of Hand - Trey Busch always has interesting wines for tasting, along with his favorite rock music in the background.

Rotie Cellars - Sean Boyd will be pouring his new "Homage" Grenache-based Rhone-style blend (reviewed November) along with other current releases.

Morrison Lane - See the November issue for a write-up on Sean and Kate Morrison's wines. The winery is located on Lyday Road off Braden Road in the South Valley.

Gramercy Cellars (now on North 13th) is especially recommended for Greg Harringron's fine wines.

Rasa Vineyards (Pinto and Billo Naravane) will be open for the weekend at the winery on Powerline Road.

Seven Hills Winery - Be sure to check out Casey McClellan's excellent 2009 reds (reviewed September).

Other downtown wineries worth visiting: Kerloo, Mackey, Otis KenyonForgeron, Don Carlo, Locati Cellars, Cadaretta, El Corazon, Walla Faces and Charles Smith. Tero Estates and Flying Trout also has a tasting room in the Marcus Whitman.

South of Walla Walla: In addition to Sleight of Hand, above, Saviah, Waters, Va Piano, Waters, Fjellene, Tertulia and Gifford Hirlinger are recommended.

East of Walla Walla. At the Airport, visit Kontos Cellars, Corvus, and CAVU in the incubators, and Buty, Tempus and Patit Creek. Further east, on Mill Creek Road, go to K Vintners, àMaurice and Walla Walla Vintners. To the north, Robison Ranch Cellars will be open for the weekend.

West of Walla Walla, Reininger, Glencorrie, L'Ecole No. 41 and Woodward Canyon are recommended.