This week, we have some Walla Walla Valley wine news items and more recommendations of wineries to visit during Spring Release Weekend.

The Abeja Winery Sold

On the front page of Sunday morning's Walla Walla Union-Bulletin was the top headline: "Mill Creek fixture Abeja sold." The article reported that the Mill Creek winery and inn had been sold to new owners. The winery's founders, Ken and Ginger Harrison have sold their majority interest to Arnie Prentice of Seattle, owner of an insurance brokerage and consulting company, USI Kibble & Prentice. The Inn at Abeja has been sold to another investment group, Seattle based Columbia Hospitality, which recently acquired the Walla Walla Red Lion Inn and Suites. The Harrisons will continue to retain "significant equity ownership" in the Winery and in the operation's oversight. The winemakers, husband and wife team of Daniel Wampfler and Amy Alvarez-Wampfler will continue their roles in the operation. The Inn at Abeja will keep all on site team members, including innkeeper Mary Besbris. Metis, an Exvere Company, served as advisor for both transactions. The Abeja sale is the most recent of a succession of merger and acquisition deals put together by Metis, which has an office in Walla Walla. 

Walla Walla Valley Spring Release Weekend Coming Up

In addition to the wineries listed in my previous Blog posting, there are a few more wineries especially worth visiting May 4-6.

Tero Estates - The winery near Milton-Freewater is featuring the Swing Notes Big Band on Saturday from 11 to 4. The winery is also releasing its new DC3 Red and the Block Cabernets.

Armstrong Family Winery - Tim and Jen Armstrong have opened an new tasting room in downtown Walla Walla on Main Street. Last Fall, the family moved their winery operations to the area, where they have a vineyard.

Gramercy Cellars - Greg Harrington and Brandon Moss have some new releases including a delicious Olsen Vineyard Rosé and a tasty 2015 Grenache and 2015 Mourvèdre. 

Also, check the April and May issues of the Review of Washington Wines for other wineries with new Spring Releases.