Here's some the recent developments in the Walla Walla Valley

Heat Wave in the Valley

This past week, and up to today, August 8, temperature highs have been around 100 degrees. When temperatures reach 95 or so (varying by grape variety) photosynthesis and grape maturing shuts down. Fortunately, temperatures will be moderating tomorrow and through next week into the eighties. This will enable the vines to mature the grapes normally and veraison (when grapes start to turn color) is expected to begin at the end of the month.

Jan Roskelley Retires from Tero Estates

On July 4 - Freedom Day - Jan Roskelley retired as events director at Tero Estates, a job she has held for twelve years. What she has done is truly special and puts an imprint on the winery. But the time came to hang it up. In July, she and Doug took the "Charbys," the Anartolian "pups" on a trip to Texas and Nebraska in their motorhome bus. Upon retuning, they have been clearing the basement winery B & B. Jan will always continue to amaze.

Jon Meuret Retires from Maison Bleue

July also saw another retirement. Jon and Amy Meuret moved to Overland Park, a suburb of Kansas City, on the Kansas side of the river. They had already sold the winery to the Pambrun winery and decided to make a change and move back to Kansas. An avid bicyclist, Jon is embarking on a new career in sports training. Our best to both. 

New in Walla Walla: Dillon Cellars

Dillon Cellars, located on Piper Avenue in the "Incubators" near the airport, opened recently in the space previously occupied by Walla Faces. The owner-winemaker is Marc Dillon Leahy, who has also taken over as winemaker at Maison Bleue (see above). I recently visited the winery and tasted the current releases with Marc. The wines - Syrah, Mourvèdre / Syrah and Merlot - were highly impressive, with scores of 19/20 points across the board. They will be reviewed in the September issue of the Review of Washington Wines.

That's it for now! Next week, there will be reviews of more French wines from Burgundy and the Rhone Valley.