On Saturday, February 29 (Leap Day) Lynn and I accompanied our friends George and Kim Suyama to Rotie Cellars' new storage and tasting facility in the Rocks of Milton-Freewater on Sunnyside Road, just past Cayuse. George is an architect and he designed the building which is located on Trumbull Lane, between the Rote and Cayuse Estate Vineyards. The occasion, held from 4 to 8, was to honor those who worked on the project - designers, contractors, carpenters, electricians, plumbers and so on. Conor and Jacqui Boyd, Sean's parents, were also there. Conor, a retired Weyerhauser executive, had a hand in the selection of the wood and the production of the cabinetry and table and countertops. Work is still in progress, but Rotie Cellars is aiming for a Cayuse Weekend opening the first weekend of April.

The design of the building, comprised of poured concrete and wood, is simple yet elegant. The ground level is the storage and maintenance area. Upstairs is the tasting room, with a long table and a wine service area. The ceiling is supported by wood posts and beams and the room is enclosed in glass, with sliding doors. The lighting wiring and and heating ducts are mounted externally. I talked with the electrician who did a great job installing the lighting - lamps enclosed in glass and connected to steel piped wiring. A ramp runs up the sides to the upper level and Rocks silt and stones arepiled up around the building, making for a structure that is attuned to the distinct vineyard terroir where the Walla Walla River flowed before changing course to its present course further north.

There was food and Rotie Cellars wine served as well, along with beer and a Tequila bar. Master chef Chas Latolais prepared a tasty rice, sausage and chicken dish and Rotie Cellars' new releases were poured: a 2019 Washington State Rosé produced in Provence style, composed of 85% Mourvèdre and 15% Grenache and the 2019 "Stonewall" Rosé, the Tavel style with 45% Syrah, 35% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre, both delicious, scoring 19/20 points. There were two new whites: the 65% Marsanne, 35% Roussanne Northern White Blend and 65% Viognier, 20% Roussanne, 15% Marsanne Southern White Blend, both 19/20 points. Full reviews are to be in the April issue of the Review of Washington Wines. We also tasted the highly promising 2018 Northern Red Blend. It had just been bottled, so I will retaste it later for review in the May issue. 

We're all looking forward to Rotie's opening this Spring.