Today was supposed to be the beginning of what has been called Cayuse Weekend in the Walla Walla Valley. But, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Cayuse Vineyards' Release Pickup and Preview tasting events were cancelled. Many other events, as well, have been cancelled. 

So far, there have been only eight confirmed cases of coronavirus in Walla Walla County, which is evidence that social distancing is working here. This is difficult in a Valley where socializing and hugging have been commonplace. But everyone understands the necessity.

Among the events that had been scheduled but cancelled were the openings of new tasting rooms, Vital on Rose Street near the corner of Second, Bergevin Lane on Colville Street next to T Mac's. and Rôtie Cellars on Skyline Road in The Rocks of Milton-Freewater (see the 3 March blog posting below for more about this location). But that's the way it goes.

In place of tasting wine in tasting rooms, some wineries have turned to virtual tastings on line. We watched one a few days ago with Trey Busch, Jerry Solomon, Keith Johnson and the Sleight of Hand crew. On April 18 at 2:00, Doug Roskelley will be conducting a virtual tasting of the newly released Tero Estates single block Cabernets from Windrow Vineyards (to be reviewed in the May issue of the Review of Washington Wines - all 19.5/20 points). For more information, go to TR Wines on Facebook.

In the meantime, I'm continuing to taste wine samples shipped or delivered to me. Coming up in the May issue will be reports on Tranche Estates, Golden Ridge Cellars, Walla Walla Vintners, Gramercy Cellars, Tero Estates and Clearwater Canyon Cellars and more.