When I picked up wines for the upcoming and recent issues of the Review of Washington Wines, I found some of the winery tasting rooms being remodeled. The current COVID-19 restrictions allow for indoors tasting with proper ventilation. One way to do this is to create an opening in the front to allow sufficient air movement. When I stopped at Saviah Cellars and Sleight of Hand on J.B. George Road, I found workmen reconfiguring the tasting rooms. So come spring, these and other wineries will have a new look. Back in November, I picked up wines at The Walls and found the tasting room being completely gutted. The tasting room has just reopened with comfortable furnishings and with an adjacent patio tasting space.

Another major tasting room project is that of L'Ecole No 41 which is called the "Heritage by L'Ecole" Wine Bar at the historic Marcus Whitman Hotel. The space, formerly occupied by Tero Estates, at the corner of Second and Rose is being re-designed and re-defined to denote the winery's sense of place and pay homage to the Heritage of the region. The Wine Bar will provide access to small production wines and library lots along with current L'Ecole releases. The opening is planned for Spring Kick Off Weekend in April. The space was designed by Rebecca Clubb-Olson, daughter of Marty and Megan Clubb.