This posting is headed the way it is because, this year, there are two "Spring Release" weekends in Walla Walla. The first, April 8-10, was called "Cayuse Weekend" because that was when Cayuse Vineyards released its new vintages. The next Spring Release Weekend will be May 6-8, the "official" event, sponsored by the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance. Here's my report on the first spring event.

There were three new tasting room opening events:

Trio Cellars - In my blog of 17 January, I reported that Steve Michener and Denise Slattery had sold their winery to Karen La Bonte. The tasting room was slated to reopen in mid March, but the bureaucratic process of federal and state winery license transfers took longer than expected. Trio Cellars finally reopened on Thursday, April 7. Karen has done a great job expanding and redecorating the tasting room. I tasted some new releases - 2010 "Tres Rose," 2009 Primitivo and 2008 Cabernet Franc that will be reviewed in the June issue of the Review of Washington Wines.

Sleight of Hand Cellars - Trey Busch and Jerry Solomon hosted a "soft" opening (the Grand Opening to be in May) on Friday, t he 8th. The new building on J.B. George Road, next to Saviah, has been painted red, and the tasting room is stocked with Trey's classic LP record collection. There, we tasted the bright young 2010 "Magician" Gewurztraminer and 2010 "Magician's Assistant" Cab Franc Rose (to be in the June issue). The newly-released 2009 Funkadelic Syrah rocked (see the March issue).

Charles Smith Wines - Friday was also this winery's Grand Opening on South Spokane Street in downtown Walla Walla. The decor, designed by Olson Kundig Architects of Seattle, is industrial modern in a spacious building that was once an automotive service shop. There, we tasted new 2009 releases from K Vintners and the new 2010 Kung Fu Girl Riesling (these to be reviewed in June). On Saturday evening, there was a grand opening fete with paella prepared by chef Jim German of the Jimgerman Bar in Waitsburg.

Other noteworthy events:

Reynvaan Family Vineyards - On Friday morning, we drove out to the end of Cottonwood Road to revisit the Reynvaans' '08's and '09's. The 2009's - to be released in fall - are on track to becoming phenomenal wines (see the March issue for a preview review).

The Bank and Grill Dinner - Friday evening, Jan and Doug Roskelly coordinated a dinner at The Bank and Grill on Main Street in Milton-Freewater. Paired with Tero Estates and Flying Trout wines, the seared steak, prepared by owner Paul Freeman, was superb, tender and deliciously flavorful. This place is well worth driving down to M-F for.

Dusted Valley - On Saturday, I visited Chad Johnson and Corey Braunel's winery south of town. I sampled some tasty new reds - a 2009 Grenache, the 2008 Stained Tooth Syrah and the outstanding 2008 BFM "Bordeaux Blend" which will be reviewed in June.

Woodward Canyon - On Sunday, we drove west to Lowden and tasted some fine new releases with Rick Small: the 2008 Charbonneau Red and the 2008 "Old Vines" Dedication Series Cabernet, to be reviewed in June.

Robison Ranch Cellars - In the afternoon, we visited with Ruth and Brad Riordan and Jane Robison and got previews of the recently-bottled 2010 whites and the Ranch's 2008 Dinner Bell Red ("DRB") blend. Watch for reviews in June.

The Review of Washington Wines on Facebook - Go to the Review's Wall for pictures of some of these events.