This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the Walla Walla Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA). On March 20th, to celebrate this milestone, the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance hosted a panel discussion by the pioneers of the Valley, Gary Figgins (Leonetti), Rick Small (Woodward Canyon), Marty Clubb (L'Ecole No. 41), Eric Rindal & John Freeman (Waterbrook), Casey McClellan (Seven Hills Winery), and Norm McKibben (Pepper Bridge Winery). The discussion, held in a packed Gesa Powerhouse Theater, was preceeded by a private tasting for industry leaders (including myself). Doug Charles of Compass Wines in Anacortes gave a lively introduction and Andy Perdue of Great Northwest Wines led the roundtable discussion. The winery founders had lively reminisences of the early days to releate. The discussion was then followed by wines and hors d'oeuvres. A number of library wines were poured as well. It was an awesome event and practically everyone in the wine industry came to salute the Walla Walla Valley AVA founders.

The 2014 Washington Syrah Spectacular

The next night, a Friday, Christopher Chan, who organizes the Seattle Wine Awards, hosted a tasting of 34 Washington Syrahs at his parents' house at the Yellow Bird Vineyard located above Walla Walla Vintners off Mill Creek Road. About twenty tasters methodically went through all the bottles, numbered from 1 to 34. It was a fun and educational excercise, which helped all of us learn more about wine tasting. Here are some wines that I found to be the most impressive.

2006 Long Shadows "Sequel" Syrah, Columbia Valley - This showed a deep purplish color and wonderful varietal purity, It emitted classic aromas of blackberry, blueberry, crushed roses and violets, with thick, grainy minerally flavors. 19/20 points.

2007 Matthews Winery Syrah, Columbia Valley - Deep crimson colored, this showed an unmistakable Syrah nose and varietal character from beginning to end, with lots of saturated fruit. 19/20 points.

2008 Taptel Syrah, Yakima Valley, Spilya Vineyard - From a vinyeard on the slope to the west off Red Mountain, this showed a semi opaque color and black fruits and sweet perfumes on the nose, and ripe, velvety, well-structured flavors. 19/20 points.

2003 Columbia Crest Reserve Syrah, Columbia Valley - This showed a medium garnet color and perfumed aromas of roses, violets and tobacco, and lots of rich, savory flavors and a ripe finish. 19/20 points.

2007 Olsen Estate Syrah, Yakima Valley - Deep purplish colored, this showed a deep purplish color and a classic nose of blackberry, blueberry and cassis, with scents of roses and violets, along with mouth-encompassing flavors. 19/20 points.

The Marcus Whitman Tasting Rooms Celebrate their Fourth Anniversary

Another anniversary was celebrated Monday, March 24th when the tasting rooms at the Marcus Whitman Hotel in downtown Walla Walla stayed open after hours. A large crowd of friends came to Trio Vintners, Locati Cellars, Tero Eststes / Flying Trout / Waters, and Lodmell Cellars for this event. "Mama" Julia Russell also had her Grand Opening of the new Mansion Creek Cellars tasting room.

Walla Walla Tasting Room Musical Chairs

There have been tasting rooms coming and going downtown in addition to Mansion Creek which took the place of Don Carlo Cellars which moved to Milton-Freewater. Tanya Woodley and Elain Jomewe have opened SuLei Cellars on Second, next to Wild Wine Woman. Henry Earl Estates will be opening next door to Otis Kenyon on Main Street. The Chocoate Shop on the plaza is being taken over by Browne Family Vineyards. Further east, at 202 E Main Street, Brandon Kubrock's Ardor Cellars will be opening in late April. In addition, Aryn Morell's portfolio (Alleromb, Matthews, Tenor, GARD, Mullan Road) will be poured. The facility will also include an art gallery featuring local artists, including Penny Michel, Anne Hysell and Helene Wilder.

Coming Up: Taste Washington Seattle

This weekend (Saturday March 29 and Sunday, the 30th) Taste Washington will be held at the Century Link Field Event Center. It is the country's biggest single wine region tasting event and is not to be missed. Over 200 wineries and 68 restaurants will be participating. For a list of wineries and restaurants, go to tastewashington.com. For my recommendations of wines and wineries, see the April and other recent issues of the Review of Washington Wines.