Walla Walla Spring Kick-Off Weekend

Last weekend, April 7-9, was Walla Walla Spring Kick-Off. Until last last year, the second weekend in April was known as Cayuse Weekend because that was when Christophe Baron held his winery opening and pick-up. Then other wineries opened up for spring releases and called it Spring Kick-Off. Why two spring release weekends, the other being the first weekend in May? Wineries now want to take advantage of opportunities to get visitors, especially after the COVID epidemics of the 2020-2021. An informal winery survey on Facebook by Sean Sullivan (Northwest Wine Report) indicated that the turnout for Spring Kick-Off was normal, about the same as last year, which is not surprising

Casey McClellan Named Interim Director at WWCC's Institute for Enology and Viticulture

Recently, it was announced that Casey McClellan has agreed to take on the job of interim director of the Community Colleges winemaking program. He replaces Stylianos Logothetis who resigned as director to return to Greece. Casey brings to the Institute decades of experience as an industry leader and owner-winemaker at the Seven Hills Winery. In the meantime, a search is under way for a new director.

Kate Derby Named Head of Winemaking Operations at Spring Valley Vineyards

It has been announced that Kate Derby Raymond has been named head winemaker at Spring Valley Vineyards. As granddaughter of Shari and Dean Derby and niece of Devin Derby, she has years of experience in the family-run winery north of Walla Walla. The former head winemaker, Serge Laville has departed after 20 years at Spring Valley.