He frequently drives the lonesome Hwy 240 between Richland and the Wahluke Slope during harvest to inspect the grapes. “It’s critical to harvest the grapes when they aren’t overly ripe or with underdeveloped tannins,” he says.
Barnard Griffin has released some new selections this year. The 2005 Malbec, a red, is a French varietal often produced in Argentina and Chile. Another first is 126 cases of 2006 Viognier—a white wine with an aroma that is abundant with ginger, lime, and spice. (509-627-0266; barnardgriffin.com)
J. Bookwalter Winery
Jerry and Jean Bookwalter bottled their first vintage in 1983 at Pasco. The couple’s son John joined the operation in 1997 and the family-owned business has expanded and re-located the winery to 894 Tulip Lane. Now, Jerry nurtures the vineyard and Jean cares for the gardens while John handles the winemaking.
Sit-down tastings are offered in an inviting garden, where the wines are paired with artisan cheeses from local producers. “We have sort of a tapas menu — light fare, meats, and appetizers,” says Betsy Pimentel, general manager, “and music Wednesday through Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoon.”
Two J. Bookwalter wines have recently been recognized by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. In March 2007, the 2004 Merlot was among the editor’s top 45 Merlots in the world, and in November 2006, the magazine named the 2005 Riesling 22nd among its top 100 wines in the world. (509-627-5000; bookwalterwines.com)
Tagaris Winery
 Michael Taggares founded the Tagaris winery in 1987, honoring the Greek spelling of his family name. Today’s wines reflect the work of three generations of Taggares grape growers in the Columbia Valley, where his grandfather settled because the climate and soil reminded him so strongly of his Greek homeland.
The operation moved to its facility at 844 Tulip Lane and opened both the indoor fine-dining Taverna restaurant and the casual outdoor Patio Kouzina in time for the crush in 2005.
Frank Roth has recently been appointed winemaker. Roth worked for several years at Sumac Ridge Estate Winery in Summerland, British Columbia. For the past 10 years, he has been cellar master at Barnard Griffin.
Two Roth crafted wines were recognized this year. The 2005 White Meritage won a bronze medal at the San Diego International Wine Festival and gold at the Taster’s Guild International competition. The 2005 Alice Vineyard Counoise earned bronze at Taster’s Guild International and the Seattle Wine Awards. (509-628-1619; tagariswines.com)
Preston Premium Wines
Overlooking the valley north of Pasco, off Hwy 395, sits the granddaddy of wineries in the entire Columbia Valley, Preston Premium Wines.
Every Friday during the summer months, visitors are invited to “Vino Notte,” when hours are extended until 10 p.m., musicians serenade, and wines are available for tasting along with light foods and desserts.
Bill and Joann Preston planted their first vineyard in 1972 and produced their first wine in 1976. Preston was the first in Washington to produce Merlot and is the only operation in the Tri-Cities producing Port, a sweet dessert wine fortified with brandy.
“Our Ports date back to 1989,” advises Chenyn Preston-Johnson, tasting room manager and event coordinator. “We have 14 varieties of Port within two main products, a 15-year blend and a 10-year blend.” Preston’s Royal Port is made with Royalty grapes. The second port product, Tenrebac—that’s Cabernet backwards—is (of course) made with Cabernet grapes.
Bill Preston, who died in 2001, was honored posthumously in 2006 with the first Legends of Washington Wine Hall of Fame award at the Inaugural Gala for the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center in Prosser. (509-545-1990 x10; prestonwines.com)
Badger Mountain Vineyard & Powers Winery
Perhaps one of the best kept secrets around is the second largest producer of organic wines in the United States, Badger Mountain Vineyard, right here in the Tri-Cities.
 Father and son Bill and Greg Powers established the vineyard in 1982 and began their transition to organic viticulture in 1988. Since that time, they have not used chemicals of any kind. In 1990, their vineyard was the first to be certified organic by the Washington State Department of Agriculture.
“Our success story has been the organic Riesling, the only one of its kind in the country. We sell as much of it as we can make,” says Mickey Dunne, marketing manager. Badger Mountain, now in its 25th estate vintage, produces 40,000 cases of organic wines annually. The organic wines are sold at natural food retailers such as New Seasons in Portland and Haggen grocery stores in the Seattle area, as well as the Fred Meyer Wine Steward stores.
The father/son team also developed Powers Winery to create wines from varietals not grown in the organic vineyard. They began bottling this non-organic product in 1992. Powers has been recognized by Wine Enthusiast Magazine for its delicious cabernets. (509-627-4986; badgermtnvineyard.com) |
