Wind River Cellars

2009 Grapes are in! This has been a great harvest. Horse Heaven Tempranillo came in a week earlier than normal, as did all of the other varieties. Looking back at my journals I noticed that I crushed Merlot on October 20th in 1997. The last two years we've had Merlot harvested by September 20th. This whole global warming thing is wonderful! In another 12 years I'll have crush done by 4th of July.

As you can see by the picture below, we received a light snow two days after the estate vineyard was picked. We had 70 degree weather for the harvest party. Wierd, Huh?

Library tasting is set for November 15th, Sunday before Thanksgiving. Employee of the Month Runner-up, Ryan and myself will be pouring every red wine we've produced going back to 1995. If you know of another winery that throws out dozens and dozens of old vintages of Pinot Noir, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Lemberger, Syrah and Port, call me and I'll pick you up. This event is free but I do ask that you RSVP. Wayne B. is not welcome to attend this year's library tasting. Last year he RSVPd but never showed up. If Wayne B. would have simply called and cancelled, I could have let other people attend. Wayne B., you should be ashamed of yourself.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. We'll have our usual open house. Fun, fun, fun. I will be releasing several new wines. Be the first on your block to get the new vintages.

If you have any questions, feel free to drop me an email. (joel@windrivercellars.com) I'll be happy to tell you all about things here at Husum's favorite winery. Even you can email me, Wayne B.

We've got life on a downhill pull, Husum!

Joel

The high chance of rain today turned into an highly unlikely snowfall. It's all melted now. It made for a chilly morning crushing Tempranillo.

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Hello People!
Stayed tuned for a website freshen up. Not a complete remodel, just a freshen up. Summer is not over! Quit thinking it is. Summer is not over until grapes begin to get crushed, which gives us another few weeks.

We are open from 10:00 until 6:00 everyday in the tasting room but if you call ahead and speak with employee of the month runner-up, Ryan or myself, we can be talked into giving a few barrel samples to you and your friends. Several of you have taken advantage of this and we've had some great tastings.

The Harvest Party will be back this year. Grapes are right on time and we're looking at possibly the second weekend of October, the third weekend at the latest. This has always been a great event. As many of you know, we pick grapes, usually until about 4:00, and then party like the Kennedys at $1 beer night. There is no charge for this event but we do ask that you RSVP so that we can prepare enough food.

Join us this weekend at the winery for our Labor Day celebration. Hopefully, you have as many things to celebrate as I do.

Your Summer is still going, Husum!

Joel

Greetings people! I can' believe how fast this summer is cruising by. I just wanted to give a heads up on a few events coming up. First off, the Columbia Gorge Winegrowers annual summer showcase event thingy is this weekend at the Hood River Inn. The Hood River Inn is located in Hood River. This event will feature most all of the other wineries here in the Gorge. Unfortunately, Wind River Cellars won't be participating but you can always come up and visit us before the event. The following Saturday I will be pouring wine in Yakima at the Case of the Blues festival. Google it or email me for details.

I've enjoyed conducting private group barrel tastings for those of you that have called ahead. I think that those of you that have been through one of my private tastings agree that it's the most fun you can have with clothes on. If you have a fun group, fire me off an email to schedule. (joel@windrivercellars.com) You can see several pictures on the Wind River Cellars Facebook page. If you're not hip on the Facebook just imagine pictures of people having fun. If you are hip on the Facebook but aren't a friend, just ask. We'll be friends with anyone, even Oregonians.

Who here thinks I should start buying glass bottles from my new favorite rep, Kelly? I hope none of you ever get the hardnose, pushy sales pitch that Kelly displayed today. If she was selling heart attacks I would have bought a dozen. I'm a sucker.

We are currently pouring the following wines in the tasting room:
Dry Gewurzt
Pinot Gris
Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
Tempranillo
Cab Franc
Lemberger
Merlot
Syrah
Riesling
White Port
Port of Celilo

If that isn't enough to make you giggle, just ask me or Employee of the Month Runner-up, Ryan for a barrel sample.

You complete me, Husum!

Joel

Hey everyone! Sorry I've been such a lame ass with the blog lately. As many of you know we've been crazy busy around here. Thanks to all who attended the Crawdaddy Boil last weekend and thanks to everyone who came up to visit on Memorial Weekend.

I'll try to update this blog more frequently, but to tell you the truth, it's easier to just post things on Facebook. I prefer Facebook because it's easier for you all to post pictures and comments. If you're a Facebook geek, just search "Wind River Cellars" and become a friend.

Employee of the month runner-up, Ryan and I have been very generous with barrel sampling lately. I have my favorites. Come up and tell me yours. I invite anyone to put together a group for a private cellar tasting. I'll be your host and I promise to behave.

You'll be okay, Husum!

Joel

I know, I know. I'm sorry. I've been gone for awhile but now I'm back. I've been very busy the last several weeks. First of all, let me say thank you to all of the barrel members who showed up for the annual Barrel Members Dinner. We had a blast and Chef John Shaffer did an amazing job with the food.

For those of you that have been smart enough to find Wind River Cellars on Facebook, even though I didn't post a link, you know that May 30th is our second annual Crawfish Boil. Last years inaugural event was one of the best events we had all year and this year should be even better. Feel free to email for details or just wait for more Facebook posts. If you're hip to the whole Facebook thing then you're familiar with that annoying friend that constantly posts things that have absolutely no value of interest. WE WON'T BE THAT FRIEND.

Memorial Day weekend is rapidly approaching and I promise to continue making the WRC tasting room the most laid back and fun tasting room in the entire Northwest. If you think you've got what it takes to be a guest server drop me an email and we'll throw you in the mix.

Summer is almost here, Husum!

Joel

As most of you have heard, Wind River Cellars received two gold medals and a "Best Red" award at the 2009 Capital Food and Wine Festival. I haven't had the gold medals bronzed yet but I certainly will. Following the festival I headed to Montana and Idaho on official winery business, leaving Employee of the Month Runner-Up, Ryan to host the many visitors that have decided Winter is over.

The estate vineyard is 95% pruned and we expect bud break in the next three weeks. If you can pick the day we discover the first broken bud you win a bottle. Just email your guess.

Wind River Cellars has entered the modern era. That's right, we have a Facebook page. If you are sitting in your cubical wondering what's going on at your favorite Husum winery, just become our facebook friend (Wind River Cellars). This is also a great place to post all of those pictures you have from the great times you've spent here. I ask that you please do not post any disgusting pictures of Minnie the winery pig drinking beer. People that haven't been here might get the wrong idea.

Check out our website for upcoming events. The weather is awesome and it's a great time to visit. Put a group together and give us a call. We'd love to take you barrel tasting.

You make me happier than a pig drinking beer, Husum!

Joel