Wind River Cellars

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

Big happenings here at Wind River Cellars. Monday night was the big Columbia Gorge Winery Association showcase in Portland. Hundreds of attendees had the opportunity to taste wines from most of the gorge wineries. This event was of course, the kick-off to this weekend's Gorge Winery Passport Weekend. Contact any of us for details.

I will be pouring wine at one of my favorite wine festivals, the Capital Food & Wine in Lacey. I'm not sure why they call it the Capital. Shouldn't they call it the Lacey? Anyway, if you go you will see dozens and dozens of wineries, lots of live music and several breweries. A brewery is like a winery only they make what we call "beer" instead of wine. Beer is usually served cold and I understand that it can be quite refreshing. I look forward to tasting it.

The tasting room is getting busier by the day. Below is a picture of some of the visitors we had last weekend. They were from Olympia, home of the real capital. They will be at the festival this weekend even though Lacey is a fraud.

Check the website for more upcoming events. I'll let you know next week what I think about this whole beer thing.

Keep it real, Husum!

Joel

Visitors of the week from Olympia!

Okay, lets end this confusion right now. The Capital Food and Wine event is the last weekend of March, which happens to be the same weekend as the Gorge Winegrowers Passport Weekend. This coming weekend I have nothing going on for the first time in 8 weeks. This would be a great time for you to grab whatever friends you have and come up for a barrel tasting. I can promise you a good time.

While I've been gone the pruning fairies have been busy working on the vineyard. Gavin is the Head Fairy and he's motivated to get things growing.

I really enjoyed myself at West Seattle Thriftway last Thursday and Freemont Wine Warehouse on Saturday. I always enjoy seeing my staulkers.

It's nice to be home, Husum!

Joel

Below is a picture of one of the rooms at the Poverty Bay Wine Festival, held last week. I had a great time meeting tons of new people and tasting a lot of lesser known Washington wines.

This coming weekend I will be pouring wine on Thursday at West Seattle Thriftway. West Seattle Thriftway is actually located in West Seattle. I will also be at the Fremont Wine Warehouse, located in Fremont, on Saturday. FWW is one of my favorite shops anywhere. If you get a chance to swing by either of these places, please do so. I also look forward to post-tasting dinners after each of these events. Stay tuned for announcements regarding Friday. I don't have anything yet but I'm sure something will come up.

For the eighth weekend in a row I will be on the road the following weekend at the Capital Food and Wine Festival in Lacey. There are not many festivals in Washington that are more fun than this one, as it offers lots of wine, lots of food, lots of music and lots of the Devil's beverage, beer.

Check out the Columbia Gorge Winegrowers Association for details on our upcoming "Passport Weekend". Most of the wineries in the area are participating and all are offering great incentives to visit.

I'm going outside to shovel snow for what I believe is the last time this year. Spring is here somewhere, I just have to uncover it.

I miss you Husum!

Joel