Wind River Cellars

I can almost feel the sand between my toes. The annual Wind River Cellars Holiday in Mexico is less than seven weeks away and I think about it every time I punch down the remaining fermenting Cab Franc, Lemberger and Syrah (Which all smell fantastic).

I've been busier than a sailor on leave. Pinot noir, Tempranillo and Merlot have all been put to barrel and I'm excited to see what the next 18 months does to them. Saturday, Kris had another dumb idea of making a white port out of our estate riesling. Do you have one of those bosses that comes up with a rediculous idea and tells you to make it happen? Just to show her what a silly idea it was, I did it. I've since turned it into my idea and now the barrel members have yet another exclusive geat wine to enjoy. I'm sure glad I came up with that idea. Speaking of port, we've decided to have a little port celebration. December 9th we will be, not only pouring our current release of "Port of Celilo", but we will also be tasting several vintages out of the barrel, past vintages, and yes, the white port that we will be calling "Harriot's Port". (Harriot is a dear neighbor who owns an adjacent vineyard from which some of our award winning riesling is grown.) Rumor has it that visitors will be able to purchase "Port of Celilo" in a 750 ml bottle for the same price as the usual 375 ml bottle.

This past week I didn't leave the winery much but I was visited by Ron from Marshal's. Yes, Ron brought beer. I was also visited by Tonya the website designer, Morgan and his wife, Christine, and their son, Peyton. Peyton can pound more syrah than any 18 month old child I've ever seen. Tonya can just plain pound anything that's in front of her.

This weekend I will be pouring wine at George's Wine Shop in Bellvue. Other than that I should be around pressing off the last of an incredible vintage.

You complete me, Husum!

Joel

Hooray, Hooray, pressin' pinot today. The weather this year has been the best ever for harvest and today is no exception. I owe it to Kris for the nice weather. Last night we went down to Bingen for "Last Friday". While Hooba and I watched the St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series, Newman was next door at Bad Seed Cider House doing a book signing. He's one of the dogs featured in a book called "Wine Dogs USA" Kris spent most of the night across the street at Gorge Wine Merchants. She made it a lot more fun for everybody there.

This has been a very busy week and I've accomplished the work of an army. I should mention that Kris helped me crush Syrah and Cab Franc and there's no way in the world that I could have done it without her.

Some of you may have heard that Washington wineries can now go into Oregon and sell wine directly to retailers and restaurants without a wholesaler. We don't sell much of our wine outside of the winery but don't be suprised if we pop up in a few select wine shops in Portland. Over the years we've befriended several restaurant owners in Oregon who thought Kris was such a great person that they wanted to carry our wine. Unfortunately, we were required to use a wholesaler who took 30-40 percent, making it not worth it.

I just got off the phone with Ron Jon from Marshal's Winery. He's coming out today to pick my pea size brain about making port. He should pick Kris's brain because she's really smart. Ron always brings the Devil's drink known as "beer".

In case you're wondering, Kris asked me why she isn't mentioned in the blog very often. Well here you go darling.

Stay married, Husum!

Joel

Hooray, Hooray, pressin' pinot today. The weather this year has been the best ever for harvest and today is no exception. I owe it to Kris for the nice weather. Last night we went down to Bingen for "Last Friday". While Hooba and I watched the St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series, Newman was next door at Bad Seed Cider House doing a book signing. He's one of the dogs featured in a book called "Wine Dogs USA" Kris spent most of the night across the street at Gorge Wine Merchants. She made it a lot more fun for everybody there.

This has been a very busy week and I've accomplished the work of an army. I should mention that Kris helped me crush Syrah and Cab Franc and there's no way in the world that I could have done it without her.

Some of you may have heard that Washington wineries can now go into Oregon and sell wine directly to retailers and restaurants without a wholesaler. We don't sell much of our wine outside of the winery but don't be suprised if we pop up in a few select wine shops in Portland. Over the years we've befriended several restaurant owners in Oregon who thought Kris was such a great person that they wanted to carry our wine. Unfortunately, we were required to use a wholesaler who took 30-40 percent, making it not worth it.

I just got off the phone with Ron Jon from Marshal's Winery. He's coming out today to pick my pea size brain about making port. He should pick Kris's brain because she's really smart. Ron always brings the Devil's drink known as "beer".

In case you're wondering, Kris asked me why she isn't mentioned in the blog very often. Well here you go darling.

Stay married, Husum!

Joel

Hooba slipped something into my drink and hijacked my blog! I'm back now. Today Hooba and I made two round trips to Horse Heaven. The first trip we picked up a truck load of amazing syrah from Destiny Ridge Vineyard. Yeah, I got to hang out with Jarrod from Alexandria Nicole again. Hooba rode shotgun and kept me positive. If you ever get a chance to go on a road trip with Hooba, don't even think about not going. Just get in the car.

We rented a flatbed truck and after awhile Hooba got bored and found a disposable camera in the glove box. Yes, we took a few liberties with it.

Tomorrow I will be done crushing. The winery is packed with fermenting grapes. Thanks to all of you who sent suggestions on keeping my hands in good shape. (Some of your suggestions were really sick!)

Thanks to the nice Hood River resident who brought me stolen office supplies from his place of employment. They will come in handy if I ever get a typewriter again.
I also had fun with the people from Michigan and the ladies who were staying at Bonneville Hotspring Resort.

Peace out, Husum. Word to your mother.

Joel

as joels doctor i advise him to take a week or two off and hopefully longer. i am hooba and you will submit to this new way. i kidnapped joel's wife kris for a wine tasting in bellevue on friday. while she was pouring the wines of wind river i escaped to the bar next door and had an animated conversation with a woman who made me drink like a shriner. i shall remain single despite her efforts. the grapes showed up today despite joel's dancing last evening. you may have seen rain dances in some of the westerns of yore but those of us watching him spank his ass last night cringed at the thought of the weather that could follow. thank god it was sunny and warm today as we crushed reisling and lemberger under the most beautiful gorge skies for october that you have seen in some years. just when you think it won't open then you should be there. wax on wax off. be better than you ever imagined. hooba

The photo below is of Connor, my oldest son. He doesn't get nearly as much props as Poison Rose does on this blog but that's because he doesn't have a cool nick name. Today is Friday. I'm coming down the stretch of crush. My hands now feel like they showered in salt water after stirring a bucket of rusty nails. This weekend we will finish picking the estate vineyard. Tomorrow Lemberger arrives from Celilo. Monday I will be driving to Horse Heaven to pick up Syrah and Cabernet Franc. That's right, Cabernet Franc.

This is the first year we haven't done Cabernet Sauvignon. The reason? I just don't feel like doing it. I like Cab Sauv. I hang out with some people who like Cab Sauv. I even have friends who drink Cab Sauv on a regular basis. I just find Cab Franc more interesting this year. Kris is doing a tasting this evening in Seattle at Seattle Wine Company. (Wine shop in Bellvue) I don't have a lot going on today but I still have to make her think that I was really busy.

Come up for a visit this weekend. The weather is going to be beautiful, the fall colors are bright and you can help me crush some grapes. Bring some hand lotion.

You make me silky soft, Husum!

Remember last blog when I said that my hands look like those of the guy who fetches parts at the junkyard? Well now they look like they were left on the side of the freeway, run over by thousands of cars and dragged to the floor of the mens bathroom in the Portland train station by wild dogs. Maybe Bonneville Resort has some sort of hand therapy treatment. They ache so bad that the only thing that makes them feel better is holding an ice cold 12 ounce beverage.

Yesterday was our annual picking party. This was the day that I showed the world that I can farm. 50 or so eager volunteers harvested our estate vineyard in sunny, 75 degree weather. As you all know, I'm not one to brag. However, I must say, I kicked that vineyard's ass this year. They should be writing journals about Silvertooth Vineyard's 2006 crop. (Silvertooth is what we call our estate vineyard)
Sure, Kris might tell you that Gavin did all the work in the vineyard over the summer, and that I couldn't farm my way out of a paper bag, but yesterday I at least felt like a farmer. Well, at least I drove a tractor, kind of like farmers sometimes do. . .sort of. Okay, so I'm not a farmer but I must say that we have some of the best estate fruit I've ever seen.

We had some great people for our picking party. Some of them left with great prizes that were hidden in the vines. One lucky picker even won a trip for two to Las Vegas. Others won sweatshirts and rafting trips. I must mention that one of our pickers just sat on her ass all day, talking about how much she loves mounted game trophies. Hood River resident, Jennifer Hart came up with the idea of decorating the entire winery with dead animal heads. Jennifer, that might look good at the Kayak Shed but I don't think it's the direction we're looking to go.

I should be done with crush by the end of the week. Today I'm crushing Pinot Noir and Riesling. Later this week I will be crushing Lemberger, Syrah and Cabernet franc. If you feel like getting out of your cubical and helping me I would love the company. Bring me some stolen office supplies.

You make my hands soft again, Husum!

Joel

This is the time of year when the cubical that you work in begins to sound pretty nice to me. My hands are stained in wine and look like they belong to the guy who fetches parts at the junk yard. I have yet to see the short side of midnight this week. I've lost several pounds in the last few days and look like Nicole Ritchie. I've seen Connor and the Poison Rose a total of about 45 minutes since Monday. Mini the pig has been eating fermented grapes everyday and has developed a serious alcohol problem. I'm getting Pinot Gris in today and will again be up after twelve. Tomorrow I crush Pinot Noir, Sunday is our picking party. Monday I crush Riesling, Tuesday it's off to Horse Heaven to pick up Syrah. Wednesday it's back to Horse Heaven for Cabernet Franc. Hopefully Thurday will be nice enough to pick Lemberger. With a little luck I could be once again sitting on my ass by next Friday. If anyone wants to invite me over for dinner I'll bring the wine. Just don't keep asking me to wash my hands, tell me that I look too thin or call animal authorities on me for getting my pig drunk.

Special thanks to my sponsor at Starcork for bringing me a six pack yesterday. It will make a nice breakfast this morning. The next time you're looking for 100,000 corks for your wine production needs, consider Starcork. Starcork, a name you can trust. Starcork, a quality cork for a quality wine. There's a Starcork representative near you. (If anyone else would like to bring me a six pack, I'll be sure to give your product a nice plug also.)

You keep me busy, Husum.

Great weekend! Our Harvest Moon Celebration went late into the night and even into the next morning. Much food was enjoyed, much wine was poured and much music was listened to. Elle, Megan and the rest of that crazy group gave us an impromtu performance on the WRC stage as well as in the fermenting Tempranillo.

Saturday was a mellow day. There were no grapes coming in and I was able to enjoy a less hectic day in the tasting room. I'd love to tell you about our latest barrel club members but the membership is a suprise birthday gift for the husband of a couple that came up for a visit. Beats the hell out of socks and underwear.

Sunday was quality, not quantity. Two of our guests were from Seattle and So. Cal. We all agreed that Wonder Woman is the greatest female super hero ever. I'm going to look for grown men underoos. I hope I don't have to buy them used.

Also Sunday, two nice ladies came in and helped close the tasting room. They would probably still be here enjoying wine if one of them didn't have to drive back to Seattle.

This week I'll be crushing tons and tons and tons of grapes. Saturday is our Pet Portrait Day and Sunday is our annual "Picking Party". Please don't ask for your pet to have its picture taken in some kinky pose. We're not that kind of winery. We have no tolerance for pet porn. If you're coming to the picking party please contact us to confirm. You're all welcome, we just need to know so that we prepare enough food and chill enough beer, oops, I mean wine.

You keep on ripening, Husum!

Joel

The picture below is Adam (aka Poison Rose) relaxing on a bin full of 2006 Tempranillo. He helped crush it and showed great winemaking potential. You'll have to read back a few blogs if you want to know why Adam is also known as "Poison Rose".

We've got lots of events coming up in the next few weeks. Tomorrow is our Harvest Moon celebration as well as the tenth anniversary of Wind River Cellars. We will have live music gourmet food, dancing midgets and wine.

Next weekend is our Autumn version of Pet Portrait Day. Bring your pets out for a nice photo. (Please, no hamsters)

Next Sunday we are having our annual picking party. We begin picking in the morning. Around 4:00 we stop, uncork bottles and drink like tug boat captains.

The fall around here is a great time to visit. It's much more beautiful than Utah.

I have to go make you wine now.

Joel

People! Enough of the emails. I'm sorry that I haven't had time to document my last several days with this silly blog that Tonya, our website designer, talked me into.

Lets start with last Saturday. At 10:00 a.m. I was just sitting down, thinking I had some time before somebody showed up to taste. At 10:01 I was in the tasting room pouring. (I didn't leave the tasting room until 6:30 p.m.) A very tall Texan and his lovely wife were in town from Houston and needed some Tempranillo. Tex, the next time the two of you are in town lets do dinner.

Later in the day we had a great rafting group for lunch. A dozen or so beautiful women, mostly from Seattle were out for a girl's getaway. Yes, I felt threatened. All I could think of was wishing I had some mace, just in case. Luckily, they all enjoyed themselves enough to respect me as a humble small business owner and not some beefcake play toy.

Towards the end of the day I had three very nice couples, also from Seattle. One of the couples had a cute little girl who our pet pig, Mini, still asks about. (Pigs don't really talk much. They mostly grunt. But if they could talk, Mini would certainly love to have this little girl feed her more treats.)

Sunday I pressed Merlot. So far, it might be the best merlot we've ever crushed.

This morning I headed up to Celilo Vineyard to check numbers. "Checking numbers" is a winemaker's way of going for a beautiful walk. In this case it's the most beautiful. At one point, I looked out at the amazing view and pinched myself. The pinch brought back memories of the women's rafting group and I felt another need to join a support group.

Tempranillo came in today and I'm very excited about it. I figure we have about two more years before every winery in Washington begins planting this gorgeous grape variety.

Chardonnay tomorrow.

I'll make you wine, Husum.

Joel