Wind River Cellars

With every tick of the clock harvest gets closer. I should consider getting one of those digital clocks. I have one more vineyard spray to apply. I'm expecting the best fruit we've ever had from this estate.

Yesterday was my wedding anniversary. Kris and I usually go out for dinner and discuss how lucky she is that I'm her husband. This usually goes on for hours and hours. This year we decided to do something different so we went snowboarding with Connor and Poison Rose. It's the first time my boys have snowboarded in August and it was a perfect way for them to enjoy the last day of their Summer vacation.

Kris and I did happen to dine out at Celilo Restaurant last night. My mom would have been shocked to see me enjoying an organic tomato salad. Don't worry. We washed it down with a Rib eye and a bottle of L'Ecole 41 Columbia Valley Cab Sauv. Delish!

While my family was swooshing down the sunny slopes of Mt. Hood, Hooba was covering for us in the tasting room. I should leave him in charge more often because he sold a lot of wine. Of course he let people barter for most of it. I now have three beaver pelts, 24 Mason jars, a '74 Pinto transmission and tickets for the local grade school's production of "Up with People". Thanks Hooba.

Labor Day weekend is upon us. Get here and find out what kind of freak my wife is for being married to me for 14 years.

You're a hunk of burning love, Husum.

Joel

The summer is getting close to being over. If you haven't visited us in the past three months, you still have time to pick up, what I think, is the best line-up of wines we've ever offered. There's not a bad one in the bunch.

Last night I got to hang out with Mike. Mike was instrumental in our first harvest here at WRC and has a huge amount of experience in winemaking and brewing. Brewing is the process of making the beverage known as "Beer". Mike likes beer. I like Mike. Beer makes me smart, handsome, shy and funny. Just ask my wife.

Hooba is getting closer to opening the restaurant here in Husum. I've already heard from many of you devoted readers regarding Hooba's opening night. I look forward to showing my support. You can bet that I'll be smart, handsome, shy and funny.

Visitors of the weekend include the very nice couple from Kentucky and their son. I don't know where those stereotypes come from that suggest Kentucky folk date their sibblings. The son seemed very polite and his Aunt Mom and Uncle Dad wore shoes.

Tonight were hosting our supper club. We're doing fondue. When Craig, from Bad Seed Cider isn't looking, I'm going to sneak cat food onto his skewer.

Keep sizzlin', Husum!

Joel

August 20th? Are you kidding me? My kids go back to school next week? My summer is over? Harvest is just a few weeks away? Speaking of harvest, this year we will be bringing back our famous Harvest Party. That's where we invite all of you to attend an all day party then we exploit your free labor by sending you out into the vineyard to pick grapes. Around 4:00 p.m. we begin to bring out beverages. By 5:00 the picking is done and it's a full on party. Typically, we serve up a great dinner and offer plenty of wine. We didn't do it last year because the year before everyone was lazy, too many people sat around, and the tree huggers bitched because there was no vegitarian alternative and the salad wasn't 100% organic. If this event interests you please contact us. It's always a lot of fun and you have a chance to win some great prizes.

After 10 years Kris and I feel it's time. Designer, Craig Spaeth has presented us with a new label design that rocks harder than the backbeat of that rockin' band, Elevensock. (www.myspace.com/elevensock) Originally, we were just going to use the new design for our reserve wines but when we saw it we were too blown away. I was hoping to go with a label sporting me, flexing my pythons with no shirt on, but Kris said people would become ill and not want to drink the wine.

We've got another busy weekend coming up folks. Come on up and experience the weekend energy of Wind River Cellars. Tomorrow is "Last Friday" in Bingen. Live music, live art, live beverages, live nudes. . .wait a minute. That would be our harvest party.

stay out of trouble, Husum!

Joel

It's Sunday late afternoon. Though Kris is still working at an event in Hood River, I feel like I can see the end of the weekend from here.

Friday night we had the pleasure of Winemaker, Don Townshend from Townshend Cellars in Spokane, stay with us. Kris tossed out some awesome steaks and Don poured some of his 02 and 03 Syrah. I did nothing. Don was also participating in the Wine, Art & Music festival in Camas, along with 15 or so other wineries including yours truly.

I was in paradise. Though it was hotter than Bee Arthur in a thong, I got to hang out with Don, Luke from Cor Cellars, Joe from El Mirador Winery, Hooba and a few other of my favorite winemakers. This festival just happened to be a chip shot away from one of my favorite restaurants, Puffin' Cafe. Puffin' is a Jamaican restaurant in Camas that has a beverage invented by the Chinese thousands of years ago called "Beer". Beer is traditionally served cold and I understand that it can be refreshing on a hot day. Also try the fish tacos.

Dan poured at the "Case of the Blues" in Yakima. I haven't heard from him yet so if you were at that crazy party, email me and let me know how he did.

I haven't spent much time in the tasting room this weekend but I did enjoy a visit from two very nice ladies from the other Washington, a couple from Lubbick, Texas and an attourney from Castle Rock who I'm going to drink a beer with in about two weeks when we both coincidentally will be staying at the same hotel in Oklahoma City.

Poison Rose and I are going to the Logs (local restaurant) for dinner. Thank God for the Chinese.

Sharpen your tools, Husum. Harvest time is coming.

Joel

Good news everyone! I think I've finally been cleared in the JonBonet Ramsey case. I expect apologies from all of you accusers.

I just finished blending the '04 Pinot Noir. This wine punches you right in the kisser with bold Pinot charactor, but is also one of the lightest looking red wines we've ever made. We will probably release it around Thanksgiving. Your turkey won't care about the color.

This weekend offers you the opportunity to sample our wines and enjoy our company in several different places. Here at the WRC tasting room, Kris will be pouring up the usual dozen or so wines. The weather will be perfect for sitting on our deck and enjoying our wine. Last night we were able to see the forest fire on Mt. Hood from our deck. Is anything better than watching Oregon burn while sipping Washington State wine? (I'm kidding. I don't really want Oregon to burn.)

If you're feeling festive you can check us out at two festivals this weekend. Dan will be covering "Case of the Blues" in Yakima and I will be appearing at the Wine, Art and Music festival in Camas. Case of the Blues is a loud, crowded, busy festival with tons of live music and lots of beer and wine consumption. You all know how much I hate beer. I chose to cover the WAM in Camas for a few reasons. It's closer, I get to hang out with Luke from Cor Cellars and several other of my favorite wine makers, and I kind of like Camas. Oh ya, Hooba will be there too. Maybe I can get the five dollars he owes me from that bet. He was one of the people that thought I had something to do with the JonBonet case.

Stay out of jail, Husum!

Joel

How long until January? You people are kicking my butt! It's hard to believe that this little winery in Husum, WA is getting this kind of traffic. This weekend's MVP visitors include the couple from San Fran and San Antonio, the nice family from Beaverton, and how can I forget, the four people from Portland who are staying with one of my neighbors for the weekend.

Today was the HaveAHusumDay.com Ducky Derby. Thank you to all who participated. We had a great time and experienced some fantastic duck racing. Poison Rose and I manned a recovery boat along with Ken, Gavin and Connor. I'm pretty sure that all but two unfortunate rubber ducks were recovered. That White Salmon River is amazing every time I paddle it.

The Wind River Cellars estate vineyard is looking amazing. We will be making awesome wine this year!

Hooba is close! I can't wait to go to the bottom of our hill to enjoy whatever it is that he will have on the menu. Though there is controversy about his reluctance to serve ranch dressing, I think that he just might know what he's doing. Email us to reserve a spot at the WRC table on his opening night.

It's hard to quit you, Husum!

Joel

While you were all slacking and wasting time reading this lame blog, I was working my butt off. I filtered, I bottled, I sprayed the vineyard, and I worked the tasting room.

This has been one of those weeks where I thought "Wow, I got some things done." I'm beginning to get a good idea of what grapes we will crush this year and what wines we will be making. You'll find all of your favorites. . .plus one or two new varieties.

I understand that some wacko from Camas is opening a cool restaurant here in Husum. Let me tell you folks, He's a nut job. Dude's got a screw loose. He's always in a good mood, he has impressive culinary experience, and he knows how to manage a restaurant. How in the world is someone like that ever going to make it? Hooba's is shooting for early September to open. Visit us in the tasting room and we'll all go down there and protest.

Memorable guests in the tasting room this week include Ben and his Dad from Denver, those honeymooners from Ashville, NC, and the fun couple from Vegas.

PEOPLE! We can ship your wine for you. I'm sorry that you can no longer take your hair gel on an airplane. If you bring it to me I will put it in with the case of wine that you want shipped home. It will be waiting for you on your door steps when you return from your gorge vacation.

Thanks to all of you who have sent me pictures of you having fun here at WRC. I will try to post some of them soon.

Keep it real, Husum!

Joel

Nothing humbles me more than the great outdoors. Kris, Connor, Poison Rose and myself just spent the last four days living under primitive camping conditions at the base of Mt. Adams. We were roughing it but it was all about the nature. The nearest store that sold cold beverages, rented DVDs, and had cell phone service was two whole miles away. Our human intinct for survival took over and we were able to defeat the elements.

Though we were gone for 4 days, I did have to come back to the winery Saturday evening for Joe and Neysa's wedding. I don't know what made me more tired. The
"roughin' it" or the 15 minute drive back home. Whatever it was, I was honored to host a great reception for a very nice couple. If you're considering getting married and having a wedding reception, don't invite people from Montana. Though they are fun, polite and great at helping with clean up, they can drink a lot of wine.

Summer is winding down, people. Get here and pick up your 04 Tempranillo before it's all gone.

I have to go now. National Geographic will probably be calling wanting rights to my experience in the great outdoors. Did I mention that I had to drive two miles to get more cold beverages?

Stay hydrated, Husum!

Joel