Wind River Cellars

I couldn't believe my eyes this morning. I woke up to a very impressive 22 inches. Kris and I couldn't help but stare at it. I didn't want to leave my house. I just wanted to admire my 22 inches. Kris was so excited about getting 22 inches that she went and got her camera. Below are pictures of the 22 inches.

Joe from El Mirador Winery in Walla Walla and his wife came to stay with us Thursday. Saturday around 11:00 they headed back to Hell. . . .I mean. . . Walla Walla. (By the way, if you see an '05 El Mirador Cabernet Sauvignon at your local wine retailer, buy it.) The snow was just beginning to fall. By 12:00 there was an inch. By 7:00 there was 15 inches. When it was about six inches deep I decided that I'd better get on the tractor and plow the driveway. I went from relaxing on the couch, enjoying a work free day, to wishing Wind River Cellars would burn to the ground. Going outside and climbing on the tractor to plow is usually a pretty simple task. Turn the key and go. On this particular day I went out to turn the key and nothing happened. Diesel tractors hate cold and I had to jump start it. No problem. I'll just jump it with the fork lift. Turn the key on the forklift. Nothing. So now I have to jump start the forklift so that I can jump start the tractor. Kris took the boys snowboarding so I can't use the big SUV for jump starting. I have to use the old vineyard pick-up. Guess what? It hasn't been started since before Mexico so naturally it was dead. The good news was that the pick-up was parked on an incline. I once went a whole semester of college with a dead battery. I parked everyday on a hill so that I could compression start my car. Getting the pick-up started should be a piece of cake, and it was. I just pointed it down the driveway and popped the clutch. Fired right up. Then I got stuck in the snow. Wish I had a tractor that ran so that I could clear the driveway so that I could get my pick-up up to jump start the forklift so that I could jump start the tractor so that I could clear the drive way. I did finally get the pick-up unstuck and went through the whole progression.

While clearing the driveway, the tractor ran out of diesel. I've heard that a jet engine is one of the loudest things there is. I've read that The Who is the loudest band to ever play. I'm amazed how loud the trains are when they roll thru Bingen. Nothing could compare to how loud the profanities coming from my mouth were when the tractor ran out of diesel. I could have made a logger blush. As you can see from the photo below, I eventually got the driveway plowed.

Our new '06 Cab Franc has become our top selling wine since we began pouring it in the tasting room. It's available now and we have a lot of it but I do expect it to sell fast. We also have 4 other new wines that you can taste when you come up to admire my 22 inches.

What's the most logical thing a person could do when there's nearly two feet of snow on the ground? That's right, drive to barrel member, Matt's house in Husum to hang out with a few buddies. Matt, thank you for a fun evening last night. I look forward to returning the hospitality at the Wind River Cellars Barrel dinner in April.

Don't forget about the chili cook-off next weekend and the official release of 5 new vintages on Presidents Day weekend.

Sorry if my profanity offended you, Husum!

Joel

My Mexico tan is close to being completely faded and standing in the cellar reminds me that Husum can get cold in the winter. Last week I racked and blended Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir. Though these wines, along with '06 Tempranillo and '05 Merlot, won't be officially released until Presidents Day weekend, they are available now in our tasting room to polite visitors. Kris will be taking oldest son, Hollywood, to Italy for his 13th birthday and will be gone that weekend. Please bring me already prepared dinners that are easy to heat. I'll try to return the Tupperware.

Those of you who have asked about the rumor of another winery opening here in Husum at the bottom of our road, I know details. I don't want to be premature (again) but I will say that there is talk and I'm very excited about it. Stay tuned.

Don't forget to sign up for our 6th Annual Wind River Cellars Chili Cook-Off on the Saturday before Superbowl. You are welcome to show up with an entry or simply show up as a judge. It has always been a fun event.

I would like to remind all barrel members to sign up for your barrel tasting party with all of your friends, which is included in your membership. Bring your co-workers, family members, neighbors, spouse and even your mistress. Those of you that have done it before know how educational and fun it is.

2007 Wind River Cellars Visitor of the Year runner-up, Josh and his fiance, Michelle, came for a visit over the weekend. We must have made quite an impression because they have decided to tie the knot here at the winery this summer even though they live in Southern California. Josh was the official MC for the WRC Golf Spectacular. (Go back to last July's blog entry to find details on Josh.) I look forward to thier big day.

I'll be here all week if you feel like coming up for some wine. We'll taste some barrels. It'll be fun. Visitors of the week include the teachers from Vancouver, the cross country skiers from Seattle and the couple staying at Inn of the White Salmon.

You may be cold on the outside Husum, but you sure are warm on the inside.

Joel

Chili Cook-Off is in three or so weeks. Who will be this years champion? Who will win that all expenses paid trip to El Paso, TX for the regionals? Will any of those people who brag about their chili all year have the guts to actually show up with an entry? We've had some great entries over the years. Some contestants have been reaching for glory since we began the event 5 or 6 years ago. Andy from Portland has come close a few times. The "Husum Howler" is always a top 3 or 4 finisher. We even had 8 year-old Savannah win a few years ago, angering several adults who swore that it was all rigged. Last year's winner became very defensive when I jokingly suggested that they had won under suspicious circumstances. What struck me funny about them is that they never did understand that this event is for fun. One of the other guests compared them to people showing up for keraoke night thinking that a famous talent scout was going to be there to discover them. There's always drama here at the Wind River Cellars Chili cook-off. If you're thinking of entering a veggie chili, turkey chili or tofu chili please save yourself the time. They always suck. Email us for details if you're thinking about entering. We always host it on the Saturday before Superbowl and it is truly one of my top 3 favorite events of the year! Speaking of Superbowl, I have nothing to do. Invite me to your house. I'll bring the wine.

Presidents weekend is just weeks away and we'll be releasing 4 new wines. Most of the wineries here in the gorge will be hosting some sort of open house. I promise you a unique experience at every one of them if you come out. Here at Wind River Cellars we'll be pouring about 12 wines, tasting dozens of barrels and possibly opening a few library wines as well.

The snow is under control now and our driveway is clear for passage. Come up for a visit.

You were meant for me and I was meant for you, Husum!

Joel

We have snow here at the winery. Depending on your perspective, it's either a winter wonderland or an inconvenience when trying to come up for wine tasting. Our road and driveway are clear, though you may want to reconsider if you don't have 4 wheel drive.

This Friday evening I will be at Oly's Wine Shop in Centralia. I was scheduled to be there before the holidays but had to postpone because of the floods that happened there. I look forward to returning now that the mess is mopped up. I'll be pouring Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, Riesling and Late Harvest Chenin Blanc.

Lots of things going on here in the near future. Check out our website for details.

You look beautiful in white, Husum!

Joel

Hola amigos! Today was my first day back to work in 2008 and frankly, I think work sucks. That's why I decided to give myself the afternoon off. Mexico was fantastic and I had a great time with all of you who made the trip. If you were there please email me any pictures you may have so that I can post them. There were several highlights of the trip. The several cases of wine I shipped down made it just fine and were enjoyed by the dozens and dozens of you that attended. After drinking Pacifico and Corona all day, having a glass of wine with dinner was a very refreshing treat. I highly recommend you make plans for next year's event. Just ask Lap Dance Jon, Barrel member Alicia or EOTM Runner-Up, Ryan. The Wind River Cellars Holiday in Mexico trip was better than ever.

I have 8 beautiful inches here and I'd love for you to enjoy them with me. That may sound like a lot to some of you but once you get up here and enjoy some wine you won't be intimidated by my 8 inches at all. Don't worry, the road is clear and the winery driveway has been plowed. You won't have to drive thru the 8 inches.

I hope all of you had a great holiday season. You kept us busy sending out shipments of wine right up to the deadline and we were glad to do it. January is always calm around here and it's a great time to come up and taste some barrels. I'd love to get your opinion on a few blends I'm thinking about. You can enjoy a glass of wine while staring at my 8 inches. . .of snow.

Things to mark on your calender:
*5th annual chili cook-off, Saturday before Superbowl
*Presidents day weekend open house/release party, Presidents day weekend
*Fondue in February, I forget the day so check the damn website.

I'll be awarding bottles of wine to blog readers who enter the 1st annual Wind River Cellars "I recieved the dumbest holiday gift in the world" contest. Just email and tell me about the dumb gift you recieved and you will be eligible for a prize. I will also award prizes for great holiday office party stories and great family holiday gathering stories.

You look great with a lamp shade on your head, Husum!

Joel