Hello my people,
Welcome to the most sacred of all weeks, the week leading up to not only the Superbowl, but also the annual Wind River Cellars Chili Cook-Off. We will have at least ten contestants this year, fighting for the top prize of an all expense paid trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico for the National Regionals. Besides coming out to vote for your favorite chili, you will have an opportunity to visit our interactive fan demonstration area, "The Chili Experience". This will give the common chili cook-off fan a chance to rub elbows with some of the greatest chili makers around and possibly get a few autographs. I will also be around fetching up barrel samples of soon-to-be-released '07 Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Tempranillo and Merlot.
For those of you checking in to see what kind of event we will have for Superbowl I am excited to announce that we will be moving the tasting room down to the bottom of our hill to Hooba's restaurant for the big game. Traditionally my family and I wake up on Superbowl Sunday morning and sing Superbowl carols. After we exchange Superbowl Gifts and decorate the Superbowl tree we sit down for our Superbowl feast. Because of the unusually cold temperatures in the winery cellar this year, we've decided to seek the warmth of Hooba's. Hooba will have the largest screen in Klickitat County, plenty of food, wine from Wind River Cellars and another beverage that I'm not very familiar with, called beer. I understand that beer is traditionally served cold and goes quite well with foods served at a Superbowl bash. I will be closing the winery tasting room Superbowl Sunday to observe the holiday. I certainly hope to see you at Hooba's. (www.killerburgers.com)
Below is a picture of what I woke up to this morning. Not quite the five inches I saw yesterday when I woke up but still stunning. No worries, the road is bare and in great shape for your visit.
We have a lot of great events coming up. Check out our website for details.
Happy Superbowl, Husum!
Joel
What a great weekend! My hunch was right about Corks Wine Bar in Tacoma where I poured wine Thursday night. I am going to have to put this 6th Avenue hot spot on my top ten list and definitely number one in Pierce County. If you live in or near Tacoma I highly recommend this place. Owners Chris and Susan have created a friendly non-stuffy environment perfect for meeting friends or just an intimate date with that special someone. Check out their website for scheduled events.
Friday and Saturday took me a few miles north into the burly-man territory of Enumclaw. I refuse to make anymore animal jokes about this rural suburb. While pouring at Sip City I met some really great people, including Scott and his employee, Serena. I enjoyed myself so much that I signed up for what should be a really great time. The first ever Enumclaw Chocolate and Wine festival will be held February 6th & 7th, noon to 9pm at the Enumclaw Expo Center. (www.enumclawchocolatefestival.com) I understand that there will be over 20 wineries participating, including yours truly. (At this time I wish I wouldn't have promised to not make any animal jokes about Enumclaw. I'm thinking of a funny one.)
Chili Cook-Off is coming January 31. If you think you make a great chili, shut your mouth and sign up to enter. If you don't wish to enter you're still invited to show up and be a judge. We'll see if Husum resident, Gary J can hang on to the crown. If you scroll back to past post chili cook-off blogs you can read about all the drama and excitement that this event creates.
Don't forget about the other many events we have coming up, including the release of many new wines. (Another animal joke comes to mind but again I refrain.) Check our website.
Quit horsin' around, Husum!
Joel
Just a reminder. I'll be pouring wine at Cork Wine Bar in Tacoma This Thursday night the 15th (3012 6th Ave.) and Sip City Wine in Enumclaw on Friday and Saturday the 16th and 17th. I'd give you the address of Sip City but their web-site is so "Snob-free" that they don't list it. I can tell that I'm going to like this place. Their phone number is 360.825.1695.
The weather here in the Gorge should also be spectacular over the weekend. If you like our current vintages you'd better get those sweet cheeks of yours up here soon because they're almost gone.
Keep it short and sweet, Husum!
Joel
Hola,
After three weeks in Mexico I needed a week to reaclimate myself to the ways of us lazy, overweight Americans. First of all, The annual Wind River Cellars Holiday in Mexico was as fun as usual and we've already begun making arrangements for next year's trip. If you're interested drop us a line.
We came home to 24" of snow and I'm proud to say that I was the most tan white guy in the town of Husum plowing snow the next day. I spent about 4 hours making the winery driveway navigatable for even the smallest of economy size cars. Looking out the window now I see nothing but green grass, leafless trees, and a very white Mt. Hood.
The tasting room is open again and I spent a great portion of the weekend pouring samples for the visitors who were tired of being trapped by winter conditions. Wine tastes very strange to me after drinking thousands of Coronas and Pacificos tainted with lime.
I will be pouring wine this Thursday at Cork in Tacoma. Cork is an up and coming wine bar/wine shop that I've heard lots of great things about but have never been to. If you're in the area stop by and taste some of the last bottles of our outstanding current releases. In the next 4 weeks we will be releasing about 8 new wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Lemberger, Tempranillo, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Pinot Noir. I can't remember ever releasing this many new vintages at once.
As usual, check out our website for upcoming events. I'm toying with the idea of having a Superbowl party in the cellar. I have an huge projection screen TV and lots of wine. I would like to invite YOU. Please RSVP so I know how many pretzels to buy.
Don't forget that our 6th annual WRC Chili Cook-Off is the Saturday before Superbowl. This event is always full of drama, controversy, and good times.
I can't wait to see what Santa brought you, Husum!
Joel
