This is on my bucket list, how about yours? Making Love in a Vineyard! I have traveled to a number of wine regions around the world and my thought is one should heed caution prior to venturing into the vineyard with your best Barry White rendition of “Let’s get it on” with your special person. If you are contemplating crossing this off your bucket list then please choose your wine region carefully.

• Barossa Valley, Australia? Absolutely beautiful wine country but isn’t Australia home to 8 out 10 of the world’s deadliest snakes? Not to mention there is the possibility of getting attacked by Kangaroos.
  
• How about Italy? Piedmont, Tuscany, Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terra the challenge here will be the terrain, steep slopes and being caught by the owner. But a good choice! Just make sure the owner is not a Harley riding member of the Hell’s Angels, a winecation story for another time.
  

How about closer to home,

• K Vintners, Walla Walla Wine Country? Bring your self-inflating mattress the stones are very large in this rocky soil.
  
• Rattlesnake Hills? Again snakes…
  

I have a great suggestion and yes you can safely cross this off your bucket list.

How about Horse Heaven Hills aka H3? Alexandria Nicole Cellars has a beautiful vineyard called Destiny Ridge in H3 with a view of the Columbia River and they offer a glamping package that would be perfect for plugging in your IPod and cranking up Barry or a little Journey. For you camping princesses ANC’s tents have Persian carpets, down duvets and even electricity and running water. The local area offers activities including fishing, bike riding, horseback riding, kayaking, hikes and wildlife watching and yes getting it on vineyard style.  For more information contact them at (509) 786-3497 and visit their website at www.ancglamping.com.

Cheers,

Have a great Valentine’s Day

Rich

Some Themed wine ideas for your Valentine’s Day

Shameless Hussey- Hard Row to Hoe

Lady in Red | Kestrel Wines

Seduction | Obrien Estate Wines

Meditrina | Sokol Blosser

Evil Twin | Gorman Winery

Naked Gewurztraminer | Snoqualmie Winery

Cleavage Creek | A great cause for breast cancer

Marilyn Wines | The velvet collection

Rose the Riveter | Olympic Cellars

Mad HouseWife Chardonay | Mad Housewife Cellars

Wild Thing | Zerba Cellars

Gnarly Head Zin | Gnarly Head Cellars

Chez Quah | The Rouge (coming soon)

1. Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon CV Reserve 2005 95pts $27

(Was one of the first Wineries my wife and I visited many years ago in the late 80′s, Great location in Paterson WA)

26. Cayuse Syrah Walla Walla Valley Cailloux Vineyard 2006 95pts $65

33. Novelty Hill Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2006 92pts $25

(Worked the bottling line in 1986 for Mike Januik, at Stewart Vineyards, you are making some great juice! Congrats!)

36. Efeste Syrah Red Mountain Ceidleigh 2006 93pts $29

(On the list to visit for St Nicks for sure now!)

38. Ch Ste. Michelle Cabernet HHH Canoe Ridge Estate 2006 92pts $28

60. Spring Valley Uriah Walla Walla Valley 2006 93pts $50

66. Barnard Griffin Riesling Columbia Valley 2008 90pts $8

72. The Magnificent Wine Company Syrah Columbia Valley 2006 91pts $20

74. Waterbrook Cabernet Sauvignon CV Reserve 2006 91pts $22

Congrats to all the Washington Wineries who made the list.

Thanks Wine Spectator

Cheers!

We had a savory lunch at Karma Vineyards and enjoyed a flight of wine followed by a bottle of “Try” with lunch,(thanks Bill).  The flight had 3 red wines, the “Try” and “Zen” my favorite was the “Zen”…spicy, dark fruits with a long velvety finish.  Julie thanks for the great service and “Go Goats!”

With our need for food fulfilled and smiles on our faces we headed to Vin du Lac’s malbec release party.  We have attended some great wine release parties; Vin du lac gave it a good try, the results were a sign that the AVA is young.  We did discover our value wine of the weekend here, despite the fact we had to go to the Red Apple in Manson to buy it, for whatever reason they were tasting the 2006 Syrah $19 but not selling it at the release party… would have bought a case…oops.

Then it was off to Hard Row to Hoe, and I am not sure where to start.  Before for I walked in I had a winecation flashback of walking into Torbeck in Barossa Valley AU.  Great location overlooking the valley below with an orchard building ambiance still left over from way back when.  We were greeted by Don and Rudy when we walked in and they set up the 6 of us with glasses.  The first pour was the Edelzwicker, a wonderful blend of Gewurztraminer and Riesling that hit the spot.  This wine left me wishing for 85 degree weather and a bbq to pair with it.  Speaking of spots it was right after the Edelzwicker that the wall paper was pointed out to me, sure enough there were lots of spots being hit on the wallpaper, LOL…  this paper is rated R for immature 40+ audiences only.. loved it, especially the bathroom wall paper.   Next pour, a wine my palate really enjoyed the Miss de Miner, a wonderful cab that made me want to reach for the blue cheese and a steak knife, lots of chocolate, dark cherries and a hint of bacon fat.

Hard Row to Hoe is a great example of a boutique winery demonstrating their passion for wine quality over quantity.  Hard Roe has successfully re-branded their image bringing appeal, sexiness and an edge that sets a great wine tasting experience….great job!  Don thanks for bringing out the feather boas, the ladies loved them.

Our short winecation left us with a great impression of the Lake Chelan Wine Valley as a great emerging wine country that deserves more than one visit to experience all they have to offer.  This is region will likely double in size over the next two years.  This is a great winecation destination for couples, friends, and family so get out visit Lake Chelan Wine Valley.

(Note they will be sharing this space with Maison Bleue from Prosser) So we will be back soon:)

Next stop Alexandia Nicole Cellars in the Woodinville warehouse district. As a wine club member we scooted back to the members only area and tasted some great wine. If you have not been here it is a must. ANC’s wine clubs have the best perks.

A great way to fill a couple hours on the weekend blending wine tasting with a little travel, and great friends.
Get out and Winecation!
Cheers
Rich

Join Gary Vaynerchuk for an unforgettable vacation experience aboard the Crush It Cruise!

Crush It Cruise! The beautiful MSC Poesia will set sail from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on March 20th, making ports of call in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburgh, St. Maarten; Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas.

On board, you’ll spend an entire week with Gary, participating in a variety of incredible wine and business seminars. Of course, you’ll have time to explore all the other amenities on board this luxury liner and take advantage of unique shore excursions.

As you’ll see in the video testimonials, last year’s cruise did not disappoint and we intend to make the 2010 version even better!

If you can’t make the cruise then buy Gary V’s new book Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion

Cheers!

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Wine-cation Package

• Luxurious accommodations in a NICER* style room
• Wine tasting for two in Fireside Cellars
• Complimentary use of bicycles to ride the Burke Gilman Trail and visit neighboring wineries
• Le Picnic – Willows Lodge signature picnic basket filled with a picnic for two

Starting at $365 per couple

Book this Package

Subject to room and rate availability. Not applicable towards contracted rates, with any other offer or for groups. Package does not include room taxes. Other restrictions may apply.

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