Thursday, December 3, 2009

It's a DREAM COME TRUE!


Women Who Wine will be making Washington history in January. Our first vintage will be blended, bottled and labeled by the Women Who Wine. The official govt. label for the back of the bottle will be supplied by John. The Bella Vino label was designed by Dusty Kenny in Calif.

John Gabrielle from Coyote Canyon will be helping us blend from his barrels on Monday, January 11th at 10am. I believe it will be done at Coyote Canyon, but we'll let you know for sure as the date gets closer.


Then bring your husbands on Saturday, January 16th at 1pm to help us bottle, label, & box. I can't think of anything more exciting than this! I can't wait to make our 2010 SUPER TUSCAN!!!!
Email any ideas you may have for names, labels, colors, etc.......
B.F.F. Wine? I wish we had a good photo of us all.
Whoda thunk we'd be winemakers?



Women Who Wine doing a preview tasting of our first Super Tuscan blend! It was so fun ladies, thanks for joining us today !

Talk to Muscat Pat if you would like to purchase one of her wine bottle lights. She showed off her lovely wares today! Gorgeous looking cheese plates too!

Monday, November 30, 2009

2010 Calendar

Jan. 11, 10am WWW Wine Blending at Coyote Canyon
12:00 Wine O'Clock lunch
Jan. 16 1pm WWW Wine Bottling with John
Feb. @ Mary Ann Burrows
March @ Jeannie McPhersons
April 12? Upland Vineyards
May 10? Cooper and Portrait Cellars in Red Mountain
June ~ Davenlore & Mercer
July ~New Walla Walla wineries
August 13 Willowbrook & WWW with husbands 6:30pm @Tapteil
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Dec. 3rd Coyote Canyon


Women Who Wine will be meeting on December 3rd, 2009 in town at my home for a special tasting of Coyote Canyon's latest award winning wines at 12:00 noon. 

You are welcome to invite a friend, and bring an appetizer for some yummy food pairing and wine tasting.  A very special friend of mine and Coyote Canyon's wine maker John Gabrielle will be joining us for a great day.  Take a break from the holiday rush, and meet some of Willowbrook's friends.

Please email me to RSVP and for direction to my home at roses4cindy@hotmail.com

Monday, November 2, 2009

Cheese Louise


November gathering at Cheese Louise

I finally figured out how to download a picture from my IPhone ladies...ridiculous I know =}

We did have a wonderful time at this new downtown Richland shop. The cheese & wine parings were a great experience. We had several choices of cheeses, olives, and various breads and crackers. Several new ladies joined us, and a good time was had by all.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Coyote Canyon


When you get up to the top of the hill at Coyote Canyon Vineyards in the Horse Heaven Hills the view is quite expansinve. For miles and miles you drive through dry land wheat till you finally hit this oais of green.
On top of the hill are placed three humugous metal crosses. If you ask owner Mike Andrews about the crosses you get a simple down to earth explanaiton of Jesus Christ's work on the cross for each and everyone of us.

We were encouraged to visit the tasting room at The Winemakers Loft (studio A, in Vintner's Village Prosser) last spring when a good friend of our's John Gabriell started doing some blending for Coyote Canyon's fairly new venture in wine making. You see they have been growing grapes in the region for a very long time. Selling grapes to 27 wineries. Click here for the list!

We stopped by and to our delight fell in love with so many of their wines, and their great prices. As we found ourselves giving many wine tours this summer to family and friends. The one tasting room we always went back to was Coyote Canyon. As Linda began to recognizes us from our consistent visiting, she mentioned the wine club. The light bulb went on. We had been hoping to find a wine club over the summer's wine tasting tours. We signed up and bought some more of their delicious wine at 20% off, and were immediatly encouraged to join them this fall for the first meeting of The Coyote Canyon Wine club.
We were not quite sure what to expect, but as we got to the top of the hill where the club was meeting we were greeted by this. Owner Mike Andrews giving a talk on the winery and the amazing history of his family on this wonderful piece of property that has been handed down through the generations.
The view was so expansive I was having a hard time focusing on the event :)


Pretty soon though I was drawn in by the musical entertainment, and the down home barbeque. Oh...and of course the wine!
There was a good natured wine stomping contest...the winning team receiving a case of wine!



Free tours around the vineyard. Ours was acompanied by a Nashville singer, as he serenaded us per request. We heard one very soulful version of Desperado that moistened a few eyes...as we toured the property.

It seems Coyote Canyon is becoming a family adventure. As my sister (click on sister to check out her post) sits on top of her Montana home site enjoying their wine at the end of a long day.

This past weekend, my son, daughter and son-in-law got a peek behind the scenes workings of the winery. Josh and Tyler got to help punch down the grapes. While we all enjoyed a preview of next year's product as John Gabriell who is now working as their wine maker gave us the tour.





Some of our family favorites: Megan "Life is a Rose" Josh "Cabernet Sauvignon" Tyler "Roussanne" Dan "Mourvedre" I am torn between the "Viognier & Sangiovese" and everybody loves the "Albarino"

John has said yes to a request to come to my home in December to do a wine tasting for our WWW club. Let me know who is interested?

Monday, October 19, 2009

October Wine

It was a lovely trip out to Makyla's today. She welcomed us into her special wine room. We cozied up to the bar and had an nice visit over some great appetizers and a wonderful assortment of reds. By the way those of us who attended got an inside tip on a great deal at the Gage Albertson's. I stopped by, did anyone else???

I enjoyed getting to visit a little bit more intimately with some of my neighbors and our hostess.

On the way I home I simply had to pull over and snap some pictures of the beautiful Columbia in it's fall decor. What a great drive you have out to your place everyday Makyla.

Thank you so much for the invite.






Thursday, October 1, 2009

Friday, August 28, 2009

September Outing!!!













YIPPPPEEEE! Why is it that we're always SO happy that September is here? Is it because our sweet, wonderful children are finally off to school again? Is it because the grapes are ripening and it will only be a few weeks untill they get picked? We love Fall no matter why......

Well, I keep hoping we can leave tomorrow for our jaunt, but we have to wait until Sept. 14th.

Meet at K. Syrah's house at 9am, bring your cooler or wine bag. We are off to Sunnyside to a SPECIAL location. It's a winery that is not open to the public AND was mentioned in the Wine Spectator this month. See photo of their vineyard.

I will tell you that lunch & tasting will be in Prosser at Wine O'Clock and then to another new winery around there. Are you all in suspense?

So far, the WWW that are going are: Ann, Jodi, Cindy, Pat, Karen and a newbie- TRACI !! Anyone else?
Anyone up for a girls night out at Alexandra Nicole? Thursday night, October 1st in Prosser. Mark your calendars. Makyla will tell us more later......

Monday, July 6, 2009

POOL PARTY


Women who Wine with their Husbands! Please come to a casual pool party/bbq at K. Syrah's house on Saturday, July 25th@ 5pm. We will throw something on the barbie, you can bring a bottle of vino and a side dish (or one of your wonderful appetizers or desserts). Come for a swim and stay until 10 :>) See ya'all then!
RSVP, please.
Gayle

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Recipe for cinnamon fruit dip

1 cup vanilla yogurt
1 cup sour cream
2 Tablespoons Honey
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Combine and refrigerate for a couple hours or overnight.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Sleeping Dog


Dan and I made a little trip out to Sleeping Dog this weekend "Spring Barrel Tasting". Check out the side bar for a new blog I found via Larry, I Drink Your Wine. Scroll down to April 20th, where his winery is featured. We had a good time and a great visit with Larry. I ended up liking his Syrahs. Which as you all know are not mine and Merlot Jo's favorites :) So I am wondering if Jo liked his 2002? Not the tang on the front of the tongue thing and fruit forward. So funny he knew exactly what I was talking about. There must be a real wine term for that??? Dan and I both liked the 2005 it is hard sometimes to find a wine that suits us both :) Dan and I both agreed with Gayle, Tail Wagger was a yummy red blend.


I would love to hear about anybody else Spring Barrel tasting jaunts??? We finally did get into Maison Blue, and had a great tasting at Wine'O clock and some great tapas. Might be a thought for May's luncheon spot?


Monday, April 20, 2009

March Tasting



























We had 11 W.W.W today. It was a beautiful, sunny, 80 degree day. Perfect for our drive around the countryside. All the fruit trees were in bloom and very fragrant.
Our first stop was to Canon De Sol. Victor was a charming host and I have to say that I loved every wine that he made. Did you feel the same way? The girls learned a lot from him.Our second stop was in Benton City at Sleeping Dog Winery. When we finally found it, Larry was there patiently waiting for us. We enjoyed learning about his wine making techniques as well. I finally found a rose' that I liked. The Malbec Rose- tasted like cherries and cranberries. The Tail Wagger Cab blend was YUMMY.....




Lastly, up to Tapteil. We were starving by then, so we broke out our feast and devoured it. We have such great chefs in our group. Our new member, Vicky, brought Chocolate Covered Strawberries. She's welcome back anytime! We had Chinese Chicken Salad, Tortilla Roll ups, Phylo Cups with Gorgonzola and nuts, Fruit Kabobs with a cinnamon roll flavored dip (I want that recipe). There were cheeses, hummus, dolmas, meats, veggies, and crumb cake.



Then we got down to business tasting the wine. Thanks Jane for the fun time and to Argus for the Twinkie gift. We all enjoyed the Argus wine, Cabs, and of course- the best Syrah in the world! (I'm a little biased).

A big thanks to our drivers: Mary Ann, Pat, and Karen. We couldn't have done it without you.

Please post your photos here, too.

May 11 is our next trip. Please help me remember where it is we're going?
June 1 is Tulip Lane in Richland.
July is our BBQ, poolside, with hubby's. Here are some dates to consider: 24, 25 or 31?????????

K. Syrah

Monday, April 13, 2009

Spring Fling


Spring is here and it's time we get out of the house and have some fun!
 
The Women Who Wine will be meeting on Monday, April 20th at Gayle's house at 9:30 a.m. Bring your Starbucks and an appetizer to share as we are heading out Cottonwood Canyon for our first tasting at Canon De Sol. Then on over through the cherry orchards to Benton City and Sleeping Dog Winery. Next stop is the top of Red Mountain to our picnic site, Tapteil Winery. There will be Italian Olive oils and Balsamic Vinegars to taste there, too.
We will definitely be back to Gayle's house by 3pm.
Bring a friend and carpool with us! Please have a full tank of gas if you are willing to drive. We pitch in with the cost.
 
Please RSVP to me by Sunday, April 19 for a head count.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

February Luncheon

It was a wonderful day to take a drive out to Merlot Joe's for our February luncheon. This time, you guessed it I am sure. We were blind tasting Merlot. If my notes serve me correctly the big winner was an out of state wine Twomey 2005, from Napa Valley, CA. I believe miss Michelle lifted this particular bottle from her husbands stash? Correct me if I am wrong =/ It was delicious! We did find ourselves a little confused at times through out this tasting, some of the ladies snuck in some blends and even a cab or two. But in the end this wonderful wine won out.

Merlot Jo was the perfect hostess and the appetizers and desserts were amazing.
Gayle's yummy molten chocolate cake!
A good time was had by all. Some new gals have joined our club and I would like to introduce you to them.
Starting on the left is Nancy B. She is still in search of a WhINE name. Maybe we can help her out here and give her a few suggestions. She lives smack dab in the middle of wine country and runs a B&B.
The second gal on the left is Muscat Pat, who is also a recent transplant to the region and just so happens to be a lover of good wine and a wonderful cook. You should be posting some recipes here Pat?
Next I believe is Mary, at first time attendee!
Another gal who is fairly new and hasn't chosen her name, or maybe I just didn't catch it is Jody. She was getting such a kick out of her switcheroo with a cab during the Merlot tasting. She is the little cutie in the middle, between Merlot Jo, and Rou.

So next month we are again staying in town for some authentic Italian cuisine, and Italian wine tasting at K Syrah's.

Maybe she can fill us in here on the date and time. All I can remember is that I am bringing the salad !

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

A Taste OF Tuscany

Bring your favorite Italian appetizer or dessert, and wine (Chianti, Super Tuscan Sangiovese, Pino Gris?) to K. Syrah's at 11 a.m. on March 16.
Ciao Bella's! Perfecto!

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Recap on the Past

The Woman Who WhINE have been busy these last few months. Instead of visiting wineries we have opted to stay home during the winter weather and have instead enjoyed two wine tasting luncheons. They have been a great success, and a wonderful learning experience for all.


Our first luncheon in December was hosted by C.C. at her lovely home in Richland WA. Since Carol is a recent transplant from California and is a big chardonnay fan, we decided to do a chardonnay blind tasting. Everyone brought an undisclosed bottle of chardonnay.


Surprise, surprise, we had a three way tie for First Place. We voted using three pennies each to place in front of our favorite wines. As we sipped along and tasted the chardonnay's some of us took notes and then we voted. Quite simple, but oh so revealing especially when cost of our top three contenders was made known.



$22.99
Milbrandt Vineyards
Evergreen Legacy
2006
Washington State
$18.99
Montes Alpha 
2005 
Casablanca Valley,Chile

$6.99
Columbia Crest 
Two Vine Wine
2005
Washington State