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.

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?

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.

September 2009 Wine O' Clock

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......

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

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.

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?

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

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.