EDITOR’S NOTE: To promote your wine event on our Calendar of Events, simply e-mail the specifics about the event to: chuck@discoverwashingtonwine.com. It’s best to send your information to us at least 30 days prior to the event.

Wine Tasting at the Walter Clore Center

Saturday, Oct. 19 – Wine Class: Hidden Gem – 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Wine enthusiasts who take this class will be treated to comparative tastings of Syrah produced from grapes grown in Washington State’s hidden gem – the Lake Chelan AVA. Even though they come from the same terrior, the Syrah wines selected for this class all taste just a bit different. Come early or stick around after class and taste other hand-selected wines from Lake Chelan for only $1. Plus, all wine purchases made by those who attend the class will be discounted by 10%.   Instructor: William Pollard. Class Level: Novice. The cost to attend this class is just $20; $15 for members of The Clore Center’s Best Cellars Wine Club.

Saturday, Oct. 26 — Meet the Maker – 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Come meet Athena Sandidge, owner with her husband C.R. Sandidge of C.R. Sandidge Wines at The Clore Center’s “Meet the Maker” event on Saturday, Oct. 26.  Located in the Lake Chelan Valley AVA in Manson, WA., C.R. Sandidge Wines is a privately owned, small lot-winery that on average produces 1,500 cases of wine annually. The winery is known for its exquisitely crafted red wines, elegant whites, port and dessert wines. Their wines have scored 90 points or better more than 50 times by Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast magazines. Athena will be pouring a select variety of C.R. Sandidge wines, including the winery’s acclaimed Tri*Umph and Caris wines. She will bring enough wine for you to buy and take home with you. The only cost to meet Athena is The Clore Center’s daily tasting fee of $10.

Saturday, Oct. 26 – October Supper Club – 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

The Clore Center’s October Supper Club event will be a very special affair featuring the wines of Bart Fawbush, owner of Bartholomew Winery, and the authentic American cuisine of Roger Hazzard, owner of Bon Vino’s Bistro and Bakery in Sunnyside, WA. Fawbush’s Bartholomew Winery was the first tenant at Columbia Gardens Wine Village in Kennewick, WA. He has earned a reputation for making “out-of-the-mainstream” varieties, which are proving popular with consumers. Residents of Grandview and Sunnyside, WA., know and love Hazzard’s Bon Vino’s Bistro and Bakery. A long-time resident of Washington’s Yakima Valley, Hazzard has worked passionately in the food industry for more than 35 years. The full menu and wine pairings for this Supper Club event will be posted soon on The Clore Center’s website: www.theclorecenter.org/classes-experiences.

Supper Club is a monthly dinner with a different theme each time. From guest chefs, to featured produce, to visiting winemakers and more, there’s always something unique at Supper Club. Tickets are $60 per person, plus tax; $55 for members of The Clore Center’s Best Cellars Wine Club. Ticket purchase includes wine pairings with each course. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Supper Club dinners sell out fast, so make sure to buy your tickets ASAP.

Saturday, Nov. 30 – Meet the Maker – 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Meet one of Washington’s most prolific winemakers at The Clore Center’s “Meet the Maker” event on Saturday, Nov. 30. Kendall Mix has been making wines for some of the state’s biggest wineries since 1993. In 2000 he started his own project called Lawrelin Wine Cellars, focusing on making wine to age in very small quantities.

Grapes sourced from some of the best vineyards throughout Washington’s Columbia Valley and producing less than 250 cases per vintage, Lawrelin wines are designed to bottle age, providing a balance and finesse not found in younger wines. Come meet Kendall, taste these unique wines, and take some home with you. The only cost to meet Kendall is The Clore Center’s daily tasting fee of $10.

About Class Levels: No entry test or proof of experience is needed to attend any classes – we list the level of class for our experienced guests.

• Novice = very basic information, including step by step tasting, wine etiquette, basic food pairing recommendations, surface level regional education, value wine.
• Intermediate = brief tasting guide, historic and regional information, advanced culinary insights, higher value wine
• Advanced = skip tasting guides, and dive into in-depth regional and historic information, more unique food pairings (if applicable), premium wines.

To order tickets for these events, visit: theclorecenter.org. Or call The Clore Center at (509) 786-1000. Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center is located at 2140A Wine Country Rd., Prosser, WA., 99350.

Fall Events at Waterbrook Winery

There’s a lot going on at Waterbrook Winery this fall.

FRIDAY NIGHT WINE PAIRING CLASSES

On Friday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 until the end of October, Waterbrook will hold hands-on wine pairing classes at which guests will taste six different small bites and see how they interact with different Waterbrook wines. Each class will be led by one of the winery’s Certified Sommeliers. Cost: $40 per person.

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT DINNERS

Every Friday and Saturday night from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. until the end of October, Waterbrook will be offering its full dinner menu featuring Tomahawk & Hatchet ribeye steak or white salmon. Guests will be able to watch their dinner being barbecued on the grill while enjoying a variety of Waterbrook wines.

BLENDING SEMINARS

On Saturday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. until the end of October, you can blend select Waterbrook wines to create your own custom bottle of wine. Guests will even be able to design their own labels and take their new blends home with them. Cost: $60 per person.

WORKING WOMEN WEDNESDAY

On Wednesday Oct. 20, ladies who visit Waterbrook Winery from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. will receive special perks on food and wine, such as free tastings and 15% off bottle purchases. The Waterbrook kitchen will also provide special Happy Hour appetizers from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Waterbrook Winery is located at 10518 W. Highway 12, Walla Walla, WA. 99362. For more information about any of the above events, contact Sarah Magill, Waterbrook Winery’s Events Coordinator, at (509) 522-1262.

Lake Chelan Crush Festival – Saturday and Sunday, October 12-13

Join the many wineries that now call the Lake Chelan Wine Valley home in celebrating the annual Lake Chelan Crush Festival on Oct. 12 and 13.  This is the time of year when the work in the vineyards comes to the crush pad and wineries throughout the valley open their barrel room doors to anxiously await the arrival of wine enthusiasts. Watch the grapes tumble through the press and taste the raw juice that it produces. Get the inside scoop from the cellar master or winemaker on how the wine will taste come bottling time.

The majority of the wineries in the Lake Chelan AVA will be participating in the Crush Festival. The following wineries will be hosting special events during the weekend: Amos Rome Vineyards, Ancestry Cellars, Benson Vineyards Estate Winery, Cairdeas Winery, Chelan Estate Winery, Fielding Hills Winery, Four Lakes Winery, Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards, Lake Chelan Winery, Mellison Vineyards, One Wines, Inc., Rio Vista Wines, Rocky Pond Winery, Siren Song Wines, Skagit Cellars, Tildio Winery, Tsillan Cellars, Tunnel Hill Winery, Wapato Point Winery and Wine Girl Wines. For more information about the Festival, including a complete list of wineries located in the Lake Chelan Wine Valley, visit: www.lakechelanwinevalley.com/wineries. Or call the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce at (509) 682-3503.

Yakima Valley’s “Catch the Crush” Weekend – Saturday, October 12 — Sunday, October 13

Join the wineries of the Yakima Valley as they celebrate harvest during Wine Yakima Valley’s Annual “Catch the Crush” Weekend October 12 and 13. Each winery will offer its own celebratory activities during this event, including grape stomps, harvest and crush activities, tours, free-run juice, hors d’oeuvres, live music, and of course. . .wine tasting.

For $35, you can purchase a PREMIER PASS and enjoy exclusive benefits available only during this event weekend. PREMIER PASS holders will be able to experience a variety of special “Catch the Crush” food pairings, library tastings, and tours not available to the general public.

PARTICIPATING WINERIES:

Yakima Area Wineries: Antolin Cellars, Freehand Cellars, J.B. Neufeld, Gilbert Cellars, Kana Winery, Owen Roe, Treveri Cellars and Wilridge Winery & Vineyards.

Zillah Area Wineries: Cultura Wine, Dineen Family Vineyards, Horizon’s Edge Winery, J. Bell Cellars, Knight Hill Winery, Maison de Padgett Winery, Masset Winery, Paradisos del Sol Winery, Portteus Winery, Simcoe Creek Winery, Tanjuli Winery, Two Mountain Winery, VanArnam Vineyards and Velen Winery.

Sunnyside/Grandview Area Wineries: Co Dinn Cellars, Côte Bonneville, Fortuity Cellars and Yakima Valley Vintners.

Prosser Area Wineries: 14 Hands, Airfield Estates, Barrel Springs Winery, Coyote Canyon Winery, Daven Lore Winery, Domanico Cellars, Martinez and Martinez Winery, Milbrandt Vineyards and Ryan Patrick Wines, Thurston Wolfe and Wit Cellars.

Benton City and Red Mountain Wineries: Chandler Reach Winery, Kitzke Cellars, Sleeping Dog Wines, Tucannon Cellars, Cooper Winery, Hightower Cellars, Tapteil Vineyard Winery and Terra Blanca Winery.

Information about activities taking place at each winery can be found on Wine Yakima Valley’s website: https://wineyakimavalley.org/event/2019-catch-the-crush-2. You can purchase your PREMIER PASS by visiting this website as well, or call (800) 258-7270 to purchase your pass over the phone.

If you plan to attend “Catch the Crush” Weekend, don’t forget to bring a jacket and a good pair of shoes, your PREMIER PASS (which is your ticket to exclusive benefits), and your own wine glass. Wineries can’t provide wine glasses during event weekends, but if you don’t bring your own glass, you can purchase one at your first stop. You’ll also need to bring your photo I.D. and a designated driver.

10^th Annual Grape Stomp & Harvest Party – Coyote Canyon and Martinez & Martinez Wineries – Saturday, October 12

If it’s been a while since your feet have turned purple, make sure to attend the 10^th Annual Grape Stomp and Harvest Party, co-sponsored by Coyote Canyon Winery and Martinez & Martinez Winery at The Winemakers Loft in Prosser, WA. on Saturday, Oct. 12. The event is part of Wine Yakima Valley’s “Catch the Crush Weekend,” which takes place on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 12-13. The Harvest Party, which will feature music by singer/songwriter Cale Moon and food provided by Smoked Freedom BBQ and The Ciao Wagon, will start at 1 p.m.

Then get ready to participate in the afternoon’s competitive events, which will include three-person grape stomping competitions, a corn hole tournament, ring toss and cork throwing contest. The cost to get into the party is just $5 per person, and another $5 to enter the grape stomping competition. Food and wine (by the glass and bottle) will be available for purchase. The Winemakers Loft is located at 357 Port Ave. — Vintners Village, Prosser, WA. For more information, call Coyote Canyon Winery at (509) 786-7686, or Martinez &Martinez Winery at (509)786-2392.

509 Tour de Arts – Tri-Cities, WA. — October 18-20

The 4^th Annual Tour de Arts of the Tri-Cities, presented by Cyber Art 509, will take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 18-20. The three-day, self-guided tour will feature 30 artists in 25 venues, including private home and commercial studios, wineries and other businesses. Many will be located in the scenic Red Mountain viticulture area in Benton City, WA. Artwork for viewing and purchase will include all painting mediums, photography, pottery, jewelry, paper, tapestry, wood and metal sculpture and glass work. For a list of venues, visit: www.509tourdearts.com.

Following is the schedule for the event, which is FREE to the public:

Thursday, Oct. 17: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Sneak Preview Night at Tucannon Cellars.

Sneak Peak Night is your opportunity to meet all of the artists participating in the Tour de Arts event in one location and to preview their work. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served and food from the Fast & Curryous Food Truck will also be available for purchase. And, of course, a selection of Tucannon Cellars wine will be available for purchase by the glass or bottle. Tucannon Cellars is located at 40504 N. Demoss Road, Benton City, WA 99320.

Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18 & 19: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Self-Guided tour of artists’ studios/venues.

Sunday, Oct. 20: Noon – 5 p.m. Artists’ studios remain open on Red Mountain.

Cyber Art 509 is a non-profit organization with over 60 artist members. Their mission is to promote local art and artists through developing relationships with local businesses and the community to exhibit art, mentor emerging artists and educate the public about the arts. For more information, contact Pam Sharp, Administrator. Phone: (509) 627-3097. Email: psharp@wyoming.com.

Sip, Suds & Si – North Bend, WA. – Saturday, October 19

The North Bend Downtown Foundation is once again hosting its Sip, Suds & Si event, an art walk that features wine, beer and cider tasting throughout historic downtown North Bend, WA. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the town of North Bend, the word Si in the title of this event refers to Mt. Si, the mountain that towers majestically over the city. The event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Check-in is at the North Bend Train Depot (205 McClellan Street). After checking in, attendees will be able to check out local merchants and artists, sample delicious food, wine, beer and cider, and enjoy live music while mingling with friends and neighbors.

Tastes of the beverage of your choice will be provided by Convergence Zone Cellars, Pearl and Stone Wine Co., Sigillo Cellars, Mt. Si Winery, Orenda Winer, Le Bec Fin, Market Vineyards, Gregarious Cellars, Tricycle Cellars, Zerba Cellars, Shackelford Vintners, King Lake Cellars, Van Camp Cellars, Sky River Mead & Wine, William Grassie Wine Estates, No Boat Brewing Company, Snoqualmie Falls Brewery, Dru Bru, Tin Dob Brewing and Pear Up Cider.

Tickets are $25 per person if purchased in advance, or $30 at the North Bend Train Depot the day of the event. Ticket price includes 10 tasting tickets and a beverage glass. For couples that would like to make this event a true “Date Night,” the North Bend Downtown Foundation has partnered with Valley Center State. For one price of $60, couples will receive two beverage glasses, a total of 10 tasting tickets to share, and two tickets to the play “Of Mice and Men” at Valley Center Stage, starting at 8 p.m. on Oct. 19.

For more information, including a complete list of wineries, breweries and food vendors that will be participating in the event, call the North Bend Downtown Foundation at: (425) 888-2874. Or visit the Foundation’s website at www.discovernorthbend.com/175/Sip-Suds-Si

41^st Annual Tri-Cities Wine Festival – Saturday, November 16 

Get ready for the last big wine festival of the year in Washington State. It’s the 4lst Annual Tri-Cities Wine Festival, which will be held on Saturday, Nov. 16 at Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick, WA. The Festival runs from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., but doors open at 6:30 p.m. for members of the Tri-Cities Wine Society.

Some 70 Northwest wineries are expected to participate in this year’s Festival, which is the oldest, continuous, professionally judged wine competition in the state of Washington.

Judges for this year’s Festival are Jerry Bookwalter, founder, Bookwalter Winery, Richland, WA; Shelly Fitzgerald, wine education specialist, Columbia Winery, Woodinville, WA; Brad Smith, certified sommelier and instructional technician, Wine Program, Yakima Community College; Glenn Grabiec,
certified sommelier and wine educator, Pasco, WA; and Kristina Mielke van Löben Sels, director of winemaking and co-owner of Arbor Crest Wine Cellars and van Löben Sels Cellars in Spokane, WA.. Bios on all of the judges can be found at: www.tricitieswinesociety.com/meet-the-judges.html.

Best of Show honors at last year’s Festival went to College Cellars of Walla Walla for the second year in a row for its 2016 Barbera.

Tickets for the 2019 Festival, which is co-sponsored by the Tri-Cities Wine Society and the Three Rivers Convention Center, are $60 per person if purchased in advance, or $65 per person when purchased the day of the event and at the door. Tickets will be available at the Toyota Center Box Office in Kennewick, WA. starting Oct. l. The Box Office will be open from noon to 5 p.m. the day of the Festival to accommodate those who are not able to purchase tickets in advance. Tickets can also be purchased online at: www.threeriversconventioncenter.com/event/tri-cities-wine-festival.

The price of admission to the Festival includes the opportunity to taste all of the wines and regional microbrews represented at the event, complimentary hors d’oeuvres provided by local restaurants and caterers, and a silent auction, proceeds of which benefit the Tri-Cities Wine Society’s education fund.

For more information about the Festival, visit the Tri-Cities Wine Society’s website at: www.tricitieswinesociety.com. The website also contains information about becoming a member of the Society, which, of course, lets you enter the Festival early at 6:30 p.m.

EDITOR’S NOTE: To promote your wine event on our Calendar of Events, simply e-mail the specifics about the event to: chuck@discoverwashingtonwine.com. It’s best to send your information to us at least 30 days prior to the event.