Spring Release

L'Escole No 41
Tasting Room

Three Rivers Winery

What we didn't know is that this is a "spring release" event weekend when new wines are released for the first time to the public by various wineries. There were buses and limos touring with us.

There are now over 1,400 acres of vineyards in the Walla Walla valley and over a 100 wineries in the Walla Walla Valley and they come in every shape and size - from very basic, nondescript buildings to very elaborate estates.

Many have tasting rooms open to try sips of their "spring releases" and other signature wines. It was kinda cool. I had never done this before.

Our first stop in the pouring rain was L'Ecole No 41. They have been producing premium wines in the Walla Walla Valley since 1983 in the historic Frenchtown School in Lowden. What a fun and unique building this was.

They were very friendly, greeting us at the door and instructing us how one "does" a tasting. I was feeling awkward and was thankful for their direction. There is usually a suggested order to how you would taste their wines starting with the whites and moving to the reds.

They also served wonderful cheeses and breads. We both fell in love with Cougar Gold - a cheese made by WSU.

Our next stop was Three Rivers Winery. Gary was here last year and enjoys their Riesling. I went bananas over their lodge style building and could so picture it someday on Eagle Ridge West.

This tasting was a completely different experience. Each event is different and that's what really makes it fun to visit several.

Three Rivers sits atop a small knoll overlooking their surrounding vineyards and features a 14,000 sq. ft. cellar and barrel room used for the production and storage and a 4,000 sq. ft. lodge-style tasting room and store.