Winter Wine Tasting

Ahhh, my favorite time of year. The first weekend in December is our annual trip over to Walla Walla, WA for the Winter Barrel Tasting. Will and I think this is our seventh trip over but we are not sure. Let's just say we have been enough times that the wine makers are starting to recognize us. I think that it's kind of fun. It is like seeing long time friends once a year and what is more fun than sharing in a fabulous glass of wine or two.

This year we got the pleasure of showing our friends Lexy and Peter  Washington Wine Country and I think we have some new believers in the annual trip. We left on Thursday and were there for four days. I think we made it to about 30 wineries +/-. You might be thinking that is a lot but when there is over 130 wineries now we didn't get to that many. We do have a little problem though of going back to our favorites and not trying out others which we should. We have however discovered a couple new favorites over the last couple years. One year we were driving by a small winery out by the airport and I felt sorry for them because there was no one in their parking lot so we stopped. It ended up going on our favorite list and we have gone back the last three years.

The wineries always have such fun displays and decorations. On the left was our first stop at Renninger and on the right was well stop number ??? at Tamarack Cellars. We were careful not to spill all the wine glasses off the tower. That is a test for us after tasting for several hours. I bet they did it on purpose!!

So it is not a trip without some actual wine tasting pictures. Some of these might show that too much wine was consummed sorry to those who may not want their pictures out here.

Uncle Bob couldn't get enough of the stuff!



Peter talking with the wine maker about the process and waiting for his taste, of course.

Here we are at Seven Hills one of our favorites!! I think it was about 9AM. Don't tell anyone!

So let's talk a minute about purchasing wine. We obviously drink a lot of it but that is only a part of it. Let's just say we take Will's truck for a reason. Will and I don't have near the wine buying problem as others do um....... Chris and Uncle Bob. Love ya!


Day 1 - If you look close you might see initials on the boxes. (Here is a hint...CMT)

So where there is wine there is food and art. At one of the wineries we went to they had these amazing sculptures. They were so detailed and very very heavy as they were made out of bronze! I only had my small camera so the pictures don't do them justice.



They were such sad clowns. You would think they would be happy!

Always lots of photo opportunities while we are visiting these fun places so have to share!

Jen and Lexy

Consider this my Christmas Card. Smile!



We had some snow. Makes it magical!

What a view! This was at Longshadows.

I think I mentioned too much wine? Here is Chris trying to pull the sleigh full of presents. She had a great smile so I had to share! I think this was taken during our marathon of card playing which is also a requirement of the trip.

We had a wonderful time as always. Great wine, food, friends, family, conversation, snow, shopping and of course the holiday decorations and spirit. Can't ask for much more.

Before I sign off I apologize to my blog readers that it has been a while. I have a few more posts before I am caught up. I will try to go in order and get all my December pics in for December. Wish me luck! Cheers and until next time.

JET