Walla Walla Wine Cellar

Every year, for the last 9 years at least, there is an elaborate corn maze just outside of town, up towards Mill Creek. And in all that time I have never gone. Not once. This was my year.

Friday night was my first free evening in ages, and I was looking forward to wandering through paths in a corn field, taking my relaxed sweet time chilling underneath the stars. Then we’d head home for some hot cocoa and revel in our country joys. At least that’s what I had in my head.

As it happened, we showed up on “Scary Night.” The only thing I knew about these nights was that one time my sister Heidi had been cornered by a guy with an axe and she honestly thought she was going to die. She was certain he didn’t work there, but was just a freak who got loose in the maze and actually ended up with his hand around someone’s throat. (Stress much?)

What on earth does any of this have to do with wine?

Before we left the house, my friends and I sat down for a civilized glass of wine, enjoying the Tertulia Cellars 2006 Sobra. Tertulia means circle, or gathering, of friends. Sobra? Well, see my comments at amyrootvik.com. Fascinating red blend. We sipped and talked and looked forward to our little adventure.

But after an hour in the maze on a scary night, we couldn’t wait to get back to the house and open another bottle!

There was something so reassuring about the taste of goodness coming from our local soil, after we’d had the $%&# scared out of us under a perfect starlit sky. No amount of chainsaw revving and ghoul-masked stalking could overpower the simple joy of a local wine. It was gone in no time and we moved on to Kahlua or cognac and other things depending on our differing tastes. Still, I think it will be some time before I forget how wonderfully alive and energetic the Sobra tasted that night. Full of fresh night air, herbs, cassis and wet rocks from along the shores of Mill Creek. Simultaneously soothing and uplifting.

Maybe someday I’ll get of the others to tell you more about our actual experience in the maze, but suffice it to say, we bonded. We bonded with each other and with the land which produces such marvelous fruit for our beloved wines.

So go to the Corn Maze! Have fun being a kid, regardless of your age. And enjoy the fruits of the valley, the products of harvest, the joy of wine.