Walla Walla Wine Cellar

Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=35500660285

Sunday, November 30
5:00 - 9:00 p.m.
“Not just for girls.”

Join us to support your local winemakers, merchants, and artists.

Please send us comments, questions, suggestions. What do you want to see as a featured Walla Walla wine this holiday season?

The adventure began as the five of us piled in the car and headed North. Even though we weren’t exactly sure what was in store for us that evening, it didn’t seem to matter as laughter and ongoing chatter filled the car. You know how it is when a group of gals get together. It was our monthly ‘Girls Night’ that we all looked forward to immensely.

We arrived at the Manila Bay Cafe in Dayton for dinner. We were seated at a round table in the quaint café which made it more intimate for our ‘Fab Five’. Our appetizer was the Helix 2003 Pomatia, mmmm, need I say more? For a $20 bottle of wine, I have to say I was surprised at how smooth it was right off the start. No decanting needed here.

The café is an Asian based inspiration and serves its entrees with a beautiful presentation. The meal itself was wonderful and there was such a variety of flavor. From the dressing on the crisp salad, the jasmine rice, and the velvet mushroom cream sauce that coated my chicken, my taste buds were in heaven.

We enjoyed a bottle of Charles Smith MCK with our meal. This wine is unbelievable. A couple weeks ago I had the privilege of trying a $90 dollar bottle of wine that is well spoken for in Walla Walla, and I have to say the MCK was just as good if not better. It is very fruity and playful, you can smell hints of blackberry, and of course, very smooth. Excellent choice!

Our journey then brought us back to Wally World and we ended up at the Colville St. Patisserie for dessert. Another ‘Big O’ moment here. I’ve never had better dessert. The selection was amazing, from lemon tart to caramel fudge torte cake, indeed something for everyone.

A wonderful evening with wonderful friends. Through the ups and downs of life we realize who our true friends are. The friends that are there for you no matter what and take you as you are, so thanks ‘Fab Five’! Until next time gals, cheers!

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.