Rio Jean Photography - Walla Walla, WA { Balboa Winery and Beresan Winery}

Another impromptu winery visit to Balboa Winery (http://www.balboawinery.com/winery/) and Beresan Winery (http://beresanwines.com/).

Two quaint wineries that are on the same property.  I will start with Balboa Winery. I'd have to say Balboa's tasting room wasn't my style but they still had delicious wines and I really enjoyed chatting it up with the tasting room staff. Good thing about smaller tasting rooms are that not many people can fit in there, so your experience is much more personal.  And who got some juicy details on some of the wineries in the area? THIS GIRL!  But I promised the tasting room staff I wouldn't share the details.   :)

Beresan Winery, opposite of Balboa in a lot of ways, enjoyed their wines (brought a Carmenere and a split of Cab), and the tasting room was super rustic, loved it.  There was also a touch of whimsical to this tasting room.

One of my favorite signs they had posted there:

However, the one downfall to visiting was the tasting room gal insulted me, not sure if she was trying to be funny, but still unprofessional and not cool. She stated I am not a real wine blogger because that was my first trip to Walla Walla and I was really lame. Ummm....ok? The rest of the time I was there was really awkward due to several more interesting comments.

That was my experience, you may have a totally different experience at this winery, so if you do find yourself there, stop in and check it out, let me know how the service was.

Happy wine tasting!

Cheers!

Rio Jean Photography - Walla Walla, WA {L'ecole 41 Winery}

I chose L'ecole 41 Winery (http://www.lecole.com/) to review as it was one of the first three wineries that was founded in Walla Walla.

For those non french speaking readers, L'ecole means "The School".  L'ecole 41 was founded in 1983 and is a second generation, family-owned artisan winery located in the historic Frenchtown School.  The image of the schoolhouse has been the cornerstone of the L’Ecole brand since the winery’s inception.

There is so much history in the school house and I thought it was really cool that the founders, Jean and Baker Ferguson,  decided to establish the winery as a retirement project and preserve the old school house during the process.

I met with Ben, the tasting room manager, and he was very knowledgeable about the history of the winery.

This place is a pretty cool venue to have a tasting room, how could you not love this little school house? The outside of this place in amazing and very well maintained.  As I walked up to the front, there was the original school bell by the steps.

 

The school house is three stories with the tasting room on the main floor, offices up stairs, and the reserve tasting area downstairs in the old gym.  One of the cool little details is that the bar is a chalk board (I didn't write that by the way)

There is also a little nook area that has books and this really cool wine display.

Pictured here is the original school house, Jean and Baker Ferguson, and the original wine bottle label.  The re branding for the wine labels actually happened in 2009, the Winery had started to gain more notoriety and was becoming world famous.  As a result, L'ecole wanted a brand that was a little less fun and whimsical and more classic, upscale, and elegant.  The new label also made it easier to distinguish between the winery's Columbia Valley and Walla Walla Valley products.

 

AND! Something very exciting for the winery happened this year! Can you guess? Take a good look at the picture below.  L’Ecole No. 41′s 2011 Ferguson Vineyard brought home the trophy from the Decanter World Wine Awards. L’Ecole was the only American winery to win one of the 33 International Trophies at this year’s Decanter competition. Of course, they were all sold out of the wine so I didn't have the opportunity to try it :(  .  But what an accomplishment!

 

 As mentioned earlier, the downstairs of the school house is the reserve tasting area and as luck would have it, there was one scheduled for that day. So I was able to see their set up.  There is also a mural on the wall that is original to the schoolhouse.

 

This is the original drinking fountain and it's tiny, perfect size for the kiddos!

This is the original chalk board from the classroom.

 

 

While sipping on my vino, I observed the staff and their dealings with the customers and I have to say, all of the staff who were working in the tasting room were professional, attentive, and personable.  Pours were given with an in depth description of the wine, I could really tell that the staff KNEW the wines!  Not only were they able to recite the standard spiel, but they also added something else such as information about the vineyard or their own experience with the wine.  And they did this with every.single.guest.  Even when the tasting room started to become busy, the service was still consistent.  No short cuts, just attentiveness and excellent service.

L'ecole offered the standard nibbles for palate cleansing, however guests are able to bring in treats and enjoy them on the lanai or the winery grounds.  Being able to do a side by side tasting of the Columbia Valley Wines and the Walla Walla Valley Wines was AWESOME!  You have to try it. There are definitely significant difference between the two areas and I my new favorite area is the Walla Walla Valley.  I love the dusty, earthy, mineral elements the Walla Walla Valley adds to the wine.


I really enjoyed learning about this winery and being able to taste L'ecole 41's wine, I would have loved to taste the wine they won the Decanter Award for *hint hint Ben!*  L'ecole 41 is a must see, you won't be disappointed!  OH!!! And the winery will be celebrating 100 years in the schoolhouse next year!

Cheer!
Melanie

Rio Jean Photography - Walla Walla, WA {Dusted Valley Winery}

Ok..I know..I've been slacking on my wine duties!  So I was finally able to find some time to review some wineries this past weekend.  A long time friend of mine talked my into visiting the wineries in Walla Walla and I decided to give it shot.  I hadn't been there in over 15 years and I have to say I was totally surprise by how much Walla Walla has grown! There are a ton of wineries there, enough to keep me busy for a very long time.  First up is Dusted Valley Winery.  This was an impromptu stop, actually it was my last stop and it ended up being my favorite winery this visit.

The tasting room is on the lower floor of the owner's house, super cute inside! Dusted Valley was the 52nd winery to open up in Walla Walla and they decided on the name "Dusted Valley" as that is one of the things Walla Walla is known for.  Of course while I was there, guess what happened?  A dust storm came through, how fitting, right!?

Dusted Valley has been around for about 10 years and is a family owned winery.  Their wine club, is called STS - Stained Tooth Society! Isn't that an awesome name?  I have seen many wine clubs and this one's name is the best so far, I just want to join so I can say I am a Stained Tooth Society Member!

This Winery does mainly reds with a rose and chardonnay, and I LOVED all of their red wines, I bought them all!  First time I have loved a winery's wine that much.

One non related fact, while I was chatting it up with the tasting room gal, she mentioned that "The Rocks" (one region where a lot of the wineries source their grapes from) will be a sub AVA of Walla Walla Valley AVA! I don't know why I am excited about that, but I am!

If you find yourself in Walla Walla or Woodinville, make sure to stop by and try out these wines, you won't be sorry!  Now, go get your wine on!

*Sorry about the lack of pictures, as previously stated this was an impromptu stop!

Looking forward to doing a formal review of the winery!

Cheers,
Melanie

For more information on the winery :http://dustedvalley.com/

Rio Jean Photography - Seattle, WA {Taste Washington 2014}

This is me before....
Red wine stained my shirt.  Red wine stained my teeth.  I gained at least 5 pounds.  Why!?  All because I attended Taste Washington, but it was SO worth it!


What is Taste of Washington?  Did you miss it? Taste of Washington was EPIC and a wineaux's dream come true, well at least it was mine.

The 17th annual Taste Washington happened on March 29-30 and is considered the state's premier culinary and oenophile weekend.  The nation's largest single-region wine and food event brought together more than 200 Washington state wineries and 65 restaurants.  Between vineyard owners and winemakers, Washington's 13 AVA's  were represented  throughout educational seminars and the grand tasting.  Winemakers poured 800 wines and the state's top restaurants offered thousands of savory, sweet and spicy bites.

I had the opportunity of receiving a press pass to this event and I feel so fortunate that I did as I had the opportunity to not only photograph the event, but also meet a lot of people!

Lets get to it!

 Hoodsport Winery is a small award winning winery located on the rural Olympic Peninsula.  (http://www.hoodsport.com/index.html)  If you are a fan of the berry wines - check these guys out!

 I love the displays on the tables, so beautiful!

 Hogue Cellars (http://www.hoguecellars.com/)  is one of my favorite wineries! I have been a fan of them ever since I started drinking wine!  I visited their winery several years ago while I was at the Catch the Crush but haven't been since I started the wineaux diaries, will have to make another stop!  Hogue Wines are YUMMY and are very affordable!  I like their screw tops too!

 Hedges...what can I say about this winery?  I have been visiting this winery for at least 10 years. They have gorgeous grounds and a beautiful tasting room. I have several of their wines in my wine cellar, if you haven't tried these wines yet I recommend starting off with the CMS. 

 

So you read earlier that I gained at least five pounds, well here's why! I had so much good food and I can't wait to go to these restaurants and eat more!

These jars of aged balsamic vinegar are to die for! LOVE them! Gustoblende is based out of Maple Valley (carolinevanstaden@comcast.net)

Red Wine poached Fig Roquefort Cheese on a crustiny - I could have ten of these little things! (Brasserie Margaux)

Who doesn't love Clam Chowder in a bread bowl!?

 Gluten free..I believe this was also vegan brownies, not bad! www.nuflours.com

Ahi Poke on a Tarro Chip- this was delicious! Another food I could have eaten all of.

 This was good but I didn't realize it was lamb until I stuffed my face with it....  (Swiftwater Cellars)

Ok, these little morsels..just melt in your mouth! It's a super sized puff pastry and it is so good! (Washington State Convention Center)

 cool little sporks

  mmmm..polenta. This was really good with a crispy outside

 

 This looked amazing!  Unfortunately I am allergic to scallops so I could only drool from a far! But you can enjoy these at Anthony's !

 Rhubarb and Apple Crisp! O.M.G. This was AMAZING! I am looking up the recipe so I can make this at home! Yummy just doesn't describe it.  You can find this recipe and many others in the the Fresh From Seattle free eCookbook (2daysinseattle.com/ebook)

the Smoked trout and whatever else was in there made for on interesting combo . . .


 I had to stop eating at this point as I met my 10 pound weight gain limit for the year...but the rest of these treats were so tempting!  I wish I could have a to go bag!

 

www.carterschocolates.com

And now moving on from the food!

I thought these bottles were amazing and beautiful! The company that does custom etchings/designs www.FreshNWDesign.com

I did not do anymore wine tasting  for the day, but you can definitely check out these wines!

 

 

Taste Washington was a delicious culmination and display of Washington wines and restaurants. I met so many amazing people, sipped on an array of wines, and nibbled on numerous tasty treats! 

Are you ready for next year? I know I am ! I hope you will be able to try some of the wines and foods featured on this blog!

Cheers!
Melanie