TASTE Walla Walla® Returns to New York in 2008
Walla Walla, WA (December 12, 2007) – The Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance is proud to announce that it will be in New York for the second consecutive year with TASTE Walla Walla® 2008. This event offers trade and consumers the opportunity to sample wines from 20 Walla Walla Valley wineries and talk with winemakers and winery representatives.
Event name: TASTE Walla Walla® New York Date: February 4, 2008
Location: Thalassa Restaurant, 179 Franklin Street at Howard
Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm for Trade and 6:00pm-8:30pm for Consumers
Tickets: $65.00 per person
Participating wineries include: Abeja, Bergevin Lane Vineyards, Chateau Rollat, Dusted Valley Vintners, Flying Trout, Forgeron Cellars, Gramercy Cellars, L'Ecole Nº 41 , Nicholas Cole Cellars, Northstar, Otis Kenyon Wine, Pepper Bridge Winery, Reininger Winery, Seven Hills Winery, Spring Valley Vineyard, SYZYGY, Tamarack Cellars, Waterbrook Winery, Woodward Canyon Winery and others!
About the Walla Walla Wine Industry
There is a long history of winemaking in the Walla Walla Valley located in Southeast Washington and Northeast Oregon. European settlers began planting grapes and making homemade wine as early as the mid to late 1800’s, though it wasn’t until the 1970’s that today’s wine industry began to take shape. Early winegrowers observed that the unique combination of soils and the hot days and cold nights during the growing season were ideal for grape-growing. The area’s first modern-day commercial winery was bonded in 1977. In 1984, four wineries and even fewer growers, with only 60 acres planted, celebrated the federal designation of the Walla Walla Valley as a unique American Viticultural Area (AVA). Over 260,000 acres were designated during this initial application with land in both Washington and Oregon. (In 2001 the AVA was revised with a total of 303,500 acres.) Growth in the industry continued at a relatively slow pace and by 1990 there were still only six wineries and roughly 100 acres of wine grapes.
Although the quantity of wineries and vineyards were slight during this time, the quality of the wine being produced was note worthy and industry professionals from around the globe began to traverse the Cascade passes to frequent this new-found wine hamlet of the Pacific Northwest. As the word spread about Walla Walla being a new world wine region, more and more winemakers flocked to the area. Prices for land were reasonable compared to Napa and the opportunities available to a winemaker or grower with an entrepreneurial spirit were endless. Equally attractive was the willingness of the area winemakers and growers to share their knowledge and lend a helping hand were needed. Before long it wasn’t only the wine but the spirit of the people behind the Walla Walla wine experience that captured the attention of so many.
The Walla Walla Valley is now home to close to 100 wineries, with over 130 bonds pending and over 1,600 acres of wine grapes. The wineries of the Walla Walla Valley are still relatively small operations where artisan winemakers can closely follow the evolution of their wines from fresh grapes to bottled product. The Walla Walla wine industry continues to be known for its outstanding wines as well as the general sense of camaraderie that thrives in the local wine community. This continued commitment to quality and camaraderie has made the Walla Walla Valley an appellation where winemakers and growers work together to produce world-class wines.
As a wine destination, Walla Walla boasts a picturesque historic downtown, fine dining restaurants, quaint cafés, upscale hotels and inns, and thriving arts and education communities all surrounded by scenic farmland and the stunning Blue Mountains.
The Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance is a winery and grower membership organization committed to furthering the awareness of the quality wineries, wines, and vineyards of the Walla Walla Valley Appellation. Our mission is to support and promote quality and excellence in our wine industry and to further national and international recognition of our region. For more information, please visit www.wallawallawine.com.
For press information or images, please contact Jordan Small, Communications Associate, at 509-526-3117 or at jordan@wallawallawine.com.
