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A Holiday Barrel Tasting Special Feature
By Ryan Schreck
In the 1860s, Walla Walla exploded. A gold rush was on in central Idaho, and this area was flooded with miners passing through on their way to riches. Businessmen and entrepreneurs arrived with more rational plans to make money off the miners. Banks and brothels sprang up to cater to the various needs of the new citizenry. Everywhere there was activity and commerce and excitement, all because of the gold.
Each December, Walla Walla sees a revival of those frantic gold rush days. Enthusiastic hordes engulf the city. Hotels overflow. The streets become clogged with cars and buses and limos all heading out to the new mines.
Call it the wine rush. It has become an annual winter celebration, along with Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Eve. It's Holiday Barrel Tasting, the best time to be a wine lover in the Walla Walla Valley.
During the first weekend of December, winemakers across the valley will uncork their barrels and give visitors a taste of next year's vintages. And there is much more to taste and experience around town than just wine. Some of the wineries are known as much for the excellent food they serve, as they are for their wines. Artwork from some of the best local and regional artists will be on display, and live bands will play at many locations.
With more than 80 (90? 100? Is anybody keeping track anymore?) wineries to choose from, your options are many. The following pages introduce just a couple of the wineries with local roots that you may want to visit. Tips are also provided for the veteran taster who thinks there's nothing left to see or do.
The celebration officially kicks off Thursday, Dec. 4, with a Winemaker's Fête (tickets available at www.wallawallawine.com), and barrel tasting will continue throughout the weekend. Most wineries charge a $5 tasting fee, refundable with the purchase of a bottle. The samples served are small, but you'll likely consume a number of them, so please plan ahead and ride with a designated driver. Happy tasting!
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