Yakima, WA — More than a dozen enthusiastic wine consumers enjoyed a rare treat on Saturday afternoon when Red Willow Vineyard hosted a public tour. Owners Mike and Jonathan Sauer shared the inspiring story of their work operating one of the most historic vineyards in America, and why the Yakima Valley is one of the world’s true “sweet spots” for wine grape production. Guests were driven through the vines on a tractor-drawn wagon and learned about the life of a wine-grape grower.
Following a visit to the famous stone chapel at the summit of the vineyard, the group shared a meal by Frank Magana Catering. Throughout the afternoon, the visitors also tasted samples from several superstar wineries that included Adam’s Bench, Mark Ryan and Owen Roe—wineries that rely on Red Willow for the grapes to make some of their best wines.
“Everyone enjoyed a truly special opportunity,” said Barb Glover, executive director of Wine Yakima Valley, the association of wineries and growers that organized the event. “This kind of experience is normally reserved for visits by influential members of the wine trade and the media. But the 30th anniversary of the Yakima Valley’s designation as Washington State’s first official wine region is on the near horizon; so we want to celebrate by opening some farm gates and sharing with the wider world how we have grown to greatness as a regional wine industry.”
The Red Willow tour was the first in a four-vineyard series conducted by the Wine Yakima Valley association. Upcoming wine events on Saturday July 14, 2012 include a tour at DuBrul Vineyard, followed during subsequent weekends with tours at Upland Vineyard and Boushey Vineyards. Tickets for each event are $75 per person available at the Wine Yakima Valley website.
Read more about these Vineyard Tours and other Top 10 Agritourism Destinations in Washington Wine Country as published in the Summer 2012 issue of Tasting Room Magazine.