a chef's journey to learn wine: LAKE CHELAN WINE VALLEY HOSTS FALL BARREL TASTING

: sunset on Lake Chelan

Regular readers of mine will know of my admiration for the winemakers in LAKE CHELAN AVA, Washington... here's the scoop on a terrific event happening there at the end of November. There's no denying the quality coming from this, one of the most northerly wine producing regions on Earth. Make some time to visit these budding viticulturists (pun intended) - you'll be glad you did! Read more about my experiences at Lake Chelan at :

http://thechefandthegrape.com/wordpress/lake-chelan-ava-washington-state/

http://thechefandthegrape.com/wordpress/veranda-beach-cellars-washington-state/

LAKE CHELAN WINE VALLEY HOSTS FALL BARREL TASTING NOV 28-30
Wineries Open Cellar Doors for Behind-the-Scenes Look at Winemaking

Lake Chelan Wine Valley will kick off the holiday season with a weekend of tasting future wine releases straight from the barrel from November 28 through 30. Fall Barrel Tasting takes place each year on the weekend after Thanksgiving and offers visitors the rare chance to experience young, unfinished wines before they’re released to the public. Guests will explore the use of different oak treatments and their impact on the taste, color, tannin and texture of the wine. Guests can visit winery cellar rooms for exclusive tastings with local winemakers and purchase upcoming vintages of some of their favorite wines.

Wines that will be offered to taste throughout the weekend include the following. For a full list and more details, visit www.lakechelanwinevalley.com/events/fall-barrel-tasting/fall-barrel-events.html.

Atam Winery - Syrah & Barbera
Benson Vineyards - Two new 2013 vintage wines
Cairdeas Winery – 2014 Port-style Petite Sirah
Chelan Estate Winery - 2012 C E Vineyards Reserve Red
Hard Row to Hoe - 2013 Barbera
Lake Chelan Winery - 2013 Malbec, a Chelan AVA wine
Rio Vista wines - Tempranillo
Tildio Winery - 2013 Malbec and Grenache
Tsillan Cellars - 2013 Estate Syrah/Malbec
Tunnel Hill Winery - 2013 Estate Pinot
Wapato Point Cellars - 2012 Merlot

“Fall Barrel Tasting is such a fun way to taste wines that are so young with our customers and see them light up when something hits them as amazing only a year into the barrel,” said Tsillan Cellars winemaker Shane Collins. “It’s also great to see and chat with people who come every year and reminisce on previous wines and how they now taste in the bottle.”

Guests that extend their wine tasting visit can enjoy some of the wonderful fall recreation Lake Chelan has to offer, including golf, mountain biking and hiking. Small-town charm abounds in Downtown Chelan and Manson, with shopping and dining options for every taste.

About Lake Chelan Wine Valley: Lake Chelan Wine Valley is a thriving community of 21 wineries that are attracting attention from winemakers, grape growers and wine enthusiasts. The Valley was recognized as an AVA in the Federal Register in April 2009. Located in the heart of Washington’s Cascade Mountains, Lake Chelan is a scenic destination three hours east of Seattle, situated on a pristine 50.5-mile lake. Throughout the year, Lake Chelan visitors tour vineyards, meet the winemakers, taste award-winning wines and dine at many winery restaurants – the perfect wine-lovers destination. Some of the varieties that flourish in the Valley include Syrah, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Viognier. Learn more at www.lakechelanwinevalley.com.

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