Gorge
Wine Merchants April 2006
Newsletter
Vines and Wines
Gorge Wine Merchants Newsletter - Spring 2006
SPRING HAS SPRUNG!
April Events
WINEMAKER EVENT
Thursday, April 13th, 6-8 pm
Meet Charlie Hoppes, Winemaker for Fidelitas, Goose Ridge
and other fine Washington Wines. Tasting begins at 6:00 p.m. $12/person
CHAMPOUX SHOWDOWN
Thursday, April 20th, 6-8 pm
Most experts consider the Champoux Vineyard
in Klickitat County to be one of the best vineyards in the United
States for Cabernet Sauvignon. Here at GWM, we love all the children
of our local winegrowers efforts but we have to admit that the
big gun Cabs and Merlots from Champoux
are truly world class.
We are compelled to show-off these highly prized
wines in a special Wine Flight of three wines and Food Pairing
by Viento at our wine bar in Bingen. $45/person
"LAST FRIDAY" Party
Friday, April 28th, 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Enjoy live music by Ed Swick
Accompanied by the usual awesome Gorge wines by the glass.
So come and celebrate the best day of
the month with us, where there's live music, great wines, and
good friends!
Erica Nelson, firefighter, Don & Kristie Gensler, vineyard
owners, and Anthony Fuller,
winemaker having a good time at the LAST FRIDAY Party in March.
Viento Celebrates One Year!
Our congratulations toViento on their one year anniversary, April
14th.
We look forward to many years to come.
GWM Celebrity Interview
Rick & Jody Ensminger, Owners of Celilo Vineyard
GWM: How are the vineyards looking
so far this year?
Rick: It’s been cold and everything’s
late. It’s late everywhere. We need warmer weather real
soon. Ask everyone to pray for warmer weather.
GWM: I think a lot of people already are. I
understand the Kramer Roadvineyard is now 23 years old and that
the upper vineyard is over 30 years old. How has the ride been?
Rick: “Years ago when the grapes first
came in, we couldn’t find anyone to even try them. Felt
like we couldn’t give them away. We were about ready to
give up when Rick Small fromWoodward Canyon tasted the grapes
and made really good wine from them. That put us on the map. Now
we’re fortunate to have several great winemakers working
with our fruit.
GWM: Yes, you have nationally renowned names
like Woodward Canyon, Ken Wright, Sineann, and Latitude 46 North
along with excellent local winemakers like Wind River Cellars
and Pheasant Valley producing wines with superb fruit flavor and
acidic balance. Have you found much difference in the resulting
wines from so many winemakers?
Rick: These guys understand the depth of our
Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer, flavor true to the fruit;
not over-oaked or over-yeasted.
GWM: Does your location on Underwood Mountain
present any special challenges?
Rick: We do have a problem here, but it’s
a good one to have. The vines grow like crazy. Incredible vigor.
The vineyards are perfectly oriented to the sun and the vines
really take root in this deep, pulverized basalt. Pruning is big-time.
We use the chainsaw. Otherwise we’d have a jungle.
GWM: So I noticed the often over-looked pygmy
goat while touring your vineyard. Is this special resource important
to your pruning efforts?
Rick: We use many methods to control vines,
some of which we freely share our knowledge of with others, like
the modified Scott Henry trellis system, for instance.
GWM: But I’m most interested in the pygmy
goats. Can you tell me more about these fascinating little workers?
Rick: See this trunk, here, and how we’ve
tied off the four canes? See? Two tied down here and two up here?
We do this to …
GWM: Yes, but the goats! The little goats! I
have to know more about them.
Rick: I’m sorry, some trade secrets we
have to protect.
GWM: But you must tell me something.
Rick: OK. One word … “Chardonnay”.
GWM: Chardonnay? They like the Chardonnay vineyards?
Rick: Not “Chardonnay”. It’s
“Chardo-NAAAAAAY”
Hope you can Join us in the Festivities this Month!
Jennifer & Lee Ast
Gorge Wine Merchants
PO Box 426
218 W. Steuben St (Hwy 14)
Bingen, WA 98605
509-493-5333
Open: Wednesday - Sunday at Noon
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