Page 34 - washington state wine

Many are open during weekends and a It’s a joint venture between Wash- from tasting room to tasting exhibited
few every day. When planning your visit, ington’s Chateau Ste. Michelle and that same passion. These people knew
it worth the effort to make tasting ap- Marchesi Antinori of Italy blending that they were more than wine-makers;
pointments so you won’t be disappoint- their wine-making cultures to produce they were the caretakers of one of the
ed. a very nice Cabernet Sauvignon blend. most exclusive wine growing areas in
www.colsolare.com the world and cared deeply about creat-
Considering that this is young wine ing the best wines possible.
country, it’s not surprising that many Less imposing is Hightower Cellars,
of the pioneer wine makers and grape where wine-makers Tim and Kelly High- I would adapt one of the memorable
growers are still around and there’s a tower’s mantra for their vineyard and lines in Carlo Rossi’s vintage commer-
good chance you will bump into them as winery is “Handpicked - Hand-sorted cials. He said “I like to talk about wine,
you explore the wine tasting rooms. We – Handmade. “ The attractive, but inti- but I’d rather drink it.” I would say: “I
had a delightful visit with Jim Holmes. mate wine tasting room sits on a rise like to write about Washington State’s
His enthusiasm and passion for Red with great views of the vineyards. www. Red Mountain wine, but I’d rather drink
Mountain was still apparent as we hightowercellars.com . it.”
walked the vineyards of Ciel du Cheval.
And don’t miss visiting Kiona Winery,
Some or our favorite wine visits here The tasting room offers sweeping pan-
were to Col Solare, perched on the high- oramic views and is located across the
er reaches of Red Mountain is an impos- road from the now famous Ciel du Che- Top: Pioneer Red Mountain winemaker Jim Holmes
ing, sophisticated, and contemporary val Vineyard. www.kionawine.com/ . shows the current plot map of the AVA’s vineyards.
winery and tasting room. Each wine-maker we met as we moved Right: Vineyard views from Col Solare Winery.

34 Wine Dine & Travel Summer/Fall 2015