AmericanWinery.com

We are proud to announce that Wine Business Monthly recently recognized two of our winery partners as Hot Small Brands of 2008. WBM selects ten wineries every year, and this year, Trio Vintners and Sojourn Cellars were on the list. WBM selects one wine from each winery that their editors feel are important for winemakers to taste, and these wines are poured at the annual reception hosted by Wine Business Monthly at the Unified Wine and Grapes Symposium. Congratulations to Sojourn Cellars and Trio Vintners!

Sojourn Cellars was born on the tennis courts of Sonoma, when Craig Haserot and Erich Bradley started volleying winemaking ideas rather than tennis balls. Sojourn Cellars produces high-end Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon in limited quantities. Winemaker Erich Bradley takes a “hands-off” approach to winemaking, a luxury afforded by having access to fruit from some of the best vineyards in California. The winery very recently opened up a tasting salon where, by appointment, you can meet the winemakers and be guided through a 45-minute seated tasting.

Wine Business Monthly selected the 2006 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir as a representation of Pinot Noir that appeals to the full range of Pinot Noir lovers, from the finesse style of Burgundy to the bolder style that is emerging in the States.

Trio Vintners is a collaboration of three Walla Walla winemakers – Tim Boushey, Steve Michener, and our very own marketing director, Denise Slattery! Trio is committed to producing wines that exude both the personality of the grape variety and the sense of place unique to the Columbia Valley. Visit the Trio Vintners tasting room (which doubles as their winemaking facility) on weekends from 11-4:30, or contact the winery to make an appointment. I can tell you from personal experience that Denise is a real treat to drink wine with.

Trio’s 2006 Columbia Valley Zinfandel was selected by Wine Business Monthly due to the inherent element of surprise that comes from the words “Washington” and “Zinfandel” in the same product name. The wine is now sold out, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get to know the other unique wines coming from this “Hot Small Brand.” My three Trio favorites are all housed in one great deal – Trio Vintners’ 3 Shipped for 1¢ offer!

Again, a huge congratulations to Trio Vintners and Sojourn Cellars for their recent successes! You’ll want to get on their mailing lists fast… hot small brands don’t stay small for long, but we’re sure that these two wineries will continue to be HOT!

The tasting set-up.

Jeff mentioned in his Wine Tasting Traditions post that we at AmericanWinery.com partake in a weekly tradition known affectionately around the office as “Tasting Tuesday.” Every Tuesday at 4:15, a group of AW Staffers gather to taste wine and expand our palates.

We were recently treated to a blind Syrah tasting hosted by our marketing director, Denise Slattery. Denise is also one of the winemakers for Trio Vintners, so she really knows her stuff.

We were given very simple, but strict, instructions.

1. Smell through
2. Taste through
3. Take notes
4. No talking*

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After weeks of soggy Walla Walla drear, I thought summer would never arrive. Thank goodness, for the past week we’ve been enjoying hot hot heat – and a glass of refreshing wine never looked so good.

Here are my summer sippin’ faves – wines that will refresh the palate and perfectly compliment your moments in the sun.

For back porch BBQing, I always have a few bottles of Trio Vintners 2007 Tre Rose chilled and ready to pour. This semi-dry rose wine is a crowd pleaser with gorgeous rhubarb pie and cherry flavors. And the price point won’t break the bank – just $16 per bottle with a 10% discount on case purchases makes this a wine you can stockpile with no shame!

If you plan on spending the day getting sunburned by the river or lake then you’ll definitely want to bring along a cooler full of Rosso & Bianco Winery Sofia Blanc de Blancs. This charming Prosecco style sparkling wine comes in 750 ml bottles or in a 4 pack of Minis (187 ml cans), the perfect size for your summer sippin’. Each mini comes complete with its own retractable straw for maximum fizzle and refreshment.

On cool summer evenings, get contemplative with a bottle of Kenefick Ranch 2004 Cabernet Franc. This wine absolutely blew me away at first sip and unveils complex new flavors as the wine opens up. There’s a whole herb garden full of flavors dancing over dominant blackberry characteristics, and bright fruit makes an appearance on the finish. You’ll want to buy a case and put away at least half of it for next summer!

These are just a few of the wines that get my mouth watering during the warm summer months. Summer was made for excitement and adventure, so try something new! I’d love to hear what you’re sippin’ on this summer.