Mobile Menu

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • Autumn Escape
    • Amateur Photographer of the Year 2023
    • Hotel Zed Contest
    • It’s A Shore Thing Summer Getaway
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon
  • Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon

West Coast Traveller

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • Autumn Escape
    • Amateur Photographer of the Year 2023
    • Hotel Zed Contest
    • It’s A Shore Thing Summer Getaway
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
You are here: Home / Travel / Spring Release weekend draws visitors to raise a glass of cheer in Walla Walla Valley

Long Shadows, established in 2002 by the late Allen Shoup, is known for producing high-quality, premium wines in Walla Walla. Photo courtesy Long Shadows

Spring Release weekend draws visitors to raise a glass of cheer in Walla Walla Valley

May 9, 2023 //  by mcclatchy

Share this:

By Hannah McIntyre, Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, Wash.

Sounds of clinking glassware and quiet chatter in tasting rooms ushered in another season of wine-savouring in the Walla Walla Valley during Spring Release weekend.

Despite the somewhat gloomy skies, downtown Walla Walla and its rural surroundings were teeming with locals and tourists, all eager to experience the latest from the renowned wine landscape.

Among the visitors were a family from Chicago, a famous movie star and a couple who’ve been returning to the Valley for years.

TruthTeller Winery

TruthTeller Winery sits in the heart of downtown Walla Walla and is co-owned by Chris and Dawn Loeliger and Rob Wohr. The winery has two labels, namely TruthTeller and The Miscreant Project, and boasts two tasting rooms — one in Woodinville and another in Walla Walla.

Laura Rose-Grabinski, marketing and wine club manager for TruthTeller Winery, poured The Miscreant Project’s Hedonista, a 100 per cent Albariño white wine. Rose-Grabinski said Friday morning had started off slow, but by 3 p.m. the tasting room would be bustling.

The Markley family — Karla, Jerri, Jacob and Meghan — flew all the way from their home in the south of Chicago for Spring Release weekend and to celebrate a birthday.

“We love Washington wine,” Jerri Markley said.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chris & Julie (@woodinvillewinos)

At the start of their tasting, the Markley family had asked for tasting notes only to find out none existed. “The owner came down and said there weren’t any because a wine tasting and how a wine tastes is different for everyone,” Markley said.

TruthTeller Winery was the family’s sixth stop on Friday. “Pretty much all of the wines, from here to where we also went, were outstanding,” he said.

Jerri and wife Karla Markley had previously visited Walla Walla for their 40th wedding anniversary in 2019. For the rest of the group, it was their first time in the Valley.

“Washington wines brought us back,” he said. “We love the history here.”

READ MORE: Washington winemakers hopeful for successful year in Walla Walla Valley

Pursued by Bear

Growing up in rural Yakima, actor Kyle MacLachlan spent his days picking apples, canning peaches and fishing in the Yakima and Naches Rivers. Now, as the proprietor and vintner of Pursued by Bear, he continues to draw on his upbringing and connection to the land in his winemaking endeavours.

He said the Walla Walla area reminds him of his childhood.

“There’s a lot of great things about Walla Walla,” MacLachlan said. “Firstly, the vistas and the geography. Coming from Yakima, they are very similar … the smells and the way the sun shines, all remind me of where I grew up on the east side.”

MacLachlan has stared in films such as Dune (1984), Blue Velvet (1986) and has had roles in TV shows such as Portlandia and Twin Peaks.

At this year’s Spring Release, Pursued by Bear poured a Rosé, Syrah and the Pursued by Bear Cabernet Sauvignon.

“With the consistency we see with the tasting room right now, because we’ve only been open for a short time, we’re doing well,” he said. “It’s a success.”

MacLachlan said the next step for Pursued by Bear — now that the winery has a brick and mortar tasting room — is to find some estate fruit and land to plant it.

“There is a genuine love of wine in this community,” MacLachlan said. “I feel very welcomed and embraced into this world of wine.”

READ MORE: A taste of Oregon: Rustic charm, robust wines and regal farmland found in Willamette Valley

Long Shadows

Long Shadows, established in 2002 by the late Allen Shoup, is known for producing high-quality, premium wines in Walla Walla.

In the past, the winery brought together a team of world-renowned winemakers to create wines that showcase the unique terroir of the state.

Some of the renowned winemakers who have worked with Long Shadows Vintners include Michel Rolland, Philippe Melka, and John Duval. The winery produces a range of red and white wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Washington’s Long Shadows Vintners produces a range of red and white wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Photo courtesy Long Shadows

Gilles Nicault, director of winemaking and viticulture at Long Shadows, said this year’s Spring Release was a time of festivity as 2023 marks one step farther away from the pandemic.

“Since COVID, getting back to normal has been difficult for everybody,” Nicault said. “Now, we are able to start feeling like how everything used to be. We are able to be next to each other and embrace the opportunities to sit in the sunlight and drink wine. I don’t think people took that for granted, but I think more people are seeking that now.”

Having grown up in southern France, Nicault refined his winemaking expertise in the hillside vineyards of Côte du Rhône, Provence, and Champagne. In 1994, he journeyed to Washington State to broaden his winemaking abilities, and eventually became a member of Long Shadows in 2003.

He said when he first came to Walla Walla, downtown was “quaint.” Nothing compared to what it is now with its impressive food and restaurant scene.

“Now, with the food and the wine, I think Walla Walla has been revived,” Nicault said. “The food and wine scenes have come together to create this gastronomic tourism like you see in Tuscany or Burgandy in the Pacific Northwest and in Walla Walla.”

Pat and Jim Thielman, longtime wine club members of Long Shadows, came to Walla Walla from their home in Richland to pick up their wine order.

The couple smiled as they sipped a 2022 Rosé called Julia’s Dazzle.

Pat Thielman said they both came to love wine when they moved to the area. “We started coming here and just fell in love with the wines,” she said. Jim, her husband, added that it was the Long Shadow’s Pedestal Merlot that first got him hooked. The couple said they love reds much more than whites.

Nicault came over and refilled the couple’s glasses with a 2020 Dance Chardonnay and greeted the Theilmans as old friends. Nicault said the best part of being a winemaker is the ability to work with nature, create something new and bring people joy as he gazed out at a scene of tasters enjoying wine at the tasting room.

“The epitome of my job is when everyone is tasting my wine with a smile on their face,” Nicault said. “It’s incredible to go from the ground to bringing happiness to everybody.”

Plan your adventures throughout the West Coast at westcoasttraveller.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thewestcoasttraveller. And for the top West Coast Travel stories of the week delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our weekly Armchair Traveller newsletter!

Share this:

Category: TravelTag: Food, Staycation secrets, Things to do, USA, Washington, WCT Intro, wine

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

Waterfalls, not wildflowers are Mt. Rainier National Park’s main springtime attraction

By Taylor Newquist, The Spokesman-Review A thin layer of clouds hung over Mount Rainier on…

Waterfalls, not wildflowers are Mt. Rainier National Park’s main springtime attractionRead More

Fly high and touch the sky at Golden Skybridge

For adrenaline junkies, outdoor adventurers or families looking for a thrilling, interactive way to spend…

Fly high and touch the sky at Golden SkybridgeRead More

Ottawa rejigs trusted-traveller program in bid to avoid last summer’s airport chaos

The federal government has rolled out a revamp of its trusted-traveller program to clear any…

Ottawa rejigs trusted-traveller program in bid to avoid last summer’s airport chaosRead More

Fire-breathing metal dinosaur roars for travellers in BC Ferries lineup

Passengers waiting at a BC Ferries terminal in Nanaimo in Vancouver Island were probably not…

Fire-breathing metal dinosaur roars for travellers in BC Ferries lineupRead More

‘You barked, we listened:’ BC Ferries’ pet pilot project expanded

Dogs – and cats – are getting their day on BC Ferries … at least…

‘You barked, we listened:’ BC Ferries’ pet pilot project expandedRead More

200+ former employees return to Lytton’s Kumsheen Resort to kick off 50th anniversary

In what was expected to be one of the biggest gatherings in the Lytton area…

200+ former employees return to Lytton’s Kumsheen Resort to kick off 50th anniversaryRead More

Summer zipline tours to restart at Juneau’s Eaglecrest Ski Area

Visitors to Juneau, Alaska can once again take to the skies at Eaglecrest Ski Area,…

Summer zipline tours to restart at Juneau’s Eaglecrest Ski AreaRead More

5 ways to be more food sustainable while travelling

By Katrina Sirotta It’s the night before a big trip. You’ve got your luggage packed,…

5 ways to be more food sustainable while travellingRead More

Travel, tourism sectors set for major recovery this year: Report

A new reports finds that Canada’s travel and tourism sector is poised for a big…

Travel, tourism sectors set for major recovery this year: ReportRead More

Previous Post: « Crowns, robes + thrones come with the stay at Washington state castle
Next Post: Celebrate Asian Heritage Month at the second annual ‘Awakening Chinatown’ Festival »

Primary Sidebar

Things To Do

Waterfalls, not wildflowers are Mt. Rainier National Park’s main springtime attraction

May 26, 2023

Fly high and touch the sky at Golden Skybridge

May 25, 2023

Ottawa rejigs trusted-traveller program in bid to avoid last summer’s airport chaos

May 24, 2023

Fire-breathing metal dinosaur roars for travellers in BC Ferries lineup

May 24, 2023

Recent Posts

Waterfalls, not wildflowers are Mt. Rainier National Park’s main springtime attraction

May 26, 2023

Fly high and touch the sky at Golden Skybridge

May 25, 2023

Ottawa rejigs trusted-traveller program in bid to avoid last summer’s airport chaos

May 24, 2023

Fire-breathing metal dinosaur roars for travellers in BC Ferries lineup

May 24, 2023

Footer

The West Coast Traveller has an immense social media footprint, with eight social media sites and and 125,000+ social followers.

Join us on social media and Join Our Community by sharing your stuff!

Get Inspired

News Media Groups

Black Press Media
Sound Publishing
Oahu Media Group
Alaska
Boulevard Magazines
Used.ca

Let’s Get Social

West Coast Traveller
I Love British Columbia
I Love Alberta
I Love Yukon
I Love Northwest Territories
I Love Washington
I Love California
I Love Oregon
I Love Alaska

Visit Our Companion Sites

I Love Saskatchewan
I Love Manitoba
I Love Nunavut
I Love Ontario
I Love Quebec
I Love Newfoundland and Labrador
I Love Nova Scotia
I Love New Brunswick
I Love Prince Edward Island

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon

Copyright © 2023 West Coast Traveller and · All Rights Reserved