Blog Entries

Outside of Walla Walla

mdavidson@wallawalla.org — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0100

There are so many awesome things about the Walla Walla Valley that I could write dozens of blogs; I have a hard time focusing on just one thing each month. A visit to Seattle this past weekend, however, reminded me of how incredible Walla Walla's location is.

The Walla Walla Valley is pretty much equidistant from any of the region's maj [...]

The Bürgermeister’s Report #7

jtownsend@fancylogo.com — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In Chicago, red hots (hot dogs, to the rest of us) are taken so seriously that some of the finer hot dog establishments charge ten cents extra for that little bit of flaky charring the tube steaks get from spending a minute longer on an open grill. But we digress.

What brought this factoid to mind was our trip to Pendleton recently to sample the wares a [...]

Much Ado Uncorked

bruindrew86@gmail.com — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Sitting midway up the grandstands, the open stage and the backdrop of trees and the Blue Mountains before me, a balmy day having turned into a comfortable night, I couldn't imagine being in a better place at that moment than the Fort Walla Walla Amphitheater readying to see the Seattle Shakespeare Company's production of "Much Ado About Noth [...]

Fishing, not catching

Steve@detourfarm.com — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0100

I went fishing on Rock Creek yesterday-near Missoula, Montana. It's a world-famous trout stream full of colorful cutthroats and feisty browns, or so they say.

Before I made the six-hour trek from Walla Walla, I checked in with my Montana fishing consultant, Matt. He always catches fish, or so he says.

"Fished Rock Creek a few days ago," Matt said. "Caught fish all day. They're eating gold-ribbed, pink-flossed flipsy doodles in sizes 10 and 12."

"Gold-ribbed flipsy [...]

Veraison on the Horizon

wildwallawallawinewoman@yahoo.com — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Recently I visited the estate vines of Three Rivers Winery and Tertulia Cellars, here in the Walla Walla Valley. And as like the theatre master exclaims, "The stage is set" - - indeed the stage is set in the vineyards awaiting veraison and later the fall harvest.

The fruit has been set amongst the vines of the Walla Walla Valley. Many of the vin [...]

"Green" Valley

Becky.StClair@wallawalla.edu — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Living in the Pacific Northwest has really opened my eyes to a lot of things I probably wouldn't otherwise have thought of. Being this close to Portland, Ore., which is probably one of the "green"-est cities in the country, makes it difficult to not consider the environment in nearly everything I do. And fortunately, the residents of t [...]

The Bürgermeister’s Report #6

jtownsend@fancylogo.com — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We're not sure exactly how to defend this confession, but we have spent a dozen or so years in the Walla Walla Valley, luxuriating in everything it has to offer the hedonist and gourmand, and never tasted a Jason Burger. We know, we know.

At least a few of you are shaking your heads, we can tell, and are wondering if we will be w [...]

Fishing or music? Why not both!

speters@columbiarea.coop — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

What do fly fishing and chamber music have in common? If you are in Walla Walla in June, the answer is Tim Christie, Founder and Director of the Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival. I was fortunate enough to meet Tim in 2009 and discovered that we both share a passion for chasing trout with a fly rod. I also thoroughly enjoy the beautiful Chamber Music [...]

Outside dining; Trendy and cool

Becky.StClair@wallawalla.edu — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

I love eating outside. I really don't know why except that it's different from the "norm" and makes me feel kind of trendy and cool (a feeling I'm not typically given the chance to enjoy). The great thing is that it seems most eateries in the Walla Walla area offer outdoor seating, whether it's a quick meal at Pita Pit or five-star dining at [...]

Wine is the most civilized thing in the world

wildwallawallawinewoman@yahoo.com — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

I would like to say I made up that title, but I didn't. It is a quote from Ernest Hemingway.

My blog for this month was going to be about hospitality, friendship and wine. I was going to relate it all to the recent North America Wine Bloggers' Conference that was held at the Marcus Whitman Hotel last month. The WBC10 was a three day event wi [...]

Walla Walla Nightlife Heating Up

bruindrew86@gmail.com — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Just as recently as 3 years ago, the chance to experience entertainment in Walla Walla after 7 pm was slim and none with none more often than the slim. Now, one can walk the streets of downtown on Thursday through Saturday nights and have several places to patronize.

This is a prime reflection of the stark change in Walla Walla. Let me give yo [...]

IS THAT BOOK ANY GOOD?

Steve@detourfarm.com — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

I've been out hawking my new book. It's tough work.
I spent the entire month of June in shameless self-promotion. I wore out my welcome in 12 cities across the South. Everywhere I went I met people who asked penetrating questions.
"Did you write this?" the gray-haired lady asked, holding up a copy of my book. She'd caught me just inside [...]

SAY WHAT?

Steve@detourfarm.com — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Yesterday morning I had a cell phone. I could call people on it. That was yesterday morning.
"You've got to tweet," my editor said. "And Facebook. All day long. All night long. All the time."
"But I don't like to Tweet or Facebook," I said bluntly. "I hate it. It's shameless self-promotion."
"Do you like writing books, Sam?"
"Sure."
"Do you want us to publish them, Sam?"
"Of course."
"Then you've got to sell books, Sam. To sell books you must engage in s [...]

Andy Eccleshall / Sinclair Cellars

bruindrew86@gmail.com — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Sinclair Estate Vineyards recently held its grand opening for its downtown tasting room with not only a nice party and pouring of wine, but also, an art show featuring the work of Edmonds, WA artist Andy Eccleshall (Ek-ul-shail).

Eccleshall was born and raised in the U.K. before crossing the pond 16 years ago to ply his [...]

The Wine Bloggers Are Coming to Town!

wildwallawallawinewoman@yahoo.com — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Robert Parker, leading US wine critic of the Wine Advocate publication called them "Blobbers." Anthony Dias Blue, Editor-in-Chief of The Tasting Panel Magazine referred to them as "bitter, carping gadflies." Who are these people? Well, hold onto your wine corks as they are coming to a town near you - - tha [...]

What a Combination

speters@columbiarea.coop — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Fly fishing, fly tying and good wine . . . a few of my favorite things in life! It's not often that I can combine all three at once. Now, toss in good friends, some great food out of a Dutch oven and "Wow!" - we've got an event that you can only find in Walla Walla. The Walla² Fly Fishers just held their 2nd Annual Fly Fishing F [...]

The Next Napa? No!

wildwallawallawinewoman@yahoo.com — Mon, 24 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Every so often I will read a national news article about Walla Walla wine country and sure enough, the author will eventually bring up the same old platitude they think is so original, “Walla Walla is the next Napa.”

No! With every “Walla Walla is the next Napa” comment I read, it makes me wonder if the author of the article has even b [...]

YODA

Steve@detourfarm.com — Mon, 24 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

His name’s YODA,” Annie said, all puffed up with satisfaction. “Just look at those ears.”

His ears were extra-long and pointy. His nose was extra-long and wet. His back was extra-long and slightly bowed from holding his belly off the ground. His legs were extra-short.

“Looks like somebody put the wrong legs on him,” I said. “What kind [...]

Walla Walla Balloon Stampede

Becky.StClair@wallawalla.edu — Mon, 17 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

When I was in college, I made a list of things I want to do before I die. There are simple things, such as stop by the large antiques and fruit stand on the freeway between Walla Walla and Yakima, or driving a tractor. Then there are things I’ve already done, such as visit London, or become a mother. And finally, there are the comp [...]

Into the Woods

bruindrew86@gmail.com — Mon, 10 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

"Into The Woods", which just finished its opening weekend at The Little Theater, is a fast paced, although not short, Steven Sondheim and James Lapine musical that uses just about every fairy tale in the satchel to touch on just about every facet of life. The large cast and production crew of the Little Theater give a commendabl [...]