60 Walla Walla Valley Wineries and World-Renowned Winemakers and Chefs Gather in Walla Walla for Three Event-Filled Days in June

Fifth annual event to take place June 15-17, 2017 in Walla Walla, Washington

WALLA WALLA, WA – Walla Walla Valley AVA Syrahs are the focus of this year’s Celebrate Walla Walla Valley Wine event series. Some 60 Walla Walla Valley AVA wineries will come together to share Syrahs that express the exciting, intriguing, multifaceted terroir of the Valley. The event, in its fifth year, is organized by the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance.

Celebratefocuses on a different wine varietal each year (a rotation of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot), comparing the similarities and differences of the Walla Walla Valley with the world’s leading wine regions. The 2017 Celebrate Walla Walla Valley Wine event series will begin the evening of Thursday, June 15 with a Vintage Pour tasting at Canoe Ridge Vineyard featuring a limited number of Walla Walla Valley wines from the 2010 vintage or earlier. Hearty hors d’oeuvres will be served by Chef Jake Crenshaw of Walla Walla’s Olive Marketplace and Café.

“Vintage Pour guests are invited to taste rare and unique bottles from our Walla Walla Valley wineries,” explains Heather Unwin, Executive Director of the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance. “Some of the wines are more than 10 years old, aging beautifully, and impossible to access outside this event.”

The following morning of June 16, Wine & Spirits Senior Correspondent, Patrick Comiskey and Master Sommelier/Master of Wine, Doug Frost will serve as keynote speakers for a kick-off session at the historic Gesa Power House Theatre in downtown Walla Walla.

After Friday’s Kick-Off event, Doug Frost will moderate an afternoon panel discussion with winemakers from the Walla Walla Valley, Yarra Valley, Australia, and Napa Valley, California. Geologist Kevin Pogue will start the panel with an engaging talk on terroir, and then participants will have the rare opportunity to compare the growing conditions and wine styles from each region while attendees taste Syrah from all the producers:

• Corey Braunel, Dusted Valley Vintners | Walla Walla Valley
• Nina Buty, Buty Winery | Walla Walla Valley
• Steve Brooks, Trust Cellars | Walla Walla Valley
• Gary Mills, Jamsheed | Yarra Valley, Australia
• Helen Keplinger, Keplinger Wines | Napa Valley, California

After the panel presentation, participants will be invited to take part in appetizers and a walkabout tasting of Syrah from 40+ Walla Walla Valley wineries, followed by a delightful 3-course seated dinner created by three premier chefs:

• Joshua Henderson, Huxley Wallace Collective | Seattle, Washington
• Andrae Bopp, Andrae’s Kitchen | Walla Walla
• Jim Cooley, Bon Appetit | Walla Walla

The dinner tables will be hosted by Walla Walla Valley winemakers who will skillfully pair their wines with each course.

Celebrate will wrap up on Saturday, June 17 with a series of intimate winemaker dinners around the Valley.  Tickets are now on sale at www.CelebrateWallaWalla.com.

SCHEDULEOF EVENTS

Thursday, June 15, 2017

VintagePour | Canoe Ridge Vineyard| 4:30-6:30 p.m. | Tickets: $85

Friday, June 16, 2017

Kick-offEvent | Gesa Power HouseTheater | 8:30-10:00a.m. | Complimentary Tickets

Winemaker PanelPresentationsand Tastings| MarcusWhitman Hotel| 3:00-5:00 p.m. | Tickets: $65

Syrah GrandTasting & Dinner | Whitman College |5:30-9:00 p.m. | Tickets: $125

Saturday, June 17, 2017

WinemakerDinnersaround theWalla Walla Valley| 6:00-9:00p.m. | Tickets: $125