I had a blast at the open mic at Walla Walla Village Winery, (7-10 pm Thursday nights) hosted by Jesse Campos of Blue Mt Spanish Sound. Jesse did a great job of running the show (as well as showcasing his own musical talent). Lots of great musicians showed up and I even took the stage for a few songs.
Walla Walla Village Winery is a great room with nice acoustics and a very warm friendly atmosphere. There was a good crowd and they were very welcoming. There is a sign up sheet for the open mic and if you show up late, you will still get to play, though you may be unplugged after 10pm.
Good times with the good folks at Locati Cellars in Walla Walla, WA. We filmed at their tasting bar located in Cugini, an Italian deli. I actually left a small segment in which maybe should be an out take, because we were just laughing so hard. Heath really is a relaxed and fun guy, and the Locati sisters R-O-C-K.
When the video was done I tasted the ’05 Barbera which we mentioned and that was the bottle I chose to take home with me. Very limited quantities left, and if it is gone, go ahead and get the ’06. You will not be disappointed.
Walla Walla Village Winery is a great little place! Proprietor Barb Clark was very gracious and full of interesting stories about how the winery developed it’s psychedelia theme. She has actually met Ted Nugent! She knows a cousin of Jerry Garcia who lives in Walla Walla. Talk to Judith at Wildberries Cafe about that one.
They have an Open Mic night every Thursday night from 7-10 pm and I will be there tonight (4/9/09) doing some more video. I might even sit in and do a tune or two. Come on down and buy me a glass of wine. Buy yourself one, too.
Had a nice afternoon chatting with Kim about her restaurant, CrossRoads Steakhouse by the golf course in Walla Walla, WA. This is a great place with live music on the weekends, mostly Blues and CW, with an occasional Zydeco band thrown in.
We tasted a little Red Barn Red from Yellow Hawk Cellar, also in Walla Walla.
Talking with Eric of Essence Photography is always a pleasure. He is a genuinely humble guy who loves what he does. His special love is children’s photography.
I had to really twist his arm to showcase his great work and products. All he wanted to talk about was the joy he gets from meeting new people and serving their needs. We also drank a little wine, an ’06 Merlot from Barnard Griffin
Rich is a friend of mine whose wine column in the Eastern Oregonian newspaper evolved into his wine blog, One Rich Wine Guy. We talk about how to properly open a bottle of wine and sip an excellent Dumas Station ’05 Estate Syrah from Rich’s library. Only 49 cases produced. Sold out. Did I also mention that Rich is a very generous guy? Wow! Thanks, Rich
We also give a big shout out to Ava Wine Rooms in Kennewick, WA.
It was a real treat to hang out at Dunham Cellars, in Walla Walla, WA. They were chosen by Wine Press Northwest as Winery of the Year in 2008 and it is easy to understand why. I tasted three reds, the Cabernet XI, the ’05 Syrah ( the ’04 was featured in the Wall St. Journal), and the ’05 Lewis Vineyard Reserve Cabernet. All winners. Seriously.
They have live music on Thursday Friday nights in The Hangar Lounge, a large and comfortable room adjoining the tasting room. Fabulous art all over the place and a really down home feeling. I could live in that lounge – literally.
You & I Framing and Gallery has been a steady supporter of the art community in Kennewick, WA for sometime now. They are sponsors of the First Thursday Art Walk and host a new show in their gallery every month.
They have an incredible selection of moldings and do great design work for their custom framing. They also have a large selection of ready-made frames as well. I also enjoy just gazing at their huge salt water aquarium.
