Red Mountain Uncorked: Harvest 2011 Delayed

“Experience tells me that it’s not what happens to you that matters, it’s how you respond to what has happened" ~ Wally Amos

Known as Famous-Amos, he's a guy who really knows sometimes, that's the way the cookie crumbles. It's with that thought in mind, that as I enter into day five of my winemaker fantasy-camp without the opportunity to harvest any grapes as of the moment [sigh].

That aside, I wanted to say a hearty "good-morning" to everyone from Red Mountain, I've got a hot cup of Joe in my hand and some fresh baked pumpkin spice muffins from a place called "Yokes" great stuff. In my mind, the perfect fuel to start off a busy day on the bottling line. Oh yeah you heard right, it was my goal to come up to Terra Blanca during crush, but with the rains [cloudy, dark skies over-head] and the ripeness levels not working in my favor it looks like I will go home without that experience under my belt [sigh]. As I’ve drove around the area, I’ve seen that many of the wineries here on Red Mountain have not picked all their fruit either. But hey that's life on a winery, mother-nature is the boss and you can't always pick by the numbers [if you know what I mean].

However, since I've been here, I've learned so much more about the way a winery works than what really meets the eye, especially to the average vino-sapien casually walking in the tasting room doors. I've had unprecedented unfettered access to their entire operation; with that kind of "access" there’s a lot of trust involved. No one has told me, hey Mr. Cuvee [the blogger] don't look in here or don't go in that door. I've not seen one thing that would give me pause. With that said; I can tell you that this winery is a well oiled machine, which is extraordinarily able to respond to situations that can go sideways quickly.

The first day I get here, Terra Blanca's owner Keith Pilgrim is greeted with news of a dish-washing machine that has malfunctioned in the worse way and he calmly say's "really, um okay, call so and so, and he'll get it fixed" but so and so is busy, elsewhere and then he thought for a moment, mentions another team member who can hop on the issue and bada-bing, bada-boom it's done. All before the large group of guest scheduled for the evening show up, without a hitch their giddy-up. I've over heard more than one conversation similar this and their team here, jump on it like a cat pouncing upon an unsuspecting mouse.

Am I saying that Terra Blanca is perfect, uh-no, because no one person or business entity can claim perfection. But what I am saying is that Terra Blanca has a dedicated team employees [from the tasting room to the crush-pad], who are all rowing in the same direction, as a result the end product which ends up in your glass will really thrill you in one way or the other.

The selection of wines on their menu on any given day has a something for every type of wine drinker; whether you want it sweet or serious, I can assure that there will be a wine you will be happy to take home. Whether it's something you want to put away for another day or wine you would like to pour for guest you'd like to have over to show-case Washington wines, either way you be glad you have some Terra Blanca wine in your glass. I have so much more to share about this great experience, so please stay tuned. Until next time sip long and prosper, cheers!