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Northwest Wine Fan Winery Visits

So why visit a winery? It is an opportunity for you to find out more about a wine you have enjoyed previously. It is a winery's chance to show you what is new and exciting in their current vintage and possibly to offer you some library releases from some older vintages they may still have in stock. But a visit to a winery can be so much more than laying your $5 or $10 down to try some wine and take home a bottle or two and a t-shirt.

A visit to a winery can be elevating as well as educational and if you are in the right place at the right time a visit can be an unforgettable experience. It might include a trip to the barrel room, a walk through the vineyards or if you are lucky, a personal tour with the winemaker and barrel tasting wine that has yet to be bottled.

Wineries to a large degree are successful due to word of mouth and when you visit a winery they have the chance to let you try wines that may not be in available in your area. Some wines are sold only at the winery so be sure to be attentive and ask questions about the wines you are tasting.

A few tips on wine tasting.

1. The number one rule is to pace your self. How many wineries (or local tastings) are you visiting that day? If it is only one, then you can probably sample most of the wines they may be offering with no problems. But if you are visiting more than one winery (or tasting) you should plan accordingly.

2. You do not have to taste every wine a that is offered for pour. Maybe you are more interested in red wines than whites or vice versa. Try the wines you are interested in.

3. We will usually try most of the wines we are interested in or one that is being recommended, but we do not drink all that is poured. Swirl the wine to release the aroma or bouquet. Take a sip and get the mouthfeel of the wine and then spit (I know, but those spit buckets are there for a good reason). Take a small drink of the wine and swallow to experience the finish and then pour the rest out.

4. Remember the responsible way to enjoy a winery or tasting day is to have a designated driver. Really, Really!!!

So here we go. We hope you enjoy our visits to wine and encourage you to visit the wineries we review.
Just click on a picture to visit our winery review pages.