Woehler on Wine: Waving Tree and Phelps Creek Vineyards wineries
Waving Tree and Phelps Creek Vineyards wineries are separated by the Columbia River but are worth a stop to sample their excellent wines when traveling the Columbia Gorge.
Both are in the stretch from Hood River to Maryhill that not only is a growing wine region but also a great place to visit by itself, with all kinds of scenery, plus some great places to stay and dine.
Phelps Creek Vineyards is on the Oregon side up along Fruit Loop above Hood River, and Waving Tree is in a quaint log cabin near Maryhill Washington State Park just off Highway 97 across from Biggs Junction.
Both offer a chance to try something different, including pinot noir, sangiovese, barbera and a delicious sweet gewürztraminer.
Waving Tree is a small winery not far from the much larger Maryhill Winery. It is a family affair for winemaker Terrance Atkins, who specializes in Italian style reds, chiefly sangiovese and barbera. But he's really high on his new 2007 nebiolo, which he says is the best Italian red he has made so far. It will be poured Saturday at the Tri-City Wine Festival tasting in Pasco.
Waving Tree Winery estate barbera, Columbia Valley, $13-$15 -- A really tasty but usually hard to find Italian red showing black raspberries, a hint of sarsaparilla and smooth chocolate. Devine with mushroom risotto that's full of butter, cognac, heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese.
Waving Tree 2006 sangiovese, Columbia Valley, $13-$15 -- Rated excellent in the Wine Press Northwest judging of Italian reds last summer. Bright raspberries with supple tannins and that great acidity to go with meatball and spaghetti sauce.
The winery web page is under construction. Call 509-773-6552 to get information on when the winery is open, which is generally on weekends this time of year.
Phelps Creek is an up-and-coming Oregon winery along Highway 35 in the "fruit loop" area above Hood River.
Owner Robert Morus has good people behind him, including longtime Willamette Valley winemaker Rich Cushman and Alexandrie Roy, whose roots are in France's Burgundy region.
Phelps Creek produces pinot noir, several gewurztraminers ranging from dry to sweet and a terrific unoaked Columbia Gorge chardonnay.
Phelps Creek Vineyards 2007 La Petit Columbia Gorge pinot noir, $18 -- Made in the nouveau style, this is light and fruity with plenty of cherries. Try a petrale sole with pinot noir cream sauce recipe recommended by Wine Press Northwest's Braiden Rex-Johnson.
Phelps Creek Vineyards 2007 Vin Dore dessert gewürztraminer, Columbia Gorge, $25. Grapes from Washington's Oak Ridge Vineyard across the river were picked very ripe, then frozen, intensifying their sweet honey, spicy flavors. Best by itself as an after dinner treat.