Despite Economy, Wine and Chocolate a Big Hit

 YAKIMA VALLEY -- The economy is turning down, but people are still drinking up. Red Wine and Chocolate events saw big crowds this weekend. Especially on Saturday, Yakima-area winerys were packed with people out to sample wine and chocolate pairings.

Winery owners say they were a little worried about what turn out would be like this year, but many said crowds ended up being bigger than in previous years. Not only were people tasting, they were buying too.

"Now we have gas under $2 and what I'm seeing is the number of people out is in the normal range and the sales seem to be good," says Paul Vandenberg, owner of Paradisos del Sol Winery. "Now I'm optimistic for the rest of the year."

Some winery owners say they saw more out-of-towners than ususal. Many wine- tasters were from the west side, and some came from as far away as Idaho and Arizona.