Wine lovers flock to the Valley

At the new Knight Hill Winery up on a scenic hill in Zillah, you won't feel obligated during this weekend's bustling Spring Barrel Tasting to buy a bottle.

Because you can't.

"I tell people the bad news for us and the good news for you is we can't sell you anything," owner Terry Harrison, 63, said with a smile Friday.

However, he added, "We ship."

Or, at least Knight Hill Winery can ship when its wines are finally ready to bottle. The Harrisons -- Terry and wife Anne -- were hoping their riesling would be finished and bottled by Spring Barrel Tasting, one of the most popular wine tasting weekends in the Yakima Valley, which began Friday and runs through Sunday.

Unfortunately, the riesling won't be done until June. And the mourvédre, Knight Hill's signature red? Well, you can take a bottle home with you next year.

Still, you can visit this new winery, housed in a beautiful old horse barn, which is still in the process of being converted, and taste the also to-be-finished wine right out of the barrel, or, in the riesling's case, out of the tank. Ask nicely and they might even let you have a sneak sip of the syrah.

"That's what barrel tasting was about originally," said Anne, 60. "But I think it's gotten away from that."

Expected to draw thousands of wine lovers over the weekend, Spring Barrel Tasting is when wineries from Yakima down to the Tri-Cities let the masses sample unfinished wines straight from the barrel -- as well as finished wines from the bottle.

Known as a time to party, many wineries also have special food offerings, live music, art shows and other activities. It also gets so busy that participants are encouraged to bring their own glasses so the winery staff don't get dishpan hands and will have more time to talk.

"It's just fun," said Gene Haba of Seattle, who along with his wife, Shelley, have been coming to Spring Barrel Tasting since the mid-1990s.

"We like to come on Friday because you get to talk with the winemakers and people behind the counter," said Gene. "You don't really get to do that on Saturday."

Knight Hill was Gene and Shelley Haba's third winery stop Friday. While they have their favorites -- Terra Blanca, Eaton Hill, Thurston Wolfe -- they like to try out new places, too. Last year they were pleased to discover the new Winemaker's Loft in Prosser, which features six winery suites.

"That was a real pleasant surprise," said Gene.

Like the Habas, more than 90 percent of Spring Barrel tasters are from out of town, said Barbara Glover of Wine Yakima Valley, the marketing group that represents around 50 the area's wineries.

The Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail, which Knight Hill belongs to, also represents wineries in the area.

Glover said Washington wines are starting to become more acclaimed, while at the same time, wine tasting in the Valley remains a laid-back experience -- as well as a popular one.

Based on sales of Wine Yakima Valley's premiere passes -- which entitle you to perks such as special foods and reserve tastings at participating wineries -- Glover estimates as many as 5,000 people will visit wine country this weekend, which is on par with last year's numbers.

And by noon Friday, about 40 people had already stopped by Knight Hill's rustic tasting room, where even though you can't take any wine home just yet, you can still drink in the view.

* Knight Hill Winery is at 5330 Lombard Loop Road in Zillah. Call 509-865-5654, or visit www.knighthillwinery.com.

* Kim Nowacki can be reached at 577-7680 or knowacki@yakimaherald.com.

IF YOU GO...

WHAT: Spring Barrel Tasting.

WHERE: Wineries throughout the Yakima Valley.

WHEN: Today and Sunday. Most wineries are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

HOW MUCH: Tastings at many of the wineries are free, and all you'll need to bring is your own glass.

If you're looking for some special treatment, you can purchase a Wine Yakima Valley premiere pass, which entitles you to a few perks at participating wineries and a commemorative wine glass. Passes costs $35 and are available at participating wineries.

No passes are required at the 15 wineries on the Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail. However, you can get discounts and free reserve wine tastings with a $10 "Passport," which is available at each of the wineries.

INFO: Most wineries in the area belong to at least one of two different marketing groups. You can find out about upcoming events, maps and other information through Wine Yakima Valley at 509-965-5201, www.wineyakimavalley.org, or Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail at 509-965-4521, www.rattlesnakehills.com.

WINE GUIDE: Visit www.yakimaherald.com for a list of the area's wineries and an interactive Google map.