Desert Wind: A New Destination for Weekend Wine Tastings
By Bob Woehler
Desert Wind winery in Prosser is bringing a new
destination winery to the Yakima Valley.
Desert Wind features a huge tasting room, a restaurant, banquet
facilities, outside patios offering a view of the Yakima River and
four luxury guest suites for rent.
The new winery and grounds were showcased during the annual Wine
Yakima Valley Red Wine and Chocolate celebration. See details in the
story below.
Desert Wind's sister winery is Duck Pond in Dundee, Ore., and
both are owned by the Fries and Jenkins families, which include Doug
Fries and his wife Joann; their son Greg, who is the winemaker, and
their daughter Lisa, who married Scott Jenkins. The Jenkinses do the
marketing and overall operation of the two wineries.
They said they chose Prosser because it is in the heart of
Eastern Washington wine country and an easy drive to the Fries
Vineyards on Wahluke Slope, where most of the winery's grapes will
be grown.
The new winery stands on a bluff overlooking the Yakima River
where Interstate 82 crosses. It's the latest in what is a new trend
for Washington wineries: Building a facility to take full advantage
of the wine industry's ability to draw tourists.
Others in the same category include Terra Blanca and Kiona of
Benton City; Basel Cellars of Walla Walla, Cave B of George;
Maryhill in the Columbia Gorge; and Tsillan Cellars of Chelan. Soon
to be added is Col Solare on Red Mountain.
Some of the wines offered by Desert Wind include:
2002 Bare Naked viognier, Wahluke Slope, $15 -- Typical
orange and vanilla cream aromas and flavors with bananas and spices
added to the mix. The bare naked title is given to wines that are
not made in oak barrels but rather in stainless steel tanks. Crisp
acidity with a lingering aftertaste.
2002 Bare Naked chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $15 -- Rich
and lush flavors despite no oak. Nice citrus and fresh tropical
fruit flavors and aromas. Smooth with a crisp finish to match well
with a variety of seafood.
2004 barbera, Columbia Valley, $20 -- Think barbecued ribs
when serving this tasty, fruity red wine. Aromas and flavors of a
bowl of berries with hints of brown sugar and allspice.
2004 syrah, Wahluke Slope, $30 -- Deep, dark and delicious
describes this syrah. Vanilla and oak aromas give way to juicy
cherry jam flavors with some chocolate and licorice at the finish.
2004 Ruah, Columbia Valley, $15 -- A classic
Bordeaux-style blend of 44 percent merlot, 30 percent cabernet
sauvignon and 16 percent cabernet franc. It begins with oak and
bitter chocolate aromas and finishes with mouth-filling lush cherry
and black licorice flavors.
Bob Woehler, a retired Herald
staff writer, has been writing a column about wines of the Pacific
Northwest since 1978. Send him e-mail at
bwoehler@charter.net.
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