Yakima Valley Vintners hosts French inspired market
Yakima Valley Vintners (YVV), Yakima Valley College’s teaching winery, will host a French Market and Wine Release Party on Friday, September 22 from 3 – 7 p.m. at its tasting room on the Yakima Campus, 1606 West Nob Hill Blvd. In addition to the opportunity to taste traditional award-winning, student-made wines, this special release party will include two different styles of chardonnay, syrah, carménère, cabernet franc and merlot. Wine tasting with food pairings will be available for purchase at the door. Cost is $10 for YVV Wine Club Members and $15 for non-members. The event also includes a free market.
“In honor of French-style wine we are releasing for our fall release party we have put together a one-day French Market this September,” said Annette Wattenbarger, program specialist. “We have gathered a variety of exciting vendors with items that are locally sourced or made — from mini-donuts, charcuterie boards and fresh breads to handcrafted art pieces and more — this event has something for everyone.”
Award-winning wines available for tasting at this special event include the following:
2022 Study Skills Chardonnay
This chardonnay was fermented in stainless steel to preserve the fruity aromatics. Floral notes of orange blossom are met with tree fruit aromas of peach and apple. The soft and clean mouthfeel is followed by flavors of apple and cream pie. This wine could pair with a chicken and vegetable stir fry or pesto pasta.
Award: Silver Medal; 2023 Seattle Wine Awards
2022 Easy A Chardonnay
This oaked chardonnay has a perfect balance or barrel character and fruity aromas. The vanilla and toasty oak flavors are complemented with the apple, pear and floral notes in the background. The oak flavors shine on the palate, with notes of crème brûlée and toffee and a smooth, rounded mouthfeel. The tree fruit greet you again and a crisp finish will leave you craving your next sip.
Award: Silver Medal; 2023 Seattle Wine Awards
2019 Science Fair Carménère
Carménère, once thought to be the lost varietal of Bordeaux, was hiding in plain sight; mistaken as a unique merlot. This wine has beautiful aromas of fresh peppers with hints of other great herbal undertones, followed by dark plums, dried dates and candied blueberry jam. On the palate you are greeted with a bold but fruity smooth tannic finish. The fruit was grown with passion at Pontin Farms in the Yakima Valley.
Awards: Gold Medal; 2023 Seattle Wine Awards, Silver Medal; 2023 Cascadia Wine Awards
2019 Final Exam Cabernet Franc
The complexity of this wine deserves a perfect score on this final exam. The aromas showcase a combination of blackberry and blueberry, as well as chocolate-covered cherries. Upon tasting the wine, you will notice the fruit flavors are mixed with vanilla, mocha and there is a balanced acidity with lingering tannins. This wine would pair well with your favorite charcuterie plate and some smoked cheeses.
Award: Gold Medal; 2023 Seattle Wine Awards
2019 Super Senior Merlot
Just like a student may take an extra quarter in school, this merlot was on the skins some extra time with an extended maceration of 10 months before then pressings into French oak. Aromas of sweet cherry, potpourri and strawberry spice explode out of the glass. This merlot is very approachable with its dark fruit flavors, bold tannins and rich structure. It has balanced acidity with flavors that continue to linger on the finish. This would pair nicely with a pot roast or prime rib.
Award: Gold Medal; 2023 Seattle Wine Awards
2019 Graduate’s Last Hyrah Syrah
Like a graduate’s last hurrah, this wine ends with a memory you won’t forget. At the start you will experience dark and red fruits, with some floral notes. Once you taste the wine, the memory of ripe flavors, blackberry cola, a touch of vanilla, and the savory mouthfeel leave a lasting impression.
Award: Gold Medal; 2023 Seattle Wine Awards
Local vendors participating in this event include Loomis Creations, BSC Leathergoods, Blissful Bites, Sol Catchers, Teege’s Tumblers, Mama Jane’s Self Care, Graze Craze, Selberg’s Sweets, Glass by Karen, The Mac Mix, Sparky’s Sparklies, Rasberryjune, Total Bliss Bath, 29D Signs, Little Sister Artisan Productions, Buggirl Farms, Apple City Salami, Tieton Farm & Creamery and more.
Can’t make this event? Don’t worry, you can purchase Yakima Valley Vintners wine anytime by visiting our online store. For more information contact yakima@yakimavalleyvintner.com
Press Release Contacts:
Dustin Wunderlich / 509.574.6870 / dwunderlich@yvcc.edu
Stefanie Menard / 509.574.4646 / smenard@yvcc.edu