[rcvd 01-May-2000] -------------------- Woodward Canyon Newsletter Spring 2000 I have never been busier than I am this year with additional marketing trips, tastings and auctions. Never mind the grape growing and winemaking. We are early in the vineyard, with bud break in the cabernet franc around the 5th of April and merlot at around the 10th. Aspect to the sun has a lot to do with the date of bud break. We are doing a lot of additional trellis work, building a new road, and preparing for the first of two new wind machines. I will sleep better knowing I can protect the cabernet in the lowest portion of our vineyard this spring. We have finished racking most of the reds and are preparing the 1998 Artist Series cabernet for bottling in May. We will also bottle the 1999 Columbia Valley chardonnay and the 1998 Nelms Road cabernet sauvignon. All three of the wines are showing very well right now so it is prudent to get these wines in the bottle. Oh, and speaking about Nelms Road, I am extremely pleased with the acceptance of this wine and more importantly, the concept. It appears that there is still a spot in the market for a $20.00 bottle of good red wine for everyday drinking. Our 1998 Nelms Road cabernet will be available later this year. Spring in the Walla Walla Valley means great wine tasting. We graciously invite you to join us on May 6th and 7th and on May 12th, 13th and 14th during the annual Walla Walla Hot Air Balloon Stampede. I am predicting great weather for both weekends, but we will be tasting in the barrel room this year just in case. We have been making progress on our 1870's tasting room so please check it out while you're here. Our main focus this spring will be on our very fine red wines from 1997 and 1998. We are very pleased to introduce our first ever Walla Walla Valley cabernet sauvignon. This wine is a blend of 60% Woodward Canyon estate fruit and 40% Pepper Bridge cabernet sauvignon, both yielding just over one ton per acre. I have made cabernet from both vineyards previously but had always blended them into other wines. As both vineyards are approaching ten years of age, the 1997 vintage produced incredible cabernet with rich, concentrated fruit. The wine was aged in new chateux barrels and is offered for $40.00 per bottle both weekends. About eighty cases are available. We will continue to offer what remains of the 1997 "old vines" cabernet and the 1998 Columbia Valley merlot. We also have a little Nelms Road merlot and, of course, there is RTW. If you are able to join us either weekend, please say hello to Marie Thumann from Champagne, France. Marie has a degree from the University of Burgundy with, as you might expect, much experience with chardonnay and pinot noir. She is enjoying the opportunity to work with Bordeaux varieties here at Woodward Canyon. Gilles and Rob are also teaching her the intricacies of seranos and haberneros. And, after twenty three years as a land use planner and Director for Walla Walla County my wife, Darcey will be joining Woodward Canyon as General Manager. Darcey comes to us with tremendous organizational skills and I am looking forward to her arrival very much. With her help, I hope to be in the vineyards and cellar even more. Darcey is also doing all the gardens around the winery. Please join me in welcoming both of these very talented women to Woodward Canyon. In closing, this spring has been a great one for Woodward Canyon. We have very good moisture in the soil as we move into May and June, and the vines are as healthy as I have ever seen. Our new wines have met with great response in Great Britain, Japan, and in every national market. It is a great time to be making wine in Walla Walla. I wish you all the same gratification in your career that I am able to derive from mine. I love this job! See you in May and thanks for reading.