William Pollard Jr | aka: Wild 4 Washington Wine

Music, Views and Wine in the Columbia Gorge. Maryhill Winery is uniquely situated along the Columbia River Gorge. With a 4,000-seat amphitheater below the winery, they bring world class musicians to perform every summer. Come for the music, take in the gorgeous views and enjoy some wonderful Washington wine. Summer Concert Schedule : Counting Crows and special guests The Wallflowers, Sunday, July 14, 6 p.m. Daryl Hall and John Oates , Saturday, Aug. 17, 7 p.m. Willie Nelson & Family, Saturday, Aug. 24, 7 p.m.

My first Idaho wine review. Last week I met Gary Cunningham owner/grower of 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards. Gary was showcasing his Idaho wines at the Kennewick, Washington Costco. Yes, I believe this is my first Idaho wine review. photo: Gary Cunningham. Gary had a good display of the wines he makes. While my wife continued shopping, Gary and I had a chance to talk. With over 50 wineries in Idaho, 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards is the largest producer at over 10,000 cases annually. To keep up with demand, Gary is planting more vineyards. Gary apologized for not being able to share his wine with me; in Washington you cannot taste wine at Costco, you can eat food samples, but unfortunately not wine. I had to wait until I got home.

Keeping cool while looking cool. This is my first wine related product evaluation. I was contacted by Matt Baack of  Angle 33 and asked to review his Angle 33 Concrete Wine Thermal. Yes, this product is made out of concrete. Matt Baack started in concrete 14 years ago, in the flatwork industry. He owns and operates Stamping Ground Studios  in Missoula, Montana. He specializes in decorative concrete counter tops, concrete furniture and stained concrete floors. Matt is constantly looking for new ways to use the medium of concrete. One of his goals is to provide Missoula, Montana with "...proof that we still can and should foster manufacturing here, in the United States." One of the results of his efforts is the Angle 33 Concrete Wine Thermal; which he refers to as the "perfect wine house."

A classic Spanish blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha and Graciano. 2010 was an unusually cool year for Washington. Word on the street was that it would be a difficult vintage to execute; but the best winemakers would produce truly spectacular wines. A vintage to remember for some. The Pomum Cellars 2010 TINTO is one of those wines made by one of those talented winemakers. This bottle was provided courtesy of Pomum Cellars.

An honest expression of Washington terroir. It's a pleasure to enjoy a bottle of red wine that tastes like you expect it to taste and compliments your meal. Is it odd to tell you that the McKinley Springs Cabernet Sauvignon tastes like and drinks like a Washington Cabernet Sauvignon? It does and I enjoyed it.

Six wines from Carmel Valley, California. Holman Ranch  is located in the Carmel Valley, California. It was originally part of Mexico and the land was bestowed to the Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo during the Spanish era. One of the first ranches was the Los Laureles Rancho that included property which today is Holman Ranch. In the 1920's the Ranch served as a retreat for Hollywood celebrities; including Charlie Chaplin and Theda Bara. By the 1940's Holman Ranch became one of the first resorts in the Carmel Valley and host to another generation of Hollywood celebrities. Some of the famous actors you would have seen included: Clark Gable, Vincent Price, Joan Crawford and Marlon Brando.

Hamilton Cellars has a tasting room in South Richland; lucky me, it's easily within walking distance. My wife is supplying me with regular doses of Hamilton Cellars wines. One of the bottles I recently opened was the Hamilton Cellars 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon. I first visited this wine two years ago at the winery. It is aging gracefully.

The April Virtual Tasting wine was the Renegade Wine Company 2012 Rose. The tasting took place on Wednesday April 24th from 7-8 pm PST. Virtual Tastings are held monthly and hosted by Sean Sullivan of Washington Wine Report . What you need to participate: 1. Buy the current month’s wine from a local retailer or direct from the winery. 2. Have a twitter account. 3. Tweet your comments about the wine on Twitter, as each participant opens their bottle and shares comments about the wine between 7 and 8pm PST, follow @wawinereport.

Revelry on Red Mountain - one of my favorite local events! Saturday, May 25, 2013, 6:00pm - 9:00pm Join us for one of our most popular events back for the 5th year - Revelry on Red Mountain ! Tickets on sale April 1st by calling 206.326.5770.

May is Oregon Wine Month a perfect time for you to get out and explore! Many Oregon restaurants support Oregon wine. Some are the restaurants who supported Vintage Oregon 2013 while others have received the  Superior Cellar Awards, a joint effort between the  Oregon Wine Press and the Oregon Wine Board. Superior Cellars provides consumer guidance on restaurants that feature diverse and broad selections of Oregon wines on their wine lists.

Sex in a glass of wine. Smell is one of the most prized aspects of my wine enjoyment. The more time I spend smelling and analyzing wine, the greater my appreciation and sensitivity to those characteristics. Smell can also enhance the libido and draw people together. "Smell is not just a biological and psychological experience, it is also a social and cultural phenomenon." Source:  The Smell Report by Kate Fox , Social Issues Research Centre My friends and regular readers know that I am a huge fan of Washington Syrah. Washington Syrah can be very expressive in color, aroma and depth of flavor. Personal experience suggests it will stain your mouth and lips purple. There is no singular style of Washington Syrah; Syrah can be fruity, smoky, meaty, funky, floral and any combination of those elements. Yes, I have been enthralled by the deep properties emanating from a glass of Washington Syrah. This week I had a truly unique sensory experience with the  Pomum Cellars

Big Fire = everyday drinking. Last summer I met winemaker Rob Stuart at his McMinnville, Oregon winery. It was a surprise to learn that I first enjoyed his wines more than 20 years ago when he was winemaker for a now defunct Washington winery - Staton Hills . When I first began to take wine seriously, Staton Hills was one of my favorite Washington wineries; and the winemaker too of course.