 Claar Cellars509.829.6810 1001 Vintage Valley Parkway Zillah, WA 98953 Tasting Room Open Daily 10-6 mid Feb thru Nov www.claarcellars.com |
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| What to Buy ’03 Syrah Fresh raspberry, sage, mocha $16.99 Busty Blush Rose Table Wine Delicate red fruits, wild strawberries, raspberries, cherries, violet flowers $12.99 ’05 Merlot Jammy red fruits, cedar and vanilla $16.99 Getting There |
Clearly Claar Cellars, an Estate Winery overlooking the mighty Columbia River, is a statement to fine winemaking. On a 90-acre vineyard in eastern Washington, something special is being done here. Award-winning wines are being created; events are had that wine tourers will remember for a lifetime; and a family, who planted the first grapes in 1980, are celebrating earth’s abundance every day and letting others sample that magic.
On south and southwest facing hillsides above the Columbia, a microclimate is produced, making it conducive to good wine grapes, thanks to that marriage of sun and soil. They sold their grapes to wineries throughout the country for several years, and then began bottling their own wines in 1977. French born Winemaker Bruno Corneaux applies his many years, experience in wineries in France, South Africa, Oregon, and California to the award-studded portfolio, which includes Syrah, Riesling, Merlot, and Sangiovese. He also lends his name and insight to a distinctive autumn blend: Corneauxcopia. These wines, and many others, are available at their welcoming tasting room in Zillah, Washington, which is managed by the owners’ son, John Claar Whitelatch. |
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Not only can wine tourers imbibe a fine Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, they can partake in great events throughout the year that Claar Cellars puts on. During October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Claar stages the “Help Stomp Out Breast Cancer” event with a wild Grape Stomp Competition. Proceeds go to a local cancer center. Thanksgiving in Wine Country is a magical event with specialty food and wine pairings all Thanksgiving weekend long. During Presidents Day weekend, Claar, with 50-plus other wineries within the Yakima Valley, creates a Red Wine and Chocolate event, complete with specialty wines and fine chocolates. Sweeter than the chocolate served is the care Bruno, along with Owners Bob Whitelatch and Crista Claar Whitelatch give the property, the vines, the grapes, the barrels, and the wine enthusiasts who make their way to this little corner of the great winemaking world. |
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