Preston Premium Wines will be celebrating its silver jubilee at this weekend's Catch the Crush event.
Preston, one of the Mid-Columbia's oldest wineries, crushed its first harvest of grapes in 1976.
This year it will be joined by 13 other members of the Columbia Valley Winery Association for the weekend celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Each winery will be offering something special in wines, treats or entertainment, plus a chance to watch the crushing of the grapes for the 2001 vintage.
Taking part besides Preston are Badger Mountain/Powers, Barnard Griffin, Bookwalter, Caon de Sol, Claar Cellars, Columbia Crest, Gordon Brothers, Hedges Cellars, Kestrel Vintners, Kiona Vineyards, Oakwood Cellars, Seth Ryan and Terra Blanca.
Few modern-day Washington wineries have been crushing grapes for 25 years like Preston, which is five miles north of Pasco on Highway 395. Its tasting room deck on top of the winery has a commanding view of the Tri-Cities.
His wife, Joann, and two children, Cathy Preston Mouncer and Brent Preston, are carrying on, aiming to make sure the 2001 harvest continues the tradition begun in 1976.
They kicked off the 25th anniversary observance Sept. 14 with a tasting for the wine media and wine merchants, including the sommelier from Seattle's prestigious Four Seasons Restaurant.
The public gets its first opportunity at Catch the Crush, and Cathy, who is director of marketing, said they plan to mark the occasion with wine tasting, food, art and "probably the biggest selection of wine-oriented gifts in the state."
Besides current vintages, Preston will have a large selection of older vintages from their library for sale.
"We plan on having various special 25th anniversary events through December, which we will advertise," she said.
The 1976 is still very drinkable, showing fruit and tannins and the complexities of a fine French burgundy. Alas, there isn't enough for sale.
Other wines sampled included:
Nonvintage champagne - Released in 1986, this riesling-based sparkling wine caused a lot of grief at the time because its corks were so hard to extract that sometimes vise grips had to be used. However, it still has nice characteristics. Made of 100 percent riesling, it shows off excellent bubbles, a good mouth feel and continues to have charm. Not for sale.
1981 merlot - Still has great cherry fruit aromas along with oak, alluring flavors and a nice finish. Not available.
1995 merlot - Clean berries, smooth, with gobs of appeal, a big wine. It is for sale.
1997 merlot reserve - A huge inky wine with dark ripe berry and great chocolate flavors. A blockbuster wine. For sale.
1995 cabernet franc - Great balance, tar and chocolate with smooth tannins. It has layers of flavors. One of the best I've tasted. For sale.
1994 cabernet sauvignon reserve - Full bodied, flavorful and easy drinking. For sale.
1997 cabernet sauvignon reserve - Loaded, big and tasty with vanilla and almond essences. Good cherry characteristics and great tannins for aging. For sale.
1998 chardonnay reserve - Tropical fruit with plenty of rich oak overtones. Tasty and a nice acid finish. For sale.
10th anniversary nonvintage Desert Gold - An old favorite with many but not made by the winery anymore. A blend of gewrztraminer, chenin blanc, chardonnay and riesling. This one is showing its 15 years of age but has some nice ripe apple characteristics. Not available.
1986 riesling ice wine - Still delicious and sweet, containing a lot of honey and citrus components. Not available.
1997 Tenrebac port - Tenrebac is cabernet spelled backward. This cabernet port has great almond and chocolate flavors like a fine, rich mocha. For sale.
New releases
Columbia Crest 1998 cabernet sauvignon reserve, Columbia Valley, $25 - Nice toasty oak aromas followed by vanilla, unsweetened chocolate flavors laced with ample berry fruit and a touch of spice to add to the complexities with a pleasing finish.
Columbia Crest 1998 merlot reserve, Columbia Valley, $25 - Smoky aromas with a touch of coffee, dry, lean fruit with a lovely balance, vanilla and a long finish.
Canoe Ridge 1999 merlot Columbia Valley, $25 - Good blackberries with a touch of tar, nice soft mouth feel and good tannins.
Paul Thomas 1999 cabernet merlot Washington State, $8 - Smooth berry flavors make this an easy-drinking, tasty red composed of 50 percent cabernet sauvignon, 42 percent merlot and 8 percent cabernet franc.
Columbia Winery 1998 cabernet sauvignon Columbia Valley, $15 - Good all-around cabernet. Pleasing aromas, lush flavors with some bittersweet chocolate.
Hogue Cellars 2000 viognier, Columbia Valley, $16 - Abundant fruit with aromas of honeysuckle and flavors of passion fruit and green apples.
Ste. Chapelle soft chenin blanc, $6 - An easy-drinking, slightly sweet, fruity wine with flavors of green apples and a touch of herbs.
Covey Run, 1998 chardonnay reserve, Yakima Valley, $15 - Toasty and crisp. Rich, full flavors, some tropical fruit with a bit of mineral essences.
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