KENNEWICK -- Mark Twain once wrote that reports of his death were exaggerated, and the same may be true for the widely popular Stimson Estate Cellars wines.

Even though I'm in my 70s, I still can enjoy a little "Roll in the Hay."

PASCO -- Claar Cellars north of Pasco can trace its roots to an early-day Columbia Basin Project farm. Crista Claar Whitelatch’s parents, Russell and Audrienne Claar, developed the land on a bluff overlooking the Hanford Project in 1950.

ALDERDALE -- Folks can enjoy a Texas-style barbecue deep in the heart of the Horse Heaven Hills at McKinley Springs Winery on June 13.

The slogan of Tucker Cellars of Sunnyside is family and quality. And bargain prices always have been part of the Tucker operation as well.

BENTON CITY — Hedges and Fidelitas wineries on Red Mountain probably are better known for their higher-end wines, but they also have some really good lower-cost offerings.

WALLA WALLA — K Vintners of Walla Walla has made quite a splash at its modest, down-home winery along scenic Mill Creek Road.

BENTON CITY — Kiona Vineyards and Winery was founded in 1972 and has never lost sight of its credo -- to make consumer-friendly wines and sell them at consumer-friendly prices.

PROSSER — Who would have guessed that Kestrel Vintners in Prosser would gain a reputation for its $12 and under wines featuring dazzling Hollywood beauties on the labels?

SPOKANE — Latah Creek Winery of Spokane started out offering bargain prices more than 25 years ago and has never strayed.

WALLA WALLA — Walla Walla's Waterbrook Winery has come a long way since founder Eric Rindal opened it in 1984 on Frog Hollow Road just outside Lowden.

Few wineries can match the quality for the price offered by tiny Chinook Winery in Prosser.

RICHLAND Tagaris Winery and Taverna in Richland offers a place where you can get authentic Greek gyros and a bargain wine to boot.

Apex and Bridgman wines may be two old brands, but they've moved to a cozy new home in Prosser and are offering bargain prices.

Chateau Ste. Michelle, one of the Washington's oldest wineries, has decided to feature a lineup of fine wines in the $18 and under range.

You don't have to apologize for serving bargain wines, especially when they are from Barnard Griffin of Richland.

PROSSER -- In these troubled economic times it's refreshing to see a winery trim a couple of dollars off the cost of a bottle of wine.

KENNEWICK -- In these tough economic times, folks are more bargain-conscious, so for the foreseeable future I plan to write about wines under $20, preferably under $10.

WALLA WALLA Trust Cellars and Bergevin Lane Vineyards are two modest Walla Walla wineries producing some outstanding wines at reasonable prices.

KENNEWICK -- Wine judgings don't have to be extravagant affairs to reveal some jewels in a bottle.

PROSSER -- Kestrel Vintners and Alexandria Nicole Cellars are both in the Prosser Wine and Food Park on the opposite side of Prosser from the new Vintage Village, which includes wineries such as Hogue Cellars and Mercer Estates as neighbors.

TRI-CITIES, Wash. -- You can thank the fertile soils of the Columbia Basin for the excellent wines from two of the state's newer wineries, St. Laurent of Malaga and Jones of Washington in Quincy.

O•S and Nota Bene wineries have something in common as both are near Sea-Tac Airport and make top-rated wines in small lots.

KENNEWICK -- This is my favorite column of the year -- reflecting on the more than 1,000 wines tasted in 2008 to come up with my top 10 list.

KENNEWICK -- If you'll excuse the mixed metaphor let's pick a few Gems from Platinum.