Guest Speakers and Acclaimed Winemakers Announced for Celebrate Walla Walla Valley Wine – The World of Cabernet Sauvignon
WALLA WALLA, WA – More than 60 Walla Walla Valley wineries, guest winemakers from the world’s leading wine regions and esteemed speakers will headline the 7th annual Celebrate Walla Walla Valley Wine – The World of Cabernet Sauvignon, to be held at various locations throughout the Walla Walla Valley June 13-15, 2019.
Celebrate showcases a different wine varietal each year, comparing and sharing the similarities and differences of the Walla Walla Valley with other leading wine regions around the world.
The 2019 Celebrate event series will kick-off Thursday afternoon with a talk hosted by Dr. Kevin Pogue, Director of Geology, Whitman College and Sabrina Lueck, Director of Enology, Walla Walla Community College Institute for Enology & Viticulture at the historic Gesa Power House Theatre in downtown Walla Walla. Designed for oenophiles, topics will span terroir, growing conditions and the cultural significance of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Thursday evening also includes Vintage Pour hosted at Tranche, where guests can sample library wines ranging from 1999 to 2012 from over 40 Walla Walla Valley wineries.
On Friday, winemakers from Italy and California will join Walla Walla Valley winemakers to delight guests with a panel discussion and tastes of their Cabernet Sauvignons. Moderated by Owen Bargreen, editor of the Washington Wine Blog and contributor to the International Wine Report, the Wine Panel Presentations and Tastings will demonstrate how wines can vary among the world’s leading regions resulting from different growing conditions and winemaking styles through the educational seminar and tasting. Attendees will get to taste Cabernet Sauvignon from all six producers:
- Dan Wampfler, General Manager & Winemaker | Abeja, Walla Walla Valley
- JJ Menozzi, Owner & Winemaker | Aluvé, Walla Walla Valley
- Josh McDaniels, President & Winemaker | Doubleback, Walla Walla Valley
- Elizabeth Vianna, General Manager & Winemaker | Chimney Rock Winery, Napa Valley, California
- Christopher Tynan, Winemaker | Cliff Lede Vineyards, Napa Valley, California
- Nicolò D’Afflitto, Director of Winemaking | Frescobaldi, Tuscany, Italy
“Every year we look forward to this event, not only do attendees get to sample these six premium Cabernet Sauvignons, but they are immersed in this assembly of global minds,” said Ashley Mahan, Chief Operating Officer of the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance. “Attendees will gain access to a once-in-a-lifetime experience to learn, taste and engage with the hand-picked panel of prominent American and Italian winemakers.”
The Wine Panel Presentations and Tastings take place on Friday, June 14 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the historic Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center.
Friday’s events culminate with the Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Tasting at Waterbrook Winery. This is the largest organized tasting event of the year in the Walla Walla Valley with over 50 wineries pouring their latest Cabernet Sauvignon releases, whites and rosés.
To conclude the Celebrate Walla Walla Valley Wine – The World of Cabernet Sauvignon series of events, guests can reserve a seat at a table with winemakers during the Saturday, June 15 Collaborative Winemaker Dinner Series. Ticket holders will experience an exclusive evening in the Walla Walla Valley as winemakers and local and guest chefs band together to create extraordinary, intimate food and wine experiences. A limited number of seats are offered at the dinner tables of ten locations throughout the Walla Walla Valley.
Schedule at a Glance
Thursday, June 13, 2019
World of Cabernet Sauvignon: Kick-Off Event at Gesa Power House Theatre | 2:30-4:00 p.m.
Vintage Pour at Tranche | 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Friday, June 14, 2019
Wine Panel Presentations and Tastings at Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center | 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Wine Tasting at Waterbrook Winery | 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 15, 2019
Collaborative Winemaker dinner series throughout the Walla Walla Valley | 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Tickets are now on sale at www.CelebrateWallaWalla.com.
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Celebrate Walla Walla Valley Wine – The World of Cabernet is made possible by:
Wine & Spirits Magazine, Trysk Print Solutions, Banner Bank, Hayden Homes, Moss Adams, Sitecrafting, KCTS, KVEW/KAPP, KXLY, The Seattle Times, Walla Walla Union Bulletin, Sip Northwest, Black Tie Wine Tours, Columbia REA, Gesa Power House Theatre, Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center, Walla Walla Wine Limo, City of Walla Walla, County of Walla Walla and Port of Walla Walla
About Celebrate Walla Walla Valley Wine
Formed by the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance in 2013, Celebrate Walla Walla Valley Wine is the region’s signature wine event held annually in June. The event series is structured to showcase a different wine varietal each year, historically focusing on Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Merlot. Over the course of three days, the events demonstrate how wines can vary among the world’s leading regions resulting from different growing conditions, winemaking styles, and vineyards through special tastings of rare vintage wines, educational seminars, and one-of-a-kind winemaker dinners.
About the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance
The Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance is a non-profit wine industry membership organization whose primary mission is to build an internationally acclaimed Walla Walla Valley wine brand among consumers, media, and trade by providing marketing programs on behalf of member wineries, vineyards, and partners. The Wine Alliance functions as the leading informational resource for consumers, media and trade interested in learning more about the Valley’s wine industry.
Media Contacts:
Liz Knapke
Marketing Manager, Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance
[email protected] | (509) 526-3117 office
High Resolution Images Available Upon Request
Ashley Mahan
Chief Operating Officer, Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance
[email protected] | (509) 526-3117 office
