Catch the Crush in Yakima Valley, October 12, 13.

As harvest begins in earnest in the Yakima Valley, so does the anticipation of visiting the wineries. It is after all, the most spectacular time of year in the region.

Experience harvest with the experts during the Annual Catch the Crush weekend, October 12,13. Nearly 40 wineries invite guests to tour vineyards, enjoy harvest and crush activities, stomp in barrels, and wine and dine all weekend long. Wine Yakima Valley offers the most economical way to experience Catch the Crush with the Premier Pass for just $30. Purchase your pass at http://wineyakimavalley.org/catch-the-crush_369.html.

Premier Pass holders have the opportunity to indulge in exclusive events while also receiving discounts and waived fees on tastings, experiences and wine purchases all weekend long. Wine enthusiasts can soak up knowledge, partake in harvest or relax with winemaker dinners and crush parties.

From downtown Yakima tasting rooms to rural Zillah, laid-back Prosser and the rich soil of the Red Mountain AVA, Premier Pass holders can stop at nearly 40 wineries along the valley, conveniently accessed along Interstate 82.

2013 harvest

Picking Chardonnay, DuBrul Vineyard

The following are just a few examples of what you will experience
during the event weekend.

● Tapteil Vineyard Winery — Stomp grapes at Tapteil Vineyard Winery while enjoying a sweeping panoramic view of the Red Mountain AVA and the entire Yakima River Valley from this hilltop terrace. This is a photo op straight out of I Love Lucy complete with a grapevine crown. Bring a camera and a picnic. Taste estate grown wines and imported olive oil and vinegars in the tasting room. Winemaker and grape grower, Larry Pearson and label artist, Jane Pearson will be on hand to chat during your visit. A $5 tasting fee will be waived for Premier Pass holders.

● Steppe Cellars — Premier Pass holders will be able to taste our Federweisser -(the newly fermenting white wine) as well as our reserve wines, without paying the reserve tasting fee. They will be able to purchase a slice of the Zwiebelkuchen throughout the day. This combination of the new wine and the onion tart, is a German harvest tradition, which we have had at Steppe since our first crush. In addition, Premier Pass holders will get a $5 discount on our Harvest Dinner tickets. The Harvest Dinner will include a first course of the Federweisser (fermenting white wine) and Zwiebelkuchen(onion tart) as well as a sampling of some of the season’s ripe wine grapes. Each of the courses of the Harvest Dinner are made with an emphasis on fresh local ingredients and carefully paired with Steppe wine.

● Wineglass Cellars — Complimentary tastes of wine including a 2001 Rich Harvest from our library (a limited number available purchase). Reserve wine tasting fees waived for Premier Pass Holders. Special event pricing offered on new release wines of 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2008 Syrah. Blue Barn Farm will be here sampling and selling several flavors of their locally made goat cheese including spicy and chocolate!

● J Bell Cellars & Lavender — Join us for “Days of Harvest” Party: live music, food and lots of fun. Premier Pass holders will receive tastes of our limited release blend “Mr. Dyer” available to Founders Club members only as well as 15% off on purchases of select wines.

Sip & Click at this year’s Red Wine & Chocolate

It’s almost time for Wine Yakima Valley’s annual Red Wine & Chocolate event! Spend the weekend indulging in rich chocolates, red wines and activities throughout the valley. Over 40 wineries in Yakima, Prosser, Zillah, Red Mountain and Richland will be offering decadent treats as you make your way from winery to winery.

Purchasing a Premier Pass is the most economical way to tour the valley. Your pass will waive tasting fees, provide special discounts, access to reserve tastings, special tours and more! Premier Passes can be purchased at the following locations
on Saturday, February 16:

■Airfield Estates Winery, Prosser
■AntoLin Winery, Yakima
■Claar Cellars, Zillah
■GooseRidge Estate Winery, Richland
■Kana Winery, Yakima
■Kestrel Vintners, Prosser
■Tapteil Vineyard Winery, Red Mountain
■Treveri Cellars, Wapato
■Two Mountain, Zillah
■Yakima Valley Visitor Center off I-82 (available beginning Feb 14.)

Participate in our Sip & Click Twitter photo contest over the weekend. Simply snap a pic of your Red Wine & Chocolate experience, tweet it with your location and the hashtag #YakimaWine and you will be eligible to win. All you have to do is Sip and Click!

Helpful red wine and chocolate tasting tips from our wineries to give you a head start:

Let it melt – Taste the chocolate and allow it to melt on your tongue just prior to sipping wine.

Tannins don’t mix – Avoid wines and chocolates that are overly tannic in nature, which compete with each other and result in a muddled and flat combination.

Salted combinations – Buttery or sweet whites pair exceptionally well with salted milk chocolate.

Savory and smooth – Wines with savory notes, such as smoke, wood or meaty qualities, are outstanding when paired with chocolate with a smooth texture and similar savory notes, such as leather, cheese or smoke.

Bold similarities – Bold, full-bodied wines pair very well with chocolates that are hearty and rustic in texture with a similarly pronounced flavor.

Two of a kind – Wines or chocolate with similarly distinct notes, such as black pepper, can be mutually enhanced when paired together.

Beginners luck – The easiest method for a successful pairing is to select chocolates that contain berries, dried fruit or nuts.