The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Gärd 2019 Chardonnay Chardonnay two weeks in a row? Why not! I’ve been researching a deep dive into Chardonnays from Washington, Oregon and California and this beauty from Gärd is one of the...

I’ve been drinking a lot of Chardonnay during the recent hot weather, and if you put a slight chill on the bottle (about 20 minutes in the fridge) it can be a most refreshing choice. This...

Pacific Rim makes a wide range of affordable Rieslings in a variety of sweetness levels. The Dry Riesling featured here is richly fruity with a luscious blend of peach, apricot, and papaya fruit....

The first vintage of Cymbal was in 2018, and it has quickly become a tasting room favorite. The 2021 was sourced from Gamache, Boushey, and Bacchus vineyards – a terrific trio. It's an ideal summer...

Pinot Noir rosés are abundant in Oregon, and this outstanding example charms from the first sniff with its heady mix of watermelon, strawberry, and cherry lifesaver fruit. The winery calls it...

The Horse Heaven Hills AVA (American Viticutural Area) is home to many of Washington's oldest and finest vineyards, not the least of which is Champoux. Famous for its red wines, especially Cabernet,...

Acquilini owns a lot of Red Mountain acreage and offers several different brands from their expansive vineyards. Since we're heading into BBQ season, with the 4th of July right around the corner, it...

By the time you read this note, actual summer weather may be back. There's no better way to celebrate that happy occasion than with a nicely-chilled bottle of rosé. The Mercer family goes back a...

For a number of reasons, the best dry rosé wines have gotten more expensive, especially those Oregon rosés made exclusively from Pinot Noir grapes. Pinot Noir is costly to grow and turning it into...

Tranche and its Blue Mountain Vineyard occupy a spectacular setting on the eastern edge of Walla Walla. The focus is on Rhône-style varietals and blends that may be enjoyed picnic-style on the...

Force Majeure is one of the most important producers in Washington yet remains under the radar for most wine drinkers. Now relocated to just outside the western boundary of the Rocks District, it's...

The Ciel du Cheval vineyard was among the first planted on Red Mountain. Today it's in the hands of second generation winegrower Richard Holmes, who has begun experimenting with these two...

Apart from the intriguing name, there is much to admire here. This is a sister brand to Walla Walla's Corliss and Tranche wines. It features estate-grown fruit from Columbia Valley vineyards and is...

The first NV (Non-Vintage) Brick House Red was introduced last year in response to the 2020 smoke taint issues that affected some Oregon vineyards. In this second release, the winery has blended...

L’Ecole No. 41 2021 Old Vines Chenin Blanc Celebrate Walla Walla Wine Month with a bottle of this splendid old vine Chenin Blanc. I know of no one making new plantings of the grape other than a... Full story

Quady North 2021 GSM Rosé This is one of a trio of superb dry rosés from Quady North, a winery in Southern Oregon’s Applegate Valley. The blend is principally Grenache and Syrah with a splash of...

Peter William 2018 Robin's Red This Rogue Valley blend is roughly half Tempranillo and half Syrah, much the same as the winery's 'Extravagance' reserve at a lower price. It's focused and sharp, with...

Basalt Cellars 2019 Rim Rock Red This delicious red blend from a Clarkston winery is more than half Merlot with the rest divided among five other grapes, principally Bordeaux varieties. It's smooth...

Most dog owners grow accustomed over the years to the painful fact that these wonderful creatures are not blessed with long lives. Depending upon the breed, they average as little as eight, and... Full story

It has become exceptionally clear over the years that as much as we give of ourselves to Cookie in terms of time, love, and care, she will always out-give us. It's the nature of her dog-ness, the...

Not long after Cookie had settled in, and I’d become infatuated with the idea of dog ownership, Mrs. G presented me with a slim volume entitled “101 Dog Tricks: Step by Step Activities to Engage,...

It’s a wet and windy afternoon in early November. I’m sprawled out on the sofa, and between my legs is a small blonde dog, flat on her back, legs up, ball in mouth, sound asleep. It occurs to me...

As every dog owner knows, we can learn as much or more from our fur brothers and sisters as they learn from us. It’s often noted how some of us actually come to physically resemble our dogs. But...

Over many decades I’ve been the proud parent of many cats but just one dog. And though cats are big-time nappers (who do you think invented the cat nap?) I don’t ever recall wondering if they...

One of my favorite comics features a genial mutt named Satchel. A recurring theme involves his housemate and nemesis, an arrogant siamese cat named Bucky, who encourages Satchel to eat (or at least...