Educational Wine Classes Offered
by Lake Chelan Now, photo courtesy of Tsillan Cellars
Experience first-hand the harvest of grapes at an estate winery during this wine education class Saturday, September 22nd, from 9 am – Noon at Tsillan Cellars.
Carrie McGuinn, Wine Club Director, indicated this is the 4th in a series of classes Tsillan Cellars has offered this year that take consumers from “berry to bottle”. The classes included “Bud Break” in April; “Flowering” in June; “Veraison” in August, and finally, this upcoming class on “Harvest”. Although several participants signed up for all four classes, according to McGuinn others signed up for the one or two classes that held the most interest for them personally.
Wine enthusiasts often find familiarity with wine development and production directly increases the enjoyment of wine consumption. McGuinn confirmed there will be a similar series of classes offered next year as well. “It’s important to us that people understand the story behind our wine,” she said. “Good wine really starts in the vineyard.”
Class size is held at 40 people. Call 509-682-9463 or email info@tsillancellars.com to register for one of the limited spaces available. The class cost is $50 for Wine Club Members, and $65 for non members. For additional information about Wine Club, contact carrie@tsillancellars.com
Class Descriptions from the 2018 schedule. Actual dates for 2019 to be determined.
Have you ever desired to delve deeply into what is involved in producing world class wine from berry to bottle? Here is your chance. Tsillan Cellars offers four–three hour wine and grape growing classes over the course of the spring, summer and fall. Each class will be led by our winemaking staff from start to finish. The class starts each of the four days in the vineyard to observe what is happening in one of the nation’s finest estate vineyards. From the vineyard you take a quick walk to the winery facility. There, all aspects of winemaking are discussed in detail. No question is left unanswered. Finally, you will find yourself enjoying the delicious experiences of pairing Tsillan Cellars wines with foods specifically chosen to help you realize the magic that occurs when wine and great food meet at the same table. Attend all four classes or pick one covering a topic you’re really interested in.
Class 1: Bud Break – April
This is the vineyard tell all. How did the vines fare during the cold winter months? As the vines shrug off winter and early spring, the grape buds swell and burst forth with vibrant green shoots. This first flush of growth heralds what the French call the “Grand Period of Growth”.
Class 2: Flowering – June
A visit to the estate vineyard finds you taking in the heavy aromatics of grape vines in bloom as well as the shear beauty of our pristine Lake Chelan and the surrounding mountains. By now, the vines have grown almost two feet of shoot growth.
Class 3: Veraison – August
If you were present at the previous class in June, you will stand amazed at what has occurred in the vineyard. Veraison is the period where grapes begin to develop color and the sugar begins to rise dramatically.
Class 4: Harvest – September
Our vineyard crew’s joy and pride will be on display for you to experience. All of their expertise, sweat and efforts are seen being carefully harvested from the vines they have cared for since last harvest.
