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closeWednesday, Sep. 09, 2009
Woehler on Wine: Preston Premium Wines
By Bob Woehler, Wine Press Northwest tasting editor
PASCO — The first winery tasting room I ever visited was in 1976 when I drove out to Preston's winery.
Back then, it was the only winery tasting room you could visit around the Tri-Cities.
Today, Preston's tasting room on Highway 395 north from Pasco is pretty much the same as when founder Bill Preston opened it. Only the vintages have changed.
Chenyn Preston-Johnson, third-generation member of the Preston family, operates the tasting room today.
The winery is called Preston Premium Wines and it is still a favorite stop for visitors and locals with the countryside grounds that feature a rose bush at the end of each row of grapes just like Bill Preston envisioned.
There is also vintage tractors at the small park leading up to the tasting room that was also was Bill’s idea. His son Brent Preston, Chenyn’s father, is in charge of the operations today.
Bill passed away eight years ago and the family plans to honor him with a commemorative bottle of red wine called Legacy complete with a picture of Bill. Chenyn says they will have a special event when the wine is released later this fall.
Chenyn says about 80 percent of their sales are from the tasting room.
Tasting includes four wines for free and $8 to taste the estate reds and $8 for the estate whites.
Long Tail Lizard non vintage white, $9 — Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay blend makes for a fruity blend with enough crispness to match with cold fried chicken.
Long Tail Lizard non vintage pomegranate blush, $15 — Think tequila sunrise with a tasty combination of Riesling and pomegranates. Match with a ham dish.
2008 Preston Premium Chardonnay, $13 — Easy drinking offering light oak, apples and pineapples. Nice accompaniment with coconut shrimp.
2005 Preston Premium Gamay Noir, $13 — Long a favorite at the winery showing hints of cherries, strawberries and a little spice to go with some baby back ribs.
2006 Preston Premium Merlot, $18 — Opulent flavors of bittersweet chocolate and huckleberries. Aromas of leather and oak. Try with a chicken fried steak.
2005 Preston Premium Cabernet Sauvignon, $19 — Nice spice oak aroma followed by a whole lot of berries and a lingering black currant finish. Perfect with a sirloin smothered in wine and butter sautéed mushrooms.
* Bob Woehler has been writing about Pacific Northwest wines since 1978. E-mail him at bwoehler@charter.net or check out his past columns at www.winepressnw.com.
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