Longtime Spring Release fan now leads Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance

Spring's arrival means sunshine, flowers and in Walla Walla, wine.

Spring Release Weekend, an annual event of the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance runs from Friday, May 1, to Sunday, May 3.

Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance Executive Director Heather Scott is not new to Spring Release. She has been attending the event as an enthusiastic patron for more than a decade.

"Since 2014 at least," she said.

She is new to the Wine Alliance, however, taking over the role of executive director in January. This means, the 2026 edition of the event will see Scott experiencing it from the other side.

Scott's work experience is in marketing and public relations. While she worked for a variety of companies, she always enjoyed working for a wine company.

She moved to Walla Walla - where she had previously moved her parents - during the pandemic after being a frequent visitor for the wine scene for years. She even bought some land to grow her own grapes and try her hand in winemaking.

When the job with the Wine Alliance came open, she said it was the perfect fit.

"I really felt like it was my calling to kind of marry my professional career with what I was really passionate about," she said.

And being on the organizing side of Spring Release doesn't mean she won't enjoy the event.

When asked about her favorite part of the celebration, she had two answers: one as the director of the Wine Alliance, and one as a longtime participant.

As the Wine Alliance director, she said, "I'm just excited to see our town just thriving. That will lift everything. It's not just people going to the tasting rooms, but it's also tourism, lodging, retail, the impact that we have just through these big, rich weekends is pretty wonderful."

On a personal level, she said, "I'm looking forward to going to (see) what my next find will be in the wine world. So, looking to figure out what that interesting bottle will be. I will remain open, let my palate decide what kind of adventure it wants to take me on."

Spring Release Weekend

Wineries across the Valley will be debuting new wines all weekend. In addition to tastings, some wineries are scheduling special events.

Friday, May 1

Sagemoor Estate will have its first of two Pop, Pour and Plates event featuring wine and food at 10 a.m. Food options include short ribs and hand-cut fries.

Woodward Canyon will host Spring Celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Staff will serve glasses of their new wines in the garden.

New Pours and Pairings at Pepper Bridge Winery will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., serving up their three new releases, Sauvignon Blanc, a blend called Trine, and a new club exclusive blend named after the winery itself.

Finally, the Pink Pape Party at Tranche Winery will run from 5 to 8 p.m. The winery will release its latest rosé in addition to other spring release wines. Music will be from Paper Flowers: Remembering Fleetwood Mac.

Saturday, May 2

Vieyra's Mac and More Food Truck will be at Pepper Bridge Winery from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., serving up food while the winery serves its three spring release wines.

The Pig Roast at Seven Hills Winery will be from 12:30 to 3 p.m. and consists of wine, pork and live music.

Deux Soldats Estate Vineyard and Winery will have live music and complimentary small bites as customers taste their new 2025 Sangiovese Rosé.

Sunday, May 3

As the weekend wraps up, Sagemoor Estate will host Pop, Pour and Plates at 5 p.m. for the second time during the weekend.

Elsewhere, tastings of the region's new spring releases will continue at wineries across the Valley.

For more information about these events, including cost and exact locations, visit wallawallawine.com/events/spring-release-weekend. Some events require appointments.

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