2 017 will be a year of positive changes for us, with a number of important events playing out...but first our Tasting Room highlights for February and March:

The week of February 13 will be the first really active "party" weekend of the year, beginning with Valentines Day on Tuesday the 14th.

Valentines Hours: 11:00-Dark. Couples that come in for a tasting will be presented with a red rose to celebrate the special day.

Presidents' Weekend Hours: 11:00-Dark. Thursday -Monday (Feb. 16th-20th). Join us for the big weekend party! We'll be honoring our American icons with a promotional offer of any 6 or more bottles 20% off. 6 of our finest wines will be poured, and the cheese boards will be front and center. Plan a festive day with us in stunning Lyle!

(Trivia tidbit: President Washington wore dentures, but they were not made of wood as many of us were taught. They were actually ivory! - history books don't say how he removed wine stains).

Once again Idiot's Grace/Memaloose will honor the privileges of other Washington Wineries' wine clubs. For the entire month you can visit us and apply your (Domaine Pouillon, Cor, Syncline, Aniche, Jacob Williams, etc.) privileges to our wines. Usually that means a free tasting and 20% off all purchases. Our members can likewise visit our neighbors and take those privileges with them.

Haven't seen much of the ground this year...we've had lots of snow and ice (I-84 has been closed as much as open!). And, we have had our share of cold temperatures over sustained periods. We are hoping that the blanket of snow has prevented any serious damage. 

Pruning has been conducted in the snow, unfortunately. After 4 very warm years we wonder if 2017 will return us to more typical vintages - we'd like that immensely.

Now, back to the details of our exciting year of improvements. One of the most thrilling changes for the new year will be the late spring completion of the new Mosier (OR) winery on Idiot's Grace Farm. (It is absolutely remarkable that Brian McCormick has been able to produce our elegant wines within the confines of our existing Lyle winery, which we outgrew perhaps four years ago). Now we will have a modern facility with twice the space for taking our wines to the next level. Brian will finally have a winery worthy of his talents. This year's harvest will be received into the new building.

Each of our new wines is now "estate gown", and all of the grapes from our vineyards are organic. "Idiot's Grace" will now take on a more prominent position in our marketing, becoming the lead brand for our small company. "Memaloose" will become the less prominent face of the business. (Our corporate name remains the same, but Idiot's Grace will be the dominant label). "Memaloose" will become an exclusively Rhone Valley grape brand, with red, white and pink  blends only. Changes will be gradually transitioned and have actually been under way the past few years. Our icon Cabernet Franc will move into a beautiful, newly designed Idiot's Grace package! We think you will be pleased.

And, we are shortly going to be bringing in a new Marketing Manager to oversee all consumer business, including both tasting rooms, the Wine Corps, all social media and our advertising, promotions and events. This new key employee will help develop marketing programs that should add interest for all of our guests and members. This will not impact the responsibilities of our current valued employees! If you know a talented, experienced individual who should be considered for this important opening please contact us immediately at [email protected]

Pease note that starting 2/11 the Tasting Room will be open Thursdays through Sundays!!

So slip away to Lyle for this Presidents' Weekend and don't miss Wine Reciprocity Month (the perfect time to join if you are not a member). 

We look forward to seeing you down on the Rivers! Welcome to 2017 and Cheers!