Canoe Ridge Vineyard closed their tasting room in July 2010 and the winery's future is unclear.

Avalon wine will keep previous vintage tasting notes on our site for reference.

Here's an excerpt of a press release from June 2010:

By Vicki Hillhouse, Walla Walla Union-BulletinMcClatchy-Tribune Regional News

June 17, 2010--The tasting room doors at one of Walla Walla's pioneer wineries will close late next month in a cost-cutting move by its London-based parent company.

Canoe Ridge Vineyard, a winery founded by local investors more than 20 years ago, will close the public tasting room at its 1905 Cherry St. Engine House on July 25, an employee confirmed. No further details could be disclosed. A call to California-based Director of Communications Maire Griffin was not returned for comment.

The tasting room is reportedly one of several from Washington to California facing closure by corporate parent company Diageo Plc, the international drinks giant that owns Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Captain Morgan and Jose Cuervo, among many others. Diageo announced last month plans to restructure its U.S. wine business, Diageo Chateau & Estate wines. Sales of the company's U.S. wines were reportedly socked by the recession and have been slow to recover.

From the winery: "Our Chardonnay emphasizes the fruit character in balance with the oak. A portion of the blend was barrel fermented with full malolactic fermentation, while the other portion was stainless fermented with no malolactic fermentation. This resulted in a wine with wonderful round tropical fruit notes like peach,melon and mango, accented by some caramel and toasted coconut aromas from the barrels. The mouthfeel is crisp and clean."

From the winery:

ABOUT THE VINEYARDS
Our estate vineyard sits above the widest point of the Columbia River; the climate is moderated by this large mass of water. Its location on the northeast side of the ridge protects the vineyard from the wind that sweeps up the Columbia River gorge. The vines are own rooted and planted in fine sandy loam soils with volcanic basalt subsoils, which slow vine growth and produce grape clusters and berries that are small and very concentrated in flavor and color, with great structure and balance.

ABOUT THE VINTAGE
The 2004 season got off to an early start, with no spring frost. Due to the previous year's rains, crop load was reduced - a positive for grape quality. An extended heat spell in August compacted the harvest, producing perfectly ripe grapes. The 2004 harvest looks to be an excellent vintage.