Gifford-Hirlinger: Tasting Room to Open July 1st

I received a Press Release from Simon Siegl of Co-Efficient Consulting that Gifford-Hirlinger intends to open their tasting room on July 1st.

GIFFORD HIRLINGER TO OPEN WOODINVILLE TASTING ROOM

Walla Walla, WA June 22, 2009 – The owners of Gifford Hirlinger, a Walla Walla-based wine producer, are very excited to announce the addition of a wine tasting room in Woodinville’s Hollywood Vineyards Retail Center, opening July 1^st.

The winery produces 100% estate-grown premium wines from fifteen acres of sustainably farmed vineyards established in 2000 in the Walla Walla Viticultural Area by Peter and Stephanie Berghan.  Varieties include cabernet sauvignon, merlot, malbec, petit verdot and red blends, as well as pinot gris.  The Berghans’ son, Mike, serves as Winemaker and General Manger, with a philosophy focused on minimum intervention to allow full expression of the fruit.  Production will peak at 2200 cases with the 2009 harvest.

“We thought our family was new to the Walla Walla area, but as it turns out we have somewhat of a history here,” says Berghan.  “Gifford and Hirlinger were the last names of relatives on both sides of the Berghan family who were born in Walla Walla after their families crossed the country in covered wagons in the mid 1800’s.” 

“We are really looking forward to showing our wines directly to the wine enthusiasts in the greater Seattle area and the many tourists who visit wineries in Woodinville,” says Berghan.

Managing the winery’s western Washington extension will be Jessica Turk, Mike Berghan’s sister.  “Having a family member who knows absolutely everything about Gifford Hirlinger’s vineyards and wines will be a great benefit to our visitors in Woodinville,” observes Peter Berghan.

The tasting room is located at 14469 Woodinville-Redmond Road N.E., near the Hollywood Schoolhouse at the intersection of 148^th Avenue N.E. and N.E. 145th Street, and near other wineries including Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Winery, DeLille Cellars, Brian Carter Cellars and the Bookwalter Winery Tasting Studio.  The winery’s website is www.giffordhirlinger.com.