Notes from the Slope: 2025 Vineyard Tour highlights from Lisa

Josh and I had a fantastic time hosting our club members for the annual vineyard tour this August - and yes, it was hot. Eastern Washington in August doesn’t mess around, but our crew and loyal members powered through like pros - armed with sunscreen, hats, and plenty of chilled vino to keep spirits high. Club members: scroll all the way down for a link to more photos of the day!

We kicked off the tour at our Corfu Crossing vineyard, perched atop the Frenchman Hills, where we tasted the 2023 Grenache Blanc - one of my personal favorites (releasing SOON). This block was grafted over from Cabernet Sauvignon a few years ago, proving that even grapes can reinvent themselves. We are truly unique as one of the few estate wineries in Washington, meaning everything we bottle is grown in our own vineyards. And we’re likely the only one where our winemaker, Matías Kúsulas, is also our viticulturist. Translation: he’s basically the vineyard whisperer, overseeing the grape growing AND the winemaking from start to finish. That kind of soil-to-glass synergy is rare in Washington, and it’s always a highlight of the tour to hear how he pulls it all off.

From there, we wound our way up the hill past Viognier and Roussanne (think Freyja!), and east past La Reyna Blanca vineyard – which is nestled in the middle of Corfu Crossing and recently garnered a 100-point score for a Chardonnay crafted by our vineyard clients, Tenor Wines. We paused between the Pinot Gris and Albariño blocks at one of our highest vineyard sites, around 1,650 feet elevation, with sweeping views of the Royal Slope and Saddle Mountains. There, we tasted the 2022 Tigre Pinot Gris and 2022 Thunderstone Syrah - two unique wines that always spark conversation.

Back at the Haven Barn, our friend Hugo Ledesma and his team wowed everyone with his fantastic tacos, and Chef Annette from Gård Public House brought her legendary apple cake (yes, it was just as good as last year). We sipped, laughed, and caught up with club members while soaking up the end of summer vibes. Oh, and karaoke? It escalated quickly. Pretty sure some guests (and staff) had been secretly rehearsing. Maybe a fog machine next year? Lol.

We’d like to give a huge thank you to our amazing Gård team for all their hard work, talent, and heart. In addition, thank you Ava, our high school senior, who helped organize the event with me - she’s a powerhouse! And big thanks to Kellen, our freshman, who handled much of the heavy lifting behind the scenes. (We missed Addi again this year, who was already back at Boise State for her junior year, but she was definitely with us in spirit.) We’re so lucky to have our kids involved in so many aspects of Gård, lending their support wherever needed.

And to everyone who joined us - thank you! If you missed it, don’t worry. This tradition is one we treasure, and there’s always next year. In the meantime, if you find yourself in Royal City, reach out - we’d love to show you around, pour you a glass, and give you a taste of what makes Gård so special.

Not a member yet? Let’s change that. These kinds of experiences are what makes our club special!

Cheers,

Lisa

Owner

Lisa@gardvintners.com

P.S. Members: Please enjoy these photos and memories of the day and feel free to download. We ask that if you share on social media or anywhere publicly, please give credit to our Photographer & Marketing Manager (& Karaoke Ninja), William Muñoz (@williammunoz.photo).