Area wineries bringing their A game to outdoor concerts

 

Jeff Waddell (far left),winemaker at East Fork Cellars, plays lead guitar and vocals with Les Cellars Rats who recently performed at Three Brothers Winery Wine Club Appreciation Concert. Viki Eierdam

Two weekends ago the park like setting of Three Brothers Winery—under majestic evergreens—provided a cooling backdrop for their combined Wine Club Appreciation Concert with East Fork Cellars and I had the privilege of attending.

Scheduled to begin at 4:30 pm, the crowd was a bit thin early on due to the extreme heat we’ve been experiencing but the opening act—Les Cellar Rats—appeared unfazed by the scorching sun as they covered hits from Journey to Kansas and an impressive Jimi Hendrix interpretation.

My husband and I scored premium seating under the recently-expanded covered patio since most guests were spread out with blankets on the lawn. Owner, Dan Andersen, joked with me that we’d taken over Walt Houser’s table and I can see why that’s his favorite spot; it afforded the perfect stage view under the comfort of shade and close proximity to chilled bottles of crisp pinot gris.

Guests at Three Brothers Winery’s Wine Club Appreciation Concert were treated to the soulful sounds of the Al Perez Band. Viki Eierdam

As more and more club members began descending on the grounds, the Al Perez Band took to the stage. The soulful sounds from Al’s acoustic guitar and the five-piece band backing him were masterfully woven but, alas, we had to make our exit before their set was up because, while I was visiting with Doug and Janine Julian (owners of The Vine Travelers), Walt and his lovely bride, Beth, showed up!

All kidding aside, that is not why we left. The arrival of the gracious owner and winemaker of Bethany Vineyards and our departure was simply a synergistic happenstance (you can thank us later for saving your table) because we were off to check out the inaugural Guitar Summit at Moulton Falls Winery with critically-acclaimed finger picking guitarists Terry Robb, Doug Smith and Mark Hanson while Drastic Measures and F.O.G. with special guest vocalist, Brenna Stillwell, would have the Wine Appreciation Concert continuing well into the evening.

Critically-acclaimed finger picking guitarists Mark Hanson, Terry Robb and Doug Smith performed at Moulton Falls Winery’s inaugural Guitar Summit two weekends ago. Viki Eierdam

Joe and Susan, owners of Moulton Falls, had their hands full with an appreciative crowd under a now cooler evening sky by the time we pulled in and the skillfully-delivered compositions of the trio were absolute magic. A recently-constructed stage (a.k.a Jake’s doghouse) provided ideal acoustics to project the sometimes flamenco, sometimes bluesy sounds of this stellar ensemble.

A recently-constructed stage (a.k.a Jake’s doghouse) provided ideal acoustics to project the sometimes flamenco, sometimes bluesy sounds of the inaugural Guitar Summit at Moulton Falls Winery. Viki Eierdam

It was like old homecoming at both stops being able to visit with Andersen, East Fork Cellars’ winemaker, Jeff Waddell (also lead guitarist for Les Cellar Rats), Walt and even Ridgefield mayor, Ron Onslow, at Three Brothers and then seeing author, Spike Walker; wine photographer, Richard Duval; and chatting with Joe and Susan at Moulton Falls. Wine makers and appreciators are truly a community of approachable, fun loving folks.

Two completely different concerts with two completely different atmospheres but each one hitting it out of the park with performances and talent. More outdoor concerts are scheduled throughout the summer at Clark County wineries. Gather some close friends and be sure to raise a glass at one (or two).

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Meet the wine pro: A picture worth a thousand sips

Richard Duval, Seattle-area wine photographer, in front of an image on metal of Sagemoor Vineyards in Pasco of a harvest moon in the dawn sky. Courtesy of Richard Duval.

The morning dew dripping from a bursting cluster of grapes, the first drops of liquid as they escape from an uncorked bottle, billowy clouds blowing over a field of vines in a profusion of fall colors—this is the world of wine caught through the lens of a skillful photographer.

“I’ve found I have an ethereal connection to wine makers, vineyards (and) grapes. Winemakers are great people. I like hanging out with them,” said Richard Duval, professional wine photographer.

In college Duval majored in journalism but it was a required photography class that made him the best candidate at the time to teach photography in tandem with journalism at the high school level for three years. His professional focus turned to marketing but he continued honing his skills behind the camera with a lean toward scenic and landscape until about five years ago when he found himself on Mt. Rainier with so many other photographers that it resembled a Canon commercial.

Richard Duval considers himself one of the best photographers of the pour. Foreplay is an excellent example. Courtesy of Richard Duval.

It was around that time that he was hired by Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery in Woodinville, Washington to handle some marketing pieces. As he went out to other wineries, he took his camera and would capture various aspects of the vineyard and wine-making process.

“The niche for photography with wineries was not nearly as saturated,” Duval said. “I went to every wine event and made a joke that if four people were pouring in an elevator, I’d come shoot that.”

He reached out to John Vitale, publisher and editor of Washington Tasting Room Magazine, whose premier issue had hit stands in the fall of 2009. As a fledgling quarterly, the partnership proved strategic for both sides. Duval provided—and continues to provide— shots that are as full-bodied and character-driven as a Barrage Cellars 2009 Double Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon. His eye for composition draws viewers into the romance and craft of the vineyard while his casual demeanor and obvious enthusiasm for the industry puts vintners at ease.

“They (vintners) have a passion for it and they light up. The camera comes out for me and I’m just completely lost in their vision,” Duval said.

Duval shot this exquisite Woodinville Wine Country summer/fall 2014 issue cover which captures the essence of the area in one shot. Courtesy of Richard Duval.

Over the years he’s shot for all the wine media in Washington State as well as national outlets. He supplies photos to the Washington State Wine Commission and his images have appeared in Wine Enthusiast, Wine Spectator, the Grape Collective, Sip Northwest, Northwest Travel Magazine and Alaska Airlines to name a few. In addition, his prolific career has taken him as near as Oregon and California and as far away as Italy and Austria.

This rendering of a Tuscan vineyard is printed on metal which Duval says creates a sharp detail, depth and dimension not attainable on glossy paper. Courtesy of Richard Duval.

Before the end of summer Duval hopes to feature his exhibit, Metal Impressions, at Cellar 55 Tasting Room in downtown Vancouver. It’s a series of pieces printed on metal which he says creates a sharp detail, depth and dimension not attainable on glossy paper.

Duval said “My job is to capture the magic made in the bottle and I never get tired of it.”

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