Spring Barrel Weekend Preview

Spring Barrel Tasting Weekend starts Friday with activities all throughout Central Washington.

Executive Director of Wine Yakima Valley Barb Glover says the event has evolved since the valley’s five vineyards who wanted to educate people about wine in the 1980s.

“It’s becoming a little bit like a rite of passage almost for spring. We’ve got people who come over, and I don’t think they necessarily come to learn about wine as much as they come to enjoy the festival.”

Glover says for many families it’s an opportunity to get together, come to Central Washington and enjoy a vacation.

The event still does carry an educational component though as Glover hopes to remove some of the mystique around wine.

“Any time that we can start peeling back those layers and really educating people on the process, what you’re tasting, how’s it going to change, why’s it going to change; I think all of that really helps people become better wine connoisseurs.”

Glover expects more than 4,000 people to participate in the weekend which will also provide an economic boost to local business.

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