J. Bookwalter Uses Literary Terms to Name Wines

Richland, WA Winery Labels Include Couplets, Anecdotes, Prefaces

Aug 5, 2009

J. Bookwalter Wines took pages from the literary world to name its award-winning wines. Even their wine club is called the Book Club, and its shipments called Editions.

The winery, founded in 1983 by Jerry and Jean Bookwalter, also supports endeavors which increase literacy, a staff member tells visitors. The winery is now owned by their son John who also doubles as the winemaker. The Bookwalter family’s involvement in agriculture goes back to 18th century Europe.

J. Bookwalter Concentrates on Premium Red Wines

Under John’s ownership, the winery has concentrated on ultra premium red wines. “Our pursuit is simple: source the best possible vineyards, age our red wines in the highest quality cooperage we can find, and apply winemaking stills that have been honed and developed by one of the finest consultant winemakers in the world today,” Bookwalter writes in a winery brochure.

On the winery's website, the Library of Success lists high wine rankings from top wine magazines: Wine Spectator, the Wine Advocate and the Wine Enthusiast. Additionally, the winery was named Washington Winery of the Year in 2005 by another magazine, Wine Press Northwest.

Bookwalter has a small vineyard at the winery, and gets most of its grapes from throughout the Mid-Columbia region. Bottling quantities vary from 241 cases of its 2006 Preface Merlot to 1,823 cases of its 2006 Foreshadow Cabernet Sauvignon. Some grapes are harvested from decades-old vineyards which limits the quantity of grapes available, the winery’s website states. Bookwalter grapes are harvested and sorted by hand.

Bookwalter Offers Live Music in the Lounge

The winery’s tasting room at 894 Tulip Lane is open daily, beginning at 10 a.m. It closes at 6 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday. The tasting area features tables and comfortable chairs; additional seating is available on front and back patios. Live music is offered the rest of the week, so the tasting room stays open until 10 p.m. A schedule of musicians can be found on its website; there is no cover charge. The tasting lounge has a bistro, offering appetizers and desserts which complement its wines.

The winery also has a “tasting studio” in the Seattle suburb of Woodville. It is located at 14810 NE 145 St., Bldg. B.

The winery is one of three wineries located on Tulip Lane in rural Richland, Washington. The others are Barnard Griffin Winery and Tagaris Winery.

How to Find J. Bookwalter Wines

Take the Queensgate Road exit off of Interstate I-182, which runs from Interstate I-82 in the west, past Richland and on to Pasco where it becomes Highway 12 or connects with Highway 395. From Queensgate turn onto Columbia Park Trail, then left onto Windmill Road, and finally right on Tulip Lane. Watch for the Bookwalter signs on Columbia Park Trail.

The copyright of the article J. Bookwalter Uses Literary Terms to Name Wines in US Wine is owned by Cheryl Probst. Permission to republish J. Bookwalter Uses Literary Terms to Name Wines in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.