DESERT AIRE - Mattawa Area Multicultural Chamber of Commerce President Lois Thiede declared the Taste of Wahluke Slope wine festival at the Desert Aire clubhouse on June 28 a success.

Taste of Wahluke Slope attracted about 90 people. Seventy-five bought Taste tickets, and 60 bought grilled chicken dinner tickets.

The wine fest attracted guests were from Florida and Oregon as well as western Washington, Royal City, Moses Lake, Ephrata and the home area.

"I thought it turned out well, and all the guests I talked with enjoyed it," Thiede said. "Some were surprised at where the tasting rooms for these wineries are. But they enjoyed the wine, the dinner, the chocolate and cheeses and the raffle and want the event to continue.

Mike Thiede, co-owner of Gingko Forest Winery with Lois, said: "I thought it went well. The second year was easier than the first. I would like to see more wineries participate, because there are a lot of wineries that use grapes from the Wahluke Slope."

The Thiedes gave thanks to the participating wineries - Desert Wind, Gilbert Cellars, Ginkgo Forest, Milbrandt Vineyards, Palencia and Tagaris. They also thanked the volunteers and business donors who helped make the event happen.

Each winery selected and featured wines made from grapes grown only on the Wahluke Slope. The BBQ dinner was prepared by Jack and Dana Fox. All money raised from this annual event supports the Mattawa Area Multi-Cultural Chamber of Commerce

"I'll vouch for the terrific BBQ chicken, and the delicious salad the Foxes provided," Royal Register Publisher Tom Hinde said.

Raffle winners were:

Walt Ellis - Golf for two at the Links at Moses Pointe

Doug & Susie Jepson - St. Joe River Cruise for two aboard Lake Coeur d'Alene Cruises

Linda Murphy - Collection of retro signs

Peter Fluetsch - Central Basin Community Concert Association 2014-2015 tickets

Rich Hartnett - Columbia Basin Photographic coffee table book

Bonnie Jenkin - Bottle of Desert Wind Winery 2010 Ruah

Shel Nuefeld - Bottle of Gilbert Cellars 2011 Allobroges

Lisa Paganelli - Bottle of Ginkgo Forest Winery 2008 Cab Sauvignon

La Verne Schott - Bottle of Milbrandt Vineyards 2013 Traditions SK Cuvee

Lori Davis - Bottle of Palencia Winery 2012 Sangiovese

Steve Peterson - Bottle of Tagaris Winery 2011 Red Roan