Echo Ridge Cellars [May 2021]

So, remember last week I mentioned that this week’s winery wasn’t even on my radar? Sometimes those are the best kind to find!! I remember seeing a winery sign on our way to Sno Road Winery. I didn’t really pay attention, just made a mental note that I wanted to stop and check it out on our way back through. Wow, I am so glad we did… “Check out this awesome freaking silo built in the 1900’s!!” was my FB post!! Haha. While it may be a pretty common sight in agricultural area like Echo, Oregon it was new to me!! This historic grain elevator was built in the 1940’s.

Kim and Jay Bales bought the property in 2010 to make their vineyard, and they remodeled the existing grain elevator; keeping as much of the original wood and glass intact as possible. They salvaged older wood so they could make some of the furniture pieces sitting around and they repaired/revamped the old grain chute to honor its past. I wish we could have climbed up the grain chute, but it was no access. I guess tasting wine and climbing a steep metal ladder wouldn’t really be a great idea!! LOL I also love the motto Kim, Jay and their daughter Berlyn have... “family from vine to bottle!!”

After visiting Echo, Oregon and finding the vineyard property, the Bales saw the potential and jumped into action. Kim is the Echo Ridge Cellars Tasting Room Operations Director. She oversees every aspect herself, and you can see the love she has for her family and wine in all the small touches and the welcoming feel of the tasting room. Jay is retired from construction work, so he felt right at home working in the vineyard. He moved dirt many years for his job, and now in retirement his knack with soil combined with his machinery made this transition seem effortless. He is the Vineyards Operations Director.

Kim and Jay’s daughter, Berlyn studied winemaking at Central Washington University. In 2014, she did an internship in Walla Walla and in 2016, she became the Winery Operations Director. She is also the Assistant Winemaker to Billo Naravane, Echo Ridge Cellars Winemaker. Bill is a certified Master of Wine!! Check out the building above, used as an additional tasting area or for private and small events. It is called “The Silo” and Shawn took one of my favorite photos ever right here!! [seen below] I’m younger, thinner, holding a wine flight, and looking like an angel!! Hahaha!!

Ok, so how did Echo Ridge come by its name!? [my favorite part… well, after the wine LOL] Full disclosure, I may be going on some speculation here. Lots of wineries are named after their location, especially when the area is known for something specific. “Echo” implies sound and “ridge” suggests a hill, or valley. When placed together it means “an actual ridge that echoes” or sounds [echoes] be carried through the hills. [ridge] The Bales felt that this would be the perfect place for a vineyard/winery… a perfect blending of the natural elements and wine!!

Echo Ridge Cellars has added a few things since our visit back in 2021. They now offer the use of Henrieta Station, a larger grassy area located on the vineyard property for corporate events and weddings. There is also a newly renovated Airbnb on site called Tolar House. It is conveniently right next to tasting room!! All in all, Echo Ridge Cellars provides a "wine-infused, love-filled" atmosphere that I highly recommend.

Next week we will have arrived at our new summer location!! Liberty Lake Campground and you will never guess what is located nearby.. practically within walking distance!? Join Wine with Wixy next week to find out!! Hahaha!!

Cheers to you my wine loving friends, and TTFN!!