I absolutely adore this winery: the wine, the space, the people, the food, and the community…read more
The Wine:
The wines are consistently amazing and are made to be aged, without the usual high price tag that comes with that. I like bold, flavorful wine, and they have that in spades. I thought I hated Merlot, for being generally weak, but Terra Blanca's Merlot is fantastic. I thought I only liked red wine, but their Albarino is now my go-to summer white wine. I thought Rose was too sugary of a wine, but their Rose has incredible flavor without heft. I'm an enduring fan of their Block 8 Syrah, but the Cab Sauv is a close second.
The Space:
It's gorgeous. The building is beautiful, the grounds are well-maintained, the vineyard (which you can tour at some of their events) feels old-world-meets-tech, the cellars are amazing, and everything feels welcoming. Like, I don't just want to go here, I want to spend time here.
The People:
The employees are wonderful: welcoming, knowledgeable, happy, humble, and it never feels like they're just trying to sell you something. They're honest and upbeat, even at times when I *know* they must be feeling rushed or stressed. It makes the whole place feel like hanging out with friends and neighbors (but in a classy way). This is *not* the kind of winery where they pour, recite a litany about the varietal, and walk away. This is the kind of winery where you can walk in and say "I know nothing about wine" and they'll be excited to take you wherever your curiosity about wine takes you.
The Food:
I've eaten at the Thursday happy hours, at buffet banquets, and at a tasting/pairing event. Each time the food has been delicious, unique, and well-paired. And it's all from scratch, locally grown & grazed, etc. even their charcuterie boards are lovely (and a lot...you will not leave hungry). I recommend trying the flatbread pizzas off their wood-fired grill. Oh, and the menu changes quarterly, so I've yet to get bored with anything.
The Community:
In addition to this place feeling like a community, and growing one with their wine clubs and virtual tasting group, they're involved in the Tri-Cities community. I love when local small businesses support each other and non-profits in the area! They have regular events and banquet fundraisers for orgs like Children's Developmental Center and TROT.
Oh, the prices? I'd call them good. High enough to convey the quality, but low enough to be approachable even for people who are just starting to try wine. And they do a lot of sales and discounts throughout the year. The tasting room prices are spot-on, which keeps Terra Blanca feeling inclusive.
TL;DR: Tasty wine at affordable prices, great customer service, welcoming atmosphere, excellent food, fun events