This year’s ride begins on Friday evening, the 24th of June, with a social/BBQ sponsored and hosted by Willow Crest Winery in Prosser.

On Saturday morning, June 25, riders, and those who prefer to travel by shuttle bus, will begin their journey to three unique viticulture sites in two appellations.

The group will depart Prosser and travel to Gamache Vineyards north of Pasco in the Columbia Valley appellation. Roger Gamache will give an overview of the vineyard and local terroir. Next up, a tour and lunch will be provided courtesy of Milbrandt Vineyards and Winery near Mattawa. Jim McFerran will provide an overview of the Wahluke Slope’s unique attributes. After lunch, the riders will travel to Cold Creek Vineyard where Kevin Corliss will talk about one of Washington’s oldest and most celebrated vineyards. Interested participants will have an opportunity to taste wines produced from each vineyard.

Upon returning to Prosser, the group will have a short respite prior to enjoying the evening festivities including an auction, dinner and dancing to Black Market Revue at the Clore Center’s new Outdoor Event Facility.

Now in its fourth year, the ride provides a close-up look at Washington State’s grape-growing regions known as American Viticultural Areas (AVA). The 2008 inaugural ride featured the Yakima Valley, Horse Heaven Hills and Red Mountain AVAs followed by the 2009 ride exploring the Walla Walla AVA. Lake Chelan AVA, Washington’s eleventh and newest appellation, was the destination in 2010. To date, Moteur de Vine has raised nearly $60,000 in support of the Clore Center.

The annual ride is the creation of long-time wine industry veterans Bill denHoed, Scott Pontin and Dick Beightol. The ride is intended to provide people who may not be involved in the wine industry with an in-depth exposure to Washington’s AVAs and a better understanding of what makes each region unique. The ride grows each year as it moves around the state.