MILTON-FREEWATER – If you want to catch a taste of one of the Northwest’s biggest wine weekends of the year, two Milton-Freewater wineries will be open this weekend.

Zerba Cellars and Watermill Winery will be part of the Walla Walla Valley’s annual Spring Release festivities – an event that is expected to attract thousands of tourists.

Marilyn Zerba expects anywhere from 400-500 people to stop by their tasting room located at 85530 off Highway 11. The winery will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Zerba said each year more people are showing up.

“It’s more fun because there’s more people,” said Zerba, who expects the largest crowds to come between noon and 3 p.m.

Zerba will have a couple of its new releases available for tasting. The 2005 Cabernet, the 2004 Wild Z and 2004 Syrah are among the choices. Zerba Cellars also will be offering prime rib sandwiches and catered food.

Watermill is pouring free tastes of its first-ever vintage from 2005 at its new tasting room at 235 East Broadway in Milton-Freewater from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Watermill’s 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005 Walla Walla Valley Syrah and 2005 Sauvignon Blanc are among the wines being offered. Its “Changes Are” blend is being advertised, but will not be available until summer.

Blue Mountain Cider, which shares the same owners and facilities as Watermill, will not have cider available to taste, but visitors can purchase it.