Now in its 5th year, the Blood of the Gods Merrymaking, a heavy metal music, art, and wine festival, is always a blast of decibel-shredding fresh air.
Stacy Buchanan is the producer of the event, which is inspired by the focus of the independent ‘zine, Blood of Gods, he publishes right here in Walla Walla.
Buchanan is a Walla Walla native who launched his career helping coordinate tour logistics for huge hardcore and metal bands such as Marilyn Manson and Slipknot on Ozzfest, a heavy metal rock tour. He says it’s important to offer wine experiences that are different, inclusive, and invite people from all walks of life to celebrate and enjoy wine, and feel welcomed in the wine community.
“Coming from the punk-metal-hardcore side with skateboarding and counterculture, I love that the fest instills a sense of empowerment, which is by way of the do-it-yourself mentality. I love that it feels like anyone can do this—enjoy wine, make wine, learn about wine—you don’t need any training, there is no manual. It’s for people who are wanting something to fuel their creative urge, no one’s going to give you permission, you don’t need permission.”
This year, the festival is organized into four main events. A free kick-off party and art opening gets things started the evening of Friday, July 17 at Foundry Vineyards, featuring wine for sale by the glass, and work from artists featured in the pages of Blood of Gods including Alex Eckman-Lawn, Morgan Sorensen, Heather Mahler, and Nicholas Hartman.
On Saturday, a wide-spanning speaking panel from 12-2pm brings together Tegan Passalaqua of Turley Wine Cellars and Sandlands; writer, speaker and educator, Elaine Chukan Brown; Tyler Balliet of Rebel School Of Wine, Rosé Mansion and Wine Riot; and André Hueston Mack of Maison Noir Wines.
The conversation is followed by a grand tasting from 3-6pm—the Merrymaking Main Event—with wine producers from Washington and beyond pouring samples of their acclaimed, cult-status, or just plain tasty wines, including Walla Walla’s own Cayuse Vineyards, Echolands, Itä Wines, Jett Wines, and Sleight of Hand, just to name a few. Other selections from California, Oregon, and Europe, as well as a few beer purveyors and other vendors, will round out the offerings.
Truly “brutal babes and crucial dudes,” Buchanan says, can then enjoy an ear-splitting afterparty concert. The after-party will be ignited by Brutal Babes Burlesque, a heavy metal + wine burlesque revue followed by Warp Chamber, Death Metal “brutes erupting from beyond time to annihilate the mortal plane,” and Heiress, a Heavy, sludgy, post-hardcore veterans from Seattle & official Blood Of Gods house band.
Whether you tap in just for the grand tasting, or stay for all the heavy-hitting action, the Merrymaking offers something different and unexpected in a welcoming and snob-free atmosphere, says Buchanan.
“It’s meant to be irreverent and raucous and fun and inclusive. It’s open to all, any level of wine drinker.”
The Blood of Gods 5th Annual Merrymaking. Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18. Times, venues, and prices vary. Tickets and details here.