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Washington Wine Country |
The Washington Wine Country Regional Partnership recently released this year's lineup of summer events and festivals celebrating the food and wine of the area. Here's a look at the celebrations awaiting visitors to the region:
Summer Concert Series at Tagaris Winery, Saturdays, May 23 through September 26
Tagaris Winery Taverna Tagaris in Richland will host a series of concerts beginning every Saturday evening in the intimate outdoor setting which features a massive 33 foot basalt fountain, cozy fire pits and garden ambiance. Guests will experience a laid-back, unique venue while listening to a variety of exceptional live musical performances. Taverna Tagaris is a full service gourmet restaurant featuring Mediterranean cuisine to accompany a glass of award winning hand crafted Tagaris wine.
Bookwalter Summer Concert Series, every Sunday, May 24 to September 6
Relax and enjoy fine wines, paired with tidbits from a carefully selected menu of meats, farm cheeses and artisan bread. The winery’s uncomplicated yet seductive décor is the ideal venue for this live summer concert series that takes place on the patio from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. every Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day. An experience unlike any other, Bookwalter Winery is close to town yet miles away from ordinary.
Vintage Walla Walla, Friday, June 5 to Saturday, June 6
Vintage Walla Walla is an annual wine tasting and educational weekend celebrating the art of the Walla Walla Valley wineries. Events range from educational tours of the Walla Walla Valley terrain to dinner parties with the winemakers themselves. The weekend concludes with a grand tasting event with more than 50 vintners personally pour their current releases under the eaves of our tented outdoor tasting room, set on one of the creekside lawns of the Whitman College campus. Event tickets range from $30 to $100 per person.
Vineyard Crew: Summer Thinning at Two Mountain Winery, Saturday, June 6
Become a member of the Two Mountain Winery Vineyard Crew and learn what it takes to make wine in the vineyard. Summer thinning maximizes the potential for flavorful fruit. This session is one of four education sessions on the various stages of vineyard growth. Each session concludes with wine tasting and tasty morsels after a hard day’s work. Vineyard crew members are also eligible for 15 percent off year round discounts. This event will be held at the Two Mountain Winery in Zillah, located at 2151 Cheyne Rd. Cost per person is $100 or $175 per couple.
Columbia Crest Vineyard Tours, Sunday June 7
Join Columbia Crest Vineyard for a field trip into the estate as guests learn about the cycle of the grape, terroir and viticultural practices. A formal tasting will follow this field trip and feature Columbia Crest Red and White wines. This tour will be repeated on the first Sunday of every month through August from 10 am- 12 pm. Pre- registration is required for $20 per person. The Columbia Crest Vineyard is located at: Hwy 221 Columbia Crest Drive in Paterson, Wash.
Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival, Monday, June 8 to Friday, June 19
Experience 12 days of musical celebration in the town of Walla Walla. Events range from open rehearsals to intimate tasting music events to the concert stage of Whitman College's Chism Recital Hall. Familiar spaces, the corner coffee shop or bistro, take on new identities when filled with glorious chamber music. Follow the music around Walla Walla and take a journey of discovery.
Two Mountain Winery Chalk Party, Saturday, June 13
Tap into your inner child and help to create chalk art on the floor of Two Mountain Winery at the annual Chalk Party. Wine, music, food and fun help make this an event for the whole family. Kids of all ages can enter a friendly chalk art contest to win the design adorning the summer release Dry Rose wine label. All event proceeds will benefit the Pegasus Therapeutic riding Center. Location for the event is 2151 Cheyne Rd. in Zillah. This event is free and open to the public, however a donation of $20 is suggested for drawing. For more information, call 509-829-3900.
Walla Walla Sweet Onion Festival, Saturday, July 18-Sunday, July 19
Come visit the homeland of the sweetest onion in Washington State and take part in the fun of arts and crafts, games, entertainment, sweet onion cooking and various fun contests for all ages. Events run from 10 am- 6pm each day and are located throughout downtown Walla Walla. Festivities include a chef demonstration, recipe contest, and sweet onion fun run.
Chateau Champoux's Lemberger/Lamburger Barbeque, Saturday, June 20
Head to Horse Heaven Hills for the seventh Annual Lemberger/Lamburger Barbeque and Wine Tasting from 11 a.m. to 4p.m. Sample the Lemberger wines produced from Champoux Vineyard grapes, enjoy a Lamburger barbeque, gift basket drawings and the energizing music of Bram Brata, the Tri-Cities Youth Caribbean Steel Band. Ticket cost is $50 per person or $90 per couple. The winery is located at 524 Alderdale Rd. in Alderdale, Wash.
Red, White and Blues Festival, Saturday July 4 – Sunday, July 5
From 10am-6pm each day, sample red wine, white wine, and listen to live blues music at multiple wineries throughout the weekend to celebrate the "Big Birthday" in style. The main event at Silver Lake Winery of Roza Hills features wines and winemakers from all the local wineries, great American foods, and fireworks viewed from the top of the hill where you'll see the displays of all four cities in the Valley. The event is located at various wineries off of I-82, but begins at 2890 Lee Rd. in Prosser, Wash. Locations included areWapato, Zillah, Outlook, Granger, and Sunnyside.
Annual Art Walk & Wine Gala, Saturday, July 18
This event brings together 30 Artists, 20 Wineries, and five local caterers as they showcase their specialties for a fun evening in the “Birthplace of Wine.” Artists from around the Northwest come to display their art, while the local wineries share their finest vintages on Sixth Street in downtown Prosser. From 6 to 10 p.m., this event offers signature cuisine and live jazz music. Local businesses stay open late as the street is turned into a garden-like setting. Ticket price is $10 per person and can be purchased by contacting the visitor information center at 509-786-3177. Guests under 21 years of age will not be admitted.
Fourth Annual Trail Drive, Wine Tasting, & Barbeque, Saturday, July 18
The wineries of Horse Heaven Hills Wine Growers (HHHWG) invite guests to join in the celebration of the Horse Heaven hills American Viticultural Area (AVA) anniversary. This event funds the HHHWG Scholarship and special projects at Crow Butte Park. From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., take a drive through the winery and taste the various wine selections at the local wineries and tasting rooms. Participating stops include: Columbia Crest, Canoe Ridge Estate, Alexandria Nicole Cellars, Heaven's Cave, Canyon's Edge Winery, Chateau Champoux and McKinley Springs. Enjoy a barbeque dinner, wine tasting, music and prizes in Alderdale Wash., 30 miles south of Prosser. The ticket price for this event is $40 for adults and includes a wine tasting, logo glass, and BBQ dinner. Ticket prices increase to $50 for adults after July 11.
Outdoor Dinner and a Movie at Two Mountain Winery, Saturday, August 1
Enjoy the experience of an outdoor dinner and a movie at Two Mountain Winery. Dinner will be served at approximately 7:30pm followed by a relaxing evening as guests enjoy a movie while lounging on the grass outside the winery. The cost of dinner tickets is $25 per person and includes a glass of wine. The winery is located at 2151 Cheyne Rd. in Zillah.
Sunday Music Series at Silver Lake Winery, Sunday, August 2- Sunday, August 30
Each Sunday during the month of August from 12 to 4 p.m., guests can enjoy live music concerts, lunch and bottle of wine. There is no charge for admission for the concert. Prices for wine bottles and lunch vary. The event will be held at the Silver Lake Winery in Zillah at 1500 Vintage Rd.
Prosser Wine & Food Fair, Saturday, August 8
Join more than 3,500 wine enthusiasts in Prosser, Wash. for the 27th annual sampling of fine Washington wine and local food specialties. Jazz and blues bands provide entertainment while guests taste the best from 34 Washington wineries and 20 local food vendors. The event runs from 3 to 9 p.m. at Washington State University's Ag Research Center. Tickets are available for $20 presale and $25 the day of the event. Guests must be 21 years of age to attend.
Vineyard Crew: Verasion at Two Mountain Winery, Saturday, August 15
Become a member of the Two Mountain Winery Vineyard Crew and learn what it takes to make wine in the vineyard. This session is one of four education sessions on the various stages of vineyard growth. Crew members of the verasion session will gain an expanded knowledge of the grapes’ changing color and how to manage vines for the best possible fruit. Each session concludes with wine tasting and tasty morsels after a hard day’s work. Vineyard crew members are also eligible for 15 percent off year round discounts. This event will be held at the Two Mountain Winery in Zillah, located at 2151 Cheyne Rd. Cost per person is $100 or $175 per couple.
Chateau Champoux's Sunset Dinner, Saturday August 15
The Sixth Annual Sunset Couple's Night and Italian Delight dinner at Chateau Champoux Winery invites guests to enjoy the food, savor the wines, and linger over the special port & chocolate provided by the winery. Hors d'oeuvres will begin at 7 pm, with dinner following from 8 to 10 p.m. The cost per couple is $165 and tickets are limited. The Champoux Vineyard is located in Alderdale at 524 Alderdale Rd.
A Case of the Blues and All That Jazz, Saturday, August 15 This festival features blues and jazz music, award-winning local wines and microbrews and a delicious array of foods and desserts. Benefiting the community through the Yakima Greenway Foundation and Junior League of Yakima, this event takes place from 3 to 11p.m. Tickets are $40 per person presale and $45 per person the day of the event. Guests must be 21 years of age to attend.
The Washington Wine Country Regional Partnership is a cooperative effort by the Tri-Cities Visitors and Convention Bureau, Yakima Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau, Tourism Walla Walla and Washington Wine Country to promote winery tourism and year-round culinary travel to the Yakima, Columbia and Walla Walla Valleys.
www.winecountrywashington.org.
