Wine Guide - Oregon Coast Magazine
Transcription
Wine Guide - Oregon Coast Magazine
2005/2006 Presented by NORTHWEST TRAVEL MONTANA page 4 IDAHO page 6 Idaho Panhandle Snake River Valley WASHINGTON page 8 Puget Sound Columbia Valley Yakima Valley Red Mountain Walla Walla Valley Columbia Gorge OREGON page 21 Willamette Valley Umpqua Valley Southern Oregon Rogue Valley & Applegate Valley T HE NORTHWEST WINE Country is illustrated above with the various American Viticulture Areas (AVAs or appellations) and other grape and fruit growing areas color-coded. In Washington, the Puget Sound area is highlighted from the Canadian border to the area about 20 miles south of Olympia. In Eastern Washington, things become more complicated. Three smaller appellations are within the boundaries of the huge Columbia Valley appellation indicated in blue. The Yakima Valley AVA is outlined in the western part of the Columbia, and within its boundaries, the tiny Red Mountain AVA is illustrated, appropriately in burgundy. Just a few miles east 2 Northwest Wine Country 2005/2006 of the confluence of the Snake and Columbia Rivers is Walla Walla Valley. Both the Columbia Valley and Walla Walla Valley appellations extend a short distance into Oregon. New this year is the Columbia Gorge AVA which Washington and Oregon share. Oregon’s largest and most famous wineproducing area shaded in green is the Willamette Valley, which extends from Portland south to the Eugene area. The AVA is nestled between the Pacific Ocean, just 50 miles west, and by the Cascade Mountains on the east. In milder and drier Southern Oregon are four more appellations, and although much smaller than the Willamette Valley, the areas have distinguished themselves in the state’s wine industry. Heading south, the first appellation is Umpqua Valley near Roseburg. Next are the Rogue and Applegate valleys. During the past year, the Southern Oregon appellation, encompassing these three growing areas, was designated an official AVA. In Idaho, most wineries and vineyards are along the Snake River Valley indicated in a peach tone. The largest concentration is in the fruit-growing area west of Boise.A few have emerged east of Boise in South Central Idaho and Northern Idaho’s Panhandle is home to a few more. Montana “does wine” in the protected Bitterroot Valley from Flathead Lake south along Hwy 93 to the Darby area. Both fruit and grape wines are produced with many of the grapes being imported from neighboring states. Northwest Wine Country Vacation Guide By Staff of Northwest Travel Discover the wineries, vineyards, and tasting rooms of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. T HE UNITED STATES is fourth for world wine production, behind Italy, France, and Spain, but California isn’t the only state helping the nation toward that distinction.Wines from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and even Montana are gaining national and international attention from experts and connoisseurs, as well as from those who can just appreciate the grape and the beautiful region in which it is grown. This is our third annual Wine Country Vacation Guide. Last year, we noticed the “wine bar phenomenon” that has sprouted in the Northwest and is growing rapidly. This year, it is events—so many that a visitor could spend virtually every weekend attending some kind of festival. There are regional, city, county, and statewide events. The substantial growth in events involves those organized by individual wineries, mostly featuring food and wine pairings. Wine bars continue to emerge and are This guide is published by also heavily involved with food and wine Northwest Travel pairings.At these establishments, wine tasting has evolved to include “wine 4969 Hwy 101 #2 Florence, OR 97439 flights” — a selection of four to six varieties served in two-plus ounce portions 800-348-8401 and tagged with clever names such as “Southern Hemisphere Flight.” Reproduction of editorial or advertising content without the written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Copyright 2005/2006. Printed in USA. For subscription and advertising information visit our Web site at http://www.northwestmagazines.com To request information from advertisers featured in this guide visit http://www.ohwy.com/r.htm Cover Photo: Vineyard near Newberg, Oregon. —Photo by Bob Pool In Portland and Seattle, we found more than a dozen wine bars in each city and many more throughout both the Willamette Valley in Oregon and Washington’s Puget Sound area. Idaho has a few and Montana’s first wine bar opened in 2004 in Bozeman. New wineries continue to sprout with Oregon and Washington each welcoming about 100 entrepreneurs in the past year, many of them fledgling and not yet open to the public.We have done our best to map those wineries that have tasting rooms open to the public but the growth of the industry makes it a continual work in progress. For your next wine tasting venture, take this friendly guide along with a designated driver and hit the road! 2005/2006 Northwest Wine Country 3 Photo by AbleStock MONTANA Most of the wineries in Montana’s fledgling industry are scattered in and around the picturesque Bitterroot Valley. MONTANA B IG SKY COUNTRY is known for many wonderful things, but wine traditionally has not been one of them. Today, a collegial group in the cosmopolitan town of Missoula is working diligently to improve Montana’s reputation for wine-making, plus at least two wineries have demonstrated admirable ingenuity in developing respectable fruit wines. “This is not your grandfather’s fruit wine,” says Judy Chapman of Lolo Peak Winery, Montana’s second winery, which began selling fruit wines in 1999. “It’s not like drinking syrup.” Judy and husband Mark Chapman are changing the way people think about fruit wines. The Chapmans have specialized in refined fruit wines and do not produce grape wines. Their fruit and honey wines are favorites with Montana residents. The difference between creating a wine with grapes and one with berries is that the tart, highly concentrated flavor of the berries must first be diluted and then sweetened with sugar or honey. At Rattlesnake Creek Vineyard,Andy 4 Northwest Wine Country 2005/2006 CANADA 93 Sponseller and Connie Poten are turning out organic dry dinner wines. Rattlesnake’s Flathead Cherry Dry is a hit among the locals. The cherries come from the orchards that surround Flathead Lake, north of Missoula. “When most people think of a cherry wine, they think of some medicinal sweet concoction,” says Sponseller.“We have defied that notion completely.” In the past three years, two new wineries and one vineyard have been established in Western Montana to join Lolo Peak and the granddaddy of Montana’s wine industry, Mission Mountain. Dr. Thomas Campbell and his son, Tom Jr. planted their first grapes in 1979 to establish Mission Mountain at Dayton. Their first vintage was released in 1984. There may not be many winemakers in Montana, but the seven now in business are a dedicated lot.Winemakers and farmers are experimenting with grape, fruit, and honey wines and are likely to apply for winery permits, so expect more wineries, vineyards, and tasting rooms to emerge in the next few years. Mission Mountain W • MONTANA WINERIES Flathead Lake Dayton 90 15 er R iv • Flathead Lake W ou iss M • Clearwater W Ronan Missoula • Lolo Peak W ri Great Falls • Rattlesnake Creek V Helena Darby Butte 90 IDAHO 93 15 WY THE FRUIT Pinot noir and Pinot gris are grown in the most quantity in the few vineyards in Montana. The newest vineyard in Missoula also grows the type of cold hardy varietals one would expect to find in other cold weather states like Minnesota: Marechal Foch, St. Croix, and Leon Millot. They are the kind of grapes that can outlast a long, cruel winter. MONTANA But the big story in the Montana wine industry is the fruit and honey wines. The varieties of fruits used for wine usually have high amounts of acid, low amounts of sugar, and high concentrations of flavor. They are fruits that thrive in a short but intense growing season. Examples of such fruit include apples, berries, and rhubarb. Some wineries are even considering using elderberries and chokecherries, which are too bitter to eat alone. site has a wealth of information on attractions and important information on how to get to the Missoula area (www.missoulacvb.org). The Flathead Convention and Visitors Bureau Web site (www.fcvb.org) also has good information on the seasonal activities in the area, which include skiing Big Mountain, sailing and fishing on Flathead Lake, exploring Glacier National Park, and camping beneath the Big Sky. WHEN TO VISIT Winter lasts longer in Montana than in other parts of the Northwest, so visits during the spring months of March,April, and May could mean having to deal with snow. (This is bad for driving but great for skiing.) The growing season at the vineyards starts in May and ends with the crush in October. Most summertime visitors flock to Flathead Valley between July 4 and Labor Day. MONTANA WINERIES TOURS/ROUTES The Hwy 93 route is the key to finding western Montana’s wineries. Missoula makes a nice starting point with three properties in the area. Next, head north on Hwy 93 to Ronan, then up the west side of Flathead Lake to Dayton. Driving to the winery at Culbertson in eastern Montana is slightly more than a day trip. It is 500-plus miles from Missoula along I–90, which splits at Billings with I–94 leading to North Dakota. AREA ATTRACTIONS Missoula, the Garden City, is bustling with activity all year. In addition to being a great spot to learn about Lewis and Clark’s journey through the area with the Corps of Discovery, it is home to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and A Carousel for Missoula in Caras Park. The carousel was hand-carved by volunteers. The Missoula Convention and Visitors Bureau Web see map pg. 4 MISSOULA LOLO PEAK WINERY 406-549-1111 • www.lolopeak.com 2506 Mount Ave., Missoula, MT 59804 Our wines are made exclusively from Montana agricultural produce, apples from the Bitterroot Valley, cherries from Flathead Lake and rhubarb and plums from family gardens of Missoula. Raspberries from the Mission Valley make a Gold Medal winning wine. Free wine tasting during regular hours and tours are available by appointment. 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. Monday through Saturday. RATTLESNAKE CREEK VINEYARDS 406-549-8703 www.rattlesnakecreekvineyard.com email:[email protected] 4175 Rattlesnake Drive, Missoula, MT 59802. We grow hardy French–American hybrid grapes at 46 degrees, 7 minutes latitude, and 3450 feet altitude, at the base of Montana’s Rattlesnake Wilderness Area. Our wines prove the maxim: the best fruit grows as far north as it will grow. They are certified organic with no added sulfites. Bottoms up! VISITOR INFORMATION TRAVEL MONTANA 800-VISITMT • www.visitmt.com MISSOULA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 800-526-3465 • www.missoulacvb.org FLATHEAD CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 406-756-9091 • www.fcvb.org PHILIPSBURG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 406-859-3388 www.philipsburgmt.com MONTANA CALENDAR OF EVENTS Call in advance for dates and locations of these events. Individual wineries are likely to host additional events. Contact local chambers of commerce and visitors bureaus for more information. JULY Dayton - Fourth of July at the Winery 406-849-5524 AUGUST Philipsburg - Art, Jazz, and Wine Festival August 22, 2005 406-859-0016 SEPTEMBER Dayton - Dayton Days 406-849-5524 2005/2006 Northwest Wine Country 5 IDAHO BRITISH COLUMBIA Parma Sandpoint Pend Oreille W • 20 26 95 SNAKE RIVER VALLEY (Detail) 84 30 Lake Pend Oreille Wilder Caldwell 19 Bitner V n ake Riv • 55 Williamson V •• Lake Lo Koenig Distillery W • w 84 S 69 er Coeur d'Alene 90 ell Ste. Chapelle W 78 Nampa Silver Trail W 45 Indian Creek • (Stowe) W Kuna • • Sawtooth W • Camas Prairie W Helena Moscow WASHINGTON 95 MONTANA Butte OREGON 90 IDAHO 84 95 55 • Winery At Eagle Knoll 15 Eagle See Detail Boise Sn Glenns Ferry eR ak i v er Pocatello • Carmela V 86 Twin Falls Business Name Abbreviations V = Vineyards W = Winery Blue Rock V & Wines LLC • IDAHO P OPULAR OPINION among folks in the Northwest is that Idaho is “the new kid on the block” in the wine industry. Not so advises former University of Idaho Professor John Thorngate (now at University of California, Davis) who says Idaho was actually first among the Northwest states to have wineries. His information dates back to a September 1865, article in Boise’s Idaho Statesman about a vineyard of Royal Muscadine cuttings planted the previous spring that had survived the winter and was beginning to produce grapes. Robert Wing, who has a vineyard in Lewiston (the lowest elevation in Idaho at 738 feet), says grapes were introduced there in 1872 by one German and two French 6 Northwest Wine Country 2005/2006 immigrants. One of them, Robert Schleicher, went on to win gold medals for his wines at expositions in Omaha, Buffalo, St. Louis, and Portland. Like everyone else, prohibition took its toll on Idaho’s wine industry. It resurfaced in 1972 when the Symms family, second generation fruit growers at the time, planted their first vineyard adjacent to the apples near Caldwell. Ste. Chapelle wines were born. But the industry didn’t take off at that point because there was still a law in Idaho prohibiting wineries from selling directly to the public—not in tasting rooms, retail establishments, or taverns. So although more wineries started popping up in the late 1970s and ’80s, it wasn’t until 1988 that Idaho vintners were able to sell to anyone other than distributors. What worked for the apples worked with the grapes, and now most of Idaho’s 19 wineries are not too far from that area called Sunny Slope in Southwestern Idaho. The state’s northern panhandle has a few and some in southern Idaho have ventured a short distance east to the Glenns Ferry and Twin Falls areas where the climate is relatively mild compared with Eastern Idaho where the state’s famous potatoes grow best. Though it has not been designated an official appellation by the government, the Snake River area near Caldwell is the state’s best known wine region. Today, Idaho wines are again claiming awards for varieties such as Riesling and Chardonnay. Like many other Northwest wine regions, the majority of Idaho’s wineries are considered boutique wineries, producing wonderful products, most of which stay within the state’s borders. But there’s no reason that Idaho wines should be just for Idahoans to enjoy. The Idaho wine industry is coming of age and the rest of the country, if not the world, is taking notice. The key to growing grapes in Idaho is the Snake River. The river helps to balance extreme weather conditions, cooling hot summer evenings and warming potentially frosty spring mornings. Idaho winemakers are able to produce Johannisberg Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Pinot noir, as well as Semillon, Lemberger, Pinot gris, and Cabernet franc, plus fruit wines and meads. SNAKE RIVER REGION The Snake River Basin runs across southern Idaho, making a shallow but wide U-shape. The river divides Idaho and Oregon along the western border of the state. I–84 runs along or near the river all the way through the state so the communities close to the vineyards are easily accessible from the main interstate. The Sunny Slope growing area, about 25 miles west of Boise, is close to Caldwell, Nampa, Meridian, and Kuna. An application has been sent to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms nominating this Snake River Region in southwest Idaho as an American Viticulture Area. If the designation is granted, it will be the first and only appellation in Idaho. But the area certainly doesn’t need a special title to be an inviting place to visit. The views of the famed Snake River Valley are worth the trip from spring through late fall, and many geology buffs will recognize outstanding geologic features throughout the region. IDAHO THE GRAPES In the Snake River Valley, Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and both red and white Pinot noir are produced.A few of the wineries in Idaho also buy fruit from Washington; likewise, some Washington wineries buy fruit from Idaho vineyards. WHEN TO VISIT Wine tasting events and festivals, such as the Boise State University Gene Harris Jazz Festival, take place in southwestern Idaho throughout the spring, but harvest time for Idaho wineries is in August. New wine and barrel-tasting events are often planned during November. AREA ATTRACTIONS Visitors to southwest Idaho can enjoy all that Boise and the surrounding area has to offer. The capital city is home to 15 museums, seven major parks, a zoo, and the Old Idaho State Penitentiary.About 16 miles north of town is the Bogus Basin Ski Resort, a bonus for those who go wine tasting during the winter. In the Nampa and Caldwell area, in addition to wineries, the Warhawk Air Museum, the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, and the Peregrine Fund’s World Center for Birds of Prey are worth checking out.A handy guide to the region is Northwest Travel’s annual Vacation Guide to the Columbia and Snake Rivers Region, which highlights attractions and roadside geology in southern Idaho (available at many visitor information centers and by calling 800-348-8401, ext. 110). OTHER AREAS OF INTEREST Several wineries and wine tasting rooms have popped up in the northern part of the state, although there is no designated AVA here either. This area along Hwy 95 includes Moscow, Coeur d’Alene, and Sandpoint. From the Boise valley, you can drive to northern Idaho on Hwy 95 through Weiser, Cambridge, and Council or take Hwy 55 through Banks, Cascade, and McCall to New Meadows where Hwys 55 and 95 join and become Hwy 95 for the journey farther north. It’s a beautiful but long drive so plan to spend more than a day exploring this area and the sweet treats it has in store.When the weather cooperates, winemakers in this area make ice wines, which are usually served with desserts.Also, brandies and fruit wines, including honey wines (or meads), are gaining popularity in the north country. For more information, contact the Coeur d’Alene Area Chamber of Commerce. IDAHO WINERIES SNAKE RIVER VALLEY see map pg. 6 KUNA INDIAN CREEK WINERY 208-922-4791 1000 N McDermott Rd., Kuna, ID 83634 Bill and Mui Stowe planted their grapes in 1982 and are still the people you’ll meet at one of the oldest wineries in Idaho. Bill’s specialty is Pinot noir (red and white), however, you can sample many popular varieties. Tasting room is open on Weekends, 12 to 5 P.M. Their lovely operation is but a few minutes drive from Boise, Meridian, and Nampa. IDAHO CALENDAR OF EVENTS Call in advance for dates and locations of these events. Individual wineries are likely to host additional events. Contact local chambers of commerce and visitors bureaus for more information. JULY Sun Valley - Sun Valley Center for the Arts Wine Auction July 21–23, 2005 208-726-9491 AUGUST Boise - Taste of Idaho Boise Centre on the Grove August 27, 2005 208-332-8530 OCTOBER Caldwell - Taste of the Harvest Albertson College of Idaho October 1, 2005 208-459-5300 www.albertson.edu NAMPA SAWTOOTH WINERY 208-467-1200 • www.sawtoothwinery.com 13750 Surrey Lane, Nampa, ID. Sawtooth Winery invites you to sample our awardwinning wines at our Tasting Room, overlooking picturesque estate vineyards, the Owyhee Mountains, and Boise Valley. Bring a picnic and enjoy the beautiful winery grounds. Our Tasting Room is open from noon until 5 P.M. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. You can also reserve the Winery for your special event. VISITOR INFORMATION IDAHO GRAPE GROWERS & WINE PRODUCERS COMMISSION, 1123 12th Ave. S, Nampa, ID 83651 208-467-4999/888-223-WINE www.idahowines.org BOISE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU & SOUTHWEST IDAHO TRAVEL ASSOCIATION 312 S 9th, Suite 100 Boise, ID 83702 800-635-5240 • www.boise.org COEUR D’ALENE VISITOR & CONVENTION SERVICES 1621 N 3rd Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814 877-782-9232 • www.coeurdalene.org 2005/2006 Northwest Wine Country 7 WASHINGTON WASHINGTON HE WORLD OF Washington wine continues to grow by leaps and bounds, not only the physical size of the industry, but the extent to which it promotes itself—a visitor could easily keep busy every weekend of the year attending a wine event, and usually would have to decide which one, or two, or three. The industry is also busy working on its export trade, which generated $3.5 million in 2004, up 40 percent over the previous year. As the second-largest wine producer in the United States, and the fastest-growing producer as well,Washington conceivably could pass up its number-one competitor, the state of California. This past spring, an hour-long documentary,“The Making of Washington Wine Country” was produced drawing parallels between the growth of Washington’s wine industry and that of Sonoma County, California, which lived for decades in the shadow of its more famous neighbor, the Napa Valley. Washington has long been famous for its apples and cherries, and now grapes rank among the state’s most important fruit crops. In the past decade, production of Washington wines has nearly tripled. In just the past year, the number of wineries has grown to approximately 350—up 100 from a year ago. Grape growers number 350, with 30,000 vineyard acres, 1000 more than last year. The industry contributes $2.9 billion annually to the state’s economy. Washington wines have a distinct personality that dates back to the region’s first winemakers who arrived in the early 19th century. By the late 1800s, European settlers had planted vineyards at Fort Vancouver, on Stretch Island in Puget Sound, and in the Walla Walla Valley, where the plants truly blossomed. The boon to the fledgling industry came with the railroad’s large-scale irrigation projects, which fostered commercial farming. Wineries and vineyards continued to flourish through World War I, led by such notable growers as William Bridgman and Elbert Blaine in the Yakima Valley. These pioneers brought in experts and sold plant cuttings throughout the valley to boost production. But it was Dr.Walter Clore who is regarded as the father of Washington’s wine industry. The state’s potential as a wine-growing region was revealed through Dr. Clore’s extensive agricultural research. By 1970,Washington wines were recognized as a serious challenge to 8 Northwest Wine Country 2005/2006 Photo by Jamie and Judy Wild T Washington’s vineyard acreage climbed to 30,000 last year— now a close second to the 35,000 acres grown in California’s Napa Valley. California’s. Clore predicted wine’s continuing upward trend in popularity, and a new generation of winemakers saw to the industry’s expansion. In 1981, there were 19 wineries in the state. By 2001, there were about 170. More than 15 types of grapes thrive in the state’s variety of microclimates and growing conditions, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Chenin blanc, Gewürztraminer, Grenache, Lemberger, Merlot, Pinot noir, Riesling, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, Sémillon, and Syrah. Long, warm summer days, cool nights, and rich volcanic soils create prime growing conditions in Eastern Washington, home to four of the state’s six designated viticultural regions or appellations: the Walla Walla,Yakima Valley, and Red Mountain appellations which are within the Columbia Valley. The beautiful Cascade Mountain range, running from north to south, separates the dry, rolling lands of the east from the lush, moist western region. The Puget Sound appellation, with its cool, temperate climate, is the only officially recognized wine region west of the Cascades. New this past year is the Columbia Gorge appellation which Washington shares with neighboring Oregon. The new American Viticultural Area (AVA) comprises Skamania and Klickitat counties in Washington and Hood River and Wasco counties in Oregon. PUGET SOUND Though early American settlers were planting vineyards in the Puget Sound area more than 100 years ago, the region was designated an AVA only in 1995. The region stretches from the Canadian border to the Puget Sound Islands and the Olympic Peninsula. To many, Seattle typifies the greater Puget Sound area with its booming downtown and complex system of freeways and waterways. In every direction however, Seattle is surrounded by forests, mountains, and clusters of islands that form natural playgrounds.After you’ve had your fill of the town’s renowned coffees and microbrews, use the spreading city as a base from which to visit many of the local wineries, ferry over to Bainbridge,Vashon, and Whidbey islands, or head west on Hwy 101 across the peninsula’s sun belt to such towns as Port Townsend and Sequim. The landscape of these towns and islands is a far cry from the bustle of the big city. North from Seattle along I–405 and I–5, wineries are clustered around Woodinville and all the way up to Bellingham and Mount Baker. THE GRAPES Many of Puget Sound’s wineries use coolclimate, early-to-ripen varieties of vinifera grapes, producing Madeleine Angevine and Madeleine Sylvaner, Müller-Thurgau, and WASHINGTON Siegerrebe. Pinot noir and Pinot gris also are grown here. Luscious fruit wines are produced from local berries. Much of Yakima Valley’s annual crop also is shipped to Puget Sound wineries for production. • Mt Baker W • Samson Estates W Bellingham SAN JUAN ISLANDS Challenger Ridge V • Chuckanut Ridge W • • Lopez Island V Victoria SedroWoolley Pasek Cellars • San Juan V • 20 Concrete • Eagle Haven W Mt. Vernon To Glacier Peak V • Carpenter Creek W PUGET SOUND 5 Camaraderie Cellars Port Townsend Port Angeles • Fairwinds W• Black • • Olympic • Diamond Cellars • Sorensen W Lost Cellars Mountain W Novelty Hill W Januik W • Austin Robaire Vintners • Whidbey Island W • Everett Sky River Meadery • • Betz Family W • Baer W • Woodinville 405 Wine Co Di Stefano W 522 • Woodinville Bainbridge Island W • Chatter Creek River shin gt on Seattle • Wa 202 Sa Matthews Facelli W Cellars am Woodhouse • • i • Family Cellars • Silver Lake W • • Columbia W • DeLille Cellars/ Chaleur Estate Chateau Ste. Michelle • Market Cellar • Jardin Wines • Owen Sullivan W • E.B. Foote W • Hoodsport Hoodsport W • Woodinville The Tasting Room: Apex, Camaraderie, Harlequin, J.M. Cellars, Wineglass Cellars, Wilridge W • Hedges Cellars 90 Vashon W • 101 Hoodsport Tasting Room • Tacoma Shelton • Vino Aquino W • Classic Winemakers 8 12 2 405 Lak e • Greenbank Cellars • sh Olympia Lacey 7 5 12 • Widgeon Hill W To Vancouver Business Name Abbreviations V = Vineyards W = Winery To Bethany V W, English Estate W, Morchella Wine Cellars, RMV Cellars & Salishan V TOURS/ROUTES Puget Sound’s winery loop, North Sound Wineries, includes 10 wineries, and a wine specialty shop. Some of the wines in this region are in limited production and may not be available outside the community.Visit www.wineryloop.com. Most of the wineries on the loop are open all year and participate in special tours such as Spring Barrel Tasting, the Autumn Tour November 11 through 13, and Red Wine and Chocolate February 18 through 20, 2006. A ferry trip from Seattle or Edmonds PUGET SOUND mm WHEN TO VISIT Two “must do” festivals happen during springtime in the Puget Sound region. Taste of Washington in Seattle and Passport to Woodinville, both in April, are feasts for the wine lover’s soul. At Passport to Woodinville, a single fee buys a “Passport” filled with labels, a glass, and a unique opportunity to tour local wineries, many of them not regularly open to the public. Sales are limited to 3000 in an effort to prevent overcrowding. Proceeds are used for educational materials about the area’s wine industry. During the summer, the 18th annual Auction of Washington Wines is billed as a weekend featuring “three rings of exciting events” held August 11 through 13, this year. Under the Big Top at Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville, the auction is the wine industry’s annual gift to its community benefiting uncompensated care at Children’s Hospital & Regional Medical Center and the Washington Wine Education Fund. The event includes PICNIC, a fun and casual silent auction featuring a gourmet feast, carnival games, and live music; an exclusive winemakers dinner, and the black-tie gala auction with starstudded entertainment. Throughout the year, weekends are filled with events large and small, nonstop festivals and concerts celebrating the seasons. October is grape-picking season and some wineries welcome visitors to join in the tasks that become a party and a feast. Such “harvest parties” are the highlights of a mild and lingering autumn. Several larger wineries have tasting rooms that are open throughout the year. Many of the smaller sites may be closed in winter.Always call ahead to confirm the hours of any of the wineries’ operations. BRITISH COLUMBIA 2005/2006 Northwest Wine Country 9 WASHINGTON BRITISH COLUMBIA • Gold Digger Cellars 21 Lost River W • Mazama • China Bend V Kettle Falls 20 97 Okanogan 2 Townshend Cellar Mountain Dome W •• Co l Grande Ronde Cellars • Arbor Crest Wine Cellars • Caterina W/Barrister W • Lone Canary W • • Robert Karl Cellars • • Spokane 2 Knipprath Cellars Latah Creek Wine Cellars n Chelan Estate W Lake Chelan W • Tsillan Cellars V W • Vin Du Lac W Chelan • Chelan Wine Co 2 COLUMBIA VALLEY Eagle Creek W • Leavenworth • • La Toscana W Icicle Ridge W Wedge Mountain W • • Wenatchee Chateau Faire Le Pont • Saint Laurent W • Ryan Patrick V • White Heron Cellars 97 os es L M Quincy Ellensburg ak Mattawa b um i 26 r ve Ri 12 Benton Richland Sunnyside City Pasco Prosser Kennewick (See Detail) 97 221 • Columbia Crest Paterson (See Detail) Canoe Ridge Estate V Columbia Gorge W Marshal's W 14 •• • • • Waving Tree V W www.cedarshotels.com will take you to Bainbridge Island or Whidbey Island wineries. Near Woodinville, off Hwy 202, some of the largest and oldest wineries in the state include luxurious chateaus that host wine-tasting rooms, shops, and tours. AREA ATTRACTIONS The region’s attractions are so diverse that the Puget Sound area is a destination unto itself. Follow one of the most recognizable landmarks on the planet and the symbol of Seattle, the Space Needle, a restaurant and observation 10 Northwest Wine Country 2005/2006 395 Lowden • Patit Creek Cellars Walla Walla WALLA WALLA • (See Detail) 84 Maryhill W Cascade Cliffs • Hood River V • Flerchinger V • Microwaves, Refrigerators • Mini-suites with whirlpool tubs • Indoor pool / Outdoor spa • Free continental breakfast • Wireless Internet Pullman Snak e Ri ver 395 Zillah YAKIMA VALLEY Hood River WASHINGTON e a C ol • Yakima Fries Family W COLUMBIA GORGE 90 • Cave B W 90 82 395 u mbi e L a ke l a Ch Benson W Big Pine W Wapato Point Cellars a River Winthrop deck perched 500 feet above the street with endless views. Explore the waterfront, historic districts, and museums and galleries, and shop to your heart’s content in the retail district surrounding the colorful Pike Place Public Market. Olympic National Park and National Forest spread across the peninsula. The lush rain forest is a great place to hike and camp from May through September; Hurricane Ridge has a small ski area open weekends from mid-December until early spring. Leave Seattle in your rearview mirror and head north on I–5 to Bellingham with its historic neighborhoods, waterfront, and parks. East of Bellingham stands Mount Baker towering 10,775 feet, it is known for its world-record snowfalls. Mount Baker Hwy 542 is a scenic route that rolls past farms, gardens, and vineyards. Inns and resorts across the peninsula offer seasonal packages that highlight romantic weekends, golf, and wine tours, and are worth Hermiston Pendleton OREGON La Grande Business Name Abbreviations V = Vineyards W = Winery investigating for a complete and easily planned getaway. Take along a copy of Northwest Travel’s Vacation Guide to Western Washington (available at many visitor centers, or call 800-348-8401, ext. 110) to plan your Puget Sound getaway. Or contact the North Olympic Peninsula Visitor & Convention Bureau (800-942-4042 or www.northwestsecretplaces.com) or Kitsap Peninsula Visitor Bureau. (800-416-5615 or www.visitkitsap.com). COLUMBIA VALLEY / GORGE Eastern Washington’s Columbia Valley is the largest wine region in the state, producing more than 95 percent of Washington’s wine grapes. The region is huge—extending from northern Washington and a hilly area known as the Okanogan Lobe all the way south into Oregon. On the west, it is bordered by the Cascade Mountains and extends east to the WASHINGTON Just a few hours from Seattle or Spokane, yet worlds away from stress and worry: Lake Chelan. With 300+ annual days of sunshine, enjoy teeing off at world-class golf courses in the valley. After, relax and enjoy our shopping, dining, scenic boat tours, apple orchards and numerous local wineries. Fill your senses—and your score card, at Lake Chelan. F I L L Y O U R S E N S E S. Visit ComeToTheLake.com for packages and specials or call for a Free Travel Planner: 1-800-875-5399. 14 H I N G T O N COLUMBIA GORGE White Salmon • Syncline Wine Cellars Bingen WASHINGTON Hood River Hood • River V Lyle • 84 Cathedral Ridge W Hoo dR ive r Pheasant Valley VW • 97 er t Riv ita ck Kli White Sa lmo n Wind River Cellars • 141 S Mosier 35 Cascade Cliffs WV • Marshal's WV • Maryhill WV Waving Tree W • • 84 14 OREGON • Mt. Hood W The Dalles North Central Washington’s recently formed Columbia Cascade Winery Association now involves 20 wineries (www.columbiacascadewines.com).Another organization, 40 members strong promoting wineries as well as Washington’s fruit-growing industry in the North Central area, is the Cascade Foothills Farmland Association (509-548-6784 or www.visitwashingtonfarms.com). New vineyards keep sprouting and grapes are abundant in this area with several of the large vineyards growing for Yakima Valley, Spokane, and Tri-Cities wineries, as well as for the Puget Sound AVA. A large portion of Columbia Valley is irri- 197 River tes De s chu Palouse plateau. Geologists claim the region is the remains of an ancient volcano.Within the Columbia Valley are four of Washington’s six AVAs. The largest is the Columbia Valley AVA and within its boundaries are the three others: the Yakima Valley AVA, the Walla Walla Valley AVA, and the Red Mountain AVA. Farther west is the newest, Columbia Gorge AVA, officially designated in July 2004 with its boundaries including parts of Washington and Oregon close to the Columbia River. The Columbia River Gorge enjoys summers tempered by Oregon’s Willamette Valley.Winds and more rain along the Gorge introduce variables that affect the grapes’ ripening process and result in distinctive wines. Hwy 14 is a scenic route that follows the north side of the Columbia River, and it leads to several wineries that boast high-quality wines to be enjoyed in the spectacular setting of the Gorge. Each AVA defines a unique climate, soil, and physical features distinguishing it from the surrounding areas. About 200 wineries make their home within these five appellations. The location, at approximately the same latitude as France’s famous Bordeaux and Burgundy regions, partially accounts for Columbia Valley being so well-suited for producing premium wines. A Rive r W Business Name Abbreviations V = Vineyards W = Winery gated desert with the southern reach tempered by the Columbia River. The Tri-Cities area— Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco—forms almost a triangle that serves as a base from which to visit some of the state’s finest vineyards and wineries, as well as the state’s largest producer in rural Paterson. THE GRAPES The most widely grown varietal in the Columbia Valley is Merlot, a grape considered by some as the source of the tastiest, bestbalanced wine in America. The “king of red wine grapes,” Cabernet Sauvignon, plus the 2005/2006 Northwest Wine Country 11 WASHINGTON Running Springs Wine’s Tasting Room • Mattawa 82 Hightower Cellars Oakwood Cellars W Terra Blanca • C olu m Naches Fox Estate W b ia Benton City Yakima Rive Ri ve r Yakima • •• YAKIMA VALLEY Silver Lake at Roza Hills • Maison de Padgett W • • Wapato Bonair W • •• RED MOUNTAIN AVA Paradisos del Sol • Portteus V Zillah • •• Horizon’s Edge W • Eaton Hill W Tefft Cellars Claar Cellars Sheridan V • Granger • • • Willow Crest W • Tucker Cellars Manchego Real • 97 82 Prosser • • •• • Yakima River W • • • • Alexandria Nicole Cellars Destiny Ridge W Hinzerling W Snoqualmie V McKinley Springs V • Preston Premium Wines • J Bookwalter W Richland & Barnard Griffin Gordon Brothers V • Pasco •• Kestrel Vinters Tagaris W Thurston Wolfe W C.R. Sandidge Wines • • Kennewick 12 Hogue Cellars • Chinook Wines To Walla Walla Powers W Badger Mountain W Moonlight Sparkling Wine Cellar Grandview 395 240 Sunnyside • VineHeart • Benton • Cowan V • Pontin Del Roza W Goose Ridge V City Apex Cellars Chandler Reach V • Business Name Abbreviations V = Vineyards W = Winery To Spokane Two Mountain W • 82 Exit 96 to 224 Wineglass Cellars Hyatt V Sagelands V Windy Point V Masset W Piety Flats W Kiona V W Sandhill W Buckmaster Cellars Seth Ryan W Blackwood Canyon er Yakima Riv r ••• • • • • •• • Kana W • •• Selah Heights W • Desert Hills Yakima Cellars Tapteil V W Hedges Cellars 82 To Goldendale white Chardonnay follow in production volume. Riesling, one of the original varieties planted in the state, and Syrah, one of the state’s newest varieties, are also widely planted. WHEN TO VISIT The Columbia Valley boasts 300 days of sunshine a year, allowing all kinds of vacation possibilities.Winery organizations sponsor major events throughout the year—the Sweet Retreat in the spring, and Columbia River Wine Expo, and Catch the Crush at harvest time. These events are celebrated at more than a dozen wineries around the Tri-Cities area and are ideal times to visit and sample unique vintage selections. TOURS/ROUTES The Tri-Cities area dominates the southern Columbia Valley for fine dining and accommodations. Tri-Cities wineries, ranging in size from small, family-owned cellars to the Northwest’s largest wine production facility, are easily accessible in this immediate area. Major expansions are underway at some wineries in the area. One small winery is adding a huge tasting room along with a wood-fire pizza and grill facility.Another has been storing wines in underground caves as the Europeans do and is in the process of creating a wine-tasting facility 12 Northwest Wine Country 2005/2006 with this European cave atmosphere as well as building an outdoor amphitheater. Several dozen wineries are within a 50mile radius. Most can be reached by driving I–182 and I–82.Visitors can take self-guided or guided wine tours throughout the valley. Contact the Tri-Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau (800-254-5824; www.visittri-cities.com) in Kennewick for detailed maps to wineries or contact local driving and tour services. AREA ATTRACTIONS Eastern Washington is known as one of the most agriculturally bountiful regions in the United States. Farms and orchards cover the rolling hills from the top of the valley to the shores of the Columbia River. U-pick farms make seasonal visits a real treat. Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery left their mark on this land in the early 1800s. This year, October 14 through 17, the Tri-Cities hosts Lewis and Clark Heritage Days at Columbia Park in Kennewick and Sacajawea State Park and Interpretive Center in Pasco.“Corp of Discovery II,” a traveling exhibit hosted by the National Park Service, will be a part of the event. In Richland, the “Columbia River Exhibition of History, Science, and Technology” displays the story of the Manhattan Project alongside two- and threedimensional exhibits. They illustrate the history of the region and allow visitors to travel from the prehistoric age to the nuclear age. Water sports abound on the Snake River as it winds through the Tri-Cities to its confluence with the Columbia River at the edge of town. YAKIMA VALLEY & RED MOUNTAIN Yakima Valley, within the boundaries of the Columbia Valley, was the first designated AVA in Washington. The region has a climate generally more temperate than its neighbors to the north and south, and its rich soils are the result of an ancient series of floods. Commercial irrigation transformed the valleys into rich farmlands, and the grape growers followed. Yakima Valley is considered the “fruit basket” of the state, home to orchards abundant with apples, cherries, peaches, pears, nectarines, and plums in addition to the expanses of vineyards. The region also produces about 75 percent of the hops used by U.S. breweries. Rattlesnake Hills and Ahtanum Ridge outline the northern boundary of the valley while Horse Heaven Hills serve as the southern boundary, and the greatest concentration of vineyards and wineries in the state are nestled here. WASHINGTON Within the Yakima Valley borders lies the Red Mountain appellation, the smallest of the state’s wine regions and home to a dozen wineries. Though not exactly a mountain, the Red Mountain AVA ranges in elevations from 500 to 1500 feet over 4040 acres, much of it once covered with grasses known to turn red with the seasons. Red Mountain is a tiny region located in the easternmost tip of the Yakima Valley. The area is positioned for ideal growing conditions: it has longer days, warmer temperatures, and unique soil. Many of the state’s first award-winning Cabernet Sauvignons were produced with the grapes from Red Mountain’s slopes, and the region continues to produce distinctive fruit used by wineries throughout Washington. A new wine association, the Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail, was formed in 2004 by 15 wineries in the Zillah area.Visitors can rest assured that the only rattlesnake they will find is the shape of the hills. One of the organizers, winemaker Gail Puryear of Bonair Winery, says the area enjoys a high visitor load because of its central location two and one-half hours from Seattle and three hours from Portland.Visit the Web site to obtain directions for a self-guided tour of this area.A printable map and winery hours are also available at this site. (800-829-6027 or www.rattlesnakehills.com) THE GRAPES Yakima Valley is credited with growing the most award-winning varieties of grapes in Washington, and wineries here compete successfully against other regions of the state as well as California.At one time the Yakima Valley was known in particular for its white grape vineyards that produced Riesling, Gëwurztraminer, and Chenin blanc in addition to its popular Chardonnays. Like the Columbia Valley,Yakima now specializes in distinctive varietals of a crisper Chardonnay, as well as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Riesling and Syrah are also widely planted. Throughout the small area of the Red Mountain AVA, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah varietals flourish. WHEN TO VISIT The Yakima Valley celebrates its wine industry from April through October when the valley is rife with festivals promoting the region’s bounty. The annual Spring Barrel Tastings are held in prime fruit blossom time and one of the biggest weekends in the Yakima Valley. August in Prosser means plenty of sunshine and the annual Wine and Food Fair. The last full weekend in September brings the Great Prosser Balloon Rally, September 23 through • 24 Hour Pool & Spa • FREE Continental Breakfast Buffet • FREE 24 Hour Airport Shuttle • In-Room Coffee & Mini-Refrigerators • Hot Tub Suites • Explore Nearby Wineries! (509) 943-4400 1-800-HAMPTON 486 Bradley Blvd. • Richland, WA 99352 “Take a Grand Tour at www.northwestinns.com” 2005/2006 Northwest Wine Country 13 Photo by Jamie and Judy Wild WASHINGTON A record harvest of 100,500 tons of grapes was set in Washington in 2004. 25, this year. Backcountry roads are a traveler’s delight in the fall as the light shifts and the land changes colors. TOURS/ROUTES Yakima Valley and Red Mountain wine growers mark the season with a trio of events during which visitors can share in all the traditions of wine tasting. In February over Presidents’ Day, wineries open their cellars for Red Wine and Chocolate. In April wine flows with the annual Spring Barrel Tasting. Thanksgiving in the Wine Country in November marks the end of the season. The area’s wineries are easily accessible from I–82 14 Northwest Wine Country 2005/2006 (exits 40 to 96), which slices through the valley from east to west following the Yakima River. Red Mountain AVA wineries are clustered just north of I–82, east of Prosser. Some of the most popular events and tours are hosted by Wine Yakima Valley, an association of growers and wineries (800-258-7270 or www.wineyakimavalley.org) and some wine tours include local shops and art galleries. Visitor information can be obtained by contacting the Yakima Valley Visitors & Convention Bureau (800-221-0751 or www.visityakima.com), which offers seasonal Wine Country Getaway packages. AREA ATTRACTIONS Wine touring along I–82 means access to an abundance of farms and produce. Shop for the freshest and sweetest fruits at the stands and shops, or enjoy a meal at restaurants that take advantage of the local bounty. In Sunnyside visit the Darigold Dairy Fair (509-837-4321) for free self-guided cheese tours and stop by the tasting room for free samples of cheese and ice cream. One-of-a-kind shops and art galleries throughout the area round out a day trip across the valley. Toppenish is known for its western flair and historical murals decorating the downtown. It is also home to the Yakama Nation Cultural Center, a community center, museum, library, and restaurant that serves authentic American Indian foods. WALLA WALLA VALLEY Walla Walla Valley blossomed about the same time as its well-known neighbor,Yakima Valley. The Walla Walla AVA lies within the Columbia Valley appellation, in Washington and in the northeast tip of Oregon. More than 50 wineries call the appellation home, and this year, the appellation welcomes a new winery, Zerba Cellars in Milton-Freewater, Oregon. Geologists say such cataclysmic events as floods, volcanoes, and glaciers shaped the basin and plateaus of the region, leaving a landscape prime for farms and vineyards amid a climate WASHINGTON Canoe Ridge W L'Ecole No 41 & Whitman Cellars Woodward Canyon W 12 Touchet Latitude 46 N & Harlequin Wine Cellars Business Name Abbreviations V = Vineyards W = Winery • • Lowden Walla Walla • •• • • • Nicholas Cole Cellars • • • • Three Rivers W Lowden Hills W • Zerba Cellars Basel Cellars Milton-Freewater Estate W 125 more temperate than the greater Columbia Valley’s. French and Italian immigrants started cultivating vineyards in the late 1850s, and at one time, as many as 80 varieties of grapes were grown. Prohibition ended the region’s wine industry, much the same way it affected the rest of the state, and vineyards saw little commercial success until the 1970s. The first winery wasn’t established until 1977. Now growers and winemakers have a revitalized 30year history of tending and experimenting and are confident in the world-class potential of their products. THE GRAPES White wines from Walla Walla Valley are known to be excellent. But the region is best known for its excellent, full-bodied reds. Today the most widely planted varietals in the valley are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. Cabernet franc and Sangiovese also grow here. White wine varietals include Chardonnay, Semillon, Gewurztraminer, and Viognier. WHEN TO VISIT Walla Walla boasts plenty of sunshine along with a reputation for its rich farmlands. A visit in the springtime means mild weather while the region celebrates its Spring Release Weekend in May and Vintage Walla Walla in June. The region is known for its Balloon Stampede, also in May. Holiday Barrel Tasting is celebrated in December. TOURS/ROUTES Some of the wineries in Walla Walla Valley are open daily to the public and others require appointments. Some can accommodate groups and tour buses, but reservations should always be made in advance. Several of the boutique wineries are located in historic buildings that provide charming environments for tasting and ideal environments for aging and storing wines. Hwy 12 out of the Tri-Cities and out of Hermiston, Oregon, runs through the town of Bergevin Lane V El Mirador W Forgeron Cellars Patrick M. Paul V Spring Valley V Beresan Colvin V Dusted Valley Vintners Glen Fiona Isenhower Cellars Abeja K Vintners Walla Walla Vintners Fort Walla Walla Cellars James Leigh Cellars Morrison Lane W Seven Hills W Walla Walla Village W Waterbrook W Northstar W Pepper Bridge W Rulo W Saviah Cellars Yellow Hawk Cellar Walla Walla and leads to many wineries. The Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance (509-526-3117or www.wallawallawine.com) provides information about local wineries. AREA ATTRACTIONS Walla Walla was once a booming trading center and has a rich history that dates to the 1800s, when explorers Lewis and Clark paid a visit to the area and gold was discovered in northern Idaho. Its historical architecture is highlighted in downtown art galleries, antique shops, and fine and eclectic restaurants. Bird watching and bike touring are also popular around the area. The town is about a half-day’s drive from Seattle or Portland. Contact the Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce or Tourism Walla Walla. (877-WWVISIT or www.wwchamber.com) MORE WASHINGTON WINE COUNTRY SPOKANE A few vineyards grow at the higher elevations around Spokane, but most of the wineries that have sprouted up in this region since the 1980s use grapes purchased from the Columbia Valley. Most of the wineries are near I–90 and within the city limits.An experimental vineyard east of Spokane grows premium grapes for sparkling wines. The estate, a national historic landmark, is a Mediterraneanstyle villa perched on a promontory over the Spokane Valley.Another winery grows organic foods alongside its grapes and has a bed-andbreakfast inn on its lakeside grounds. Because of its location, the area has yielded some distinctive wines, including one of the first 50–50 blends of Cabernet and Merlot. Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah are also prominent. Visitors to Spokane appreciate the gardens and parks, especially Riverfront Park, the site of a world’s fair, Expo ’74. Outdoor enthusiasts A ward Winning Merlot www.CanoeRidgeVineyard.com 1102 WEST CHERRY ST. WALLA WALLA, WA 99362 Ph: (509) 527–0885 Please Enjoy Our Quality Responsibly. might head for scenic Centennial Trail, which follows the Spokane River into Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. The area is most popular with travelers during the summer months. More information about Spokane is available from the Spokane Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau. (888-776-5263 or www.visitspokane.com) OTHER KEY VITICULTURE AREAS A number of areas in Washington produce wines of exceptional quality but are not located within designated appellations. In Eastern Washington, hillsides near the Columbia River have excellent southern exposure and soils conducive to growing fruit and grapes. Cold Creek, in the Columbia Valley, is a viticultural area that has a long growing season and is noted for its Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.Vineyards located in the area surrounding the Tri-Cities near the Snake River and in the Columbia Basin have achieved recognition for their Merlot, Sauvignon blanc, and Semillon.Alder Ridge, Canoe Ridge, and Zephyr Ridge, part of the Horse Heaven Hills in Yakima Valley, are warm regions with little rainfall and produce a number of distinctive wines. Other good growing areas have been found on a plateau, the Wahluke Slope, on the north side of the Columbia River, and on the cliffs overlooking Wallula Gap, also along the Columbia.Wahluke Slope is noted for its Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon and the Wallula area is known for its Bordeaux varieties. Photo by Nathaniel Dain Amavi Cellars ©2005 Canoe Ridge Vineyard, Walla Walla WA Stephenson Cellars Buty W Five Star Cellar SYZYGY Cougar Crest W Reininger W Tamarack Cellars Dunham Cellars Russell Creek Trey Marie W WALLA WALLA VALLEY 2005/2006 Northwest Wine Country 15 WASHINGTON NATAPOC LODGING - MORE THAN A ROOM On The Banks of the Wenatchee River 6 Cabins - Kitchens - Hot Tubs - Fireplaces TRI-CITIES HOSTS HARVEST FESTIVAL T HONEYMOONS-RETREATS-FAMILIES-CATERING Leavenworth, WA In the Plain Valley www.natapoc.com Photo by Donald Gruener / iStockphoto 888-NATAPOC 888-628-2762 [email protected] HE WASHINGTON WINE COMMISSION celebrates the crush and the harvest this year in the Tri-Cities with “Taste Washington Harvest,” on September 9, at the new Three Rivers Convention Center, 7016 Grandridge Boulevard, Kennewick, from 7 until 10 P.M. This public food and wine tasting event is expected to draw more than 1000 people, who must be 21 and older, according to event director Lisa Toomey. Visitors are invited to join Chef Greg Bagnuk from Anthony’s at Columbia Point in Richland, Chef Charles Ramseyer from Ray’s Boathouse on Puget Sound, Chef John Sarich from Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville, and Chef Tom Black to sample regional cuisine as well as taste wines from 120 wineries throughout Washington State. Cheese aficionados can sample Yoke’s Fresh Markets Gourmet Cheese and Antipasto Bar. The more adventurous can try their luck at the Wheel of Wine or Royal Raffle. Admission is $50 per person and tickets can be purchased at Yoke’s Fresh Markets in both Pasco and Kennewick, or on the commission’s Web site (www.tastewashington.org). For those wanting to spend the night, the Hilton Garden Inn (509-735-4600) adjacent to the convention center is offering a special rate for the weekend. “Taste Washington Harvest” is being held in conjunction with the Washington State Wine Expo Harvest Tour, a five-day wine buyers’ tour beginning in Seattle on September 6, and progressing to the Tri-Cities in the heart of Washington’s wine-grape growing region. More than 40 buyers from major markets in the United States will visit the vineyards, meet the winemakers, and taste the wines. For more information about the expo, (www.washingtonstatewineexpo.org). ■ 2005/2006 Northwest Wine Country 17 WASHINGTON WASHINGTON CALENDAR OF EVENTS C all in advance for dates and locations of these events.Individual wineries are likely to host additional events. Contact local chambers of commerce and visitors bureaus for more information. FEBRUARY Tri-Cities - Art & Wine Charity Fundraiser February 4, 2006 509-586-3820 North Olympic Peninsula & Islands Wineries - Red Wine & Chocolate February 18 – 20, 2006 800-785-5495 Yakima Valley- Red Wine and Chocolate February 18 – 20, 2006 800-258-7270 MARCH Tri-Cities - Sweet Retreat Wine Festival March 11 & 12, 2006 800-360-6611 Richland - Annual Bacchus Blues Wine & Food Festival March 17, 2006 509-946-1651 APRIL Passport to Woodinville April 1 & 2, 2006 425-424-2902 Seattle - Taste Washington April 7 & 9, 2006 206-667-9463 Yakima Valley - Spring Barrel Tasting April 28 – 30, 2006 509-965-5201 or 800-258-7270 MAY Walla Walla - Spring Release Tasting Weekend May 6 & 7, 2006 Balloon Stampede May 13 & 14, 2006 509-526-3117 Spokane - Spring Barrel Days May 13 & 14, 2006 800-528-2427 Tri-Cities - Wine Society “Perfect Harmony” Mid-Columbia Symphony Fundraiser May 21, 2006 509-943-6602 18 Northwest Wine Country 2005/2006 Friday Harbor - San Juan Vineyards Barrel Tasting May 27, 2006 360-378-9463 North Olympic Peninsula & Islands Wineries - Spring Barrel Tasting May 2006 800-785-5495 Chelan Valley Wine Festival 509-548-6784 JUNE Walla Walla - Vintage Walla Walla June 3, 2006 509-526-3117 Leavenworth - Leavenworth Wine Walk June 3 & 4, 2006 508-548-5807 Yakima - Sunshine & Wine June 24, 2006 509-248-7160 Spokane - Taste Washington 888-776-5263 JULY Wenatchee- Ohme Gardens Wine Festival July 30, 2005 509-662-5785 AUGUST Woodinville - Auction of Washington Wines August 11– 13, 2005 206-667-9463 Prosser - 24th Annual Prosser Wine & Food Fair August 13, 2005 800-408-1517 Leavenworth - Wine Tasting Festival August 20 & 21, 2005 509-548-5807 Maryhill Museum - 2nd Annual Arts, Wine & Food Festival, Columbia Gorge/Goldendale August 20 & 21, 2005 509-773-3733 Vancouver - Wine & Jazz Festival August 26 – 28, 2005 360-906-0441 www.vancouverwinejazz.com Statewide - Washington Wine Month www.washingtonwine.org SEPTEMBER Tri-Cities - Taste Washington September 9, 2005 509-546-0760 Klickitat County Wineries - Fall Harvest in Klickitat County,Wind River Cellars September 24 & 25, 2005 509-493-2324 Tri-Cities - Catch the Crush Wine Festival September 24 & 25, 2005 866-360-6611 OCTOBER Walla Walla - Entwine Arts,Wine & Education Fundraiser October 14, 2005 509-527-4275 NOVEMBER Spokane - Cork & Keg Festival November 11, 2005 509-467-7744 North Olympic Peninsula & Islands Wineries - Autumn to Autumn Wine Tour November 11 – 13, 2005 800-785-5495 Spokane - Holiday Wine Festival November 19 & 20, 2005 800-528-2427 Klickitat Wine Alliance Holiday Open House November 25 – 27, 2005 509-493-2324 Yakima Valley - Thanksgiving in Wine Country November 25 – 27, 2005 800-258-7270 DECEMBER Walla Walla - Holiday Barrel Tasting December 2 – 4, 2005 509-526-3117 Woodinville - Saint Nicholas Day Open House December 3 & 4, 2005 425-424-2902 WASHINGTON WASHINGTON WINERIES COLUMBIA VALLEY see map pg. 11 GOLDENDALE MARYHILL WINERY 877-627-9445 • www.maryhillwinery.com 9774 Hwy 14, Goldendale,WA 98620 Maryhill wines have earned an impressive 120 medals from California to New York, over their short two-year history. A unique microclimate, and 25 years of winemaking experience come together to create the ideal elements for winemaking. These winning ingredients have helped Maryhill set standards with the growing Washington wine industry. Perched on the cliffs of the Columbia River Gorge, the wine-tasting room and an expansive deck offer unprecedented views of the mountains and Columbia River Gorge. Hours 10 A.M. to 6 P.M.; Seven days a week. It’s the perfect way to end the day. LEAVENWORTH EAGLE CREEK WINERY 509-548-7668 • www.eaglecreekwinery.com email: [email protected] 10037 Eagle Creek Rd., Leavenworth,WA 98826. In our beautiful Old World tasting room you feel you are being transported back to Tuscany while tasting our premium Estate Wines. For an in-depth experience, stay in our cottage at the winery which sleeps up to 8 people in the comfort and elegance of European style and surroundings. Open 11 A.M. to 4 P.M. Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. OROVILLE GOLD DIGGER CELLARS WINE SHOPPE 509-548-9883 • www.golddiggercellars.com 285 Hwy 2, Leavenworth,WA 98826 The Leavenworth Tasting Room offers FREE wine tasting daily and gifts galore! The winery and vineyards are located in Oroville, where they produce Washington’s only Okanogan Valley wines. Going North on Hwy 97? Stop by the Tasting Room on Main Street in Oroville for wine, gifts and fresh local fruit. PUGET SOUND see map pg. 9 HOODSPORT HOODSPORT WINERY, INC. 800-580-9894 • www.hoodsport.com 23501 N Hwy 101, Hoodsport,WA 98548 email: [email protected] One of Washington state’s oldest premium wineries located on the Olympic Peninsula. VISITOR INFORMATION WASHINGTON WINE COMMISSION 93 Pike, Suite 315 Seattle,WA 98101 206-667-9463 www.washingtonwine.org www.winesnw.com NORTH OLYMPIC PENINSULA VISITOR & CONVENTION BUREAU 338 W 1st St., Suite 104 Port Angeles,WA 98362 360-452-8552 www.northwestsecretplaces.com CASCADE FOOTHILLS FARMLAND ASSOCIATION PO Box 462 Peshastin,WA 98847 509-548-6784 www.visitwashingtonfarms.com COLUMBIA CASCADE WINERY ASSOCIATION 301 Angier Ave. #B Cashmere,WA 98815 509-782-0708 www.columbiacascadewines.com COLUMBIA GORGE WINEGROWERS ASSOCIATION 415 W Steuben #2 Bingen,WA 98605 866-413-WINE www.columbiagorgewine.com PULLMAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 415 N Grand Ave. Pullman,WA 99163 800-365-6948 www.pullmanchamber.com SPOKANE WINERY ASSOCIATION 800-528-2427 www.spokanewineries.net TOPPENISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 5A S Toppenish Ave. Toppenish,WA 98948 800-569-3982 www.toppenish.net COLUMBIA VALLEY WINERY ASSOCIATION 866-360-6611 www.columbiavalleywine.com TRI-CITIES VISITOR & CONVENTION BUREAU 6951 W Grandridge Blvd. Kennewick,WA 99336 800-254-5824 www.visitTri-Cities.com KITSAP PENINSULA VISITOR BUREAU Port Gamble,WA 98364 800-416-5615 • www.visitkitsap.com WALLA WALLA VALLEY WINE ALLIANCE 509-526-3117 www.wallawallawine.com LAKE CHELAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & VISITORS CENTER 102 E Johnson Chelan,WA 98816 800-875-5399 www.ComeToTheLake.com WENATCHEE VALLEY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU 25 N Wenatchee Ave., Ste. C-111 Wenatchee,WA 98801 800-572-7753 www.wenatcheevalley.org LEAVENWORTH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 940 Hwy 2, Ste. B Leavenworth,WA 98826 509-548-5807 • www.leavenworth.org YAKIMA VALLEY WINEGROWERS ASSOCIATION 800-258-7270 www.wineyakimavalley.org 2005/2006 Northwest Wine Country 19 WASHINGTON WALLA WALLA VALLEY see map pg. 15 WALLA WALLA BASEL CELLARS ESTATE WINERY 509-522-0200 • www.baselcellars.com 2901 Old Milton Hwy,Walla Walla,WA 99362. Basel Cellars Estate Winery and winemaker Troy Rusch produce premium award-winning wines with a focus on Bordeaux-style reds. The 85-acre estate offers the perfect venue for private events and luxury overnight accommodations, continually striving to provide the “never-ending wine experience.” CANOE RIDGE VINEYARD 509-527-0885 www.canoeridgevineyard.com 1102 West Cherry St. Located in the heart of Washington state’s preeminent wine region, Canoe Ridge Vineyard is a small winery that specializes in estate-grown Merlot.We grow our grapes at our unique estate vineyard and use traditional French cellaring to produce an elegant, classic Merlot with the suppleness of Pinot noir. YAKIMA VALLEY see map pg. 12 BENTON CITY KIONA VINEYARDS AND WINERY 509-588-6716 • www.kionawine.com 44612 N Sunset Rd., Benton City,WA 99320 Kiona Vineyards pioneered the widely acclaimed Red Mountain growing region in the upper Yakima Valley. The Williams family cordially invites you to visit our tasting room overlooking the 65 acres of vineyards. We feature a full range of handcrafted, premium varietal wines. Tasting Room Hours: Noon to 5 P.M. seven days a week. PROSSER COWAN VINEYARDS 509-788-0200 email: [email protected] 2880 Lee Rd., Ste. E, Prosser,WA 99350. New Estate Winery opened April, 2005. Family owned and operated Merlot Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvingnon and Red Head Rosé. Tasting room open Friday through Sunday 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. or by appointment. RICHLAND TAGARIS WINERY 877-862-7999/509-628-0020 www.tagariswines.com 844 Tulip Lane Richland,WA 99352. A three-generation estate winery with over 200 acres of 16 varieties of wine grapes producing both white and red award-winning wines with big bold fruit flavors. The Taverna features a, bistro, wine bar and rooms for private events. Serving gourmet pizzas and Pacific Northwest fare beginning at 4 P.M. Patio dining features a 33-foot. fountain, live music and delicious grilled fare. Open daily from 11 A.M. HOW TO READ A WINE LABEL Producer of the wine. WINERY Oregon 1998 Pinot Noir unfiltered alc 13.0% by volume * Region–At least 85 percent of the grapes must come from the region listed. Vintage/harvest year–At least 95 percent of the wine must come from the year listed. Grape variety–At least 75 percent of the grapes used should be from this variety. Other terms you might see: Unfiltered means some particles are settling naturally, and no effort has been made to extract them. This does not affect quality. ALC refers to percent of alcohol content by volume, which ranges between 7 and 14 percent. *Please note that region, vintage, and grape variety requirements are based on federal law and may differ from state to state. Premier Cru means “first growth”—so the grapes are older and the vintage is higher in quality. Reserve often means you’re getting closer to the vintner’s favorite vintages but doesn’t have to mean there is anything special about the vintage. 20 Northwest Wine Country 2005/2006 ZILLAH TWO MOUNTAIN WINERY 509-829-3900 www.TwoMountainWinery.com 2151 Cheyne Rd., Zillah,WA 98953 Nestled in the rolling hills of the Yakima Valley, Two Mountain’s name was inspired by the breathtaking view of Mount Adams and Mt. Rainier. Two Mountain Winery believes that the wines can only come from the best grapes. We are very proud of our vineyard and are continually striving to produce the highest quality grapes. Zillah on the Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail. Exit 52, off of I-82. North on Cheyne Road. Fresh, seasonal fruit.Any size combination of car/motor home. Tasting Room Hours: 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. Friday through Monday or any day by appointment. WHERE TO STAY EAST WENATCHEE CEDARS INN 509-886-8000/800-358-2074 www.cedarshotels.com LEAVENWORTH BAVARIAN LODGE 509-548-7878/888-717-7878 www.bavarianlodge.com BEST WESTERN ICICLE INN 509-548-7000/800-558-2438 www.icicleinn.com ENZIAN INN 509-548-5269/800-223-8511 www.enzianinn.com LINDERHOF MOTOR INN 509-548-5283/800-828-5680 www.linderhof.com NATAPOC LODGING 509-763-3313/888-NATAPOC www.natapoc.com RICHLAND HAMPTON INN RICHLAND 509-943-4400/800-HAMPTON www.northwestinns.com WALLA WALLA MARCUS WHITMAN HOTEL 866-826-9422 www.marcuswhitmanhotel.com YAKIMA HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS 509-249-1000/800-HOLIDAY www.hiexpress.com TRAILER INNS RV PARK 509-425-9561/800-659-4784 www.trailerinnsrv.com Photo by Norman Eder / iStockphoto OREGON More than 40 wine varietals are produced in Oregon—Pinot noir, the most famous, among them. OREGON I N THE 1950S, when the California wine market began to completely overshadow all other American wine markets, many smaller vineyards were forced out of business. This was the case in Oregon where many winemakers made and sold small amounts of their product. It was a big blow to the state’s wine industry, which had already suffered from Prohibition and the Depression. In general, it was hard for the wine industry to recoup from the two major events, and after the 1950s, it appeared that Oregon particularly would never be able to rebound. In fact, many winemaking experts doubted that Oregon could ever be a significant grape-growing and wine-producing region. The experts were wrong. Many would-be wine producers moved from California to Oregon in the 1960s and started experimenting with growing grapes. Among them, three men are considered pioneers of the modern wine industry in the state: Richard Sommer of Hillcrest Vineyard in Roseburg, Dick Erath of Erath Vineyards in Dundee, and David Lett of Eyrie Vineyards, also in Dundee. They helped to establish which grapes could grow best in each climate and soil type around the state and encouraged others to put down roots in Oregon, too. Their perseverance has paid off—Oregon is now the fourth largest wine producer in the United States. There are now more than 300 wineries producing wine in Oregon and nearly 14,000 acres planted in grapes. Although many of the wineries and vineyards operate with small-scale distribution, their wines are high quality and awardwinning. It is also interesting to note that Oregon has some of the strictest wine labeling laws in the country: 100 percent of the grapes used to make Oregon wines must come from the appellation indicated. The quality of the wines is starting to attract wine lovers from all over the world who are pleasantly surprised by Oregon’s hospitality and remarkable scenery. The majority of wineries and vineyards in Oregon are located in the Willamette Valley. Within the Willamette Valley AVA, three new sub-regions received official AVA status late in 2004 and early in 2005. The McMinnville, Dundee Hills, and Yamhill-Carlton areas sought AVA designation to better distinguish the micro-climates of their growing areas. Late in 2004, the Southern Oregon AVA was also officially designated as the viticultural area encompassing the Umpqua, Rogue, and Applegate valleys. Rogue and Applegate were approved in 1991 and Umpqua in 1994. Oregon also has a brand new place to call “wine country.” During the past year, the Columbia Gorge obtained official AVA designation. The appellation is located about 60 miles east of Portland and includes land in Washington as well. The official growing area comprises Hood River and Wasco counties in Oregon and Skamania and Klickitat counties in Washington. Appellations are important for the wine industry because they signify distinct winegrowing regions based on climate and soil conditions. Oregon shares two other officially recognized appellations with Washington. The boundaries of the Columbia Valley and the Walla Walla Valley AVAs extend into Oregon where a substantial amount of the grapes are grown for the wineries in these AVAs. During the past year, Zerba Cellars winery has opened in Oregon’s small town of MiltonFreewater, northeast of Pendleton and close to the Washington border. It joins the Gilstrap Brothers Winery to form Eastern Oregon’s wine country. Located in tiny Cove just east of La Grande, Gilstrap’s first commercial production was in 2000. 2005/2006 Northwest Wine Country 21 OREGON To Nehalem Bay Wine Co. WILLAMETTE VALLEY The Willamette Valley is often divided into north and south. There are close to 200 wineries in the north valley, which consists of every small agricultural community from Portland to Salem, including Multnomah,Washington,Yamhill, Clackamas, Polk, and Marion counties. The south valley includes the communities from Monmouth to Cottage Grove, including Linn, Benton, and Lane counties. The Willamette River and I–5 run through the heart of the valley. The climate is heavily influenced by the cool marine air of the Pacific, which is an hour’s drive away. The mild temperatures have proved to be as good for growing grapes as they are for attracting visitors. People from around the state and from around the country enjoy retreating to the valley for mild winters and warm summers. • Salishan V 5 RMV Cellars • WILLAMETTE VALLEY To Shallon W • Bethany V 26 • English Estate Vancouver, WA To Tillamook 6 47 Forest Grove 8 Clear Creek Distillery • • • Beaverton Portland • Oak Lion • Knoll W Valley V • Edgefield W • Cooper • Beran V Mountain V Freja • • Raptor (Detail Ridge W • Ponzi V Below) • Chehalem Montinore • Carlton WineMakers Studio: Elk Cove • Andrew Rich, Baedecker Kramer V • Cellars, Bryce, Domaine Meriwether, Dominio IV, Hamacher, Lazy River, Yamhill Ribbon Ridge, Scott Paul • Cuneo Cellars • Morchella Wine Cellars • Colum bi a r Rive 84 Hip Chicks Do Wine Bishop Creek Cellars/ Urban Wine Works Tualatin Estate V Shafer V • • David Hill V W • 26 Wasson Brothers W • 205 Oregon City Newberg Dundee Carlton • Champoeg Wine Cellars Panther Creek W Anthony Dell W • Walnut City 213 99 McMinnville • • Wineworks E Brooks • • Kristin Hill W 5 • St. Josef's Yamhill Valley V • Coelho W Amity V • Maysara Estate • • • Hauer Of The Dauen Witness Tree V Amity • Stangeland V Cristom V • Marquam Hill V Bethel Heights V • • Bryn Mawr V Chateau Bianca W • • Redhawk V Dominio Van Duzer V • • Stone Wolf V 22 Heights W Firesteed W • Rickreall •Orchard •• Mystic Wines • St. Innocent Kathleen V To Flying Dutchman W Dallas • • Salem Depoe Bay Wine Co. Eola Hills W Honeywood W AnneAmie Monmouth • Ankeny 22 Airlie W • VW • Willamette Valley V THE GRAPES The Willamette Valley has helped introduce Oregon wines to the rest of the world, most specifically, the quintessential Oregon wine: Pinot noir. In April 2002 Bon Appetit stated: “With its difficult growing requirements, Pinot noir can be a very moody grape. Traditionally, that has made the resulting wines, especially those from Burgundy, very pricey. But Oregon’s Willamette Valley has produced four outstanding vintages (1998 through 2001) and has emerged as the de facto—and affordable— Pinot noir capital of the New World.” Other varietals that grow well in the valley include Pinot gris, Pinot blanc, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewürztraminer, and even Müller-Thurgau. To a lesser extent, warmweather varietals, such as Marechal Foch, Merlot, and Cabernet franc, have been known to do well in the southern part of the valley. 99 W • Springhill Cellars To Newport Albany Corvallis 20 Pheasant Court W • Tyee Wine • Cellars 20 To Bend Benton Lane W • 5 LaVelle V • Secret House • Veneta Territorial V • Willakenzie Estate W Silvan • Ridge/ Hinman V wy ette r ve Ri Lorane • Bergstrom Yamhill Helvetia W • Laurel Ridge W Belle Pente V W • • Ribbon Ridge V • Saginaw V Cottage Grove UMPQUA VALLEY Business Name Abbreviations V = Vineyards W = Winery To Roseburg 22 Northwest Wine Country 2005/2006 • Lawton Map Detail • am i ll al H ori Iris Hill W • King Estate W • Chateau Lorane • 47 Eugene rit Ter 126 WHEN TO VISIT Harvest time statewide is around October and many wineries have special holiday tasting Carlton • Erath V • Domaine • Domaine Drouhin Serene V W • • Chateau Benoit • 99 W • Lange W V • Torii Mor 99 • Adelsheim V W • • August Cellars/ Rex Hill V Clare Cellars Newberg Duck Pond Cellars Dundee Springs & Dundee Perry Bower V • • • • Argyle W Archery Summit W Sokol Blosser W Winter’s Hill V OREGON Best Western Columbia River Inn Exceptional river & mountain view. Guest-rooms located in historic Cascade Locks. Continental breakfast, indoor pool, spa and fitness room. Close to all Gorge attractions. www.bwcolumbiariverinn.com (800) 595-7108 I–5 continues its journey from the Willamette Valley through the Land of Umpqua, which is entirely in Douglas County and includes such towns as Sutherlin, UMPQUA VALLEY 9 Henry Estate W • Hillcrest • Palotai V & W • Melrose V • • Champagne Creek Cellars 99 5 MarshAnne • Landing W Sutherlin r rk Umpqu a Rive N Fo Roseburg Abacela W • Winston Girardet • Wine Cellars S 42 Business Name Abbreviations To Coos Bay V = Vineyards Umpqua i ve r R UMPQUA VALLEY River’s • Edge Cottage Grove 38 Fork AREA ATTRACTIONS The Willamette Valley is an easily accessible destination all year, especially since I–5 runs right through the middle. During spring and summer visit the many gardens in bloom with iris, tulips, azaleas, and rhododendrons. Minor league baseball is played in Portland, Salem, and Eugene throughout the summer. Hundreds of lakes and parks are open all year for swimming, fishing, hiking, camping, and picnicking. During the winter, snow bunnies find themselves at home in the Cascade Mountains, where skiing and snowboarding is about an hour’s drive away from most valley towns. Brandborg V W Elkton • ver Ri ua pq TOURS/ROUTES Washington County Scenic Loop, a 75-mile loop through Tigard, Beaverton, Forest Grove, and Hillsboro area includes 14 wineries. Contact Convention and Visitors Bureau of Washington County. (800-537-3149 or www.countrysideofportland.com) Hwy 99 West through Yamhill County, southwest of Portland, takes visitors to the heart of the north Willamette Valley’s wine region.Approximately 100 wineries dot the rolling hills around Newberg, Dundee, Lafayette, McMinnville, and Amity. Contact the Willamette Valley Wineries Association. (503-646-2985 or www.willamettewines.com) The Territorial Hwy route is near Eugene and covers the south Willamette Valley wineries.Visitors can take I–5 south of Eugene to exit 162 at Curtin and follow Territorial Hwy north toward Hwy 126, passing three wineries, with two more near Elmira. Contact the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Lane County Oregon. (800-547-5445 or www.travelLaneCounty.com) The Spirited Urban Walking Tour in Portland begins at Urban Wineworks, a tasting room at 407 NW 16th and Flanders and owned by Bishop Creek Farms in Yamhill, then goes to a distillery, and a brewery. The Portland Streetcar also helps shuttle visitors from point A to point B to point C. Contact Urban Wineworks. (503-226-9797) Um events from November to January, but there really isn’t a bad time to visit the valley, because wine tasting can be enjoyed indoors even on the rainiest afternoons. W = Winery Roseburg, and Winston. The terrain rolls with dozens of small hillsides—creating the “hundred valleys of the Umpqua”—the soils of which add to its grape-growing capabilities. There are 10 wineries in this region, and although that number doesn’t seem very high compared with the Willamette Valley, it in no 2005/2006 Northwest Wine Country 23 OREGON Wine Terminology ACIDITY occurs naturally in grapes and indicates the quality of tartness, sourness, and sharpness of a wine.Acids in proper proportion give wine balance and character. Generally, the cooler the region, the higher the level of acid in the grapes. wines do not. This is essentially a stylistic preference accorded the winemaker, who may choose for the wine to undergo a full or partial secondary fermentation or none at all. APPELLATION a recognized wine growing region governed by regulations established by its federal or local government. In the United States, appellations are referred to as American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). In British Columbia, they’re referred to as Designated Viticultural Areas (DVAs). ICEWINE is made from grapes frozen on the vine and then pressed before they thaw. The juice from these grapes is very concentrated and high in sugar and acid, with the resulting wines sweet, intense, and rich in flavor with excellent aging potential. BALANCE the interplay between sugar, acid, tannin, and alcohol. In a well-balanced wine, none of these elements dominate the wine. BODY the sensation of weight on the palate, ranging from light to heavy. BRIX the measurement of sugar content in unfermented grape juice, which is used to indicate the estimated alcohol a wine will produce on fermentation. DRY/OFF-DRY indicates a style of wine: no sugar = dry, a little residual sugar = off-dry. FERMENTATION (primary) the process by which grape juice becomes wine: a chain reaction of chemical processes whereby sugars in the grape juice are converted by the enzymes in yeasts into alcohol and carbon dioxide. This process is called primary fermentation; some wines undergo a secondary fermentation process. FERMENTATION (secondary) also called malolactic fermentation, a secondary fermentation turns malic acid (think apples) into lactic acid (think cream, vanilla, butter, and milk) adding another dimension to the wine.While all red wines undergo malolactic fermentation, white way diminishes the region’s standing in the Oregon wine industry. THE GRAPES The Umpqua Valley is warmer and drier than the Willamette Valley, but not as warm as 24 Northwest Wine Country 2005/2006 FRUIT the single most important quality, it is the winemakers goal to capture the true essence of the variety used. LATE HARVEST grapes picked late in the season for maximum sugar content and typically for sweet or dessert wines. OAK wines aged or fermented in oak barrels take on toasty qualities and flavors of butter and vanilla for white wines, coffee and tobacco for reds. RESIDUAL SUGAR natural grape sugar that is either unfermented at the end of the fermentation process or added back into the wine as with dosage for sparkling wine. Residual sugar (r.s.) ranges from 0.1 to 0.2 percent in dry wines to as high as 28 to 30 percent in late-harvest wines. STEEL wines fermented or aged in steel tanks emphasize fresh fruit in clear bright flavors. TANNIN comes from the skins, seeds, and stems of the grapes; adding longevity, structure, and complexity to the wine. VARIETAL refers to the type of wine grape variety: Merlot, Chardonnay, etc. VINIFERA premium wine grapes as opposed to table grapes. Vitis vinifera is the vine species that produces wine grapes. ■ —Courtesy of the Washington Wine Commission. (www.washingtonwine.org) the Rogue Valley, so cool-weather and warmweather varietals flourish in the area.All the popular Pinots, Cabernets, and Rieslings are grown in the Umpqua Valley, but such rare varietals as Baco noir and Seyval blanc can also be found there. Up and coming varietals in the area include Tempranillo, Syrah, and Viognier. wineries on roads just off this main artery. Then head north toward Melrose and the Garden Valley area to visit more, and finally north along the Umpqua River to the final two in Elkton. For a map and more information, contact the Roseburg Visitors and Convention Bureau. (800-444-9584) WHEN TO VISIT During the spring and fall, visitors who drive from winery to winery in the Land of Umpqua pass roadside produce stands, an added treat to a day of wine tasting. Many of the wineries are closed from late December until mid-to-late January and a few are open by appointment only, so call ahead. For links to all things Umpqua, visit www.landofumpqua.com. AREA ATTRACTIONS Historical districts, covered bridges, waterfalls, recreational lakes, and the Seven Feathers Hotel and Casino Resort in Canyonville all await visitors to the Umpqua Valley.And Wildlife Safari in Winston doesn’t have to be fun just for the kids; drive through the 600-acre park and see the exotic animals as they roam freely in their natural habitats. Roseburg also is the starting point for the 172 miles of the Rogue–Umpqua National Scenic Byway. TOURS/ROUTES The Umpqua Wine Tour Route starts about 5 miles south of Roseburg at exit 119 off I–5. Head west toward Tenmile and pass three OREGON See All of Oregon in Lane County Savor the flavors of Lane County. From wine to chocolate to farmer’s markets and beyond. Lane County’s culinary delights spread from the Pacific Coast to the Cascade Mountains. For getaway packages and specials, visit our Web site or call (800) 547-5445. Eugene OREGON TravelLaneCounty.org ROGUE VALLEY Named for Oregon’s most famous wild river, the Rogue Valley is bordered by the Klamath Mountains to the west, the Cascade Range to the east, and the Siskiyou Mountains to the south, and includes the major towns of Grants Pass, Medford, and Ashland. I–5 continues its journey from the Willamette and Umpqua valleys south to the Rogue Valley and is the main artery of the region.Within Oregon’s oldest wine region, there are more than 10 wineries and vineyards. THE GRAPES The Rogue Valley is warm and dry with little influence from the cool marine air of the Pacific. Some of the highest temperatures in the western part of the state are recorded in the cities of the Rogue Valley.Warm-weather varietals, the kind that one might expect to see in the Bordeaux region of France, grow well here. The most popular varieties grown in the Rogue Valley include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Pinot noir. WHEN TO VISIT October statewide is harvest time, and there are several wine-related events from March through July. 2005/2006 Northwest Wine Country 25 OREGON Ro g u e River Business Name Abbreviations V = Vineyards W = Winery Ro gu e River 5 ROGUE VALLEY Grants Pass • Del Rio W Ill oi s in Wooldridge John Michael Creek W Champagne Cellar Troon V Ri v 199 er gate • Riv er 238 Medford Jacksonville • • • Applegate Eden Vale W • • Valley View • Bear Creek W • Ashland V • Weisinger's of Ashland • Foris V S i s k i y o u VALLEY 5 ek Ashland The Academy Bridgeview V • • Paschal W Rising Sun Farms • e Cr ar Be APPLEGATE VALLEY Cave Junction ILLINOIS Apple • Roxyann W TOURS/ROUTES The Oregon Wine and Farm Tour takes visitors through wineries and farms throughout Southern Oregon. For information, contact RoxyAnn Winery. (541-776-2315 or www.OregonWineandFarmTour.com) AREA ATTRACTIONS Southern Oregon is known for many M t n s things: Mt.Ashland and Ashland’s Oregon Shakespeare Festival as well as the First Friday Gallery Walk held rain or shine year-round. Don’t miss historic Jacksonville and the Peter Britt Music Festival, jet boat trips on the wildand-scenic Rogue River, and the crown jewel of the state—Crater Lake National Park. In Medford, stroll through historic downtown. Close by, you may visit an alpaca ranch, a “fiber farm” where Angora goats are raised and the Dogs For The Deaf Center in tiny Central Point. In recent years, medical and health services have become Medford’s leading industries. In the picturesque Rogue Valley, visitors can enjoy themselves any time of year. APPLEGATE VALLEY The Applegate Valley was long considered a western sub-appellation of the Rogue Valley, but in 2001, the valley was officially designated as its own AVA.As I–5 heads south toward California, it shifts to the east just south of Grants Pass. Hwy 199 at Grants Pass heads south too, but also west, pulling away from the main interstate. Turn off Hwy 199 onto Hwy 238 and into the Applegate Valley. In this area are several wineries with tasting rooms open to the public. Head back to Hwy 199 and turn southwesterly to Cave Junction and onto Hwy 46 to Holland Loop Road where you will find three more wineries to visit. THE GRAPES The Applegate Valley is closer to the coast range than the Rogue Valley so it is influenced by the cool marine air, but it is still a very warm region. Pinot noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet franc grow in the Applegate Valley. The vineyards here often harvest at least a week before the other vineyards statewide because of the warm climate. Wine Appreciation HE ENJOYMENT OF WINE is a very personal thing.You don’t have to be an expert, you just need to trust your own taste. Each time you taste a new wine your awareness of the character and subtle differences will be expanded. Tasting wine is like a sport: the more you practice the better you become. To enhance your appreciation and enjoyment of wine, follow the five simple steps below: T LOOK The first step is to hold the glass by the stem and look through the wine against a white background to enjoy the true color. The wine should be clear, not hazy or cloudy.While contemplating the wine, notice whether it’s thick or thin, whether the color is bright or mellow.White wines range in color from a very faint almost clear to a golden yellow. Red wines range in color from a dark, intense red to a very light pale red. SWIRL To get the full aroma of the wine, fill a large wine glass halfway and swirl the wine around in the glass. This releases the aromas to the top of the glass. 26 Northwest Wine Country 2005/2006 SMELL Inhale and try to identify what you smell. Do you smell fruit or spices? Does it remind you of mom’s apple pie or a cobblestone street after a rainfall? You might find hints of familiar smells, including tobacco, citrus, apple, chocolate, plums, pineapple, flowers, or raspberries. TASTE Roll the wine around in your mouth to reach all your taste buds. Then, breathe air through your lips to bring up the aromas. If the wine makes you pucker, it may be a little tart (high in acids) or tannic (think dry, like banana skins and tea leaves); if it feels hot and burns a little, it may have high alcohol content. If none of these elements overwhelms you, it is very likely well-balanced. Notice how it feels in your mouth; this is called the texture. SPIT It sounds funny and may make you a little uncomfortable, but if you are tasting several wines, it is essential to spit. It provides you with the opportunity to taste several wines in one sitting. If you are just trying a few, go ahead and swallow.A wine that lingers in your mouth and throat after you spit is a sign of good length and body. ■ —Courtesy of the Washington Wine Commission (www.washingtonwine.org) OREGON OTHER AREA ATTRACTIONS The most well-known attraction in this neck of the woods is the Oregon Caves National Monument on Hwy 46 east of Cave Junction. The underground caves are a natural phenomenon worth seeing, and above ground there are hiking trails that meander through the towering firs of an old-growth forest, which is also worth exploring. Speaking of big trees, the Redwoods are just a hop, skip, and a jump from the Applegate Valley.Also worth investigating is the Illinois River State Park (day-use area) and Lake Selma Recreation Area. ■ OREGON WINERIES see map on this page COVE GILSTRAP BROS.WINERY 541-568-4646 69789 Antles Lane. We are a small boutique vineyard and winery located in the picturesque community of Cove in Northeast Oregon.We offer a beautiful venue for weddings and events. Our tasting room is open Saturday and Sunday noon to 5 P.M. through September. Our fall harvest festival is the last Saturday of September. COLUMBIA GORGE, OREGON see map pg. 11 HOOD RIVER PHEASANT VALLEY VINEYARD & WINERY 541-387-3040/866-357-WINE www.pheasantvalleywinery.com email: [email protected] 3890 Acree Dr., Hood River, OR. One mile south of the Hood River Airport Welcome to Hood River Valley’s premier winery. Our beautiful tasting room with a view of Mount Hood features wine tasting and gift items for your enjoyment. For tasting or buying by the bottle or case, we feature theses fine award-winning wines: Pinot noir, Pinot gris, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Syrah, Merlot, and our special Pear Wine. Tastings Daily 11 A.M. to 6 P.M. Walla Walla WASHINGTON ROGUE & APPLEGATE VALLEYS see map pg. 26 CAVE JUNCTION BRIDGEVIEW WINERY 877-273-4843 www.bridgeviewwine.com FORIS WINERY 541-592-3752 www.foriswine.com ASHLAND WEISINGERS WINERY 541-488-5989 www.weisingers.com GOLD HILL DEL RIO WINERY 541-855-2062 www.delriovineyards.com Zerba Cellars • Milton-Freewater 204 11 Pendleton 82 84 EAST OREGON WINERIES La Grande 237 Gilstrap Bros. W • Cove 2005/2006 Northwest Wine Country 27 OREGON ROGUE & APPLEGATE VALLEYS (CONTINUED) see map pg. 26 JACKSONVILLE VALLEY VIEW WINERY 800-781-9463 www.valleyviewwinery.com A place that boasts half of Oregon’s six official wine regions with dozens of wineries offering awardwinning Pinot Gris, Merlot, Chardonnay and Syrah wines... A region that offers you a dozen live theatre options including America’s premiere regional theatre company... Cities with year-round music and art festivals featuring world-class entertainment and quality art... MEDFORD EDENVALE WINERY 866-512-2955 www.edenvalewines.com UMPQUA VALLEY see map pg. 23 ROSEBURG CHAMPAGNE CREEK CELLARS 541-673-7901 www.champagnecreek.com GIRARDET WINE CELLARS 541-679-7252 www.girardetwine.com HILLCREST VINEYARD 541-673-3709 www.hillcrestvineyard.com PALOTAI VINEYARD AND WINERY 541-464-0032 OAKLAND MARSHANNE LANDING 541-459-8497 www.marshannelanding.com WILLAMETTE VALLEY see map pg. 22 Farmers and crafters that sell locally grown food and specialty gifts... Oh, and did we mention that we are also the home of Crater Lake National Park? SEE PAGE 29 FOR ANSWERS Go online or call to order a full-color Guide to our special part of Oregon. Toll-free 800-448-4856 www.SeeSouthernOregon.com 28 Northwest Wine Country 2005/2006 GASTON KRAMER VINEYARDS 503-662-4545 • www.kramerwine.com 26830 NW Olsen Rd. Gaston, OR 97119. Open Hours: Noon to 5 P.M. March through December, Daily June through September. Trudy and Keith Kramer welcome you to our friendly tasting room nestled in the foothills of the Coast Range. Surrounded by majestic fir, oak, and maple, our deck is very popular for picnics.Wines include: Pinot noir, Pinot gris, Dijon Chardonnay, Müller-Thurgau, Merlot,Syrah,Carmine,Sparkling,and Dessert. OREGON OREGON CALENDAR OF EVENTS C all in advance for dates and locations of these events.Individual wineries are likely to host additional events.Contact local chambers of commerce and visitors bureaus for more information. FEBRUARY Newport - Seafood and Wine Festival February 24–26, 2006 800-262-7844 MARCH McMinnville - Wine & Food Classic 503-472-4033 www.macwfc.org MAY Forest Grove - Tour and Taste Monthly on a Saturday 503-992-9533 Bandon - Irish Festival Memorial Day Weekend 541-347-9616 Washington County - Wineology Weekend Memorial Day Weekend 800-537-3149 www.gatewaytooregonwines.com Willamette Wineries - Memorial Day Weekend in Wine Country Willamette Valley Wineries Association 503-646-2985 Gold Beach - Wild Rivers Coast Seafood, Art & Wine Festival 541-247-0923 JUNE Carlton - Oregon Wine & Art Auction AnneAmie Winery June, 2006 503-883-0323 JULY Eugene - Art & the Vineyard Maude Kerns Art Center July 1–4, 2005 541-345-1571 Roseburg - Umpqua Valley Arts & Wine Festival July 16 & 17, 2005 541-672-2532 McMinnville - International Pinot Noir Celebration July 29–31, 2005 800-775-4762 Eugene - Winetasia - Silvan Ridge\Hinman Vineyards - Children’s Miracle Network Fundraiser July 30, 2005 541-686-6456 Rockaway Beach - Wine, Cheese & Jazz Festival 503-355-8108 AUGUST Grants Pass - Winemaker Dinner Troon Vineyard August 13, 2005 541-479-5258 SEPTEMBER Medford - Taste of Harry & David September 3 & 4, 2005 541-864-4268 Medford - World of Wine Del Rio Vineyards September 9 & 10, 2005 541-770-7933 Salem\Turner - Oregon Grape Stomp Championship & Harvest Celebration September 24 & 25, 2005 800-344-9463 www.willamettevalleyvineyards.com OCTOBER Medford - Harvest Festival Jackson County Expo October 1 & 2, 2005 541-774-8270 NOVEMBER Welches - Resort at the Mountain Wine & Art Festival November 12 & 13, 2005 800-669-7666 Washington County - Wineology Weekend Thanksgiving Weekend www.gatewaytooregonwines.com Willamette Wineries - Wine Country Thanksgiving Winery Association Thanksgiving Weekend 503-646-2985 Of the six official wine regions in Oregon, half are located in Southern Oregon. Our 80-page, full color Guide offers you detailed maps and information on all our wineries. Can’t wait for a Guide? Go online to tour our best wineries. Southern Oregon Winery Assoc. www.sorwa.org Umpqua Valley Winegrowers Assoc. www.umpquavalleywineries.org WINERIES Bridgeview Winery 877-273-4843 www.bridgeviewwine.com Champagne Creek Cellars 541-673-7901 www.champagnecreek.com Del Rio Winery 541-855-2062 www.delriovineyards.com EdenVale Winery 866-512-2955 www.edenvalewines.com Foris Winery 541-592-3752 www.foriswine.com Girardet Wine Cellars 541-679-7252 www.girardetwine.com Hillcrest Vineyard 541-673-3709 www.hillcrestvineyard.com MarshAnne Landing 541-459-8497 www.marshannelanding.com Palotai Vineyard and Winery 541-464-0032 Valley View Winery 800-781-9463 www.valleyviewwinery.com Weisingers Winery 541-488-5989 www.weisingers.com 2005/2006 Northwest Wine Country 29 OREGON WILLAMETTE VALLEY (CONTINUED) see map pg. 22 HILLSBORO OAK KNOLL WINERY 503-648-8198 • www.oakknollwinery.com 29700 SW Burkhalter Rd. Hillsboro, OR 97123. Located in the beautiful northern Willamette Valley, Oak Knoll is one of the oldest wineries in the state and remains family owned and operated. Producing a large variety of award-winning wines, we have a wine for every taste, every palate, and every occasion. Private tours by appointment. May through September: 11 A.M. to 6 P.M (Monday through Friday) 11 A.M. to 5 P.M. (Saturday through Sunday). October through April: 11 A.M. to 5 P.M. (Open daily).We are closed on New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. VISITOR INFORMATION WILLAMETTE VALLEY WINERIES ASSOCIATION PO Box 25162, Portland, OR 97298 503-646-2985 www.willamettewines.com WILLAMETTE VALLEY VISITORS ASSOCIATION 800-526-2256 / 866-548-5018 www.willamettevalley.org CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU OF WASHINGTON COUNTY 800-537-3149 www.countrysideofportland.com SALEM CONVENTION & VISITORS ASSOCIATION 1313 Mill St. SE Salem, OR 97301 800-874-7012 • www.scva.org CONVENTION & VISITOR ASSOCIATION OF LANE COUNTY 115 W Eighth, Ste. 190 Eugene, OR 97401 800-547-5445 www.travellanecounty.com ROSEBURG AREA VISITORS CENTER 410 SE Spruce Roseburg, OR 97470 800-444-9584 www.visitroseburg.com SOUTHERN OREGON VISITORS ASSOCIATION 800-448-4856 • www.sova.org 30 Northwest Wine Country 2005/2006 SOUTHERN OREGON WINERY ASSOCIATION www.sorwa.org GRANTS PASS VISITORS INFORMATION CENTER 1995 NW Vine St. Grants Pass, OR 97526 800-547-5927 www.visitgrantspass.org MEDFORD VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER 1314 Center Dr., Ste. E Medford, OR 97501 800-469-6307 www.visitmedford.org ASHLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 110 E Main St. Ashland, OR 97520 541-482-3486 www.ashlandchamber.com OREGON WINE AND FARM TOUR RoxyAnn Winery 3285 Hillcrest Rd. Medford, OR 97504 541-776-2315 www.oregonfarmtours.com UMPQUA VALLEY WINEGROWERS ASSOCIATION 3829 Colonial Rd. Roseburg, OR 97470 541-673-5323 www.umpquawines.com MOLOLLA MARQUAM HILL VINEYARDS 503-829-6677 www.marquamhillvineyards.biz Beautiful 60-acre estate.A family-run vineyard founded on a dream of vivifying estate-grown grapes into premium, high-quality, varietal wine. Proudly presents Pinot noir, Cabernet, Chardonay, Reisling, Gewürtztramir, Muller Thrugan, Pinot gris, Sparkling Chardonay, Late Harvest Chardonnay, and Pinot Port. Tasting room and gift shop. Open daily Memorial Day through October 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. Winter Weekends only 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. RICKREAL EOLA HILLS WINE CELLARS, INC 503-623-2405 • www.eolahillswinery.com 501 S. Pacific Hwy W Rickreall, OR 97371. Selected by Wine & Spirits magazine as one of the United States’ Top 20 Producers of Wines of Value. Award-winning Pinot noir, Pinot gris, Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet, Zinfandel, and Dessert wines. RV friendly. Home of “Oregon Wine Country’s Best Sunday Brunch.” Open Daily 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. YAMHILL WILLAKENZIE ESTATE 888-953-9463 • www.willakenzie.com email: [email protected] 19143 NE Laughlin Rd.Yamhill, OR 97148. WillaKenzie Estate is a family-owned winery dedicated to making great wines from all the Pinot varietals including Pinot gris, Pinot blanc, and a selection of vineyard-designated Pinot noirs.Visit the winery and sample these acclaimed wines in a delightful tasting OREGON room that overlooks spectacular hillside vineyards. Hours: Memorial Day through September; open daily 12 to 5 P.M. Otherwise: open 12 to 5 P.M. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday or by appointment. WHERE TO STAY CASCADE LOCKS BEST WESTERN COLUMBIA RIVER INN 541-374-8777/800-595-7108 bwcolumbiariverinn.com HOOD RIVER COLUMBIA GORGE HOTEL 541-386-5566/800-345-1921 www.ColumbiaGorgeHotel.com SOUTHERN OREGON WINDMILL INNS 800-547-4747 • www.windmillinns.com Ashland 541-482-8310 Medford 541-779-0050 Roseburg 541-673-0901 We’ve got you covered for your Southern Oregon Wine Tours! Welcome to Windmill Inns & Suites, where 110% hospitality is guaranteed! Complimentary full breakfast, fitness room, and so much more! 110% Hospitality Guaranteed! Complimentary... Enjoy Wine Country... • Full continental Breakfast -or- choose to have our lighter “Windmill Inn Good Morning”TM featuring hot beverage, juice, muffin and newspaper delivered to your room each morning When your travels take you to Southern Oregon stay with Windmill Inns. View the splendor of cascading rivers, take the family on “safari”, ski, fish, golf, or even experience a Shakespearean Play. Whatever your plans; there is a Windmill Inn nearby . . . • Children under 18 stay free in adult’s room • Pets welcome at no additional charge • Fitness Room • Coffee and apples 24 hours a day • Use of guest bicycles • “Best Seller” lending library Roseburg-Exit 125 (541) 673-0901 Medford - Exit 30 (541) 779-0050 • Local phone calls • Cable TV with premium movie channel WINDMILL INNS • Airport shuttle in Medford and Ashland Ashland - Exit 14 (541) 482-8310 (800) 547-4747 www.windmillinns.com 2005/2006 Northwest Wine Country 31