A Note from the Editor

In honor of Valentine's Day this year, show some love for your homeland and eat, drink and travel locally. It's good for our families, our communities, and the planet - and lucky for us, Washington State's wine country is one of the best places on Earth.

It just so happens that one of the best times for experiencing and celebrating our world-class wine-growing region is coming up this weekend. During Yakima Valley's annual Red Wine and Chocolate weekend-long event, the region's wineries wake from winter to showcase their very best reds paired with delectable dark chocolate delights.  Warning: this could become habit-forming.

Leslie Jackson
Washington Wine Country

P.S. Save the Date for the 7th Annual Wine Country Celebration: June 19-20. More details coming soon!

Need to Escape? Take an Easy Vacation Close to Home

We're all looking at things differently this year. Exploring Washington's wine country doesn't have to mean hours of planning, using precious vacation days, and paying big bucks. Here are some fresh ideas for an easy, relaxed vacation - that happens to be very close to home.

It's Not Just an Economic Stimulus
The next time you sit down to a light supper of local greens, heirloom beets, and artisan goat cheese from your favorite farmer's market, take some time to consider where your wine came from. Where is that winery, who is the winemaker, and most importantly, is it local? Where were the grapes grown and who grew them? Try expanding your locally supportive tendencies from food to wine. Start with a bottle of Columbia Crest Two Vines Cabernet Sauvignon. It's from Washington, it costs less than $10, and it tastes a lot better than that Australian Shiraz you've been drinking.

Make it a Day Trip
You don't have to stay overnight. It takes just 2-1/2 hours to get from Seattle to Yakima. Leave at 8:00am, arrive at 10:30, do a little shopping in downtown Yakima and have lunch, spend the afternoon visiting the wineries around Yakima, Zillah, and if you're ambitious, even Prosser. Relax in one of the tasting rooms with an afternoon snack - or even stick around for dinner - then head home in time for the 11:00 nightly news. 

Have More Fun for Less Money
Wine tasting fees at wineries are usually nominal. Almost all are around $5 - cheaper than a movie - and often that fee will count towards a purchase of wine. Plus, many wineries only sell their wines out of their tasting rooms. (You won't find them at the grocery store.) So take a bottle or two home. They'll remind you of the fun you had, and they'll taste a lot better than stale popcorn.

Leave the Planning to Someone Else
Many wineries are happy to help you plan your trip to wine country - just call their tasting rooms. One winery that is taking it a step further is Fidelitas. If you join their Wine Club, not only will you get all the usual great benefits (special discounts, exclusive invitations, free tastings, etc.), but you'll have access to their concierge, Jess Affolter. Jess is a certified sommelier who will assist you with travel arrangements - plus entertaining ideas, food and wine pairing advice, and gift packaging.

Try Flying instead of Driving
You have enough commuting to do during the week, so why not just fly to wine country? It's easy, fast, and cheaper than you think. Horizon Airlines is offering great deals right now, so you can fly from Seattle to Yakima or Walla Walla for under $100. Then simply walk around to the downtown tasting rooms, restaurants, and hotels. No driving, no maps, no gasoline, no hassle.

Treat Yourself
Sometimes, when things get a little rocky, it helps to treat yourself. This President's Day weekend, do something different and head east for Red Wine and Chocolate. More than 52 Yakima Valley wineries open their doors during this annual weekend-long event, offering sumptuous chocolate desserts paired with their own remarkable red wines. Now that will put a smile on your face.

Facts & Tidbits

Did you know?

Living Wine Country

Along the Wine Road

A Fine Pairing: Prosser and Sumner
The cities of Prosser and Sumner recently joined in a cooperative agreement to partner together to promote tourism and economic vitality. Prosser is central to the Washington wine industry, home to numerous wineries and an annual Art and Wine Gala, while Sumner, the "Rhubarb Pie Capital of the World," holds two popular wine walks each year. 

Prosser has a population of 5,000 and Sumner, a population of 9,000. The two cities share an agricultural heritage, and both boast historic downtowns, local golf courses, and a strong sense of community. Each city is also part of a broader region: Prosser is 35 miles from the Tri-Cities and Sumner is 35 miles from Seattle. Working together to encourage tourism, this pairing plans to leverage their limited resources, especially important during these difficult economic times.

“This opportunity is very exciting,” said Sumner Mayor Dave Enslow. “Our State’s tourism office found people want deeper experiences when they travel, especially more options around culinary and local heritage.” Prosser Mayor Paul Warden agrees, “People may not be able to travel as far in 2009, but there are plenty of new adventures to find right here in Washington. We hope our residents will enjoy discovering Sumner, while their residents come and have a great time visiting Prosser’s wine country and our other attractions.” 

Watch for special events, business opportunities, and more great things to come out of this partnership. 

Get a Taste of the Destination

We're all cooking and eating at home more these days, so why not take a little extra time and try marinating that chicken before you cook it? According to the folks at Thundering Hooves, who raise and finish 100% grass-fed beef, lamb, goat, and pastured poultry on the certified organic pastures of their fourth-generation family farm in Walla Walla, marinating is a great way to improve flavor and tenderness. It may even decrease the amount of carcinogens that can form when grilling meats. Try this easy recipe from The Marc Restaurant in Walla Walla.

Marcus Whitman Marinade

Ingredients
1 1/2 C Olive Oil 
1 T Cracked Black Pepper
1 T Kosher Salt
1 T Guajillo Pepper or 1/2 T crushed red pepper flakes
2 T Fresh Garlic
1/4 C Fresh Parsley

Directions
Finely chop the parsley and garlic. Mix all of the dry ingredients with the olive oil. For best results, marinate meat at least 2 hours. Grill on medium heat for 20 minutes or until nicely browned, turning pieces every 5 minutes.
 

Washington Wine Country Collection

State Tourism Awards $25,000 to Unique Washington Wine Country Cooperative
The Washington State Tourism Commission recently awarded Washington Wine Country $25,000 for a cooperative public relations project aimed at maintaining, enhancing, and increasing year-round wine and culinary-related tourism in Washington Wine Country. The main objective of the state's Tourism Competitive Grant Program is to award grants to organizations that enhance tourism and economic development.

In the first collaboration of its kind in the vineyard region, Washington Wine Country, Yakima Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau, Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau, and Tourism Walla Walla have joined together and built a $51,000 campaign to promote Washington's wine country as a travel destination.

The primary public relations efforts will consist of creating itineraries of suggested travel routes and destinations throughout the region, with a special focus on the wine towns of the Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, and Walla Walla Valley and their unique wine culture, wineries, accommodations, restaurants, and other amenities. The itineraries will be distributed to the media and general public on an ongoing basis through press releases, e-mails, and each participating partner’s web site.