A Note from the Editor

My co-worker Matt and I just returned from a weekend in wine country - this time in Yakima Valley - and we couldn't have asked for a better one. As we wound our way along Canyon River Road on the way to Yakima, we soaked up the late summer sun, stopping at least every five minutes to take pictures of the glorious rushing river, the verdant vineyards and orchards, the majestic hills all around. Then we made our way from produce stands to farmer's markets throughout the vineyard region, tasting peaches, knocking on pumpkins, and picking apples - to seek out the best of Fall Harvest in wine country. We know you'll like what we found.

Leslie (and Matt!)
Washington Wine Country

From Peaches to Pumpkins: It's Harvest Time in Wine Country

Travel in Washington Wine Country is perfectly balanced this season: the best of late summer warm weather and the brightest early autumn produce. The vineyards and farms are bursting with fall crush and harvest events, products, and activities. The list of grape stomps, winery tours, live music concerts, and wine tastings is endless, so we’re going to make things simple by providing you with a series of Wine & Culinary Field Guides, called The Red Route Series.

The Red Route Series will consist of  three wine tasting routes based on some of our favorite Washington varietals: Syrah, Merlot, and Bordeaux blends. Watch for the series in your inbox over the next three weeks!

However, in the meantime, we want to remind you of the bounty of agricultural goodies that can be found in all of Washington Wine Country as well.

Right now, the vineyard region is ripe with fresh produce – from peaches, pears and apples to corn, tomatoes, peppers, and pumpkins. It’s harvest time! So buckle up, head east to wine country and reap the rewards of the season. Following is a taste of some of the things you'll find in Yakima Valley, but we encourage you to explore the entire vineyard for even more.

On your way into Yakima, stop by Precision Fruit and Antiques for some of Washington’s best fall produce in addition to a huge selection of Yakima Valley wines, specialty pumpkin and apple butters, old fashioned candies, and more. Plus, the back of this big white barn is filled with kitschy country antiques.

Just off the beaten path, take Highway 12 toward Naches and get off at 40th Avenue. Turn right on Powerhouse Road, then left on Pecks Canyon Road to Washington Fruit Place at Barrett Orchards. Pick your own apples in the hillside orchards and browse their quaint country gift shop, chock full of cherry and apple foods, house wares, and gifts. Then drive down Summitview Avenue to Johnson Orchards (“Same Family, Same Location Since 1904”). This barn is surrounded by orchards and overflowing with bins of late summer Peaches like Angelus and O’Henry – plus fall’s best Honeycrisp apples, Bartlett Pears, and their own fresh-pressed apple cider. If you happen to be there this Saturday, September 20th, check out their Pear Fest! Taste several varieties of fresh pears, pear nectar, desserts and appetizers, and take home some delicious pear recipes.

Heading to Prosser for a little wine tasting? First stop: Chukar Cherries. Not only do they sell their classic sweet little cherry chocolate morsels all year round, but this time of year, you’ll also find bags of milk chocolate pumpkin spiced Hazelnuts, cherry-peach pie filling, and more. Also this month: enter their 20th Anniversary Best Cherry Recipe Contest for a chance to win $500!

On Saturday mornings, stroll through the Prosser Farmer’s Market, a real small-town gathering place. Chat with the locals sipping coffee at picnic tables and admire the gorgeous strings of hot peppers, corn, eggplant, tomatillos, and more from local farms such as Ridgeview Orchards, Durfey Farm, Lopez Farm, and Guerra Farm. Stock the car with Buggirl's Garden plants and herbs for a lush fall garden, and stop by the Greene Hills Farm stand and ask Jamie about their organic pasture-raised eggs, herbs, and lettuces. (You might also ask about Llarry the Llama, but that’s beside the point.)

At Jones Farms, wind your way through the hay maze and pick out a pumpkin or two – or three. They have an amazing selection of pumpkins and squashes in a variety of bright and bumpy Halloween-ready colors and textures. Then cruise through the vineyards to Bella Terra Gardens, a farm and garden in the process of transitioning to being organic. Grab some fresh crunchy cucumbers, carrots, potatoes, beets and other veggies, walk through the herb garden bursting with parsley, basil and cilantro, browse the wares of local artists and craftspeople in their big red Heritage barn, and take the kids for a visit to see the goats, Babydoll sheep and chickens out back.

Still in Yakima on a Sunday morning? Drop by the Yakima Farmer’s Market in the heart of downtown and grab a bag or two of farm fresh and organic fruits, vegetables, berries, herbs and flowers – plus a cup of fresh strawberry lemonade or almond-milky horchata for the road.

The end of summer doesn't seem so bad now, does it?
 

Facts & Tidbits

Did you know?

There's a new Slow Food Chapter in wine country!

The Slow Food Movement began twenty years ago in Italy, with a mission to preserve local and cultural cuisine. Today, there are Slow Food chapters in over 120 countries, each offering educational events and activities to promote sustainability and biodiversity. Slow Food USA and its local chapters connect farmers, cooks, educators, students and everyone else who cares about their food and the environment with the people, traditions, plants, animals, soils and waters that produce our food.

Get to Know Your Food - Get to Know Your Farmers
The newly founded Slow Food Southeast Washington (SFSEWA) Chapter hosted their inaugural event on September 12th at Schreiber and Sons Farm in Eltopia, Washington. The outdoor social hour and dinner featured some of the best local wines and farm products in Southeast Washington, providing guests with an opportunity to meet those who produced the wines and foods and hear what it took to create them. Andy Purdue, Editor-in-chief of Wine Press Northwest, joined Joel and Cynthia Huesby of Thundering Hooves (pasture finished meats), Stephanie Greene and Jamie Calley of Greene Hills Farm (eggs and herbs), Pierre-Louis and Joan Monteillet of Monteillet Fromagerie (cheeses), Alan Schreiber and Tanya Wojtowych of Schreiber and Sons Farm (fruits and vegetables), and others for this exciting kick off. To learn more about SFSEWA, email zubsin@charter.net.
 

Living Wine Country

Along the Wine Road

A Sommelier's Junk Food Confessions

Giving up a weekend in wine country to stay home and watch football on the couch?

If fresh produce isn't your thing, check out these junk food and wine pairings from The Rainier Club's Director of Wine and Spirits, Christopher Chan, also an avid Seahawks fan. "In my ten years as a wine professional and sommelier, I have been asked to pair many wild and exotic dishes such as Foie Gras with Chocolate Sauce and Rabbit Confit Terrine with Fiddlehead Ferns, but I've never been asked to pair classic 'junk food.' Never to be one to back down from a challenge, I whole-heartedly accept this task with chips and candy bars in hand!"

Oh Boy! Oberto Beef Jerky
How can you resist the mouthwatering chewy goodness of sweet and salty seasoned lean dried beef? My perfect paring is Helix Sangiovese by Reininger. With medium plus acidity and pomegranate, cherry and black raspberry fruit, the spiced vanilla scented oak is an easy compliment to this savory camping mainstay with just enough tannin to cleanse the palate and prep you for another mouthful.

Cheetos Twisted Puffs
One of my favorite indulgences with which I love a fresh Washington Sauvignon Blanc like Arbor Crest’s Bacchus Vineyard bottling that offers crisp citrus flavors and bright juicy acidity for these light and airy cheesy corn curls. It’s the perfect whet to wash the bright cheddary orange from your lips.

Oreo Cookies
If you are ever out of milk, hopefully you have a bottle of Merry Cellars Cabernet Franc. This ultra-ripe and plush wine is like a black cherry dipped in its own mix of chocolate and mocha - really a fine match to that classic chocolaty cookie crunch. Although I've never been a real big fan of the “white stuff,” Merry Cellars provides just enough tannin to tame that too.

Truffled Butter Popcorn
Okay, so I’m somewhat of a geeky gourmet. This upscale movie house treat is just so finger licking fun. Add a bottle of Domaine Ste. Michelle’s Vintage Luxe Washington Sparkler and you’ve got your own little party!

Pepperoni Pizza
Who can argue about red wine and thin crust? You pretty much can’t lose, but be sure your wine isn’t too ripe or too high in alcohol, and even better is a little red blend like Waterbrook Mélange. This approachable wine is a solid companion to Italian herbs, copious amounts of mozzarella cheese and spicy pepperoni. The blend of five grapes gives this layers of fruit and complexity with enough stuff to keep you interested, but not overpower.

Provided by Christopher Chan, Director of Wine and Sprits, The Rainier Club, Seattle.
 

Get a Taste of the Destination

For a mouthwatering taste of farm-fresh goodness, try this recipe from Bella, a new Italian deli in Benton City

Housed in a little cedar-shake covered cottage in Benton City, Bella serves up fresh, authentic Italian deli cuisine. Chef and co-owner Tracey Tudor will pack a picnic basket for you to take to the nearest Red Mountain winery with a great view or simply relax in their own grassy patio with a glass of Washington wine and any one of their insalata, panini, fresh fruit tarts, and more. For a taste of wine country cuisine at home, try this recipe. Thanks, Tracey!

Washington Wine Country Collection

FIND YOUR WAY AROUND:

Buy one Washington Wine Country map
 
and GET ONE FREE for a friend

Our Washington Wine Country maps include a full size Washington State road map, city index, alphabetical winery index and detailed winery maps of Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain, the Columbia Gorge, and Walla Walla Valley.

They're each just $5.95 including shipping.

For every one you buy, we'll send you another one free. Click here to purchase.