Wine and Spirits Travel

After a good night’s sleep in my apartment at Walla Faces Inn , Erica Waliser of the Washington State Wine Commission picked me up for my final day in Washington.  We went over to L’Ecole No 41 winery to meet with Marty Clubb, a member of the family that has owned one of the region’s oldest wineries for nearly 30 years. In the 1980s L’Ecole only produced about 1,000 cases and they were all self-distributed.  The wine can now be found in all 50 states and has also become popular in Canada and Japan, producing 35 times what it did at the beginning. The winery itself is housed in an old schoolhouse built in what was a small French town in the early 20 th century. They make wine under three labels: L’Ecole No 41, Columbia Valley and Salmon Safe. L’Ecole is known for its Merlot, but the collection here includes something for everyone and it seemed like Marty was ready to pour it all for me to try! My favorites were the 2010 L’Ecole No 41 Chenin Blanc, crisp and slightly sweet, with l

The sun continued to shine as I made my way east through Washington.  I had plenty more to see and taste, but first I had to eat some chocolate. Jordan from Tri-Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau met me for breakfast at the Courtyard Richland early in the morning. I was a bit curious why we needed to get up early to stop by a “ Country Mercantile ,” but that question was answered when we got there. This was no country store, this was the country store.  As we toured with Max, I saw aisles and aisles of local products from produce to sauces to to tamales. This family-owned business has a place to get fresh made sandwiches and an area filled with over 40 flavors of homemade ice cream – not far from all the homemade fudge in every flavor imaginable.  And, in the back, there is a chocolate factory that would make Willy Wonka jealous! I left Country Mercantile with some goodies (it’s worth a trip just for the Big Foot, full of nuts, caramel and chocolate), not imaging a better plac

I can’t imagine anything better than starting off your day at the spa, especially if it is an Ummelina Spa , where relaxation through scent and water is the theme.  The Yakima location was right in the lobby of the downtown Hilton Garden Inn I was staying at so I didn’t have to go far. I had been spoiled with spa treatments over the past week and I was about to have an experience that would be at the top of the list. My experience began in the quiet at calm of Ummelina Spa with one of their many herb teas. I chose to have the “strong hair & nails” while I relaxed in a soft chair and had my feet massaged.  We then moved on to the rain forest room, where I enjoyed the steam and mist in private relaxation before the therapist came in for my salt scrub and body spray.  I was in perfect comfort by the time we finished and I then headed into yet another quiet room for my grape wine facial. My face was sprayed, patted and scrubbed until it felt soft and silky.  It wasn’t easy for me

I left the Seattle area for my first major Washington wine country – Yakima. It was a few hours away and it was decided I would take a short flight on Alaska Airlines so I could be there in time for the horseback riding tour. Katie Heaverlo, Director of Tourism for Yakima Valley , picked me up at the airport and we were quickly on our way between the mountains, following the Yakima River into the valley. When I was first approached with staying in a teepee and going wine tasting by horseback, I wasn’t sure if the PR agent was joking. I soon realized she was serious and agreed to give it a try. The teepee wasn’t available for the night, but the horseback riding would work in the schedule. I arrived at Cherry Wood Bed, Breakfast and Barn in Zillah to meet wrangler/owner Pepper Fewel and take a quick tour around the teepees (which are soon to have their own built in spa, under the support of the Ummelina brand) before meeting up with the tour group. It was to be all women, who wer

The title may sound like a tongue twister, but that’s how my second full day in Washington progressed as I continued to enjoy tasting my way around the state. The day started with breakfast at the Woodmark Hotel’s Beach Café. Joining me was Jodi Forslund, Regional Director of Sales & Marketing for MTM Lodging . As we gazed out at the lake (and enjoyed pancakes) she told me about the group of properties that included this one and the hotel I was heading to, Willows Lodge . The company believes in pampering, but not overdoing on the luxury to the point of stiff. I can quote her as describing the rooms as “WWF – wild, whimsical and fun!” After the tour, I headed down to the spa for my Mimosa Manicure & Pedicure. Though we had to do a bit of an alteration to the theme (since I have a citrus allergy), I thoroughly enjoy the hand and foot pampering with a glass of sparkling wine in hand. It was the kind of indulgence I never do at home and, actually, I don’t think I ever sit st

When I received my itinerary for my trip to Washington , I was surprised to see all the fine dining, wine bars and spas on the schedule.  I knew Washington was now a well-known wine destination, but I didn’t know that it was such also a great place for foodies and spa goers. I began to really experience this on my second full day in town. After a battle with the coffee press (they are serious about coffee in this state), I started my morning with a Veggie Omelet and some incredible Corned Beef Hash on the recommendation of Tawny Papera, the hotels Director of Sales & Marketing. She then took me on a tour of Hotel 1000 , located in downtown Seattle . It’s a modern accommodation with some very unusual (and desirable) amenities meant to make you feel the luxury while keeping you comfortable. When you enter Hotel 1000 , you are offered complimentary hot apple cider or sparkling wine. The Studio Lounge is warm and inviting with a center fireplace and Microsoft Surface tables (which

Quite honestly, my only view of Seattle has been my weekly sit down with Grey’s Anatomy and my only real time in the Pacific Northwest was when I was covering the Davis Cup Final while finishing my book.  While I would have no problem taking a ferry with Patrick Dempsey in any weather, I found eight days of solid rain depressing on my Portland trip.  I was determined not to let that image stay with my for this trip and it turned out I didn’t have to worry about that at all. There was a bit of rain when I got off my plane, but Dave from British Motor Coach , who picked me up and dropped me at the Hotel 1000 , assured me it was going to pass.  I took his word for it and, after I settled in, I headed a few blocks downtown to the Market, where all the rain really began to disappear. Seattle became a bright and bustling city with blocks and blocks of a market the likes of which I had never seen.  I wandered for about two hours, wishing I wasn’t allergic to seafood as the fish flew at

It always amazes me how much can be squeezed into a day and my Calistoga visit was no exception. After a good night sleep at Solage Resort , it was back on the trail for some more wining, dining and spaing. We met Eden Umble, Public Relations & Marketing Manager for the Calistoga Chamber of Commerce , downtown at Café Sarafornia .  It is known in the area as a great place for breakfast and I can’t disagree. The menu was filled with the usual and the unusual and I decided to go for the latter. The Cheese Blintz and Apple Crepe combo was just what I needed to ease my morning sweet tooth and keep me fueled for the day ahead. After we enjoyed some time learning more about the many varied accommodations, restaurants and wineries in Calistoga, we walked down the block to the tasting room for Kenefick Ranch .  Dr. Thomas Kenefick went from mastering Neurosurgery in San Francisco to operating on vines in Napa and he made the transition well.  His 2009 Pickett Road White (50% viognier,