Eight Ways to Savor Summer-like Weather in Washington Wine Country
With early fall temperatures often averaging 10 degrees warmer than the western side of the state, the Tri-Cities offers an extended summer for many visitors. With riverfront boutique luxury hotel, The Lodge at Columbia Point as a home base, here are eight ways we recommend savoring summer, even when fall has formally arrived.
Wine Social is a great spot to start, offering a wide selection of Washington selections, and has recently taken to the streets for farmers market season. Visit the outdoor pop-up at the Richland Farmers Market, and keep an eye on the events page for visiting winemaker tastings.
Wine and dine in the great outdoors. Patio season extends with some of the best food and wine around at places like Bookwalter’s Fiction restaurant, or Dovetail Joint’s locally inspired, creative fare.
Enjoy fresh cut dahlias from Columbia River Dahlias, available August thru October grown in Tri-Cities or opt to purchase your own Dahlia Tubers to grow the flowers at home with gardening tips from the experts on-site.
Try the Fall Festival at Middleton Six Sons Farms. During the fall festival beginning late September, the cornfield maze opens and the patch beckons kids and adults alike to pick the best pumpkin. Find games like cornhole, a pumpkin cannon, human foosball and activities aplenty.
Pack a picnic with the best ingredients from Country Mercantile and take to any variety of patio, Barnard Griffin Winery’s fireplaces make for an ideal spot-on cozy fall evenings.
Grab your crew and head out for a wine tasting wagon ride throughout Red Mountain AVA with Red Mountain Trails. Taste your way through this acclaimed growing region Oregon-Trail style, or opt for the bicycle or horseback tours.
Favorite wines pair well with fare from new Culture Shock Bistro, a new food truck collaboration between one of Washington’s top winemakers Victor Palencia, owner of Monarcha Winery in Kennewick and Palencia Wine Co, and local chef Nena Cosic. Make a day of tasting at the Columbia Gardens Wine and Artisan Village in Kennewick fueled by menu items like Shrimp Fresh Rolls served with Palencia Albariño infused ghost pepper dipping sauce while exploring tasting rooms like Cave B Winery, Gordon Estates and more.
Take a trip to taste the newest AVA, Goose Gap. Located a few miles west of the Tri-Cities, this newly designated AVA Stop in at Goose Ridge Winery Tasting Room in Richland, to learn more about the AVA, and sip wines from the source.
With 200 wineries within a one-hour drive, plan ahead to sample the variety of wines, and try new experiences in this growing region. When it comes to wine, don’t miss what Washington is often known for – like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah - but make sure to scope out the lesser-known varietals gaining in popularity like Sangiovese, Nebbiolo and Semillon. A full listing of wineries and maps are available here. Here are three new or noteworthy wine experiences for upcoming tasting trips.
Located in the heart of Washington Wine Country, the Tri-Cities - Kennewick, Pasco and Richland in southeastern corner of the state offers a sun-drenched retreat for exploration and rejuvenation. Nestled at the confluence of the Columbia and Snake Rivers with a desert climate, easy access to these mighty waterways provide world-class recreation, majestic natural beauty and irrigation for the world-class wineries. Discover the details at visittri-cities.com @Tri-CitiesWashington on Facebook @Tri-CitiesWA on Instagram and Twitter.
Photo Caption and Credit L-R: Wagon Ride with Red Mountain Trails by Gray Mountain Photography; @honestchatter in the vineyards on Red Mountain by Gray Mountain Photography; Fare from Culture Shock Bistro courtesy Palencia Winery’s Facebok; Goose Ridge Winery offers a way to taste WAshington’s newest AVA, courtesy Goose Ridge Facebook.