Photos courtesy State of Washington Tourism Division
A number of Yakima Valley wineries welcome visitors with wine tastings and tours of their wine-making operations.

Days of wine and music

With tours, concerts and recreation, Yakima Valley is a lot more than apples

RANDY BUCKNER, FOR THE OLYMPIAN

A trip to wine country doesn't have to involve a transatlantic flight to France.

Instead of scrounging around for your passport, why not take a long weekend across the Cascades to the Yakima Valley and enjoy the Washington wine country?

The Yakima Valley is home to more than 30 wineries, 23 of which are members of the local wine growers association. Tours of the region's wineries have become a mainstay for valley tourism, said Kathy Coffey, CEO and president of the Yakima Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau.

"We just got through with the spring barrel tasting, and some wineries got between 2,000 and 3,000 visitors," Coffey said.

The Yakima Valley wines are such a hit that local tour companies will arrange -- on short notice -- to drive wine tasters from winery to winery, said Jolene Hartill, information coordinator for the Yakima Chamber of Commerce.

The region also is famous for crops, such as asparagus and apples, she said. But they don't have the same drawing power.

"How fun is it to tour an apple orchard?" Hartill said.

Winery tours can be a nice accompaniment to a weekend that includes a concert at The Gorge Amphitheatre near George, Coffey said. Yakima is just 45 minutes from the popular concert venue.

Lodging and dining

Once you are in the Yakima Valley, you can kick back in a bed-and-breakfast inn and enjoy the cooking at local restaurants. Like much of Eastern Washington, the valley offers a plethora of outdoor activities, including floating down the Yakima River, hiking and camping.

But for visitors with a more decadent approach to weekends, relaxing in the Jacuzzi at the B&B should be followed by a leisurely dinner.

One highly recommended establishment is the romantic Birchfield Manor in Yakima. Owned and operated by the Masset family (Wil, Sandy, Brad and Greg), this has been a popular respite over the years.

Built in 1910, the inn has undergone major renovations of late. The Massets added six new rooms, the cottage rooms, where an old garage once stood. Five other rooms, also with a major facelift, are situated above the inn's award- winning restaurant.

Several of the rooms have whirlpool tubs for two and cozy fireplaces, an added bonus on a chilly night. The most popular room is No. 6: It is extra large, has a vaulted ceiling and a king-sized bed, a whirlpool tub for two, a steam sauna shower and a private deck with a view of the grounds and pond.

A full breakfast is served in the morning. There is also a seasonal swimming pool on the property. Wil and Sandy Masset's private home, a replica of Mount Vernon, is next to the B&B.

Their restaurant is not to be missed. Dinner is served at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday. There are two seatings on Saturdays, at 6 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. Private parties of 15 or more are accommodated on other nights by reservation.

The gourmet meals are all-inclusive and reasonably priced for this quality. The restaurant has a nice wine list with an emphasis on Washington wines.

Is there anyone who does not enjoy Italian food? Yakima is home to a very fine Italian restaurant, Gasperetti's. The eatery serves traditional Italian fare, with a French twist, prepared by fifth-generation family members. Gasperetti's won a Wine Spectator award for cuisine and wine and is featured in the Washington's Best Places travel guide.

Yakima Valley events

Some local events to watch for, depending on your travel dates, include:

-May 26-27: Pontin Del Roza Winery Annual Open House Salmon BBQ. Call (509) 786-4449.

-June 14: Kestrel summer cooking class, Kestrel Vintners. Call (509) 786-2675.

-June 16: Murder Mystery Dinner, Washington Hills Cellars. This includes a gourmet dinner and an interactive murder mystery. You are invited to come in costume and join in the fun. Call (800) 814-7004.

-June 16: Summer Solstice Celebration, Prosser. Dinners, tours, food and fun await you. Call (800) 408-1517.

-June 23: Kestrel Festival, Kestrel Vintners. This family-oriented event includes tours of the winery, a barbeque lunch and an opportunity to learn about kestrels and other birds of prey. Providing they are not molting, the namesake raptors will make guest appearances during the event. Call (509) 786-2725.

-Aug. 11: Prosser Wine And Food Fair. Prosser area wineries gather to serve and sell their wines. Local restaurants provide finger foods. This is a paid admission event. Call (800) 408-1517.

-Aug. 18: "A Case of the Blues & All That Jazz." A blues and jazz festival, featuring 40 wineries and micro breweries, food vendors and a silent auction. Call (509) 453-8280.

Randy Buckner is a family practitioner and wine connoisseur in Olympia. You may contact him at Randybuckner@aol.com. Features editor Frieda Bush of The Olympian contributed to this report.

The Olympian Copyright 2001

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