Our 2015 Waterfalls & Wine tour in the great Pacific Northwest was a tremendous success.
Heading out from Seattle, we went to see our first waterfall. Snoqualmie Falls did not disappoint with an amazing double rainbow – this was truly a sign of all the good times to come.
Snoqualmie Falls – double rainbow
a great start to the tour
Even at the falls, there is an opportunity to taste wine.
Our next stop was in Yakima at Gilbert Cellars – Hackett Ranch. The hospitality was warm and welcoming, the wines were tasty and the scenery was outstanding.
Happy folks in the lavender
The ladies are mesmerized
After a delicious catered lunch at the Hackett Ranch, we departed for Walla Walla, the town so nice they named it twice. The group checked in a the historic Marcus Whitman Hotel. This was our home for 2 nights while we explored the nearby wineries.
Day 2 began at L’Ecole – where the wine was very nice, but I think everyone agreed that our second stop of the day at Northstar was truly a hit.
Wine tasting and lunch on the patio at Northstar
After lunch we head to the vines to hear about Washington wines
and then on to the wine blending class where everyone made their own red wine blend from 4 different barrels of Merlot, 1 Cabernet Sauvignon and 1 petite verdot
the blend is starting to take shape
the group shows off their personally crafted wines
After eating lunch and crafting our own red wine blends there was still another winery stop to make. At Long Shadows we experienced a custom tasting and tour that included barrel sampling.
keep it coming!
the sadness and shock of seeing an empty fermentation tank
Keep your wine thief handy, we’re having a barrel tasting
On day 3 everyone packed up for our journey to the waterfalls along the Columbia River Valley…but of course we stopped at a winery along the way. Columbia Crest in Horse Heaven Hills.
Our server at Columbia Crest for the reserve tasting was charming, engaging and a true delight. Look at all the happy faces
After a brewpub lunch stop we travelled along the Columbia River Gorge, with brief stops at 5 waterfalls.
Amazing view of the Columbia River
Evening of day 3 found us just outside of the Willamette valley. For dinner we took over our hotel lobby, ordered pizzas and everyone brought a bottle of wine to share. Day 4 began in the picturesque Dundee Hills. Our first stop was Archery Summit.
Our tour of Archery Summit had frequent stops to taste wine.
Pretty bottles all in a row
Just one of many vineyard views in Dundee Hills
The group loved Archery Summit and did not want to leave…except it was time for lunch. So off we went to our tasting, tour and catered meal on the patio at Domaine Serene.
side by side comparisons
our tour at Domaine Serene begins
After Domaine Serene, we had a special musical interlude
and then on to our next stop – Durant Vineyards
the dancing continues
outstanding views from Durant vineyards
Our final wine tasting in Willamette Valley was at Soter Vineyards
artsy photo of Soter glass
the gang continues to have fun
is it time to dance again?
At Soter even old friendships were made new again!
A sincere thank you to everyone that joined us on the 2015 Waterfalls & Wine tour. We look forward to our next journey together.
