(This information provided by Barb Glover, Wine Yakima Valley Executive Director) — In celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Yakima Valley Appellation, Wine Yakima Valley is giving consumers insider access to some of the oldest vineyards and most experienced grape growers in the state. The Summer Vineyard Tour takes place on July 27, 2013, and will feature Kestrel View Estates, DuBrul Vineyard, and Kiona Vineyards.

Yakima Valley’s success is rooted in talented grape growers. Generations of these innovative, hard-working people collectively refine their experience of the land and support world-class, local viticulture research to make Yakima Valley central to Washington State’s winegrowing industry.

Tickets for the tour are $95 per person and include transportation, wine, food by Chef Jessica Smith, and grower-led educational discussions. Tickets are available at wineyakimavalley.org.

Schedule of Vineyard Stops:

Kestrel View Estates — Historical diversity
The Kestrel View Estate Vineyard is home to some of the oldest Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec vines in the state with plantings dating back to 1972. This tour will take you through the history of the vineyard and its significance to Yakima Valley and Washington State grape growing.

DuBrul Vineyard — Rooted in the family
Guests will enjoy an intimate tour of this highly acclaimed vineyard and taste through some of Cote Bonneville’s exclusive wines. Vineyard owners Hugh and Kathy Shiels strive to produce grapes that express the unique terroir they discovered at Dubrul. See firsthand how remarkable mineral deposits, steep rocky sites, and detailed irrigation practice are so important to growing exceptional grapes in the Yakima Valley.

Kiona Vineyards — Pioneering passion
John Williams pioneered Yakima Valley land that would later become the Red Mountain AVA in 1975. He planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Riesling; and those were followed in 1976 by Merlot, Lemberger, and Chenin Blanc. This vineyard now grows world-class examples of more than 20 vitis vinifera varietals on approximately 250 acres.

About Wine Yakima Valley:
Wine Yakima Valley is a member organization of wineries and wine grape growers whose mission is to strengthen awareness of, and attract wine enthusiasts to, Yakima Valley’s Wine Country. Located in south-central Washington, the Yakima Valley is a scenic and leisurely 150-mile drive from Seattle, Spokane or Portland. Yakima Valley is the backbone of the Washington State wine industry. It was the first appellation to be established here, and it remains the most significant.

Yakima Valley vineyards supply half of Washington’s wine production, and they are the source of this state’s best wines. Learn more at http://wineyakimavalley.org/

March 23 and 24, 2013 – Bigger and better than ever, this two-day event at Century Link Event Center in Seattle is a food and wine celebration centered around Washington wines.

Seminars, exhibits, and, of course, wine tasting will be featured at the nation’s largest single-region wine and food event.

For complete details and ticket purchase information, visit tastewashington.org

February 9, 2013 from 6:00 to 8:30 pm – Join Dan as he moderates a five-course dinner prepared by classically trained chef, Zacchoreli Frescobaldi-Grimaldi, along with wines served from a number of first-class Washington wineries.

Scheduled to attend will be winemakers from Dynasty Cellars, Terra Blanca Winery, Stephenson Cellars, Robert Karl, Treveri Cellars and Barrister Winery. Cost is $65 per person (tax included) with a 10% discount for couples.

9Nine Restaurant is located at North Bellingham Golf Course, 205 West Smith Road. Advance reservations are required and can be made by phoning (360) 398-8300, extension 2. Don’t miss this great evening showcasing outstanding food and Washington wines!

Tickets to the ever-popular Vancouver International Wine Festival, presented by The Vancouver Sun, go on sale January 8, 2013. They may be purchased online at vanwinefest.ca, in person at 305-456 West Broadway, or by phoning the box office at (604) 873-3311 or toll-free at (877) 321-3121. Many of the festival’s coveted 55 events are expected to sell out in the first few days of onsale, so wine lovers are encouraged to buy early.

Celebrating its 35th year of bringing the world of wine to Vancouver, the 2013 festival welcomes California as its Theme Region and puts the Global Focus on Chardonnay. The festival runs from February 25 to March 3. One of North America’s most exciting gatherings of leading winemakers and their wares, this year’s festival will feature 176 wineries from 15 countries, attracting 25,000 participants to the Festival’s seven days of tastings, dinners, seminars and wine minglers at the Vancouver Convention Centre and top restaurants, hotels and venues.

For complete details go to www.playhousewinefest.com

Saturday, December 1, 2012 from 6:00 to 8:30 pm – Enjoy a five-course dinner prepared by Chef Zacchoreli Frescobaldi-Grimaldi with wines from a number of Whatcom County wineries.

Scheduled to attend will be winemakers from Dakota Creek Winery, Dynasty Cellars, Mount Baker Vineyards, and Masquerade Wine Company. Cost is $65 per person (tax included) with a 10% discount for couples.

9Nine Restaurant is located at North Bellingham Golf Course, 205 West Smith Road. Reservations are required and can be made by phoning (360) 398-8300, extension 2.