Washington winemakers have known for years that the combination of geography, soil, and climate give our state vineyards the potential to make some of the best wines in the world.

But I suppose you know that you’ve really arrived when out of state wineries start planting their vineyards in Washington or exporting grapes grown here to their home state for production and bottling.

This isn’t an entirely new practice, but it does seem to becoming more common, so you’ll have to excuse the state’s grape growers if they’ve become a bit smug at the increase of Eastern Washington grapes that are made into wine elsewhere.

A couple of Oregon wineries fit this category, by using Washington-grown grapes to produce some bargain-priced wines.

The Abbey Page 2006 Unoaked Chardonnay (about $9) from McMinnville is a lighter bodied white with a trace of delicate fruit flavors, while the Basket Case 2006 Syrah (about $11) from Dundee, is a fairly heady red wine with subtle strawberry flavors and good acidity that pairs well with medium-aged cheeses and antipasto. Both wines are made from Columbia Valley grapes and can be found at local grocers as well as CJ Wijns wine shop in Birch Bay.

Another Oregon Winery, King Estate, has taken the process a step further by actually planting some of its own vineyards just south of the Tri-Cities in Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills Appellation.

The result is the 2008 next: Riesling, a zingy, refreshing white wine with plenty of lemon/lime flavors on the front of the palate and an off-dry, yet crisp finish. If it wasn’t for the touch of residual sugar I might have mistaken it for a New Zealand sauvignon blanc. Great with creamy cheeses, grilled salmon or simply on its own, well-chilled.

An added bonus is the wine’s budget-friendly $12 price tag, and it can be ordered or purchased through local Fred Meyer and Haggen stores.

Purchasing wines in British Columbia and bringing them back to the States is a breeze. Just be prepared to show your receipts and you’ll only be charged a nominal fee – even if you purchase over a case of wine.

A few weeks ago I visited the province’s Okanagan Valley and came across a number of wineries I’d like to recommend.

Although the production facility is huge, Jackson-Triggs Vintners, located in the town of Oliver, still pays attention to the small details. Winemakers Brooke Blair and Derek Kontkanen have produced a full slate of well-balanced, quality wines. The chardonnays and shirazes are particularly outstanding, and they’re available in a range of prices suitable for any budget. An added bonus: the service in the tasting room from the eager-to-please staff is impeccable.

Quail’s Gate is another larger winery in West Kelowna, with a knowledgeable and friendly staff that serves up plenty of choices. The Old Vines Foch, a soft red wine with dark fruit flavors was one of my favorites.

Although many wineries provide both good wines and stunning views of the valley, two I encountered were especially noteworthy. See Ya Later Ranch, in the town of Okanagan Falls, and Nk’Mip Cellars (pronounced in-ka-meep) located in Osoyoos. Nk’Mip is the first Aboriginal owned and operated winery in North American and it boasts a resort-like facility that includes a first rate restaurant.

Finally, don’t forget the smaller and somewhat isolated wineries during your visit. Golden Beaver Winery offers a terrific pinot noir and pinot noir blush, Dunham & Froese produces a tasty viognier-based white wine blend, and Domaine Combret/Antelope Ridge features a limited release of its 1998 Chardonnay that, despite its age, is drinking beautifully.

If you travel west of the valley to the town of Keremeos, be sure to stop at Herder Winery. Lawrence and Sharon Herder’s palatial home doubles as the winery’s production facility and tasting room, where you’ll find well-crafted wines that include a pinot gris, merlot, and an exquisite cabernet franc.

6:00 to 9:00 pm - Portteus Winery Wine Dinner. Join Dan and BTC Chef Marc Eilberg for an exquisite 5-course dinner paired with wines from Washington’s Portteus Winery. Click on the Wine Classes Page for more information.

2:30 to 5:00 pm - Planning a Wine Tasting Party. Learn about wine serving and presentation techniques and hors d’oeuvres suggestions and participate in a blind tasting. A perfect class for the holiday season…or any other time of year! Click on the Wine Classes Page for more information.

2:30 to 5:00 pm - Pairing Food With Wine. Explore the basic elements of taste for food and wine and take the guesswork out of your wine purchases when planning for meals, dinners out, or social occasions. Click on the Wine Classes Page for more information.