Wine Yakima Valley Lists Its Spring Events

Media Contact:
Barbara Glover, APR
509-965-5201 or 1-800-258-7270
barbarag@yakimavalley.org
wineyakimavalley.org

YAKIMA, Wash.-Spring's arrival in the Yakima Valley is slow and subtle. As winter edges off, vines begin to send out their long, wispy buds, serving as harbingers of coming attractions. Then the blankets of color return to the farmlands that make up the Valley’s scenic landscape. Soon, another famous Yakima Valley product, asparagus, will be sprouting from ditch banks and hillsides. As Mother Nature begins the onset of a new season, so do the wineries and grape growers of the Yakima Valley. The following is a summary of upcoming events and activities both in and outside of the Yakima Valley.

Please note our First Time Consumer/Trade Tasting event in Seattle on May 2, 2005! We will be in Portland in August, date to be finalized soon.

2/18/2005 - 4/10/2005 Yakima Cellars debuts nationally known artist, Leo Adams Premiere Exhibition: Leo Adams, Abstracts and Flowers. Yakima Cellars Tasting Room hosts acclaimed Yakima artist, Leo Adams, with a showing of his newest works. Mr. Adams exhibits for the first time, nineteen acrylic on canvas colorful paintings. Yakima Cellars, 32 N. 2nd Ave, Yakima, WA 98902, wine@yakimacellars.com, 509-502-577-0461.

3/19/2005 Guest Chef Wil Masset Celebrates Apricot Bloom with Windy Point Wines Legendary Wil Masset of Birchfield Manor will be the guest chef for a winemaker dinner celebrating apricot bloom. $80 per person. Windy Point Vineyards, 420 Windy Point Drive, Wapato, WA 98951, windypoint@nwinfo.net, 509-877-4446.

4/11/2005 The Apex Bistro Club We invite you to join us this summer with Chef Big John in the kitchen as we explore French Cuisine, Bistro Style. April 2 - Course 1, Appetizers; May 7 - Course 2, Soup/Salad; June 4 - Course 3, Entrée; July 2 - Course 4, Cheese; August 6 - Course 5, Dessert; September 10 – Finale. Course prices are $35 each. Price includes demonstration of course preparation and wine tasting. Class participants receive a 20% discount on wine purchases. Finale ticket prices are $75 each. Price includes a five-course dinner prepared by Chef Big John, along with wine perfectly paired with each course. Apex Winery, 111 E. Lincoln, Sunnyside, WA 98944, apexwine@earthlink.net; 509-839-9463.

4/22/2005 - 4/24/2005 Spring Barrel Tasting This is our biggest event and the perfect time to immerse yourself in our friendly wine culture. Sample wine directly from the barrel, as well as finished wines from the bottle. You might also take a winery tour, talk with a winemaker, experience Northwest cuisine, or enjoy other fun activities. Wine Yakima Valley, 1-800-258-7270 or www.wineyakimavalley.org

5/7/2005 Windy Point Murder Mystery Dinner Murder Mystery Dinner. Back by overwhelming demand, guests will try and solve the murder of their host, found floating in a tank of wine. (We will not be serving that wine) $75 per person. Windy Point Vineyards 420 Windy Point Drive, Wapato, WA 98951. windypoint@nwinfo.net, 509-877-4446.

Coming this summer Terra Blanca to open 50,000 square foot Tuscan Style Facility Banquet rooms, tasting rooms, a demonstration kitchen, and outdoor terraces are just a few features available to the public. Later this summer, Terra Blanca will expand to include an outdoor amphitheater. Terra Blanca Winery, 34715 North De Moss Road, Benton City, WA 99320, www.terrablanca.com
<509-588-6082.

Look for the following Yakima Valley wines at events outside the Yakima Valley.

3/9/2005 Women Winemakers from Chinook Wines and Hightower Cellars will be featured at the Fairmont Olympic Women in Wine event. Fairmont Olympic Women in Wine event, christina.starr@fairmont.com, or 206-621-1700 and ask for Christina Starr.

3/10/2005 Kestrel Vintners featured at River Rock Grill in Renton. 4050 Maple Valley Highway, Renton, WA 98058 425-430-0311, Kestrel Vintners, salesdire@kestrelwines.com, 509-786-2675.

3/12/2005 Terra Blanca Winery at the Seattle Wine Company Tasting event is from 1-5pm. Seattle Wine Company 1950 130th Avenue NE Bellevue, WA 98005, 425-869-0609.

3/10/2005 Chinook Wines features Winemaker Dinner @ Szmania’s in Seattle (Magnolia) Winemaker Dinner @ Szmania’s in Seattle (Magnolia); www.szmanias.com/magnolia, 206-284-7305, Chinook Winery, info@chinookwines.com, 509-786-2725.

3/19/2005 Terra Blanca Winery at the Fremont Red Apple Market This tasting event will run from 3pm-6pm, 3601 Fremont Ave North Seattle, WA 98103, FRAM@nwfreshmarkets.com, 206-633-3663.

3/29/2005 Chinook Wines in Oyster Olympics; Anthony’s Shilshole Oyster Olympics; Anthony’s Shilshole, tickets: 206-297-7002 (Beneficiary Puget Soundkeeper Alliance), Chinook Winery; info@chinookwines.com, 509-786-2725.

5/2/2005 Wine Yakima Valley - Seattle First Time Event! Yakima Valley wineries and grape growers will feature wines and wineries from the Valley at the first ever trade/consumer tasting at the Palace Ballroom. For tickets and more information contact us at 1-800-258-7270, or info@wineyakimavalley.org

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