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News From Wenatchee Wine Country

Blog: Living Well

February 24, 2010

Jan Lutz, executive director of the Columbia River Wine Country association, sent me some information I thought pertinent to all of us in this area. With new wineries opening regularly in the Chelan, Douglas, Grant and Okanogan Counties, we have become aware of the many wine-related activities taking place. March Is WA Wine Month, and locally, we will have the opportunity to welcome spring with a round of wine-related events.

"Columbia River Wine Country, a local wine-promotion association, has announced that it is changing its name to Wenatchee Wine Country," said Lutz. "We felt it was necessary to give the consumer a better idea of where our wineries are located, but our advertising still tells them that we are locally grown in the Columbia River Valley. When people come to Wenatchee from outside the area, the new name will enable them to find us more easily."

The principal wineries in the Wenatchee Wine Country association include Saint Laurent Estate Winery, Stemilt Creek Winery and Martin-Scott Winery, with associate members including new winery Malaga Springs, Snowdrift Cider Co., and Tastebuds Coffee and Wine Bar.

Wenatchee Wine Country is exploring the possibility of establishing an AVA, or American Viticultural Area designation, for this region.

“We have great heat units and have grapes grown in high elevations such as Stemilt Hill or high up in Malaga, as well as in the lowlands of Sleepy Hollow or the Wenatchee and Columbia Rivers,” Lutz added..

The Washington Wine Commission promotes March as Washington Wine Month nationally, so Wenatchee Wine Country is planning a spin-off called “Wenatchee Wine Week” March 15-20, with a week of events planned to celebrate our great local wines.

“We have award-winning wines which get high rankings from wine critics, and which are a great value when compared to prices of other wines coming from other parts of the state”, Lutz said. “Many people have never been to a local winery or tasting room. This is an opportunity to educate people about the quality of our local wines and to give them an appreciation of what we have in our own back yard."

Wenatchee Wine Week will offer a “St. Patrick’s Day Wine Experience” on March 17 at the IvyWild Inn, Bed & Breakfast. Owner and chef Richard Kitos, winemaker Craig Mitrakul and Barb Robertson of the Wine Bin/Mission Street Bistro will offer food, wine pairings and wine education.

A wine dinner at the Conservatory at Apple Annie’s in Cashmere is scheduled for Saturday, March 20, and is co-sponsored by the WSU Alumni Association and Cherry Creek Radio. It will be a benefit fund-raiser for the Mike Utley Thumbs Up! Foundation (finding a cure for paralysis).

The winery tasting rooms will re-open, and Tastebuds will offer local wines on their house pour list. Local restaurants will also participate in promoting Wenatchee wines.

For more information, please go to their website. or visit here.

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