washington (5)
Located in south central Washington state and only a few hours from Seattle or Portland, Yakima Valley is a vibrant wine growing region and home to over 100 wineries. About one-third of the state’s wine grapes are grown in the Yakima Valley AVA. As a member of the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association, I had the privilege to sample a Cabernet Frac wine from Dineen Vineyards, while participating in a webinar sponsored by Adam Stewart, Yakima Valley Tourism; Marissa Dineen
The Walla Walla Valley's success story is a combination of ideal conditions. Warm days with cool nights allow grapes to ripen slowly, developing concentrated flavors and balanced acidity. The valley floor is covered in rich, fertile loess soil, left behind by ancient glacial floods. This unique soil composition provides excellent drainage and imparts distinctive mineral characteristics to the wines. Finally, a deep-rooted agricultural heritage and a passionate community of winemakers contribute
An oasis amid the vast sagebrush desert that rolls across much of America’s Pacific Northwest interior, Walla Walla's longstanding appeal to those seeking a better life ranging from First Nations tribes & French fur trappers to farmers & vintners is most notably evident in the literal translation of its name ("many waters"). The Walla Walla Valley's rivers and aquifers that have fed the region's agricultural bounty for generations now also provide perfect growing for more than 100 wineries that
(map modified from the original on Wiki Commons)
I went to one of the top 1,000 places to see before dying. As I keep coming back, there are probably still 999 to go. Seeing the San Juan Islands of Washington automatically includes memorable activities such as sighting eagles, fishing, crabbing, beach walking, nature parks, sailing, kayaking… you get the idea. What I like to do in the San Juan Islands
