Take a sensory tour of the state’s hottest new wine growing region.
Immerse yourself!
Everybody knows you can’t grow wine grapes on the North Olympic Peninsula,” my friend said recently when I was touting one of our region’s newest estate-bottled wines. Really?
That may have been the thought a few years ago, but thanks to a few brave souls who had other ideas, took a calculated risk and planted anyway, that myth is being busted.
The result is a new dimension in the growing list of acclaimed wineries that are enjoying a booming popularity, as more produce their own grapes and experiment with different varieties. Couple that with the Peninsula’s natural beauty, abundance of fresh seafood and emphasis on Farm-to-Table food, along with its proximity to Seattle, Tacoma and the I-5 corridor, and you have an irresistible pull for those looking for a day-trip or weekend indulgence of the senses.
“Behind the scenes of every one of the 19 venues on our tour are dedicated crafts people working hard to produce ales, brews, ciders, meads, spirits and wines for you to enjoy.”
They experiment with different ingredients, temperatures and method—all with just one goal: to create the ideal beverage for your taste.
Which results in scores of choices. So how does a person find that perfect beverage? The tasting room!
From small and cozy to open and elegant, you’ll find the tasting rooms as varied as the beverages they serve.
All are unique
For example, Port Townsend Vineyards has two very different tasting rooms. The casually elegant winery at the entrance to town hosts guests in a tasting room that reflects the old-world charm of 140-year-old wood beams artfully blended with modern stainless steel and glass. An adjacent pavilion and outdoor patio provide upscale venues for events, dinner parties and local music.
By contrast, the Vintage Wine Bar and Plaza in the beautifully restored historic C. F. Clapp building located on the waterfront in the heart of downtown beckons passersby on their way to the Rose Theatre and the trendy boutiques and restaurants in Port Townsend’s historic district. Its unique mixture of ultra-modern and traditional design creates a stylish ambiance while paying homage to the building’s Victorian roots. Featuring a tasting room and a commercial kitchen, it is designed for wine tasting, dinners, cooking classes, music and entertainment, and other events that benefit the community. The beautifully landscaped outdoor plaza, adjacent to the beach, offers patrons seating around large gas fire tables and views of marine traffic on Port Townsend Bay.
Both offer a wide selection of wine.
With so many venues to try, one thing is certain. No matter where you stop on the tour, you are sure to find a favorite; new or old!
“Take a sensory tour of the state’s
hottest new wine growing region.”
