Food, Wine, Travel and Dining Out: One day trip to Eastern Washington Wine Country

It was a great weekend for a road trip to Paterson, Washington to visit Columbia Crest. Only 240 miles from home (LOL). The Saturday morning drive was relaxing. The weather was nice and the traffic was light.

Paterson…

Columbia Crest – Paterson, Washington

Columbia Crest
http://www.columbiacrest.com/

Columbia Crest – Paterson, Washington

Columbia Crest is one of the premier wineries in the Northwest, producing such wines as Wine Spectators number one wine of the year for 2009. Fashioned after a country French chateau, the winery sits amidst 2,500 acres of estate vineyards just 20 minutes south of Prosser and 240 miles from Lake Stevens.

2008 Reserve Tempranillo Wahluke Slope***+ spices, blueberries, stone fruit, rich

2008 Reserve Malbec Horse Haven Hills***+ coco, fruity

2007 Stone Tree Vineyards Zinfandel*** ripe berries, pepper, chocolate

2005 Beverly Vineyard Cabernet Franc**+ cherries, light chocolate

2007 Columbia Valley Merlot***+ spice, white pepper, blackberries

2008 Coyote Canyon Reserve Syrah*** blueberries, chocolate, roasted coffee

Prosser…

Milbrandt Vineyards – Prosser, Washington

Lunch at Milbrandt Vineyards…
http://www.milbrandtvineyards.com/

Milbrandt Vineyards – Prosser, Washington

Milbrandt Vineyards – Prosser, Washington - Italian Cold Cuts

Italian Cold Cuts*** ham, salami, coppa with provolone cheese, mayo, mustard, tomato and lettuce. Very Good

Milbrandt Vineyards – Prosser, Washington

2008 Estate Evergreen Chardonnay***+ melon, vanilla

2008 estate Malbec*** chocolate

2007 Sentinel**** jam, cedar, vanilla

2007 Estates Late Harvest Riesling*** honeysuckle, apricot

After lunch we checked into our hotel the Inn at Horse Haven a Best Western property. We stayed in the older of the two buildings. They do not allow pets in the newer building.
http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/US/WA/Prosser-hotels/BEST-WESTERN-The-Inn-at-Horse-Heaven/Hotel-Overview.do?propertyCode=48121

Wine tasting…

Coyote Canyon – The Loft - Prosser, Washington

Coyote Canyon Winery
http://www.coyotecanyonwinery.com/

Coyote Canyon – The Loft - Prosser, Washington

2007 Syrah**+ cassis, vanilla

2006 Reserve Syrah*** tar, dark chocolate

2006 Robert Andrews red*** pepper, cassis, jam

2008 Cabernet Sauvignon**+ black fruit, cedar

2009 Viognier*** melons, honeysuckle

2010 life is a Rose’*** hard candy, apple

Martinez and Martinez Winery
http://www.m2-wine.com/

Martinez and Martinez – The Loft - Prosser, Washington

Martinez and Martinez Winery is solely owned and operated by the Martinez Family. The Family focuses on producing small lots from their 30 year old block of Cabernet Sauvignon, Martinez Vineyard; and other exceptional vineyards within the Horse Heaven.

We had a great visit with Kristy and Andrew Martinez. This was the first time we met the winemaker Andrew.

2009 Roussanne**** melons, dried fruit

2007 Cesa’r red wine**+ black pepper, cherries

2007 Cabaret Sauvignon***+ dried fruit, jam

Canyons Edge Winery
http://www.canyonsedgewinery.com/

Coyote Canyon – The Loft - Prosser, Washington

This was our first visit to Canyons Edge Winery in their new location. They are now located in the Winemakers Loft area of Prosser, Washington.

2008 Sauvignon Blanc**+ grapefruit, pineapple

2006 Sangiovese*** dark fruit, spices

2006 Merlot*** Cedar, spice, black currants

2006 Sage Brush Red*** blackberries, vanilla

2006 Cabernet Sauvignon*** sweet oak, spices

2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Horse Haven Hills Reserve***+ vanilla, light oak, currants

Willow Crest Wine Estates – The Loft - Prosser, Washington

Willow Crest Wine Estates
http://www.willowcrestwinery.com/

Willow Crest Wine Estates – The Loft - Prosser, Washington

2010 Pinot Gris***+ honeydew, pears

2010 Rosé*** strawberries

2007 Riesling**+ pineapple, tropical fruit

2010 Riesling*** apricot, peach

2008 Merlot**+ BBQ sauce

2007 Syrah**+ pepper, anise

2007 Grenache**+ fruity, light pepper

2007 Mourvedre*** white pepper, cloves

2005 Cabernet Sauvignon*** smooth, ripe fruit, plums

2008 Collina Bella**+ bacon fat

Syrah port*** fruit, dark chocolate

Dinner at Johnny’s Pizza Stone and Pub…
http://www.johnnyspizzastone.com/

Johnny’s Pizza Stone and Pub - Prosser, Washington

It must have been a bad day. We often walk over to Johnny's Pizza Stone and Pub for a pizza and cold beer after tasting wine all day. This time we thought we would order other things off the menu, so we did. This must've been a bad service day four was slow to nonexistent at times. Angele where were you when we needed you. The next time we are in Prosser we will try it one more time. We always give a place a second chance.