Wine Tasting in Washington Wine Country – Prosser and Paterson Washington – Dining at Tuscany Rustic Italian Bistro - Prosser Washington

Washington Wine Country

Wine Tasting in Washington Wine Country – Prosser and Paterson Washington

Our travel plan this one day trip was easy. Get up early, get on the road as fast as you can. Did not work out that way, it took us forever to get on the road. We lost about an hour and a half of tasting time. The lessons learn is you should plan to take less two days or more to investigate each wine area...

Washington Wine Country - Yakama Valley

Yakama – The Palm Springs of Washington

Yakama – The Palm Springs of Washington

Seeing the sign “The Palm Springs of Washington” makes me smile..

Columbia Crest – Paterson Washington

Columbia Crest – Paterson Washington

http://www.columbiacrest.com/

Columbia Crest – Paterson Washington

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.

Columbia Crest – Paterson Washington

2009 Reserve Chardonnay**** butter, toast

2008 Reserve Primitivo***+ raspberry, white pepper

2007 Reserve Zinfandel**** blackberries, pepper

2008 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon**** cherry, berries, cocoa

2007 Reserve Walter Clore**** cherries, chocolate

2007 Reserve Merlot*** slight spice, white pepper

2008 Reserve Syrah*** blueberries, chocolate

Gamache Vintners - Prosser Washington

Gamache Vintners - Prosser Washington

http://www.gamachevintners.com/

509-786-7800

Gamache Vintners - Prosser Washington

“Brothers Bob and Roger Gamache are fourth generation Yakima Valley farmers who bucked conventional wisdom to plant wine grapes in 1982 at a time when Washington wines were largely unproven and essentially unknown. By focusing on the unique interaction of soil, climate, and vine, Bob and Roger have grown high-quality grapes for some of the best wineries in the state, winning accolades along with the way. In 2003, the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers honored Roger as its “Grower of the Year” for his dedication in the vineyard and work on behalf of the industry.

In 2002, after 20 seasons of growing grapes for others, the brothers decided it was time to let their vineyard shine in its own right. With friend, client and acclaimed winemaker Charlie Hoppes agreeing to act as consulting winemaker, Gamache Vintners was born. Having worked with Gamache grapes for years, Charlie understood the brothers’ vision – small-lot, hand-crafted wines designed to capture the pure expression of the fruit and the essence of a remarkable vineyard.” - Gamache Vintners Web Site

2008 Estate Boulder Red*** red berries, vanilla

2008 Estate Cabernet Franc*** blackberries, black cherries

2007 Estate Merlot***+ black currant, plums, black cherries

2007 Estate Malbec***+ jam, plums, cassis

2006 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon**** cherries, black currants, jammy

2006 reserve Gamache - Champoux Cabernet**** espresso, blackberries, velvety

2006 Estate Syrah***+ plum, fleshy, smooth, complex, jammy

Willow Crest – Prosser Washington

Willow Crest – Prosser Washington

http://www.willowcrestwinery.com/

“Willow Crest Winery was founded in 1995 by David J. Minick, a longtime grape grower in the Yakima Valley. The Minick Family first planted wine grapes on their Roza farm, North of Prosser in 1982. David wanted to take the love he had for raising grapes to next level by making premium wine out of a small portion of the family vineyard.” - Willow Crest Site Page

2009 Cabernet Franc***+ white pepper, cherries

2009 Grenache*** red fruit, pepper

2009 Mourvedre*** white pepper, cloves

2008 Malbec*** spice, jam, herbs

NV Rockin' Red*** berries, light pepper

2008 Collina Bella**+ earth

2007 SEVA*** pepper, berries

The 2007 SEVA is the first of a series of five deferent wines being produce by five deferent wine makers to benefit Washington FFA Foundation.

http://www.wix.com/washffafoundation/wffa-seva#!

Alexandria Nicole Cellars - Prosser Washington

Alexandria Nicole Cellars - Prosser Washington

http://www.alexandrianicolecellars.com/

Alexandria Nicole Cellars - Prosser Washington

2010 Roussanne***+ honeydew, apricots, clean

2009 Members Only***+ mocha, plums, light sweet tobacco

2009 Petite Sirah “Mr. Big”*** ripe fruit, brown sugar

2009 rock star**** spice, red berries

2008 Tempranillo***+ cherry candy, earthy

Tuscany Rustic Italian Bistro - Prosser Washington

Tuscany Rustic Italian Bistro - Prosser Washington

http://www.eattuscany.com/index.html

509.786.7600

For a Wednesday night the dining room was packed! Our meal was delicious. Green salads with yummy, my steak was excellent and Janet’s pasta dish was quite tasty.

If you're in Prosser you have to eat here. The food is awesome and the staff is supper friendly. Great seeing Jessie and Susanne again…

Tuscany Rustic Italian Bistro - Prosser Washington – House Salad

Tuscany Rustic Italian Bistro - Prosser Washington - Roasted garlic and Crustini

Roasted garlic and Crustini*** Jumbo cloves of garlic smothered with butter and herb broth, oven roasted and served with parmesan Crustini

Tuscany Rustic Italian Bistro - Prosser Washington - Bistecca Gorgonzola 

Steak Myzithra Pasta**** Spaghetti pasta tossed with fresh tomatoes, garlic, green onions, fresh oregano, brown butter and toped with Steak Tip and Myzithra cheese



Tuscany Rustic Italian Bistro - Prosser Washington - Bistecca Gorgonzola

Bistecca Gorgonzola**** Filet grilled, topped with sundried tomatoes and drizzled with demiglaze, served with red potatoes and vegetables

Good News - Food, Wine, Travel and Dining out Blog is now on Kinndle!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0053TGRN2

Did I also tell you “The Blog is Smartphone Friendly?”