Washington Wine Country Revisited – Zillah, Wapato, Outlook, Sunnyside and Granger

Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley - Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail - Hyatt Vineyards

The Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail extends from Union Gap, the beginning of the Yakima Valley, where the Yakima River squeezes between Ahtanum Ridge to the west and the Rattlesnake Hills to the east, then down to the Sunnyside Gap where Highway 241 heads for Vernita.


First stop Piety Flats Winery, Wapato…

Piety Flats Winery and Mercantile
http://www.pietyflatswinery.com/
2560 Donald Wapato Rd
Wapato, WA 98951

  Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley - Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail - Piety Flats Winery and Mercantile

  Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley - Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail - Piety Flats Winery and Mercantile

2010 Pinot Grigio**+ citrus, light melon

NV Mercantile Red**+ earth, chocolate

NV Junkyard Red**+ cherries

2008 Syrah**+ red fruit, vanilla

NV Tango**+ coco

Then a short drive up the hill to Masset Winery…

Masset Winery
http://www.massetwinery.com/
620 East Parker Hgts. Rd.
Wapato, WA 98951

  Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley - Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail - Masset Winery

  Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley - Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail - Masset Winery

  Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley - Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail - Masset Winery

2007 Le Petit Rouge*** sweet red fruit, chocolate

2006 Merlot*** pepper, coco

2005 Cabernet Sauvignon*** red fruit, vinalla

2006 Sandra Jean*** jammy, pepper

2007 Basket Press Reserve***+ blackberry, vanilla

2006 Petit Sirah*** light chocolate, blackberries

2006 Reserve Syrah***+ smoke, pepper

2007 Basket Press Syrah***+ jam, blackberries

2005 le Vigne de Marcoux***+ vanilla, spice

2005 Red Wine*** hard candy, cherries

Back down the hill to Yakima Valley Highway to Knight Hills Rd to Knight Hills Winery, Zillah…

Knight Hill Winery
http://www.knighthillwinery.com/
5330 Lombard Loop Road
Zillah, WA 98953

  Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley - Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail - Knight Hill Winery

  Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley - Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail - Knight Hill Winery

  Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley - Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail - Knight Hill Winery

2009 Sauvignon Blanc** tarragon, melon

2008 Chardonnay**+ melon, hazenut, light tost

2008 Dry Riesling**+ peach, pear, off dry

2009 Dry Riesling*** tart apple, pear, citrus

2009 Mourvedre*** earth, plum

2009 Rook’s Red*** spice, nutmeg, herbs

NV Roundtable Red**+ ripe cherry, tannins

2009 Syrah/Petite Sirah**+ cherries, spice, chocolate

Hyatt Vineyards
http://www.hyattvineyards.com/
2020 Gilbert Road
Zillah, WA 98953

  Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley - Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail - Hyatt Vineyards

  Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley - Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail - Hyatt Vineyards

  Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley - Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail - Hyatt Vineyards – Mt. Rainer

  Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley - Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail - Hyatt Vineyards

2008 Merlot*** berries, tobacco, spice

2006 Roza Ridge Merlot*** black cherries, pepper, vanilla

2008 Zillah Gorilla Zinfandel*** pepper, chocolaty

2008 Cabernet Sauvignon**+ currents, blackberry

2006 Roza Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon**+ blackberries, tobacco

2008 Roza Ridge Petit Verdot*** black fruit, pepper

Wineglass Cellars
http://www.wineglasscellars.com/
260 N Bonair Rd
Zillah, WA 98953

  Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley - Wineglass Cellars

  Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley - Wineglass Cellars

2008 Sangiovese***+ slightly acidic, red fruit

2007 Hume Street Cellars Cabernet Franc*** pepper, raspberries, strawberry

2007 Merlot*** blackberries, licorice

2006 Capizimo Red Wine*** tart hard candy

2005 Cabernet Sauvignon***+ cherries, cassis, toasty

2007 Syrah Les Vignes de Marcoux Reserve*** nutmeg, blackberries, creamy oak

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Les Vignes de Marcoux Reserve***+ blackberry, current, soft oak

2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Elerding Vineyard***+ black cherries, pepper

2006 Rich Harvest***+ blackberries, licorice

Our next stop was across the street, a new winery called Tanjuli…

Tanjuli Winery
http://www.tanjuli.com/
209 N Bonair Rd
Zillah, WA 98953

  Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley - Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail - Tanjuli Winery

  Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley - Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail - Tanjuli Winery

  Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley - Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail - Tanjuli Winery

  Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley - Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail - Tanjuli Winery

2009 Viognier*** fruit, pears

2007 Malbec*** mocha, coco

2006 Petit Verdot***+ chocolate, coffee

2006 Orange Muscat*** orange zest, honey

From Tanjuli we made our way to Two Mountain Winery…

Two Mountain Winery
http://www.twomountainwinery.com/intro.html
2151 Cheyne Road
Zillah, WA 98953

  Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley - Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail - Two Mountain Winery

  Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley - Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail - Two Mountain Winery

NV Hidden Horse VII**+ blackberry, white pepper

2007 Merlot*** blackberry, coffee, soft

2007 Syrah***+ blueberry, leather, pepper, vanilla

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon*** dark berries, leather, currant

NV Brother No. 2**** spice, figs, cedar

Our plan for day two is to go south to Sunnyside and work our way back to Zillah.

First stop Steppe Cellars, Sunnyside…

Steppe Cellars
http://www.steppecellars.com/
1991 Chaffee Road
Sunnyside, WA 98944

Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley – Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail – Sunnyside - Steppe Cellars

Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley – Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail – Sunnyside - Steppe Cellars

Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley – Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail – Sunnyside - Steppe Cellars

Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley – Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail – Sunnyside - Steppe Cellars - Mt Adams

2008 Rose*** big berries, plums, rose

2007 Merlot**+ raspberry, cherries

2007 Syrah*** eucalyptus, earth, dark berries

2008 Barbera*** coffee, oak spice

2008 Tempranillo/Grenache/Mourvedre**+ pepper, clove, ripe cherries

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon**+ cassis, earth, black cherry

2007 Artemisia**+ coco, earth

Next stop was Tefft cellars located a little south of Steppe cellars...

Tefft Cellars
http://www.tefftcellars.com/
1320 Independence Road
P.O. Box 385
Outlook, WA 98938

Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley – Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail – Outlook - Tefft Cellars

Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley – Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail – Outlook - Tefft Cellars

Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley – Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail – Outlook - Tefft Cellars

Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley – Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail – Outlook - Tefft Cellars

Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley – Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail – Outlook - Tefft Cellars

2010 Pinot Grigio**+ grapefruit

2009 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay**+ dried apples

2010 Riesling**+ off dry, ripe apples

2008 Tempranillo**+ pepper, spice

2008 Sangiovese**+ cherries, cinnamon

2008 Syrah**+ red fruit, vanilla

NV Rose**+ green fruit, light melon

Eaton Hall winery are picnic destination was several miles west…

Eaton Hill Winery
http://www.eatonhillwinery.com/
530 Gurley Road
Granger, WA 98932

Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley – Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail – Granger - Eaton Hill Winery

Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley – Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail – Granger - Eaton Hill Winery

Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley – Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail – Granger - Eaton Hill Winery

NV Melange de Rouges (lot 678)**+ red fruit, chocolate

2003 Cabernet Franc Cowan Vineyards*** tar, coco

2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Konnowac Vineyards*** dark fruit, jam

2007 Malbec Konnowac Vineyards*** red fruit, pepper

NV Riesling/Nectarines*** light fruit, citrus

Horizons Edge Winery
http://www.horizonsedgewinery.com/
4530 E. Zillah Drive
Zillah, WA 98953

Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley – Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail – Zillah - Horizons Edge Winery

Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley – Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail – Zillah - Horizons Edge Winery

Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley – Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail – Zillah - Horizons Edge Winery

2008 Monster Chardonnay**+ lots of oak

2009 Hook Line and Sink Her**+ sweet

NV Raspberry Rose **+ semi sweet

2007 Fore Play Chardonnay**+ sweet

2007 Devils Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon*** Red Fruit, cherries

2007 On The Fence Malbec**+ pepper, vanilla

2008 Late Harvest Muscat Canelli**+ sweet

2008 Brittney’s Butterfly Ice Wine*** honey

Going further north we made our way to Portteus Winery…

Portteus Winery
http://www.portteus.com/
5201 Highland Drive
Zillah, WA 98953

Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley – Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail – Zillah - Portteus Winery

Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley – Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail – Zillah - Portteus Winery

2008 Viognier**+ light fruit, mango

2009 Bistro Red**+ red fruit, plum, light toast

2009 Rattlesnake Red*** black fruit, current

2008 Rouge 66*** dark chocolate, black current

2009 Sangiovese**** licorice, jam, black cherries

2009 Merlot**+ black raspberry, coco, red jello

2009 Cabernet Sauvignon*** blackberry, vanilla

2009 Zinfandel **+ pepper, raspberry jam

2008 Cabernet Franc*** spice, cloves, light vanilla

2008 Malbec**+ Loganberry, light cherry

2008 Petite Sirah***+ black cherry, cedar

2009 Purple Haze*** black current, dark chocolate, spice

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon old Vine***+ dark chocolate, cassis, blackberry

2007 Estate Red*** dark fruit, raspberry jam

2009 Zinfandel old vine**** rich coco, black raspberry

2009 Reserve Petite Sirah*** blackberry jam, cedar

We were heading west to Zillah when we came across Cultura Wine…

Cultura Wine
http://www.culturawine.com/
3601 Highland Drive
Zillah, WA 98953

Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley –  Zillah - Cultura Wine

Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley –  Zillah - Cultura Wine

Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley –  Zillah - Cultura Wine

Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley –  Zillah - Cultura Wine

2008 Cabernet Franc***+ spice, chocolate, vanilla

2008 Merlot**** dark fruit, spice

2008 Syrah***+ big jam, coco

2007 Kairos Library Wine***+ blackberry, jammy

2008 Kairos Library Wine*** dark loganberry

2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Meek Family Estates*** blackberry, dark cherry

2008 Cabernet Sauvignon**** Dark Fruit, jam

Our last stop of the day was Severino Cellars located in the town of Zillah…

Severino Cellars
http://www.severinocellars.com/wines/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx
1717 1st Ave.
Zillah, WA 98953

Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley – Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail – Zillah - Severino Cellars

Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley – Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail – Zillah - Severino Cellars

Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley – Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail – Zillah - Severino Cellars

2010 Riesling**+ apricots, lemon

2009 Viognier*** honey, ripe apricots

NV Severino **+ cranberry, mocha

2007 Merlot*** chocolate, dark cherries, spice

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon*** dark cherries, raspberry

Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley  – Zillah - Comfort Inn

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A Benefit for Hospice and Homecare of Snohomish County – Featuring “The Galloping Gourmet” Graham Kerr, and Lombardi’s Italian Everett’s Marina own Chef Chris Viner

What a Wonderful Magical Night - “The Galloping Gourmet” Graham Kerr, and Lombardi’s Italian Everett’s Marina own Chef Chris Viner hosted “Celebrating the Harvest” a cooking class and wine pairing event benefiting - Hospice and Homecare of Snohomish County.

Graham Kerr, Kerri Lonergan-Dreke Co-Owner Lombardi’s, Sous Chef Charlie Anglesey, and Chef Chris Viner

“Celebrating the Harvest” a cooking class and wine pairing - Graham Kerr 

One of Kerr’s mottos is EGGS: Eat (more plants), Grow (more plants), Gather (more plants), Share (more plants). Its about: “Delight and do less harm to one another, the soil and the air that we breathe.”

“Celebrating the Harvest” a cooking class and wine pairing - Graham Kerr and Chef Chris Viner

“Celebrating the Harvest” a cooking class and wine pairing - Chef Chris Viner

“Celebrating the Harvest” a cooking class and wine pairing - Graham Kerr and Chef Chris Viner

“Celebrating the Harvest” a cooking class and wine pairing - Graham Kerr and Chef Chris Viner

~ Antipasti ~

“Celebrating the Harvest” a cooking class and wine pairing - Graham Kerr and Chef Chris Viner - Seared scallops in white wine, lemon and caper sauce

Seared scallops in white wine, lemon and caper sauce paired with Ruffino Orvieto DOC

~Insalata~

“Celebrating the Harvest” a cooking class and wine pairing - Graham Kerr and Chef Chris Viner - Roasted rutabaga, red and golden beets, parsnips and turnips in a light sour cream dressing

Roasted rutabaga, red and golden beets, parsnips and turnips in a light sour cream dressing paired with Ruffino Pinot Grigio

~Primi~

“Celebrating the Harvest” a cooking class and wine pairing - Graham Kerr and Chef Chris Viner - Squash ravioli with a sage cream sauce, topped with sautéed butternut squash

Squash ravioli with a sage cream sauce, topped with sautéed butternut squash paired with Ruffino Chianti Aziano

~Secondi~

“Celebrating the Harvest” a cooking class and wine pairing - Graham Kerr and Chef Chris Viner - Dungeness crab omelet with parsnip puree and fresh green garbanzo beans

Dungeness crab omelet with parsnip puree and fresh green garbanzo beans paired with Ruffino Libaio Chardonnay

~Dolce~

“Celebrating the Harvest” a cooking class and wine pairing - Graham Kerr and Chef Chris Viner - Fresh raspberries, yogurt, honey and mix nuts

Fresh raspberries, yogurt, honey and mix nuts paired with Ruffino Prosecco

“Celebrating the Harvest” a cooking class and wine pairing with Cooie Goulding wine representative of Ruffino, Tuscany, Italy

Cooie Goulding wine representative of Ruffino, gave us the background and story of every wine we tasted. Her energy and expert knowledge added to our wonderful evening.

All Wines were Donated by Ruffino, Tuscany, Italy

~~~

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Home Cooking - Debi Mazar and Gabriele Corcos inspired - Lasagne Alla Bolognese with Besciamella

Cooking at Home - Lasagne Alla Bolognese

After watching Debi Mazar and Gabriele Corcos “Extra Virgin” Cooking Channel TV Show we just had to make Lasagne Alla Bolognese for our Family…

Bolognese Sauce

Cooking at Home - Bolognese Sauce - soffritto - onion, carrots, and celery - pancetta

For any new recipe staging is very important. Cut your vegetables, position bowls, knives, wooden spoon, etc

Cooking at Home - Bolognese Sauce - soffritto - onion, carrots, and celery

Cooking at Home - Bolognese Sauce - soffritto - parsley and pancetta

Cooking at Home - Bolognese Sauce  - soffritto - onion, carrots, and celery - add pancetta

Sauté the onion, carrots, and celery in about 5 tablespoons olive oil until soft. Add the pancetta to the soffritto (onion mixture).

Cooking at Home - Bolognese Sauce - add meat

Cook on a medium-heat for about 7 to 10 minutes, then add the meat; break it up well with a wooden spoon.

Note: You can jack up the heat a bit, and keep stirring until all the ground meat is browned.

Cooking at Home - Bolognese Sauce - Add the red pepper flakes

Cooking at Home - Bolognese Sauce - add parsley

Add the red pepper flakes and the parsley and cook for just 1 minute.

Cooking at Home - Bolognese Sauce -Add Sangiovese or Chianti

Cooking at Home - Bolognese Sauce -Add Sangiovese or Chianti

Add the wine now and cook until the alcohol is completely evaporated, scraping up the browned bits on the bottom of the pan.

Cooking at Home - Bolognese Sauce - tomatoes smooth in a food processor

Cooking at Home - Bolognese Sauce - Add tomatoes sauce

Cooking at Home - Bolognese Sauce - cook for about 2 and a half  hours

Pulse the tomatoes smooth in a food processor and add them to the meat, season generously with salt and pepper, lower the flame to medium and cook for about 2 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Cooking at Home - Bolognese Sauce - add whole milk

Cooking at Home - Bolognese Sauce - stir well and set aside, to cool off

Finish the sauce by adding the whole milk, stir well and set aside, to cool off.

Besciamella

Cooking at Home - Besciamella - Melt the 1/2 cup butter in a pan over medium heat

Melt the 1/2 cup butter in a pan over medium heat.

Cooking at Home - Besciamella - Stir in the flour with a wooden spoon

Cooking at Home - Besciamella - Stir in the flour with a wooden spoon

Stir in the flour with a wooden spoon. 

Cooking at Home - Besciamella - Melt the 1/2 cup butter in a pan over medium heat. Brown flour

Note: This is an important moment, as you have to slowly toast the flour without burning it. This will help you lose the flowery taste.

Cooking at Home - Besciamella - Melt the 1/2 cup butter in a pan over medium heat. Stir in the flour with a wooden spoon

Warm up the milk and gradually ladle into the pot with the butter-flour mixture, whisking constantly while bringing the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat, and simmer for about 15 minutes.

Cooking at Home - Besciamella - Season the sauce with freshly grated nutmeg, salt, and pepper

Season the sauce with freshly grated nutmeg, salt, and pepper.

Note: If the sauce is too thick, add a little more milk, if too runny, return to the heat and add a pat of butter mixed with an equal amount of all-purpose flour. Besciamella should not taste floury.

Lasagne Alla Bolognese

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter the lasagne pan well and add a very thin layer of meat sauce.

Cooking at Home - Lasagne Alla Bolognese - Add the ayer of lasagne noodles and in order, cover with meat sauce, about 3 ladles besciamella, and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Repeat the same process

Cooking at Home - Lasagne Alla Bolognese - Adding besciamella

Cooking at Home - Lasagne Alla Bolognese - Adding besciamella

Cooking at Home - Lasagne Alla Bolognese - Add generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese

Add the first layer of lasagne noodles and in order, cover with meat sauce, about the besciamella, and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Repeat the same process until you reach the top of the dish. Make sure the lasagne noodles are soaking into the sauce.

Cooking at Home - Lasagne Alla Bolognese - add butter and bake for about 30 minutes

When done layering the ingredients, top the lasagne with a final ladle of meat sauce and some besciamella, add a few thin slices of butter and finish with some grated Parmesan.

Bake for about 30 minutes.

Heat a broiler. When your lasagne alla bolognese is cooked, give it a nice crisp top by broiling it for about 5 minutes.

Cooking at Home - Lasagne Alla Bolognese

Cooking at Home - Lasagne Alla Bolognese - add butter and bake for about 30 minutes

Cooking at Home - Lasagne Alla Bolognese

Cooking at Home - Lasagne Alla Bolognese - Serve this dish with extra-virgin olive oil and some grated parmesan, to taste

Serve this dish with extra-virgin olive oil and some grated parmesan, to taste.

Our family arrived early. Janet had just finished the Besciamella (the Bolognese was prepared the day before). The day was warm making the kitchen especially hot. I think everyone was thinking ‘Lasagna on such a warm day!’

 The Lasagna turned out to be over the top in flavor, but because very little cheese was used it held up to the heat of the day…

 The Lasagna alla Bolognese is hardy enough for cool days and light enough for warm days, yummy.

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