Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley - Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail – Day One...

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.

We started our Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail adventure at the northern end working our way from Wapato to Zillah.

First stop Piety Flats Winery, Wapato…

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

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

The wine tasting room is situated in the 1911 Donald Fruit 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…

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

Masset Winery Tasting Room is located in an original structure from the historic 1905 Angel Farmstead.

  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…

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

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

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

Time for lunch, so off to Hyatt Vineyard for wine tasting and a picnic…

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

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

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

Hyatt Vineyards was established by Leland and Lynda Hyatt in 1983. Evolving from a modest Estate vineyard surrounding the Winery, Hyatt Vineyards has grown to 180 acres in four separate sites all within 3 miles of the original plantings. Each of the four different vineyards, Cherry Hill, Three Rocks, Roza Ridge and the original Estate Vineyard display significantly distinct soils, elevation and exposure.

Varietals include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay, Riesling, Black Muscat and Zinfandel.

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

Hyatt Vineyards is a great place to have a picnic, so we did…

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

  Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley - Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail - Hyatt Vineyards – Time out for a picnic

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

After our picnic we checked in to our Hotel, then off to Wineglass Cellars… Wineglass is not part of the Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail, as are a handful of other wineries in the area.

  Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley - Wineglass Cellars

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

  Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley - Wineglass Cellars

Wineglass Cellars was founded in 1994 by David and Linda Lowe. Their first crush was 1994 and the following May they opened for sales and tasting.

David grew up in a small town in Eastern Oregon and Linda grew up in the Yakima Valley. We both wanted the small town life for our two sons Steven and Patrick.

Their desire for country life when combined with their love of wine made for a perfect “escape from the big city (Seattle)” plan. In the winter of 1993 they moved onto the three acres they presently live on. The following year they purchased a horse barn from a neighbor which is now Wineglass Cellars Winery and Tasting Room.

Wineglass Cellars is a small winery producing 3500 cases per year.

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…

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

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

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

“Tanjuli is located in the Rattlesnake Hills AVA . Washington wine pioneer Tom Campbell is producing unique examples of Viognier, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Orange Muscat at his newest venture.

Winemaker Tom Campbell has 30 years experience producing exquisite wines from Washington grapes . His extensive knowledge combined with carefully selected grapes from mature vineyards produce wines of unbelievable depth and complexity. Tanjuli is his latest Washington venture. The new facility is nestled in his 8 acre high density vineyard and is planted to some interesting varieties that will be revealed to those that visit. These new estate grown wines will replace the currently produced varieties of Viognier , Malbec, Petit Verdot and Orange Muscat as the vineyard matures. The grounds, winery and vineyard are a work in progress and we look forward to their evolution.” – web

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…

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

“Two Mountain Winery is a family affair. Owned and operated by brothers Matthew and Patrick Rawn, our family has been farming the rich soil in the Rattlesnake Hills area of Washington State’s Yakima Valley for more than half a century. In 1951, our grandfather Phil Schmidt established Schmidt Orchards with 40 acres of peaches, apricots, prunes, and apples. We planted Copeland Vineyard in 2000 with our uncle, Ron Schmidt, and crushed our first vintage in 2002. Today, three generations contribute their talents and expertise to Two Mountain Winery and our 26-acre estate vineyard.” - Two Mountain Winery webpage

We have always enjoyed our visit here, this was no exception. Had a great visit with Matthew Rawn, have not seen him since he poured his wine at Wicked Cellars, Everett…

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

After a day of wine tasting it was time to find a place to eat. Zillah seems to have only one restaurant anymore, so off to El Porton we went…

  Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley – Zellah - El Porton Restaurant

 El Porton Restaurant
905 Vintage Valley Pky #A
Zillah, WA 98953

  Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley – Zellah - El Porton Restaurant – Janet enjoying the evening

Good food, good service, great place to eat after a day of wine tasting. Sure it may be the only non-fast food restaurant left in Zillah these days…

  Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley – Zellah - El Porton Restaurant – Beer is great after a day of wine tasting

  Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley – Zellah - El Porton Restaurant – Chips and salsa

  Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley – Zellah - El Porton Restaurant – Guacamole

  Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley – Zellah - El Porton Restaurant – Chicken Burrito with a flour tortilla covered with melted cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, sour cream and guacamole

  Washington Wine Country – Yakima Valley – Zellah - El Porton Restaurant – Rib Eye Steak

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Road Trip – Seattle

  Lake Union – Seattle - Tuscan Light

While Seattle is only 35 miles south it can take you over a hour to get there. Our trip this time was to visit the Capitol Hill area, Eastlake and Lake Union.

Capitol Hill is the most densely populated residential neighborhood. It is the center of Seattle’s alternative life style and also a center of the city's counterculture, while also home to some of the city's grandest mansions and many attractions.

Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood

Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood

Capitol Hill contains some of Seattle's wealthiest districts, including "Millionaire's Row" along 14th Avenue E. south of Volunteer Park (family residences on tree-lined streets) and the Harvard-Belmont Landmark District. It also has many distinguished apartment houses, as well as a few surviving Classical Revival complexes such as the Blackstone Apartments.

Most of the Hill's major thoroughfares are dotted with coffeehouses, taverns and bars, and residences cover the gamut from modest studio apartment buildings to some of the city's grandest and most venerable mansions, with the two extremes sometimes shoulder-to-shoulder.

  The Local Vine – Seattle’s Capitol Hill Neighborhood

The Local Vine – Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood
http://thelocalvine.com/

  The Local Vine – Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood

  The Local Vine – Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood

"The Local Vine is a solution to the chaotic cocktail bar or formal restaurant — it’s a place where you can hang out the way you would in a coffee shop while learning about or just enjoying wine. Linger near a fireplace, or with your laptop using free Wi-Fi, while sipping wine and dining on small plates of food that pair with it.

The wine list, consisting of over 100 wines by the glass, showcases wines from the Pacific Northwest and California but also integrates wines from around the world. Selections range from $5 to $485 a glass, offering a selection of value wines and hard to find selections from smaller wineries, as well as highly rated wines like Screaming Eagle, Quilceda Creek, Leonetti, Cayuse and other international superstars." - The Local Vine webpage

  The Local Vine – Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood

  The Local Vine – Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood

  The Local Vine – Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood - Whipped Potato and Cheddar Croquettes

Whipped Potato and Cheddar Croquettes with Chive Sour Cream**+

  The Local Vine – Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood - Four Cheese Board

Four Cheese Board***  Quadrella di Bufalla, Boerenkaas, Mt. Tam, Valdeon Cabrale

  The Local Vine – Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood - Four Charcuterie Board

Four Charcuterie Board***+ Duck Prosciutto, Prosciutto de Parma, Rain Shadow Meat’s (http://rainshadowmeats.com/) Mortadella, Hot Coppa

Eastlake Bar and Grill – Neighborhood Bar and Grill - Seattle’s Eastlake neighborhood

Eastlake Bar and Grill – Neighborhood Bar and Grill - Seattle’s Eastlake neighborhood

Eastlake Bar and Grill – Neighborhood Bar and Grill - Seattle’s Eastlake neighborhood

Eastlake Bar and Grill – Neighborhood Bar and Grill - Seattle’s Eastlake neighborhood
http://www.neighborhoodgrills.com/eastlake/

  Eastlake Bar and Grill – Neighborhood Bar and Grill - Seattle’s Eastlake neighborhood - BBQ Chicken Quesadilla

BBQ Chicken Quesadilla**+ cheddar-jack cheese, BBQ sause, black bean corn salsa, tomato and avocado

  Eastlake Bar and Grill – Neighborhood Bar and Grill - Seattle’s Eastlake neighborhood - Garlic Buffalo Drummetts

Garlic Buffalo Drummetts**+ Tossed with Neighborhood Grills buffalo sauce

  Eastlake Bar and Grill – Neighborhood Bar and Grill - Seattle’s Eastlake neighborhood - Coconut Crusted Prawns

Coconut Crusted Prawns**+ with chili sauce

  Eastlake Bar and Grill – Neighborhood Bar and Grill - Seattle’s Eastlake neighborhood

  Seattle’s Eastlake neighborhood

Around Lake Union – Seattle

  Lake Union – Seattle - Sleepless in Seattle house boat

  Lake Union – Seattle - Space Needle

  Lake Union – Seattle

  Lake Union – Seattle - Gas Works Park

Lake Union – George Washington Memorial Bridge - Aurora Bridge

  Lake Union – Eastlake Houseboats

  Lake Union – Eastlake Houseboats

  Lake Union – Eastlake Houseboats

  Lake Union – Eastlake Houseboats

  Lake Union – Eastlake Bar and Grill

  Lake Union – Seattle - Gas Works Park - Tuscan Light

  Lake Union – Seattle - Tuscan Light

  Lake Union – Seattle - City Hawk

Good News - Food, Wine, Travel and Dining out Blog is now on Kinndle!
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Did I also tell you “The Blog is Smartphone Friendly?”