Simple Pleasures of Wenatchee

Looking for a shot of sunshine this fall? Wenatchee Valley has the perfect mix of sun (over 300 days of sun annually!), beautiful vistas, wineries, gourmet food, fresh produce and simple pleasures that beckon the independent traveler, couple or the entire family.

Beautiful Vistas

After checking out the abundance of produce stands and apple groves in Wenatchee, it's time to take in an amazing evergreen oasis at Ohme Gardens. Don't miss the breathtaking views of the Columbia River Valley below, as seen through the 70 year old cedar and fir trees. Nearly a mile of natural stone pathways traverse the hillside gardens, ushering you past towering coniferous, lush foliage, mesmerizing waterfalls and tranquil pools. Stone benches located throughout the grounds provide ample opportunities to savor the beauty of the serene gardens.
3327 Ohme Road, 509.662.5785, www.ohmegardens.com

Tasting

Few wineries in the Northwest provide a more sweeping romantic view than Saint Laurent. From the gazebo perched high above orchards, one can see the gardens and creek surrounding the tasting room, which is tucked inside a craftsman-style house. The estate vineyard has bountiful crops of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Riesling and Chardonnay grapes grown through sustainable practices under the eastern Washington sun. Saint Laurent 2008 Lucky White is the best selling table wine at a consumer friendly price point.
4147 Hamlin Road, Malaga, 509.888.9463, www.saintlaurent.net

Dinner

For dinner, head to Fame', a boutique restaurant where the smell of flavorful food envelopes the senses upon entering. An Italian-inspired restaurant in an intimate venue featuring seasonal ingredients, handmade pasta and Mediterranean dishes. Owner Rebecca Condota is living her dream and it is apparent in her culinary presentation and the unique mixture of tastes and tantalizing contrasts in her dishes. Some favorite dishes from the eatery, an Italian-inspired restaurant in an intimate venue featuring seasonal ingredients, handmade pasta and Mediterranean dishes, include the roasted vegetable Mediterranean lasagna and "El Mare", a rich, buttery scallop chowder with fresh lavender.
113 Orondo, Wenatchee 509.888.5332

Coming of Age

Challenge yourself to learn the art of aging gracefully by taking your lessons from gourmet cheese. Alpine Lakes Cheese's organic cheese making workshops fit the bill. Lace up your shoes, as the class is interactive and involves a stroll around the farm and a "meet and greet" with the sheep that produce the milk used in the organic process. Walk through the entire cheese making process in a few hours and come away hip to the complexities surrounding organic cheese and armed with recipes that allow you to ripen your own wheels of cheese at home. Cheese making is an exercise in patience, from waiting for the milk to curd, to lingering in the drying process and many steps in between. Owner Catha Link makes the process accessible and interesting. No wonder this class is a local favorite.
509.548.5786, www.alpinelakescheese.com

Accommodations

SpringHill Suites Wenatchee
1730 N Wenatchee Ave, 509.667.2775, www.marriott.com

Wenatchee Valley Visitors Bureau
www.wenatcheevalley.org

LEAH GROUT