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 traverses the hillside gardens, ushering you past towering cedars, firs, 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, ohmegardens.com
Tasting
Few wineries in the Northwest provide a more sweeping romantic view than from the gazebo perched high above orchards at the Saint Laurent Winery. Gardens and a creek surround the tasting room that 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, 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. Favorite dishes include the roasted vegetable Mediterranean lasagna and “El Mare”, a rich, buttery scallop chowder with fresh lavender. With high intensity, flavor-packed cuisine in an intimate setting, Fame’ offers the whole package.
601 South Ward Ave, 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 goats 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, alpinelakescheese.com