Day 6
We forgot to say yesterday about the unusual farming we saw from Spokane to Woodinville in Washington. We didn’t see any lakes, rivers, or streams for miles and miles. They must have good ground water because they have crops planted in circles with sprinklers that pivot about a center location. Very unusual to have wheat, corn, alfalfa, and potatoes to be planted in circular plots and be abundantly watered by sprinkler systems.
We are staying at Willows Lodge in Woodinville for three nights. It is an oasis in the busy town with a décor I would call rustic luxury. The room is a good size with an extremely comfortable king bed, a gas fireplace, and a balcony that looks out into the garden and patio of the restaurant. It is a perfect place to relax after multiple days of long hours of driving.
Although the town of Woodinville has no vineyards nearby, over 80 tasting rooms and wineries populate the area. Vineyards for most of the wineries are found in the Eastern part of the State, especially the Columbia Valley. Wines are brought into the tasting rooms for consumers to enjoy and purchase or the juices are shipped to the wineries where onsite winemakers work their magic.
Last night’s dinner was at the Purple Café and Wine Bar. The temperature was a comfortable 24°, so we opted to sit on the patio. We talked with another couple from Seattle (both originally from Mexico) who had just got married and were staying at Willows Lodge for their honeymoon. Dinner here was delicious! We ordered a bottle of Efeste Sauvignon Blanc and started with an appetizer of Bruschetta (warm crusty bread drizzled with olive oil and balsamic, topped with grilled tomatoes, mozzarella and basil). We then split a Caesar Salad (with grated grana padano, torn bread croutons, and shaved parmigiano-reggiano Bellisimo!) Next, we shared the Chicken Marsala a roasted chicken breast with marsala-mushroom sauce, served with garlic mashed potatoes and perfectly cooked green beans. This meal was absolutely mouth-watering delicious!!!
This morning, after a couple of Starbuck’s coffees (complimentary in the lobby), we went for a brisk 65 minute walk on the Sammamish Trail located adjacent to the Lodge. The Sammamish Trail, interconnected with Burke-Gillman trail that leads into Seattle, is a paved 16+ km trail that that winds its way along the Sammamish River. It is well used we encountered numerous people walking, jogging, and cycling. Ducks, Blue Herons, bullfrogs, numerous birds and rabbits call this stretch of land home.
TODAY WAS SO MUCH FUN!!! We started the afternoon (and I do mean – noon) walking up the street to the first winery on our list DeLille Cellars. We walked in and the woman that served us asked where we were from ? We said ON Canada AND she said that was where she was from ..turns out, she grew up in Brantford right down the road from Cambridge. Seriously, how amazing is that?! We shared a flight of four tastings, then she offered us a complimentary premium tasting . We bought two of our four bottle allotment( Canada Customs), Two of the D2 (55% Merlot, 34% Cab Sauv, 9% Cab Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot). She also gave us a coupon to use for a free appetizer tomorrow at the Barking Frog (Prawns for Todd) and some recommendations.
After depositing our wine in the room, we figured we could use a bite to eat, so we took a recommendation from above and headed to the Red Hook Brewery. Way too much fun! For $1 each, we went on their tour which included 3 oz. samplings of 5 different beers, then a 5 oz. sampling of choice…. oh, yah…we did see some of the production processes . After the tour, we went onto the patio and ordered a side of broccoli each (really trying to “keep it healthy) and a burger to split; plus some beer to “wash the food down . We then went to the store and Todd bought a Red Hook sweat top, a Henley and a 6 pack.
After stopping back at the room to lessen the load, we headed to Chateau St. Michelle just in time to join the complimentary tour. The tour guide, Rudy, was very informative and we talked to him about our newest bucket list…to see wine regions of the world. He encouraged us to go for it…his wife of 44 years had passed away four years ago from cancer. He gave us some extra samplings and was very accommodating. We purchased 2 bottles of the 2011 Horse Heaven Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (to drink while still in the States) and 1 of the 2008 Artist Series Meritage (to cellar). We also purchased the plastic Riedel-style wine glasses for travelling (a huge step above paper cups .).
That was enough tastings for today, so we came back to our room to sit on the balcony to people watch those on the patio of the restaurant below, and for Todd to have his ESB from the brewery and me to have the newly bought, slightly chilled Sauvignon Blanc. We were going to walk to Thai Woodinville for dinner tonight (about 4 km), but I think we may make a call ..they do deliver ..