Got a problem with gas?
Let me rephrase that. Does the soaring price of petrol have you rethinking some of your summer traveling plans?
It's already inspired me to tweak my work commute as I've begun riding my bicycle to the office one day a week.
One of the beauties I've discovered while on my mountain bike is that at one point of my 14-mile sojourn, not much more than the Yakima River separates me from three wineries - Barnard Griffin, Bookwalter and Tagaris.
But for those of us who enjoy the outdoors, golf, concerts and wine, there's really no reason to ever drive beyond the Northwest.
You are encouraged, though, to invite your friends from California to visit. Take them to wine country. Have them chip in for gas. And when it's all over, send them back to Cali.
Estate concerts. First, there was the Gorge Amphitheater in George, Wash., created in 1985 as a way for Champs de Brionne Winery to perk up sales. The Bryans later closed the winery and sold the amphitheater, but they held onto the vineyard and have since established Cave B Estate Winery near the Gorge parking lot.
These days, Chateau Ste. Michelle (Woodinville, Wash.), CedarCreek (Kelowna, B.C.), Maryhill (Wash.), Saint Laurent (Malaga, Wash.), Territorial Wine Co., (Eugene), Three Rivers (Walla Walla) and White Heron (Quincy, Wash.) are among the wineries to post their concert listings on our Wine Events page at winepressnw.com.
Among the other prime winery/concert venues are Secret House in Veneta, Ore., Ste. Chapelle in Caldwell, Idaho, and Tinhorn Creek in Oliver, B.C.
Off-site concerts. In Carnation, the Washington Wines Festival concert weekend (July 11-12) will raise money for the Paul Newman-founded Hole in the Wall Camps and local project Camp Korey. The concert venue, Carnation Farm, will become Camp Korey - a place for children with serious illnesses to play. A star-studded lineup of Washington wineries is involved in the event that features singers Amy Grant, Vince Gill and Lisa Loeb, as well as celebrity chefs. Go to www.washingtonwinesfestival.com
On July 26-27, Woodinville Wine Country presents Wine Notes at Marymoor Park in Redmond. It gathers Woodinville wineries, regional restaurants and national recording artists. Big-name acts include contemporary jazz performers Mindi Abair, Gregg Karukas and Peter White, as well as Tower of Power. Call 425- 205-4394 or go to winenotesconcerts.com.
On Aug. 16, there's A Case of The Blues in Yakima (yakimagreenway.com), and then Aug. 22-23 is the Vancouver (Wash.) Wine & Jazz Festival. Go to vancouverwinejazz.com for the lineup.
A very cherry event. When it comes to fruit growers, Williamson Orchards and Vineyards in Caldwell, Idaho, is one of the best in the Northwest. They've been growing tree fruit for decades. Their vinifera grapes are less than 10 years old, yet their Syrah and Viognier already are gems in Idaho.
They continue to grow apricots, cherries, nectarines and pluots - a cross of plum and apricots. Some go to Koenig Distillery. The Williamsons keep much of the fruit for the open-air market next to their tasting room.
Their special event of the summer is June 28 and called "First of the Harvest Party." It syncs up with cherry harvest and their new wine releases.
"People can eat cherries, enjoy live music, wine and buy fresh local produce," Beverly Williamson said.
Go to willorch.com/Openhouse.html.
Loving lavender in the Okanagan. Wine reviews often list descriptors of flowers and herbs that many urbanites don't stop to smell. Well, here's a great way to grow your wine vocabulary.
The Okanagan Lavender Herb Farm in Kelowna, B.C., stages its "Lavender Discovery Days" over several weekends starting July 5-6. Andrea McFadden's farm features guided tours and hands-on workshops, including "Wine Pairing Tips by Quail's Gate Estate Winery."
Cost is $5, and every day the farm is open to U-pick options among the 18 varieties of lavender. And you can buy lavender lemonade, lavender scones, lavender ice cream, lavender whipped cream, etc. Call 250-764-7795 or go to okanaganlavender.com.
Saddle up and head for the Hills. The Horse Heaven Hills Wine Growers stage the third annual Horse Heaven Hills Trail Drive on July 19. It serves as a fund-raiser for picturesque Crow Butte Park near Paterson, Wash. The Port of Benton operates the park.
The "ride" plus evening BBQ by the river costs $40. Get each of the nine wineries and shops to put their brand on your ticket, and you are entered into a drawing for a case of AVA wines. The list of participants: Alexandria Nicole, Canoe Ridge, Canyon's Edge, Chateau Champoux, Columbia Crest, Coyote Canyon, Limping Crow Inn, McKinley Springs and Zefina. Call 509-894-4528 or go to horseheavenhillswinegrowers.org.
A drive for Stan the man. Here's the latest show of class by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. Proceeds from this year's Northstar Golf Tournament will seed the Stan Clarke Memorial Viticulture Scholarship at Walla Walla Community College.
Clarke was a giant in the Washington wine industry and the beloved director of the college's viticulture and enology program. He died unexpectedly at his home Nov. 29, 2007.
Last year, the Northstar Tournament raised $8,000 for scholarship funding. Organizers want $20,000 this year.
The tournament is July 31 at Walla Walla Country Club, and more winemakers than usual are expected to play this year. Entry is $150 and includes a barbecue. Call 509-527-4275 or sign up at northstarmerlot.com.
Washington Wine Month. Last August, I swung by the state liquor store in Eatonville on my way to Mount Rainier. I knew I would be saving a lot because August is Washington Wine Month.
The proprietor had a remarkable little array of Washington wines for a small town in Ron Paul country.
I walked out with six bottles of the Chateau Ste. Michelle 2006 Riesling and six of the Barnard Griffin 2006 Rosé of Sangiovese. Days before, that Riesling received a huge ovation from an international gathering of Riesling winemakers. The rosé won best of class at the San Francisco Chronicle. Full retail would have been about $130. I paid $80.
Mid-July is when the Washington State Liquor Control Board releases the list of Washington wines that will be available at discount in stores during Washington Wine Month. Go to winepressnw.com or liq.wa.gov to get the pdf when it becomes available. And tell them "Bargain Bob" sent you.
A farmers market with a winery. Sunshine Farm Orchards and Market near Chelan, Wash., is the result of a four-generation 100-acre apple orchard turning into a diversified sustainable farm.
Part of the business model developed by Guy Evans and his father, Denny, was the creation of an estate winery. So Tunnel Hill Winery was built adjacent to Sunshine Farm, where a variety of farm-raised products is available.
Guy's documentary on his father's challenges, Broken Limbs, received an Emmy nomination after appearing on PBS. Go to tunnelhillwinery.com or sunshinefarmmarket.com
The Eno-Challenge of Oregon? Remember the Discovery Channel's Eco-Challenge? Well, no Mark Burnett here.
Instead, tourism agencies in Salem, Lane County and the Willamette Valley joined with Zephyr Wine Adventures for a new wine tour.
The Oregon Multi-Sport Wine Adventure spans Aug. 10-14 and features activities, education and wine tasting. It is limited to 20 folks, and they will hike, bike and paddle on, through and near Oregon's vineyards.
One day you will be guided by Iris Hill Winery owner Richard Boyles on a hike through his vineyards to King Estate.
The five-day tour is $1,700. No special fitness or wine knowledge is required, according to Zephyr Wine Adventures President Allan Wright. Go to OregonWineAdventure.com.
Remember to wipe your feet. The 18th annual Oregon Grape Stomping competition will be Sept. 20-21 at Willamette Valley Vineyards in Turner.
Cost is $5 per team per heat. The goal is to produce the most juice. And while the event might sound a bit childish, the winning team qualifies for the World Grape Stomping Championship in Santa Rosa, Calif.
I doubt Dan Berger, our California bureau chief, will be staffing that for us.
Call 800-344-9463 or go to wvv.com.
What is your favorite thing to do in Northwest wine country? Send your ideas to edegerman@winepressnw.com.
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