Last weekend we took a quick trip over the mountains to a small town called Chelan. Centered around Lake Chelan (a 50 mile long lake), the town and its surroundings have become a mecca for fantastic wine. It boasts some of the most extraordinary wines in the PNW, with a winery everywhere you go.
With the loom of COVID-19 and the closure of so much, we ended up staying in a small spot above a winery just ahead of another closure in our state. This time of year is always a bit quieter, with less chores on the farm and more time to spend traveling, but this year has changed so much for everyone that it was especially quiet when we were there.
We stayed at a winery called Siren Song Vineyard Estate and Winery. If you ever get a chance, go book a trip to stay in the villa above their winery (not sponsored). The view from the villa is spectacular.
The weather was crisp and not rainy while we were there, perfect for some winter vineyard shots. Our own little rows of grapes pale in comparison to the rows upon rows of grapes here, and even in the winter it captures you.
We wandered next door to a place called Fielding Hills Winery. With a grand view of the lake in front and the vineyard behind, it's hard not to enjoy a glass of Roussanne, even in the midst of a pandemic.
All of the long days and hard work of summer have now faded into early winter and I find myself wanting to slow down, take a breath and rest a little.
The wide view of Lake Chelan from Fielding Hills was incredible. With the changes this year, the lake felt so quiet and we were the only ones in the winery at the time.
A quiet tasting at Cairdeas Winery on the other side of the lake turned into some cheese and crackers and a board game later on.
The Rhone style wines of Cairdeas are smooth and easy to drink even for someone new to wine tasting.
Since our state entered into another state of restrictions just after this weekend, I thought it might be the perfect time to do a wine tasting of your own at home. Try a selection of 2-3 wines, maybe a white blend that you have wanted to try, moving into a good red blend and then into a deep Syrah to end.
Add in a cheese spread with a sharp cheddar, a soft brie and some smoked gouda, with green olives, satsuma oranges and a habanero jelly.
I hope that wherever you are and whomever you are with, you have a lovely day and enjoy the company of the ones you are around.
xoxo - Alex