Tag Archives: Winery

Seattle Itinerary – Bellevue Wine Country Perfect Date

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This weekend heading to Seattle for a two-day trip we did not expect to have one of the best winery trips of our life. We visited Seattle before, we’ve stopped at Bellevue for a quick shopping hit. We did not have a slightest idea that Bellevue had so much more to offer.

We planned the trip around the visit to Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery. Riesling from that winery is one of our favorites and trying out a few varieties of the same make was always on our wish list. Winery was close to Bellevue, so we decided to book a hotel there, avoiding Seattle downtown traffic gridlock. Heading out to Woodinville we weren’t sure what to expect, but ended up passing by a number of wineries, before stopping at Château Ste. Michelle. The further we drove the more unique and interesting the area turned out to be. From industrial buildings the surroundings changed into beautiful valley surrounded by family estates and wineries at every corner. Chateau St Michelle is one of the largest wineries in the area and the grounds reminded us a lot of the Mission Hill Winery in Okanagan: expansive gardens, beautiful landscaping, multiple buildings and a huge area for a concert stage.

We were not disappointed with the wines, a Riesling wine tasting had a number of interesting takes on the flavors we already loved and we found a number of favorites to take home. Unfortunately as is sometimes the case with very popular wineries, we weren’t lucky with the service we’ve received – not knowledgeable and completely inattentive guest server  left quite a bitter aftertaste from the visit, which was so sad, given how nice the wines were and how much love and care winemakers pour into their craft. We’d still highly recommend the place, and also hope that service standards don’t slip any further.

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Barking Frog

We did not find cafes or lunch options at this winery so we headed down the road to the Barking Frog bistro for a late lunch. Right next to the beautiful Willows Lodge hotel and highly acclaimed Farmhouse Restaurant, Barking Frog is a cozy bistro with Northwestern style menu. We were there just in time for brunch/lunch menu and thoroughly enjoyed  meat lover’s breakfast  and Dungeness crab chopped salad with warm baked bread and home style apple butter. The ambiance, the service, the produce in every dish were excellent, the  setting is nice with lodge-style high ceilings, wooden beams and a stunning patio we didn’t get to enjoy because of on and off rain. After lunch we wandered through the Willows Lodge oriental-style gardens – around peaceful small pond, fountains and taken in the merged tree roots sculpture

The wineries around are easy to walk to, and entire little plaza around the Hollywood Circle has a handful of winery locations offering tastings.   Next time we’ll be spending more time there, but we had to head back to the hotel.  Staying at Westin, in the heart of Bellevue shopping district was great – ample parking underground, beautiful lounge inside and walking distance to many attractions.  That location worked great for our trip and one again we’d highly recommend it.

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Westin Bellevue

Next stop on our trip and what ended up being one of the best meals we’ve had south of the border was the Purple Café and Wine Bar.  This restaurant is right next to one of the wineries near the Hollywood circle, located in the corner of the plaza.  We loved the ambiance, and what was the most amazing is the amount of restraint, smart restraint that the owners exercised when decorating the café.  The only real decoration on the walls are small candles.  The entire wall glimmers with small lights.  Lights on the tables.  Somewhat rustic, somewhat contemporary, but above all, it’s canvas for honest, great tasting and amazing food.  Starters alone were made up of some of my most favorite dishes.  We actually ended up sharing a number (way to many) of starters instead of mains.  Calamari, baked brie, tuna tartar, crab cakes, mushrooms and steaks, burrata, spreads – each one is better than the other.  Incredible taste, incredible service, wine flights – nothing was missed. All the things that we love about the restaurant meal were right there and we wished the time would just stop.  Truly a perfect meal.  Perfect for a date, perfect for a family dinner.  In the middle of wine country, we could not wish for a more perfect experience.

Purple Cafe

Purple Cafe & Wine Bar

We’ve rounded up the amazing weekend with a visit to Main Street and the Old Bellevue area.  Concierge at Westin Hotel recommended Gilbert’s on Main as a place for a breakfast.   Just one more thing that we did not expect  to find  in Bellevue.  Small street full of character, cute cafes, small shops, right near waterfront and marina, in the middle of hills and beautiful apartment complexes.  Right around the Downtown Bellevue Park – with fountains, playgrounds and green spaces.  We were truly amazed by all the things Bellevue had to offer.  Great weekend away.  Great 2-day escape and a perfect place for a date weekend.

Kelowna Itinerary – Mission Hill Winery

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In the previous Okanagan trip post we’ve suggested  that you start your Winery Day Trip at the bottom of the hill at the beginning of the West Kelowna Trail and work your way to the top .   At the very top of the hill you will reach the magnificent Mission Hill Winery Estate.  If you have started your winery journey  early in the day, it’s a perfect place to stop for a lunch date.  However if you only had an afternoon, I can imagine how breathtaking dinner at the Terrace Restaurant would be. As it is an open air dining, the restaurant is only opened during the summer season, starting in May.

 

We’ve reached Mission Hill gates in the late afternoon.  It’s a good idea to reserve in advance, even on the week day, there was about 40 minutes of wait to get seated at the restaurant.  Which actually worked out great, as we had some time to take in the architecture, the views, walk around the gorgeous green lawns, take pictures  and, of course, sample the wine.  The estate is breathtaking in its scale, artistic vision and the use architecture to compliment the landscape.  Sculptures of people as if frozen in time and in moment are situated all throughout the garden: looking up the tree, gazing through the window at the winery and lake below, sitting down on the grass – as if people that wanted to stay at the Mission Hill Estate forever just turned into stone.

Mission hill table

Wine Boutique Tasting Bar and the store also carries that artistic touch.  Wines, dishes, souvenirs and artisanal treats are grouped around  an art theme and positioned in tasteful groupings throughout the store.  Wine tastings are offered at two stations and a trip to the Mission Hill Cellar is available as a private tour.
After enjoying the grounds and a visit to the store it was our time to get seated at our table at the Terrace.  Every seat at the restaurant has a gorgeous view of the wine fields and the Okanagan lake, with tables located in two long rows  in the open air.  Local, seasonal and stylish menu is offered and dishes are changed based on what  is in season.  It’s impossible to even think of rushing such an experience and we wished we could stop that moment in time.  Servers glide almost invisibly between the tables and take great care to not disrupt the conversation.  The food is light, balanced and tasteful.  Produce tastes of summer, soaking up the sun and perfect taste is not overpowered.  This is one of a kind dining experience where the place, the wine and the food are in perfect harmony.  Where conversation is long and thoughtful and with every bite and every second we wished we could just stop the time and extend the feelings of peace and summer and natural beauty that we are lucky to enjoy in BC.

Okanagan Itinerary: Quail’s Gate and Westside Wine Trail

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You’ll need more than a day to really enjoy an Okanagan Trip, plan for three days to focus on Kelowna wineries.  Do spend that time together in that beautiful part of British Columbia without rushing and taking in the beauty of the area and the dedication of the winemakers, and it will be the most relaxing, enjoyable and memorable trip you’ll take all year.

Here’s how we started the trip.  We drove to West Kelowna area and stayed in one of the hotels with the lake view.  There is plenty around, we’ve stayed at The Cove Lake Resort, the suite had a fridge, kitchenette which are a must as you will have to try some of the wines and local cheese after the long day at the wineries.

As this was our first foray into the wine country, we’ve wanted to start small and explore a grouping of West Kelowna wineries (The Westside Wine Trail), which happened to be just a few minutes drive from our hotel.

The wineries are located along the winding road leading towards the top of the hill.  I highly recommend you start at the bottom and work your way to the top.  We’ve started with Volcanic Hills winery, and were blown away with some interesting Ice Wines, continued through the Little Straw winery, Mt. Boucherie,  German style whites at Sonoran Estate Winery.  We’ve enjoyed tastings at each one and picked up a few bottles at each of the styles that we’ve liked the most.

Quail's Gate Winery

Quail’s Gate Winery

Some of the wineries are small, with tiny tasting rooms, and as you move up the hill, you come across more and more elaborate stores, larger vineyards, until you hit two of the gems at the top –  Quail’s Gate and Mission Hill Wineries.

Vines

Vines

We were lucky to hit an open reservation at Quail’s Gate winery restaurant – Old Vines –  the night of our arrival at the hotel.   This was an unforgettable dinner, on the outside patio, over- looking the sunset over the vineyard and the lake.  Sometimes things come together perfectly – the weather, the timing, the atmosphere of the place, the server with the great sense of humor and impeccable timing, the wine, the, food, the deserts and the view.  That was that type of dinner date.  We’ve done a sampling of the wines at the Tasting room before setting down for the meal, but made a note of coming back there the next day to fully take in the winery during the day light.  The restaurant is a must try and the experience is unforgettable.  With the menu changing seasonally, there will always be something new to try and be blown away with.

 

Winery Birthday Date: Bacchus Bistro

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Every time another birthday is coming up, I’m trying to come up with a day full of activities and experiences that are memorable, special, something that will be remembered for a year.  I think of how the day will flow, what places we can visit in a day and finally I go through one review after another, looking for a restaurant that would be just perfect for a special birthday night. Also, we have an 8 year old son, so whatever we do has to be family-friendly since I have a strong belief that birthday celebrations have to include all of our small family.  That was the challenge for Derek’s birthday this year and I found one perfect plan to make that day super-special. Vines

Early morning on a hot Sunday in August we’ve headed out to the Fort Langley.  There is an awesome brunch and lunch spot in a small town of Fort Langley – Wendel’s book store.  Yes, it’s an awesome cozy café with tons of character and a book store right The fact that it’s always busy says a lot – they serve awesome food in an awesome setting.  It was a right choice for a birthday brunch – not too pretentious, but great coffee and organic, flavorful brunch.

Next stop was Fort Langley Historical Site.  Quite an adventure back in times, walking through the  heritage buildings, learning about Hudson Bay trade posts and enjoying the costume performances and games – we spent wonderful few hours touring the place!  After that we headed out to Fraser Valley. Within just a 20 minute drive was the only winery in Fraser Valley that had a restaurant on site – Chaberton Estate Winery.  I couldn’t have picked a better day than that August afternoon to visit the place.  After a quick tasting at the wine store and picking up some nice BC white bottles to relieve the experience at home, we headed out to the Bacchus Bistro.   With the beautiful patio facing the vineyards, can you imagine anything more romantic and wonderful on a beautiful summer day?  We loved the service, amazing French cuisine and of course the wonderful Domaine de Chaberton wine.  Staying true to the French classics Derek had French onion soup and Beef Bourguignon – both exceptional, while I enjoyed the light and flavorful halibut and Pavlova dessert.

We loved the journey and will definitely be coming back – to get more wine and to enjoy the wonderful Bacchus once again some time next summer.