Travel Inn Journal » Washington wine

Discovering Washington Wine Country

Jill Britt — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 00:02:17 +0000

There are a number of reasons to visit Walla Walla. Whitman College, a small private liberal arts institution draws talented students from all over the United States, so perhaps you will find yourself there as a parent. My daughter and I traveled there when she was school shopping and we had a delightful time. We strolled amid the tree lined streets and neighborhoods to Main Street where we found warm welcoming coffee shops and delightful restaurants.

Now, several years later, I visit a new Walla Walla. Although the town has retained all of the charm of a small college town it has added grapes. Lots and lots of grapes! Walla Walla has over 75 wineries and more than 30 vineyards at it’s doorstep. Now parents come to visit their students and stay to travel through premier Washington wine country. Wine tours, wine tastings and of course, wine dinners abound.

This select wine region of Washington stretches from Walla Walla up through the tri-cities area and into Yakima. In fact, I started my last trip amidst the grape vines and apple orchards of the Yakima Valley detouring into Grandview and then wound through southern Washington to Walla Walla. The entire route was dotted with wineries and vineyards rolling over the hillsides.

Although you could choose a standard motel rooms along the way, my choice is always a bed and breakfast. The ambience, the personal service, the thoughtful amenities and of course the sumptuous breakfasts make my trip more than a simple wine tour, they make it an experience! Consider visiting The Orchard Inn in Yakima where you wake up amidst the apple orchards and the fruit at breakfast was picked that morning. Visit the Cozy Rose in Grandview a beautiful bed and breakfast located withing easy driving distance of 40+ wineries and several microbreweries. Almost to Walla Walla you will find The Cameo Heights Mansion. Here you can savor the incredible view while relaxing in the in ground pool or steamy hot tub. Finally, in Walla Walla you have two choices for the perfect getaway. The Maxwell House, a friendly and traditional bed and breakfast is located within easy walking distance of the college and local restaurants or you can visit The Inn at Blackberry Creek and relax in English country elegance close to everything that the wine country has to offer.

So why haven’t you left yet? Its time to discover Washington and the Washington wine country, one inn at a time.

Girlfriends Getaway is a Great Escape

Crystal Harrison — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:24:23 +0000

The kids are finally back in school. No more sandy sneakers, wet beach towels, sunscreen, bug repellant and campfire marshmallows stuck in your hair. It’s time for you to sit back and relax. Grab a few of your girlfriends and pick the perfect bed and breakfast to pamper you, while you catch up on sleep and girlfriend time. Head to the coast to walk on the beach or enjoy the splendor of a beautiful garden. Wine tasting in Wine Country is always a favorite. After all the running around this summer you may want to sit back and enjoy the view and maybe an old movie. Delicious food is always the highlight of any girlfriend getaway and a Washington Bed and Breakfast will always provide a high quality, multi-course breakfast–and they do the dishes! Your innkeeper will be delighted to tell you all the best restaurants in the area and of course the best places to shop. It’s time to enjoy some “me” time, so call your girlfriends and escape to a Washington Bed and Breakfast. Members of the Washington Bed and Breakfast Guild are independently inspected and approved to assure each guest receives the highest standard of hospitality and cleanliness.

Beat the heat at a Washington Bed and Breakfast

Crystal Harrison — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 20:08:14 +0000

As natives of Washington we love summer but we don’t always enjoy the heat. Escape the heat and relax at a local bed and breakfast. Washington state has so much to offer with a weekend trip to the Islands, Coast, Mountains, City, Peninsula or east to wine country. Cool off with some air conditioning or cool ocean breezes. Enjoy a stroll in the garden and take in all the summer beauty. The best way for me to relax is with a cool drink, fresh baked cookie and a book curled up on the front porch. Eating well and relaxing are the perfect refresher after a long week. Plan your next weekend at a Washington Bed and Breakfast. All members of the Washington Bed and Breakfast Guild are independently inspected and approved to assure guests will receive the highest level of cleanliness and hospitality. Discover Washington…One Inn At A Time.

The Queen of Cookies

Nathan Allan — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 00:36:35 +0000

It seems to appear that we have a challenger for the title of “Queen of Cookies” in our ranks. Barbara Knudson at the Inn at Blackberry Creek, in Walla Walla, is on a mission to share just about every conceivable cookie recipe. Over at her blog she is journaling about the cookies and providing mouth-watering photos.

With spring now with us Walla Walla makes a great destination. Book your Bed and Breakfast early for the Spring release weekend (happening the end of April 2010), where you can sample and buy some of the best wines of the region. Even if you miss out on this weekend, Walla Walla makes a great getaway for a short or long vacation. Tour wineries, hike or bike the town. Sample the many top class restaurants. Just remember those cookies of Barbara’s just might be addictive!

Why Visit Walla Walla? or Where to find the finest wines in Washington State

Jill Britt — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:19:30 +0000

1. Scenery The drive is truly breathtaking. From Seattle, climb over the majestic, snow capped Cascade Mountains and then cut through the heart of farm country on I-82. Your trip takes you through farmland and orchards, but views of Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier are an added bonus.

2. Wine The number of wineries, good wineries is growing rapidly in Walla Walla. Those who truly know and love wine fly into Walla Walla from all over the United States for premier wine weekends. L’Ecole N 41, Pepper Bridge, Cayuse, Three Rivers, Leonetti, Woodward Canyon…The number of wineries dotting the region seems endless. If you love reds, you will love Walla Walla.

3. Food Where there is good wine there is good food…really good food. Enough said!

4. Higher Education Whitman College, a selective liberal arts institution located in the heart of town is a truly wonderful place to send your son or daughter for a top notch education. It is also a great excuse to visit Walla Walla again and again.

5. Accomodations Walla Walla offers a number of places to relax, unwind and be pampered. A bed and breakfast is the perfect choice. Innkeepers know the area and can suggest the very best restaurants, wineries and local events. Let them highlight your map, create the perfect driving tour of the area or suggest the most romantic walking route through town. Comfy beds, fluffy pillows, gourmet breakfasts and friendly innkeepers are all part of the bed and breakfast experience. Some offer spa services, gourmet dinners, hot tubs and swimming pools. Let them do the work while you simply eat, drink and be merry!

Since I began traveling to Walla Walla in 2005, alot has changed, yet a lot has stayed the same. The explosion of good wineries has brought with it excellant restaurants, unique cultural events and first class accomodations. Still much has stayed the same. Walla Walla still retains its small town college feel. It has a charming downtown area with good shopping, great coffee and fun eateries. The people are friendly, the streets feel safe and people still smile as you pass on the sidewalk. Walla Walla is a good getaway any time of the year, but be prepared to return again and again. So much fun, food, wine and relaxation and so little time.

Click here to find a great place to stay in Washington Wine Country.

Winter is a great time to explore Washington State, one inn at a time.

Yakima, The Gateway to the Washington Wine Country

Jill Britt — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:27:23 +0000

The Yakima Valley is the entrance to the new Washington wine country, but they grow much more than grapes. Tonight I am staying at a bed and breakfast located right in the middle of an orchard. After winding down the short drive amidst graceful old cherry trees (I can only imagine their beauty in spring) I park and step out of my little car. Immediately I notice signs posted around the parking area. Are they denoting spaces reserved for each room? Oh well, I simply grab my bag and start toward the door. Then I notice them. Grapes, big, round, purple grapes, bunches of them. OK, so I snatch one and pop it in my mouth. It is delightfully ripe and sweet. Then I realize that the signs surrounding the parking lot, Van Buren, White Thompson, Pinot Grigio and Concord label the types of grapes growing on the property. As always the innkeepers are delightful, warm and welcoming and very proud of the area they call home. I mention restaurants and they have a number of suggestions to satisfy any palate or price range. I mention wine tasting and out come the maps and brochures: everything I need to create the perfect trip through wine country. As with all of the WBBG properties, they offered comfortable beds, well appointed rooms with private baths and modern amenities. Although I enjoyed the delightful breakfast that was highlighted by apricots, apples and pears grown just outside the front door, what I will remember most is my walk that morning. After the ample and delicious breakfast, the innkeepers sent me out for a stroll in their “neighborhood”. This is so different from the bustle of Seattle. Strolling down the small paved lane the acres of cherry trees, clinging to their brightly colored leaves gave way to apple trees. Golden and Red Delicious apples dotted the trees and covered the ground. Everywhere I looked there were colors, the reds and yellows of the apples blended with the browns, oranges and reds of the autumn leaves. Imagine these colors against a pallet of deep blue sky and rolling golden hillsides. After a quick 10 minute walk I was on top of one of those golden ridges with a spectacular view of the Yakima Valley. Wow! Staying in a bed and breakfast gives you a little glimpse into life in this beautiful valley. So, again today, I love my job.

Tomorrow I’m in Walla Walla. That means wonderful inns, great food, beautiful scenery and wine…..Washington wine! Join me as I continue my travels Inn Washington.

Create your very own Washington experience. First choose the perfect bed and breakfast or inn for a perfect night’s stay.