Yakima Valley, the area east of the Cascade Range, is a short,
2-hour drive from Seattle. Known for being the capital of hops and apples not
only of the Washington State but also of the country, it can also offer a
variety of unique culinary experiences paired with a glass (or two) of locally
made wine. After spending a weekend in the area, here are my personal
recommendations:
Relax for breakfast
Start your day with a relaxing
breakfast at the Essencia Artisan Bakery where you can enjoy a nice
cappuccino with a freshly baked croissant. You can also go for a bowl of
granola, yogurt and mixed nuts if you want to play healthy. The ice coffee is a
must-try.
Visit vineyards
There are more than 80 wineries in Yakima Valley. To get an idea,
check the map here http://www.yakimavalleytourism.com/travel-maps/yakima-valley-wineries-map-web.pdf.
If you don’t want to drive far, opt for two wineries adjacent to each other.
The Naches Heights Vineyard
whose wines are made from live certified salmon safe grapes. Next to it, is the first recreational in the area winery, the Wilridge Winery. Make a day with a picnic and a bottle
of wine in this lovely environment.
Have lunch at the Los Hernandez Tamales. This
local favorite makes tamales from broth, ground masa and chicken
or pork patted into a corn husk by hands. If you visit during the spring
season, you will be lucky enough to try their famous asparagus tamales.
Visit a brewery
Learn about hops and handcrafted ales at
the Bale Breaker, located in a hopfield. The taproom known as the Baling Room is open from Tuesday to Sunday. Have a pint
or two together with food by the food truck of the day or stay later for an evening
event. The brewery organizes tours as well. Check the website to find out more about
events, tours and food at http://www.balebreaker.com
Visit a cider maker
As apples are everywhere in Yakima Valley,
so is cider. The Tieton Cider Works is a third generation farming family using
Harmony Orchards as their fruit and they blend American, English and French
cider varieties.
Don’t forget the fruit stalls! The cherry
and asparagus season comes late spring and early summer so you can get them
fresh from any stall. There is a list of stalls here: http://visitfarmfreshfun.com/yakima-valley-farms.asp
but you will see them everywhere as you drive around.
Dinner is fancy in Yakima. The newly opened
Cowiche Canyon and Icehouse will surprise you not only with its sophisticated dishes and
signature cocktails but also with its sleek and modern looks. Go for a Pisco
Sour to start with and continue with spring rolls, deviled eggs and a steak
salad watered down with a lovely Sauvignon Blanc from Washington State of
course!
If you like something more traditional, the
French Carousel will satisfy your palate but also a secret but forgotten love:
black and white silent movies to watch while dining!
There are wineries with tasting rooms to
visit downtown as well
Lookout Point Winery is a small winery
focused on Malbec grape. This lovely space has some art on the walls and
mouthwatering chocolates to pair your Malbec.
Gilbert Cellars produce wines for almost a decade and the
downtown tasting room is a nice space to relax, have a glass or listen to a
live band.
If you happen to be in Yakima on a Sunday,
don’t miss the downtown Farmer’s Market, open from 9 am to 2 pm. Except for the
fresh produce and local crafts, get freshly baked tamales for breakfast!