The Top 5 Northwestern Wineries

Wine is the perfect compliment to any meal. It's smooth, elegant, and velvety taste brings out the rich flavors of your favorite dishes. Wine can be part of a healthy lifestyle. A glass or two may keep the heart healthy, lowering the risk of heart disease for middle-aged people from 30 to 50 percent. Resveratrol, found in the grape skins and seeds, increases HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol), and prevents blood clotting. This is great news, especially to wine growers, whose expert knowledge, patient hands, and diligent attention produces some of the finest wines. The Northwest has long been known for its' spectacular scenery. It also has a respectable standing as a New World wine producing region, with over 500 plus wineries. From the state of Washington, and the fertile Columbia, Yakima, and Walla Walla Valleys, to the 150 mile-long Willamette Valley of Oregon, the Northwest region makes up some of the most fertile and lush farm land, just right for growing grapes. Join me as I take a look at five top wineries of the Northwest.

Oregon is a world-class wine state with 15 wine growing regions and over 300 wineries, so, you have a wonderful selection of wineries to tour and explore. This region of the US produces 72 varieties of wines, and the main attractions are the Pinot Noirs, Pinot Gris, (aka, Pinot Grigio), Chardonnays, and Rieslings. Hazelnuts, blackberries, and raspberries, used in many of the wines, are major exports. The mild climate, cool, wet winters, and warm, dry summers, make it an ideal climate for vineyards. Oregon is about small, family wineries, that produce only about 5,000 cases a year. It is a place where small, handcrafted wines reign, and visiting these wineries are educational and fun! It wasn't easy to come up with only five top wineries because there are so many good ones, but here are five that I think you will find impressive and will indeed want to visit and get to know better.

Shea Wine Cellars. Bought as an investment, it was founded in 1996 by Dick and Deidre Shea. This winery was named one of the five top Pinot Noir vineyards in the US deserving of the designation, "Grand Cru." It's wine Homer Pinot Noir 2007 scored 94 points from Robert Parker, Wine Advocate's premier rating. This is the highest rating given any 2007 Oregon wine. A dark, ruby red color, its' black cherry, plum, and sandalwood are blended to a silky texture you will enjoy. Pinot Noirs from this winery have become cult classic collectibles, and the Chardonnays are also world-class. All of their wines are made from fruit grown on their property, all 200 acres in the heart of Oregon's Yamhill-Carlton District of the Willamette Valley. The Food and Wine Society of Oregon conducted a blind tasting of 16 Oregon Pinot Noirs from 1998 vintage. The number one rated wine: The Shea Cellars, Block 21, and three of the four winners were from Shea Cellars. The winery is located near Portland, in Newberg, and the vineyards are closed to the public, but you can attend events and wine tasting, for a fee of $10 per person, refundable with a purchase. To get information on upcoming events, contact: www.dickshea@sheawinecellars.com, or call 503-241-6527.

St. Innocent Winery. This winery makes small lot, handmade wines. Situated in mid-Willamette Valley, near Salem, the 131-acre site produces about 6500 cases a year. Started in 1988 by Mark Vlossak, the vineyards yield award-winning Pinot Noirs, (Winemakers Curvee '07 scored 93 Parker points), Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Sparkling Wines, and features a Blanc de blanc 2006, to be released in late 2013. Deep, crimson-colored with floral notes and red fruits, these wines enhance and extend the pleasure of the meal. Experience the rich flavors in the 900 square-foot tasting room from 11am to 4pm from Tuesdays through Sundays, beginning May 1st to October, and weekends, 11am to 4pm from November to April. Dine at the renowned Buffet and feast on the winemaker's signature cassoulet and herbed leg of Oregon lamb. You can schedule a private tour, if you like. From May 29-31, 2010, they are hosting a Memorial Day Weekend Open House from 11am to 4pm. Food will be served from the Spring menu. For more information, email: markv@stinnocentwine.com, or call 503-378-1526.

Brooks Winery. Brooks Winery Riesling 2007 was poured at the White House State Dinner November 24th! Yes, I had to include this vineyard with such a distinctive honor-a wine served at Obama's first state dinner! Hosted on the White House lawn, Brooks Riesling 2007 was served during the meal's second course. Their Rieslings, with flavors of apples, minerals, raspberries, and citrus, are an incredible value. In fact, the winery's philosophy is--keep the wines affordable! The vineyards reflect the efforts and creativity of Jimi Brooks, a Portland native. It is one of the oldest vineyards in Willamette Valley. Jimi is not with us, but his 13 year old son runs the winery, along with help from sister Janie. Take part in a number of activities, such as farm dinners, luncheons, the International Pinot Noir Celebration Vineyards Tour, and enjoy fine wines in the busy tasting room. Open to visitors Saturday and Sundays in the summer months, by appointment during the winter months, for a fee of $5 for tasting tours, which is refundable with a purchase. Thursday, December 3rd, from noon to 6pm is Open Studio Holiday Event. Join talented artists selling their handmade pieces for the holidays. For more information on this or other events in December and 2010, call 503- 435-1278, or go to www.brookswine.com.

Chinook Wines. Husband and wife team Kay Simon and Clay Mackey bring together extensive winemaking knowledge and viticulture to create fine wines from Washington State. This winery makes a terrific Sauvignon Blanc and a delightful rosé. Nestled in the heart of the Yakima Valley, in south central Washington, it is considered one of the greatest agricultural and winegrowing regions of the world. The shaded lawn is the picnic area, where you will be surrounded by apple and cherry orchards. The nearby town of Prosser has cultural events that pair Art, Wine, Food, and Music. There are 28 other wineries in the area, which is the heart of wine country. With over 300 days of sunshine, from June to October, go visit the farmer's market which offers some of the best season's produce. Stop by Crow Butte Island, located on the majestic Columbia River. It's a 275 acre park that offers camping, boating, hiking, and is open from dawn to dusk from March 15 to October 15. Upcoming events at the Chinook Winery include: February 13-15, 2010--Wine Yakima Valley's Red Wine & Chocolate, workshops, dinners, festivals, and wine tasting events. The tasting room hours are May through October, Saturday and Sunday, 12 noon until 5pm or by appointment. For more info on touring go to www.chinookwines.com, or call 509-786-2725. Contact the Prosser Information Center for more to do in the area at 1-800-408-1517. When you arrive, you will be welcomed by two friendly golden retrievers and their mom and dad, Kay and Clay.

Chateau Ste. Michelle. Fifteen minutes north of Seattle is Washington State's oldest and most renowned winery--Chateau Ste. Michelle. Built in 1912, it is a truly historic estate, once owned by Seattle lumber baron Frderick Stimson. 3,500 prime acres, it combines Old World winemaking tradition with New World innovation. It has two state-of-the-art wineries, one for red and one for white. An extremely tourist friendly winery, it is one of the top visitor and historic attractions in the Puget Sound area. Well-known for its' summer concert series that benefits charitable organizations, Chateau Ste. Michelle offers guided tours and wine tasting packages.Tasting room hours are 10:30am to 5:00pm, daily, and closed on New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. On December 16, they are hosting An Evening of Wine and Cheese, December 17, Wine & Women in Woodinville, an evening of wine and retail merchandise shopping at The Chateau! Balloon Flights Over the Rainbow will lift your spirits on a balloon ride over the Samamish Valley (425-861-8611). For reservations for the tasting room, call 425-415-3633, or, 425-488-1133. For other great things to do while in the area, call the Woodinville Chamber of Commerce at 425-481-8300. Go have a fun time at The Chateau and don't forget to bring a picnic basket!

Activities. There is lots to do while visiting wine country. In the Willamette Valley, take a ride on a hot air ballooning adventure, offering rides for 1 to 36 passengers. Call Vista Balloon Adventures, 800-622-2309 or contact: roger@vistaballoon.com. Go whitewater rafting with A Helfrich Outfitters on the McKenzie and Rogue Rivers, or go salmon fishing. The excitement is at 800-328-7688. The Willamette National Forest is also worth a visit. Call 541-225-6300. You can find good lodging at Black Walnut Inn, close to all the top Willamette Valley wineries. Every room at this Tuscan-style inn has a balcony or patio. Suites start at $295. Call 866-429-4114. Rent a limo and see wine country, and don't worry about the driving! Sunshine Limo Service greets you with champagne and mimosas, and makes your trip worry-free while you sample the wines. Call 541-344- LIMO.

When visiting the Yakima Valley, picnic in one of the many parks, golf at Black Rock Creek Golf Club (509-837-5340), one of the best courses in Yakima Valley. Spend a day at the Benton County Historical Museum, (509-786-3842), horseback ride through lush vineyards and see some spectacular scenery, (www.giddyuptours.com), or enjoy the farm and country experience with Yakima Valley Tours, www.yakimavalleytours.com. Get around wine country in a limo rented from Elegant Wine Country Limousine, www.elegantwinecountrylimo.com. "Northwest's Best Place" to stay is Sunnyside Inn, a bed & breakfast that has double spa tubs, flat scree TV's, free WiFi, and a full home-cooked breakfast, just to name a few amenities you will like. This B & B is surrounded by 40 wineries and rates start at $89 a night. Call for reservations and information at: 800-221-4195, or go to www.sunnysideinn.com. In the Seattle area, L'Auberge Edge of Seattle was voted Best B & B in Seattle for 2006 and 2007. Set on 5 secluded acres east of Seattle in Woodinville Wine Country, it offers gourmet cooking classes and other activities. Nightly rates start at $120.40. Call 425-844-4102.

Panoramic views and spectacular vistas await you on your exciting journey into the fertile rich valleys that yield some of our best tasting wines. Breath in the crisp mountain air, taste the wines, enjoy the smiles and conversation of all the people you will meet--in northwest wine country. Cheers!

Rhonda Manning, www.foodandwine.com, www.chinookwines.com, www.americanwineries.com, www.oregonwinebrochure.com, www.winepros.org, www.northwest-wine.com, Associated Content