You may think this post is a bit premature, but I don’t. February is next month and you most likely have not given a thought to anything beyond getting through the snow drifts, watching the playoff games, or figuring out which wine to have with dinner. But it’s not too soon to make your plans to visit an enticing area of the United States – Lake Chelan Wine Valley in Washington, a region where I spent a glorious two days lasts June enjoying wine from a variety of wineries, tasting specially prepared food, and appreciating the stunning scenery.
Highlights include…
Atam Winery – Together with their European style wines, Atam Winery will be offering a selection of exquisite German chocolates & treats which they imported from Germany just for this event.
Cairdeas Winery – Cairdeas Winery is pairing their 2011 Consonance with a chocolate truffle custom made by Intrigue Chocolates. Gourmet s’mores plates featuring Theo Chocolate and Mallow Artisan Marshmallows will also be available.
Chelan Estate – For the fourth year Chelan Estate Winery will feature delectable dark chocolate truffles from Johnson Candy Company of Tacoma, Washington. Johnson Candy Company has more than 100 varieties of delicious hand-made candy, a true Tacoma tradition for over 85 years.
CR Sandidge – CR Sandidge will be pairing wines with handmade artisan chocolates. Made by a chocolate master, Galaxy, in western Washington these truffles, caramels and chocolate dipped nuts just might be out of this world!
Four Lakes Winery – Pairing wine with chocolate spread made by the cousin of winemaker Karl Koester is the focus at this popular winery.
Hard Row to Hoe – Four amazing wines will be paired with gourmet chocolates. This is a unique experience because winemaker Judy Phelps pairs specially selected chocolate flavors with four select red wines chosen for the way they complement each other. Pairing selections are:
Hazelnut & Currant Chocolate with Cabernet Franc.
Dark Chocolate Espresso with Petit Verdot
White Chocolate with Primitivo
Milk Chocolate Toffee with “The Coquette” Cinsault
Karma Vineyards – Chef Brant is making by hand a crispy dark chocolate cannoli stuffed with a red wine risotto blended with Madagascar deep dark chocolate. It will be plated in a pool of Bad Karma Pinot and cardamom rock candy syrup.
Lake Chelan Winery – Dip into Lake Chelan Winery’s famous Belgian chocolate fountain February 8th, 9th, 15th and 16th from 12:00 to 6:00pm. Sample award-winning wines can be sipped and every yummy item you can imagine can be dipped into this fountain of chocolate delight!
Nefarious Cellars – Handmade chocolate truffles infused with Cabernet Sauvignon will be offered.
Tsillan Cellars – Perugina Baci Chocolates will be offered and Theo 70% Dark Chocolate will be for sale in the tasting room.
Vin du Lac – Vin du Lac will release their vineyard Cabernet Franc from the 2011 vintage. They will be pairing their wines with chocolate desserts handcrafted by their chefs. The second weekend will include Valentine’s dinner specials.
The wineries in the Lake Chelan Wine Valley are ready for red wine, chocolate…and you! Be sure to check out this unique part of our wine culture and plan your special getaway the second and third weekends in February ~
Cheers! ~ Cindy
**For my review of the wineries I visited and the experiences I had while in this region last June, please follow this link!**
