Purple feet aside, what better way to celebrate the harvest than to participate in Lake Chelan Wine Valley’s annual Crush Festival to be held the weekends of October 4-5 and 11-12? Grape stomping, wine tasting, barbeques, live concerts, and more can be enjoyed at twenty one boutique wineries as they open their cellar doors for your behind-the-scenes look at winemaking. Having been to Lake Chelan in the summer of 2013 I can absolutely recommend a visit (and I wish I lived closer so I could stomp and taste these amazing wines again in October).
Lake Chelan Wine Valley is a thriving community that continues to attract attention from winemakers, grape growers, wine bloggers like me, and wine lovers. Located in the heart of Washington’s Cascade Mountains, Lake Chelan is three hours east of Seattle where it is situated on a beautifully clear 50.5 mile lake. Some of the many varieties that flourish in the Valley include Syrah, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Viognier. Be sure to check out the Lake Chelan Wine Valley website for detailed information. And don’t forget to visit the following wineries. Enjoy and stomp a few grapes for me!
Benson Vineyards: Benson will be open both weekends from 11am-5pm with live music both Saturdays from 2-5pm.
Cairdeas Winery: The winery is open each day from 11am-6pm through both Crush weekends. Visitors will be able to taste new wines out of the press or fermenter, learn about punching down, and try Syrah grapes to see how they taste before they become wine.
Chelan Estate Winery and Vineyard: Crush hours during both weekends are from 11am-6pm. Special prices of their 2008 Chelan Estate Pinot Noir (5 bottles) or their 2007 Chelan Estate Vineyards Reserve Red (4 bottles) are $100. Karin Martin of Dove Designs will display her one of a kind jewelry designs featuring gemstones combined with unique silversmithing.
Chelan Ridge: Chelan Ridge Winery will be open daily from 12-6pm.
Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards: Open every day of Crush from 11am-6pm, guests will be able to see falcons at work in the vineyard on Saturday, October 4 (rain date October 11) protecting the ripening grapes from predatory birds. Demonstrations of the falcons will start at 11am and every two hours after with the last session at 5pm.
Lake Chelan Winery: Open daily at 11am., there will be a barbeque lunch Saturday and Sunday at 11am and dinner at 4pm. Winery and production tours are Thursday through Saturday at 2pm and grape stomp activities are from 12-4pm. Sunday is Family Fun Day with a barbeque at 11am and a grape stomp focus.
Mellisoni Vineyards: Mellisoni will be open Thursdays through Sundays from 12-6pm.
Nefarious Cellars: Nefarious will be open 11am-5pm both weekends.
Rio Vista Wines: Rio Vista Wines will be open Friday through Sunday from 12-6pm both weekends of Crush. Rio Vista is the only waterfront winery in the region. Visitors may arrive by car, boat or float plane (call 509-682-5555 for plane reservations). You’ll be able to sample the harvested grapes, taste the wine, lend a hand or observe the harvest and crush activities.
Tildio Winery: Tildio will be open Saturday 12-6pm and Sunday 12-5pm both weekends. They will be actively fermenting and offering cellar tours throughout both weekends.
Tsillan Cellars: Tsillan Cellars is celebrating Lake Chelan Crush with educational vineyard and production tours of their estate vineyards and winemaking facility. Tractor-drawn carriages will leave every 30 minutes for close up tours of the vineyards. Tours begin at 12pm until 5pm Saturday, October 4th and 11th, weather permitting. Tasting room hours are from 11am-7pm and Sorrento’s Restaurant at Tsillan wil be open. You may call for reservations at 509-682-5409. Of course, they will offer live music!
Vin du Lac: Vin du Lac is open both weekends from 11am-5pm for wine tasting and its bistro is open 12-8pm. You can enjoy a bit of grape stomping on the patio with live music from Saturdays from 2-5pm.
Wapato Point Cellars: The tasting room is open daily at 12pm. Harvest focused appetizers and small plates will be served all day during the Crush weekends and the Winemaker’s Grill will be open every evening beginning at 5pm. Activities include vineyard tours and wine with food pairings.
WineGirl Wines: Hours during Crush will be Friday, Sunday 12-7pm and Saturday 11am-7pm. You may want to participate in an Intimate Winemaker’s Dinner featuring Cannella Kitchen on Thursday, October 9th at 7pm.
Enjoy the weekends and don’t forget to book your pedicure! ~ Cindy
