Archive for December, 2011

What is new in the Yakima Valley for 2012?

Tuesday, December 27th, 2011

The future of the Yakima Valley is so bright you’ll need to wear shades, and that’s not just because of the 300 days of sunshine the valley residents enjoy.

Business owners continue to be confident in the future prosperity of the Yakima Valley, investing millions of dollars in the community. These are a few of the interesting new Valley projects which include developments in the wine industry, restaurant, entertainment, recreation, accommodations and more, providing many new experiences for travelers in 2012.

New American Viticulture Area (AVA ) & New Naches Heights Winery: Naches Heights AVA, will be officially established on January 13, 2012.  This is the first 100% sustainable AVA in the USA, using organic and bio-dynamic growing methods.  Visit this new AVA at Tasting Room Yakima during Red Wine & Chocolate, February 17-19, 2012.  Spring Barrel Tasting, April 20-22,2012, is another popular event to visit the wineries, and experience the new Naches Heights Winery. This new  winery will be a short walk through the vineyards from the Tasting Room Yakima in the new Naches Heights AVA. The building was designed by Barbara Cline, the wife of winery owner, Phil Cline. The building is green certified with radiant floors, utilizes wind energy, built on 7.2 acres with organic and biodynamic vineyards. Be one of the first to visit when they open and hear about all the future plans for the new Naches Heights Winery and  and the Naches Heights AVA.

Legends Casino – New $90 Million Dollar Hotel: Legends Casino in Toppenish, WA is currently building a new 200 room hotel. This $90 million dollar expansion is due to be completed in September 2012.  The hotel will include convention and banquet halls, restaurant, swimming pool, spa, additional slot machines, bingo hall and parking garage. Legends Casino also brings in many entertainment and music acts, making this hotel the ideal place to stay, play, and visit Yakima Valley wine country.

Yakima Theaters builds New $3.5 Million Combination Pub and Theater in Downtown Yakima: Downtown Yakima will soon be home to a $3.5 million, 21-and-older Orion Movie Theater and Micky’s Pub. Yakima Theaters, an 100 year old Yakima business, will open the new venue by Dec.15 2012, with the showing of The Hobbit. The theater will have 3 digital movie screens, leather seats and feature art films, live sports broadcasts and opera and dance cultural events, You will be able to order food and beverages from your seat or dine in the pub without going to a movie. The pub menu will includes pizza, nachos, sliders etc., and feature a full bar.

Barrel Springs Winery & Art Gallery: Barrel Spring Winery and Art Gallery located in Prosser, WA. is an estate vineyard nestled in a park like setting producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cab Franc, Merlot, and a Viognier/Chardonnay blend.   This winery is unique because it  is also an art gallery featuring nationally and internationally acclaimed sculptors Jim Brousseau, Bob Scriver and E.I. Wade, hand thrown pottery  by Sonoma County Raku artist Randy Snyder and one of a kind birdhouses by Jim and Linda Brousseau.

Walter Clore Vineyard Pavilion: Planning a wedding, family reunion, meeting in Yakima Valley Wine Country then consider the new Walter Clore Vineyard Pavillion in Prosser, WA. Opened in spring of 2011, the 2000 square foot Vineyard Pavilion  features a glass-enclosed main room with sliding glass doors opening to two patios and a catering kitchen. The perfect location for your perfect event. Plans are drawn up and fundraising is nearing the goal of 6.3 million needed to build the Walter Clore Wine & Culinary Center, a 15000 Sq foot learning center to promote Washington State wine and food from the abundant agricultural area of the Yakima Valley.

Sunland Vineyards and Guest House : Rediscover the beauty of nature at Sunland Vineyards & Guest House, a simple country guest house open for rental in 2012. play on the spacious lawns, journey to the pond. All of this just 5 miles from the city of Yakima, yet it feels surprisingly remote.


Enjoy these new experiences in 2012, and don’t forget your shades!


The Yakima Valley blog articles feature members of the Yakima Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau. If you would like to receive information regarding membership, Click here, or to request a membership application, please contact Michele Hopkins at (509) 575-3010.

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Posted in Accommodations, Culinary, Farm Fresh, Guesthouses, Hotels, Restaurants, Uncategorized, vacation rental homes, Washington Wine Country, Wineries | No Comments »

The Spirit of A.E. Larson(1862-1934) is Alive & Well in the Yakima Valley

Tuesday, December 27th, 2011

(Originally  posted January 9, 2011)

A.E. Larson wanted a building that *”will stand as a sentinel of the Yakima Valley, beautiful in the perfect harmony of architecture and decoration.” The plan was to build a modern eleven story office building by consulting with the best architects from around the country and using the best materials available.

In 1931, during the great depression, A.E. Larson built the Yakima landmark, The Larson Building. The 188 feet high building, built in the Art-Deco style, houses 225 offices and is one of the tallest buildings in Yakima.

The spacious main lobby features walls of black and red Italian Marble, cast ornamented plastered ceiling. Floor inlay designs of marble and brass-dividing strips embedded into the terrazzo, marble walls and special cast bronze elevator fronts.

Larson wrote upon completion of the building:* “The decision to erect this building was based upon a deep-seated faith in the further development and continued future prosperity of Yakima and of the Yakima Valley.”

“Perhaps present conditions do not warrant, from a return or earning standpoint, in investment of three-quarters of a million dollars in this building, but that phase of the project has been over-shadowed by an earnest desire to do something in a substantial and a serviceable way for Yakima and it’s people.”


In 2011, this same spirit and deep-seated faith exists in the City of Yakima, Committee for Downtown Yakima, New Vision:Yakima County Development Association, Yakima Visitor and Convention Bureau and the people of Yakima.The only difference being, instead of one man’s desire for Yakima now an entire community believes in the future prosperity of Yakima and the Yakima Valley. What could explain the extraordinary cooperation between different businessmen, service groups, tourism professionals, Yakima residents, crafting the Downtown Futures Initiative and the driving force to convince Washington State representatives that Yakima needs to be ready for its future?

*Since 2006, the Washington State has devoted more than $8 million dollars to help with the renovation and revitalization of Downtown Yakima. The funding has helped repair and widen sidewalks to encourage outside dining, added street lights and improve walking areas and curb appeal with trees, decorative lighting, planters and hanging baskets.
In response, by 2010, business and property owners have invested nearly $50 million for additional renovations to downtown Yakima. New businesses, such as the Hilton Garden Inn, Ummelina’s world class spa, Stems Gift Shop,2nd Street Grill, SportsCenter, The Seasons Performance Hall, Garden Dance,The Little Soapmaker, Kana Winery,Gilbert Cellars, The Lofts condo style living, Tony’s Steak House, new Holiday Inn have moved into downtown. Art installations now exist on 2nd Street, Front Street Historic District and at the new 2nd Street performance park. Buildings are being renovated for new businesses to come, occupy and add to the community by those who have caught site of this vision. Like A.E. Larson, who built when times were very tough, these business professionals, and community members have “an earnest desire to do something in a substantial and a serviceable way for Yakima and it’s people.”

In 1931 A. E. Larson’s building met his goals and dreams and instantly became a landmark in the city of Yakima.

In 2010 the downtown revitalization has met the goals and dreams of many and Yakima is the beautiful gathering place envisioned.

Come visit, let us share our community with you.

*Excepted from:
Yakima Valley Museum Yakima Memories page:

http://www.yakimamemory.org/cdm4/article03.php

http://www.governor.wa.gov/news/news-view.asp?pressRelease=921&newsType=1

The Yakima Valley blog articles feature members of the Yakima Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau. If you would like to receive information regarding membership, Click here, or to request a membership application, please contact Michele Hopkins at (509) 575-3010.

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Naches Heights Wine AVA Announced

Friday, December 16th, 2011
Tasting Room Yakima - Naches Heights AVA

Tasting Room Yakima - Naches Heights AVA

Naches Heights in Yakima Valley received federal approval yesterday to become a certified American Viticultural Area effective January 13, 2012. Naches Heights is an elevated plateau in Yakima County, Washington that encompasses 13,254 acres. Currently just over 37 acres of wine grapes are planted in the new AVA, making it the smallest planted wine region in the state.

The new AVA is the fifth appellation located in Yakima County (other county appellations are Columbia Valley AVA, Yakima Valley AVA, Rattlesnake Hills AVA and Snipes Mountain AVA).

Several features distinguish Naches Heights from its neighboring AVA’s including its geological formation of Tieton andesite, rich volcanic soil, higher elevation which reduces winter damage to vineyards, and sustainable farming. All seven vineyards in Naches Heights grow their grapes using organic, biodynamic or LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology) certification program practices, making Naches Heights Washington state’s first exclusively sustainable AVA.

“As a third-generation farmer in the region, I am elated to announce this designation,” said Phil Cline, owner of Naches Heights Vineyard. “It is a true testament to a lot of hard work. We farm with love – love of the land, grape-growing and making the region a sustainable place for generations to come.”

The region was formed one million years ago from a lava flow from the Cascade Mountains. After the volcanic flow, andesite cooled and hardened to form the single, elevated Naches Heights plateau. The soils, termed Tieton Loam Loess, are an ideal topsoil for growing grapes and other crops such as apples, cherries, pears and peaches – all contributing to the terroir of wines from Naches Heights. The andesite cliffs ending the plateau differentiate the area from the Naches River Valley, Cowiche Creek Valley and Yakima River Valley. The plateau’s height ranges from 1,200 to 2,100 feet and is one of the highest elevated appellations in Washington state.

“The Naches Heights Winery and Vineyard Association hopes that all future vineyards on the Heights will also agree to go organic,” said Cline. “With our ideal growing conditions, ample irrigation water from the Cascade Mountains, and 310 days of sunshine per year, there is no need to use chemical herbicides or fertilizers on Naches Heights. We hope all new vineyards on Naches Heights will support our commitment to organic agriculture.”

“For over twenty years, I have purchased grapes from some of the best vineyards throughout Washington State,” said Wilridge Winery owner and winemaker Paul Beveridge. “I decided to plant grapes on Naches Heights because I think it has the potential to produce the finest wines in Washington State. I also enjoy the convenience of the location, less than 100 miles from our winery in Seattle.”

There are two wineries operating in the Naches Heights AVA – Naches Heights Vineyards and Wilridge Winery. Wines from Naches Heights grapes are available at The Tasting Room Yakima located at 250 Ehler Road on Naches Heights. For directions and maps to the Tasting Room click here.

Naches Heights Vineyard is expected to open a new Tasting Room in spring 2012.

For more background, see this column in the Washington Wine Report.

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Toy Train Christmas

Monday, December 12th, 2011

Come to the Northern Pacific Railway Museums‘  Toy Train Christmas in Toppenish, WA.  You will find yourself reminiscing about your own train set as you view the amazing assortment of  H O, N, O Gauge and G Gauge model train sets. Bring your children, grandchildren, neighbors children to join in the wonder of watching these trains run. There is a hands on play room and play table for the children to build their own tracks. At the craft table your child will make a craft to bring home. Enjoy the complementary hot chocolate and cookies as you watch the trains,  There is a gift shop in the museum stocked with train related toys.  Bring home a toy train to place under the tree for your young engineer!

Take a short ride on a real train caboose to the “North Pole” where Santa and Mrs. Clause and the Elves greet you, for a unique Christmas experience that will become a family tradition.  Photos with Santa Claus will be printed on site for an extra charge.

Admission Adults $6.00 Children $4.00.  Hours are Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. -4 p.m. November 26-27, December 3-4/10-11/17-18

The Yakima Valley blog articles feature members of the Yakima Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau. If you would like to receive information regarding membership, Click here, or to request a membership application, please contact Michele Hopkins at (509) 575-3010.

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Snowmobile Recreation – Where are the Trails?

Monday, December 5th, 2011

The Yakima Valley is in close proximity to prime winter recreation areas with miles of groomed trails. Snowmobilers, are you ready for miles and miles of groomed trails?  Joe Parsons, known for his snowmobiling expertise as Winter X Games Gold Medalist spent his early days on the numerous trails in Yakima Valley.

Winter season is now open! Along the he White Pass Scenic Byway, you will find  numerous trail choices for snowmobiling.  Located about 40 miles from Yakima on Hwy 12, continue to Tieton Road and turn left. If you are coming over the White Pass Scenic Byway from the west, take the Clear Lake exit off Hwy 12 to reach these trails.

These areas on Tieton Road are:

  • Tieton Airstrip-35 spaces and 66 miles of trails.
  • Fish Creek-5 spaces, 66 miles of trails.
  • Cold Creek-85 spaces 66 miles of trails.
  • Pine Grass-5 spaces, 66 miles of trails.

Bear Creek Trail off Tieton Road -Take US Forest Service Road 1204, features 17 spaces and 66 miles of trails.

For Bethel Ridge/Soup Creek trails take US Forest Service Road 1305 off of Hwy 12.

The Washington State Parks winter recreation website offers additional information on fees, maps and trail conditions as well as the Naches Ranger District website.

The popular local Yakima  trails are Ahtanum Meadows and the Ahtanum Guard Station. Take the I-82 Exit 36 Valley Mall Blvd. West to 3rd turn left, at Ahtanum turn right and travel 25 miles to Tampico Food Store (closed) at the Y-intersection, turn right. Ahtanum Meadows, about 8 miles from the Y, features 54 miles of trails and 15 camping spaces. At 9.5 miles the Ahtanum guard station has 100 spaces and 54 miles of trails. This recreation area was due to be closed in 2009 due to state budget cuts to these Department of Natural Resources Land. A local snowmobile club, the Ski Benders raised the money to keep the area groomed and plowed for the 2009-2010 season. This area is so close to Yakima, one can take advantage of the hotels and restaurants in the cities of Union Gap and Yakima

The Yakima Valley blog articles feature members of the Yakima Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau. If you would like to receive information regarding membership, Click here, or to request a membership application, please contact Michele Hopkins at (509) 575-3010.

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Posted in Outdoors, Recreation, Scenic Drives, snowmobiling, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »