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.
Tags: Legends Casino Hotel, Movie theater pub Yakima, Naches Heights AVA, new investment in Yakima valley, Walter Clore Pavillion
