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Take a Summer Road Trip
to
Yakima Valley
Distance from downtown Seattle:
145 miles; 2 hours, 20 minutes
It’s summer, and that means that Yakima is overflowing with crisp whites, rich
reds, and farm-fresh fruits and veggies—from apricots to zucchini. So buckle up,
head east on I-90 to wine country, and reap the rewards of the season.
Taste the Love of the Land
Plan to arrive downtown in time for appetizers on a summer afternoon at the
swanky, organic-modern tasting room of
Gilbert Cellars. Taste the Gilbert family’s
love of the land in a flight of their terroir-driven wines along with a few
dishes from their summer tasting menu. The Gilberts, who have lived in the
Yakima Valley for several generations, describe their winery like a journey in
itself: “where home meets exploration, where our past meets our future, where
our mountains meet our valley.”
Sip, Explore, and More
From Interstate 82 in Yakima, take Highway 12 West toward Naches and White Pass,
exit left at Ackley Road and head towards
The Tasting
Room, Yakima, where you can taste over 25 Washington wines from
winemaker-owned boutique wineries Naches Heights Vineyard, Wilridge Winery, and
Harlequin Wine Cellars. With over 80 acres of vineyards, orchards and sageland
bluffs to explore, you’ll want to spend an entire afternoon here— tasting wine,
picnicking, viewing wildlife, relaxing n the lawn, hiking, biking, and
even rock climbing! (Just bring your own gear—and save the wine tasting for
later.)
In the afternoon, gardeners and shoppers will love exploring the surprisingly
pleasant downtown streets of Yakima. Wander the many charming home and garden
boutiques chock full of local artwork, housewares, and wine country gifts, then
grab an afternoon pick-me-up from one of several funky local coffee shops.
Savor Haute Cuisine and Warm Sun
Yakima’s longtime favorite Italian restaurant,
Gasperetti’s serves up fresh, authentic Italian food with a Northwest
flavor, alongside an extensive list of Washington wines. Make the most of this
region’s great weather and enjoy your Italian meal on the patio, surrounded by
overflowing flower pots. This is where the locals go to wine and dine. On any
given night, you’re bound to run into at least a couple of local winemakers
here.
Cozy Up in Comfort The Holiday Inn Yakima
is located in the heart of downtown amidst wineries, eateries
and quaint shopping making it the perfect home base for your wine
country adventure. Stroll down Yakima Avenue to discover all that
downtown has to offer then retreat back to your hotel for a host of
ammenities including an eco-friendly saline pool, fitness center and
cocktail lounge.
Global Remedies in the Heart of Wine Country Seattle's reknowned Ummelina International Day Spa
opened its doors in downtown Yakima over five years ago offering wine
country visitors a posh spa retreat with remedies from around the
world. Ummelina has now expanded its spa to a second location just down
the road in Zillah with it's Ummelina Open Sky Spa Retreat.
Nestled in the upper desert hill top at Cherry Wood Bed, Breakfast and
Barn, this outdoor spa retreat encourages visitors to bring their wine
and picnic and take in nature while enjoying the healing rituals of
Ummelina Spa. With open air healing water baths and teepees housing
massage sanctuaries, this spirit-refreshing concept offers a wine
country retreat like no other. Visitors will return home with the
memories of a unique journey to relish for years to come.
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