Arbor Crest Wine Cellars [August 2020]

Welcome back to Spokane, where Wine with Wixy is visiting Arbor Crest Wine Cellars. I’m pretty excited about this place, it probably makes it into the top five [maybe three] of my most favorite wineries. I have been here a number of times and I’m super excited to delve more into the history of this amazing vineyard that appears to be sitting on the of the world!! After turning onto the Estate’s vineyard lined driveway, you come to a rather large parking lot. Walking up to the Estate, you can start to see the lush garden oasis that is Cliff House!!  

This was another one of those wineries I had to go "check out" before my girl, Katie Gordy's visit. You know, to make sure it was worthwhile. Let me just say that it totally was. As evidenced by the above photo… wine flights [literally] in hand. After passing through an arched basalt [known as lava rock] gatehouse, you were free to walk around the Estate and sit wherever tickled your fancy. But wait, I am getting a little ahead of myself. Let’s travel back in time to talk about the history of this delightful home that is built along the side of Spokane's basalt cliffs.

The aptly named "Cliff House" Estate was built in 1924, by Royal N. Riblet. Back then, there was a five-passenger tram to bring guests to the top. Now there is a long winding road to the estate driveway, I mentioned earlier. Royal was an inventor with several patented devices, but most importantly, he designed his home, Cliff House Estates. Royal, and his wife Gertrude, hosted over 7,000 visitors for ice cream socials or a night of playing games. A few unique sights of this historic landmark include: four acres of gardens to explore, a life size checkerboard, an enclosed croquet court, a pool carved in basalt rock, and a gazebo overlooking the valley that is seen below.

This gazebo is known as the “Eagle’s Nest,” and it is perched on a 450 foot cliff overlooking the Spokane River. [pictured below] Unfortunately, Gertrude died after only eight years of marriage, leaving Royal a widower with three young children. He proceeded to remarry and divorce five times before finally meeting Mildred, his seventh wife. They lived in Cliff House until Royal died in 1960. Mildred continued to live at the Estate until her death in 1978. [She was only 32 years younger than Royal] In the 1980’s the Cliff House and its Estate was purchased by Harold and Marcia Miekle.

The Meikle’s performed one heck of a transformation to Cliff House. After which, they opened the doors to the Wine Cellars in 1982, making Arbor Crest Washington States’ twenty ninth winery. [today there are more than 980!!] Fast forward to 1999, and the Cellars are now a family fun business with the addition of their daughter Kristina Miekle van Loben Sels. [wow, that name is a mouthful!! Haha!!] She took over head winemaker, while her husband, Jim came on board as Arbor Crests viticulturist. Kristina and Jim recently celebrated over twenty years of creating award winning wines, using fruit from some of the best-known vines in the state.

These days the Cliff House and Arbor Crest Wine Cellars report over 65,000 annual visitors, coming from all over the world. They are known as the place that not only offers a memorable wine experience, but a place where the community can gather for private or business events, weddings, art festivals, and year-round live music. As seen in the photo above.

For those of you who know me, and know how spoiled my sweet, precious, baby angels are to me, you won't want to miss out on next weeks blog. My beloved Parker, will be joining Wine with Wixy at Spoiled Dog Winery!!

Cheers to you my wine loving friends, and TTFN!!