Alright y’all... welcome to Washington and my first official Washington wine tasting!! From what I've heard about Washington, it was no surprise that it was rainy and overcast today. Haha!! I literally had no idea there were so many vineyards and wineries up here!! I feel a GRAPE summer project forming!! [as in visiting as many wineries as I can find!!] As always, I conducted my research on the area that we are traveling through. I happened to find this winery in Ellensburg with its gorgeous views of the Yakima Valley!! [remind me sometime to tell you the Yakima/Yamaka story!! LOL]
Located in Kittitas County, Ellensburg Canyon Winery was the first commercial proper in the area and was established by Gary Cox. This 25-plus year-old winery is located on State Route 821 and covers about 17 acres. In 1998 Gary, who is a plant and soil scientist by trade, planted vines on five of the acres in the Northwest corner for wine production purposes. With three acres in Cabernet Franc, one and one half acres in Riesling, and the remaining zero point five acres in Malbec. [seems hilarious to me to plant only 0.5 acres of something!! LOL] Gary calculated that with this five acres, he could produce an estimate of 450 cases per year!!
We set up the motorhome for the night in the campground where we were spending the night, and then were on the off!! The drive out to the winery [that seemed to be out in the middle of nowhere] alone would have been worth the trip. However, there just so happened to be a winery at the end of the tunnel so to speak, so yippee for me!! Haha We turned at the appropriate signage, that left no questions as to where the tasting room was located, and started up a drive that appeared [to me] as if we were using someone’s personal driveway!!
Once we headed up the lane, that had grape vines planted on both sides, and pulled up to an actual house, we realized that it was indeed someone's personal house!! After reaching the top we saw a sign for the tasting room, whew!! Haha [pictured above] We parked in the appropriate spots marked for the winery, got out and turned to catch this view below!! Wow… just WOW!! We then headed to the tasting room, where we had to ring a bell to alert them that we were there. A man came out of the house and led us into the little tasting room. Since the weather was what is was, we opted to stay inside!!
It was actually kind of nice, we were the only ones there and I could ask all kinds of questions. Gary was very nice and extremely knowledge about his wines. I must have been throwing off some serious tourist vibes, because he asked us if this was our first time in Washington!! Haha!!He then gave me a magazine [pictured below] listing all of the current wineries and vineyards in the Pacific Northwest. I am not quite sure why I do not have any more photos of my tasting, I mean you all know how much I love taking pictures!! HA!!
Since my visit to the Canyon winery, the place was purchased by Laura and Jason Reibel. They were visiting the area and looking for some sunshine, [I say good luck to them.. LOL] when they stumbled upon this award-winning winery. The possibilities seemed endless and once the experienced the amazing views… they were sold!! They were producing between 500-700 cases of wine each year with plans to expand. Their goal was the make the best wine in the valley, “a wine that makes you cry” it’s so good.
Unfortunately, Laura and Jason did not achieve thier best wine in the valley dream, but there sure tried. Up to as late as march of last year [2024] they were still posting upcoming plans on their Facebook page, but the website says that they are now permanently closed. I was unable to discern the reason, but what actually happens to an old closed down winery?? I'd really like to know!!
Wine with Wixy will be all set up at our final destination for the summer in Enumclaw next week. I was pleasantly surprised to find multiple wine tasting rooms right in our little town!! Won’t you join to me to experience a little of that small town charm!?
Cheers to you my wine loving friends, and TTFN!!
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