Hello lovers and supporters on Washington state distilleries! We talk a lot here about an assortment of locally-made spirits and liqueurs, often using them in recipes, and mentioning new ones. But I thought it’d be fun to discuss a single spirit or liqueur made locally, with some cocktail recipes that use it. This week, since…

Seattle magazine’s second annual BREW Seattle, presented by BevMo, took place on Friday, October 10, complete with a sold-out crowd of more than 700 people. While beer events seem to be popping up everywhere these days, BREW Seattle remains the largest local-breweries-only tasting event of the year, honoring the local craft beer culture in the…

Eastern Washington is loaded with natural beauty: Rolling fields of onions, wheat and hops, and lush terraced vineyards cut into high desert plateaus, all carved by the majestic Columbia River—what could be better? Consider taking in that view from the veranda of a winery tasting room with a smooth Cabernet or a crisp Gewürztraminer in…

The forklift speeds a huge plastic tote to the crusher, twirls it like a toy and dumps the finest Merlot grapes into the gleaming stainless steel maw of the crushing machine. The whirring gears separate the stems, squish the grapes and send them bouncing down the sorting table. Now it’s up to me and seven…

IN THE CASCADES:Located on the main drag in Roslyn, the tiny town located just a few miles from Suncadia Resort, Wild Earth Brewing Company invites you to visit its intimate beer-only tasting room, where thirsty locals and beer tourists vie for barstools or a seat at one of just three tables. Sip a pint of…

DAY 7: ROLL ON COLUMBIA Cross over the Columbia onto State Route 14, which will be your path for the day as you head east toward Portland along the northern banks of the river, and along the southern edge of Horse Heaven Hills AVA. The first stop today comes quickly (hook a right on State…

DAY 5: THE BEATING HEART OF WASHINGTON WINE Staying at the Inn At Abeja is the only way to score an appointment at this stalwart Walla Walla producer (unless you’re on the mailing list). It’s best known for its Cabernets, but the Syrah and Viognier—both made from estate vines right on the winery property—are outstanding…

It has been more than a year, but Allen Schauffler’s ninth-floor office overlooking South Lake Union still looks like he just moved in. There is almost nothing hanging from the stark white walls—nary a dent or ding, either. Taped on the glass window at the entrance is a white sheet of copier paper that states…

DAY 4: CLASSICISM, MODERNITY AND ITALIAN MONEY You’re spending the entire day on Red Mountain, one of Washington’s smallest and most prestigious wine-growing areas. Traditionally, this has been an area long on vineyards and short on tourism infrastructure (read: you feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere), but that is slowly changing. Best to…

DAY 3: WINE COUNTRY IN THE COUNTRY As you head farther south into the Yakima Valley, it’s best to eschew I-90 and I-82 in favor of the scenic route on State Route 243 (just 15 minutes longer), descending gently down the vineyards of the Wahluke Slope. SR 243 turns into State Route 24 West at…