The Seattle summer is in full swing. Sports, outdoor events, parades, and lots of visitors and locals taking advantage of the sunny weather. Combine a sunny day with art, culture, and history with a day in Seattle’s Pioneer Square. On a weekday Pioneer Square is full of people in suits, the King County Courthouse and numerous office buildings are close by. On weekends, you’ll find a mix of workers, shoppers, tourists, and a few men and women who, unfortunately, call the park benches home. The Pioneer Square historic neighborhood is a great place to discover Seattle’s early history, wander through the shops and art galleries, or grab a table at a restaurant or café. For sports fans, T-Mobile Park (Mariners MLB baseball) and Lumen Field (Seahawks NFL football and Seattle Sounders FC soccer/football) stadiums are a short walk away. […]
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Washington Wine Tasting: Darby Winery, West Seattle
Darby Winery in West Seattle is a great urban spot for wine lovers. Located in the West Seattle junction, it’s an easy walk to much of the neighborhood, and if you’re coming from further away, the reopening of the West Seattle Bridge makes it an easy drive. The Darby Story The winery started in 2002 when Darby English, the founder, and head winemaker, began making wine in his basement. His goal was to make the best wine in the state using the best products and winemaking techniques. Three years later, he started producing wine for commercial sale. With less than 400 cases total, about half Syrah and half Viognier/Roussanne, the supply sold out extremely fast. One year later, Darby tripled his wine production to 1,200 cases in one year and opened a tasting room. Locals loved his wine then, and […]
Read MoreWashington State Wine: Tasting at Dusted Valley Winery
Dusted Valley uses sustainable farming practices to create wines they want to drink. As part of the commitment to sustainable practices, it was the first Washington winery to use screwcap closures on all its wines. Wine tasting at Dusted Valley is easy – whether at the winery in Walla Walla, or the tasting rooms in Edmonds and Woodinville – there are many opportunities to try Dusted Valley wines. The Dusted Valley Story Dusted Valley Winery started out as a common dream shared by the Braunel and Johnson families. Both families had relocated to Walla Walla from Wisconsin and discovered a passion for making wine. In 2003, this dream became a reality, and the two families began Dusted Valley project in the southern outskirts of Walla Walla, Washington. Located in Walla Walla’s Southside wine district, Dusted Valley has a commitment to […]
Read MoreLearn All About Washington State AVAs (Wine Regions)
Washington State wine is sold in all 50 US states as well as in over 40 countries around the world. Chances are, you’ve seen a Washington wine on a wine list pretty much anywhere you’ve traveled. Learn all about the Washington wine industry and the Washington State AVAs (wine regions) that produce these delicious and award-winning wines. Washington is the second-largest wine region in the United States, trailing California. (Oregon comes in third.) The climate creates a near-perfect environment for the acres of vines growing grapes for both red wine and white wine. Washington wines are solid performers at wine competitions, flashing their signature crisp acidity and fruit-forward flavors that win accolades in reputable wine competitions. Additionally, Washington is home to forward-thinking, sustainability-conscious vineyards and wineries. So let’s dig in and learn more about the Washington State AVAs . What are […]
Read MoreWine with MJ: Virtual Wine Tasting with Smoky Rose Cellars, Walla Walla
This virtual wine tasting features Jodi and Josh Rosnowski from Smoky Rose Cellars in Walla Walla, Washington. We had some technical difficulties (user error) and despite our best efforts, we are unable to resuscitate a playable video or audio version of the virtual tasting. We’re gutted about this, it was a fun conversation and tasting, and will be trying to put together a follow up recording to post here later. Smoky Rose is a family-owned and operated business. Josh, a retired Air Force meteorologist is the winemaker and vineyard manager. Jodi, a food microbiologist, runs the tasting room and events side of the business. Sister Amy, currently a Cobra Helicopter pilot wth the USMC, is poised to jump in once she retires. Mom and Dad, Jill and Bill, help out with everything from harvest, errands, retail, and anything else that’s […]
Read MoreWine with MJ: Virtual Wine Tasting with Eternal Wine & Drink Washington State
Our first virtual wine tasting launched with guest Brad Binko, owner and winemaker at Eternal Wine in Walla Walla, Washington. Brad also owns a sister label, Drink Washington State. For this tasting, Brad has selected three wines: 2018 Drink Washington State White Blend, 2016 Eternal Foundation Syrah, and 2018 Eternal Bliss fortified Syrah. If you want to purchase these wine for the tasting, you’ll need to order direct from the winery as they only self-distribute locally in Walla Walla. Watch the episode below. We’ve also set up this wine series as an audio podcast. So if you prefer audio only, perhaps while out for a run, in your car, or while traveling, you can listen to the audio file below. We also have the feed set up in several of the major podcast players. You can find it on Spotify […]
Read MoreSpend an Afternoon at Miners Landing, Seattle
Located on Seattle’s historic Pier 57 overlooking Elliott Bay, Miners Landing is so named for its role in the Klondike Gold Rush; it was the site where the first gold was brought back to the city, inspiring more citizens to head out in search of riches. Today, Miners Landing is a popular tourist destination with lots of attractions, arcade games, restaurants, and rides to enjoy. To help you plan how to spend your time here, here is our guide to what you can see and what you can do at Miners Landing. Things to Do at Miners Landing You don’t have to be a kid to have all the fun, there are attractions on Miners Landing suitable for all ages. Seattle Great Wheel Seattle’s answer to the London Eye, the Seattle Great Wheel is one of the most popular attractions […]
Read MoreYou’ll Never Want To Leave: Tulalip Resort & Casino
If you are visiting Washington State and looking for a luxury getaway outside of the downtown Seattle area, a stay at the Tulalip Resort Hotel and Casino is a great choice. Located in Quil Ceda Village, about an hour north of Seattle, the Tulalip Resort may be best known for its casino – but that’s not the only reason for a visit. You’ll find beautiful hotel rooms, great restaurants with an impressive cocktail and wine menu, and a decadent spa, as well as top-class entertainment throughout the year. We loved all of our stays at Tulalip Resort & Casino and never wanted to leave. We think you’ll feel the same way, too. This is part of a series of themed features talking about places we’ve stayed and never wanted to leave. This post may contain affiliate links, sponsored travel, sponsored […]
Read MoreWeekend Guide: Getaway to Langley, Washington
This weekend guide for your getaway to Langley, Washington, will help you plan your getaway, complete with where to stay, what to eat and drink, and what to do. Located on the south end of Whidbey Island overlooking the Saratoga Passage, Langley’s community of just over 1,000 people entice visitors with small town hospitality. With charming inns and cottages, seven wineries in the area, and a stunning natural environment, Langley is a perfect getaway destination for wine tasting, great food, and outdoor activity. This weekend guide to a getaway to Langley was written with the assistance and sponsorship of Whidbey Camano Tourism (their website is here) and its members. This guide contains affiliate links; clicking through for more information or to make a purchase may result in a small fee coming my way to help support the site. Getting There […]
Read MoreReview: The Doctors House, Fort Casey Inn
When visitors head to Whidbey Island, they typically think of Langley (at the south end) or Oak Harbor (the naval air station at the north end), but tucked away in the middle part of the island is Coupeville. Coupeville is the county seat, and with a population under 2,000 is a historic district within the federal Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve. The reserve includes farmlands, Fort Ebey State Park, Fort Casey State Park, beaches and shorelines, parks, trails, and 91 locations on the National Register of Historic Places. For a place to stay in keeping with the town’s historic significance, the Fort Casey Inn provides a modern take on officer housing from pre-World War I. The row of historic cottages date back to around 1909 when they served as Non-Commissioned Officers’ Quarters for the neighboring defense installation. They have been modernized […]
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