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Tag archives: washington

Christmas at Leavenworth

Merry Christmas everyone!

One of the fun things to do around our area during the holiday is a trip to Leavenworth — our own Northwest Bavarian town.

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Yes, some may say it is a little cheesy, and certainly a tourist trap; yet it is one of the most wonderful way to get into Christmas spirit especially with a group of friends.

Leavenworth is about 2-hour drive inland from Greater Seattle area.

It usually snows before the coastal Seattle area, adding another winter whimsical feel.

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The town is super small, and honestly does not have much to do.

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Walla Walla Wine Country Part I

Spent our Labor Day weekend with friends in WA’s wine country, Walla Walla.
Walla Walla is about 4.5-hour drive away from the Seattle area.  There are many towns known for their agricultural production such as cherries, stone fruits, apples etc.
Particularly, the Johnson Orchards in Yakima had mouth-watering juicy stone fruits.  We had nectarines, white peaches, yellow peaches and pluots.  They were all super sweet.  Housed in a 1916 warehouse, it was a unique stop over.  We also purchased some fruit pies made on site for desserts!

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On our first afternoon, we visited Reininger, Cougar Crest, Seven Hills and Trio Vintners wineries.

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Reininger came highly recommended from different sources. We were fairly disappointed.
We tasted a Merlot, Syrah and Camenere; a Chardonnay, SoRho and Sangiovese;  and none of them were our taste.

I found the wines all had great aromas, and had very light body, which was expected from the varietal on the list.

The aftertaste of the wines were most unattractive to me. They were all very sour, astringent and bitter. Very high tannin, and not very pleasant.

Cougar Crest carried many wine spectator rated wines.

The ones we tasted were not rated and they were in general light body as well.

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