Sip Northwest, Spring 2019
R E V E L I N G I N T H E R E G I O N Discover the Beverage Hub of Washingtons Tri Cities BY CATIE JOYCE BULAY 38 S I P N O R T H W E S T C O M PHOTO COURTESY VISIT TRI CITIES A visit to the Tri Cities means three cities in one Kennewick Richland and Pasco merging along the confluence of the Snake and Columbia rivers in the heart of Eastern Washington The regions rich history goes back to prehistoric times where Ice Age Missoula Floods cast sediments across the land that just happen to be perfect for growing wine grapes Perhaps its most famous place in history though is as one of the locations of the Manhattan Project the top secret World War II nuclear test facility Both the history and continued tech innovations are alive and well influencing the craft beverages produced here RED MOUNTAIN VENTURE ETHOS BAKERY CAFE is a little off the beaten path but the pastries made from local heirloom grains make an elegant way to start a day of wine tasting With food still on the brain next stop is picnic supplies at COUNTRY MERCANTILE where everything from the bread for their sandwiches to the salsa and gelato is made fresh onsite and ready to sample Picnic basket in hand youre now ready to venture up the mountain to find that perfect vineyard vista which wont be hard Head up Sunset Road where a stop during the sunset or sunrise will show how it earned its name A bit unassuming at first the smattering of trailers and fields of tumbleweed and rabbit brush will soon give way to the charm of row upon row of grapevines stacked on the gradual southwest facing slope of Red Mountain At 4040 acres it is Washingtons smallest and warmest wine growing region Its combination of rich soils hot temperatures sundrenched slopes and gusty winds produce Trio of City Sipping The Cable Bridge connecting Kennewick and Pasco
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