Regional Wine Journey at the Palmer House Hilton

In April, I was able to attend one of the Regional Wine Journey’s at the Palmer House Hilton’s Lockwood Restaurant. I had a great time exploring the wines of Spain and Portugal with the restaurant’s Wine Director Sasa Sinanagic.  The restaurant is continuing the program through the summer and I highly recommend putting it on your must do list.

The last series explored wine regions around the world, but this time around you will get to also explore specific wines.  The theme is California and Sinanagic will take you through everything from the history to the fermenting process. The classes will be held every other Tuesday from May 31^st to September 20^th. Each class is only $25 and that includes tastings as well as snacks.  The schedule is as follows:

May 31st-Gruner Veltliner
June 14th-Riesling
June 28th-Merlot
July 12th-Rose Wines
July 26th-Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris
Aug 9th-Sonoma
Aug 23th-Napa
September 6th-Port
September 20th-Madeira

It is recommended that you make advance reservations online or by calling the Lockwood at (312) 917-3404.

Revelry On Red Mountain

I had a great time making it through the wine regions of Washington state and Tri-Cities was one of the highlights of the trip. If you ever thought about making a trip there, next weekend might be the time to do it.

Revelry on Red Mountain brings together winemakers from 20 of the area’s top wineries on the terrace of Col Solare, where Picazo 7Seenteen chef/owner Frank Magana will be preparing a culinary feast. The event will take place on Saturday, May 28^th at 6:00 pm and will also include silent and live auctions to benefit Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Washington Wine Education Foundation.  Red Mountain’s Terra Blanca Winery & Estate (pictured right) is among those participating.

You can enjoy some great wines paired with a delicious dinner for only $95, but why not make a weekend of it and explore this wine region, which has 300 sunny days each year?  Local hotels in the Tri-Cities towns of Kennewick, Pasco and Richland – including the Courtyard Marriott in Richland where I stayed -- are offering special rates ($79-139) for weekend stays.

Visit the event’s website for tickets to the dinner. For hotel discounts, go to the Tri-Cities Visitor’s Bureau site.