Fort Worden State Park

Fort Worden State Park is one of Washington’s treasures. Situated on the northeast tip of the Olympic Peninsula, it offers stunning views, soft sandy beaches, and wooded hiking and biking trails. It’s also just minutes from historic downtown Port Townsend, one of the most picturesque towns in the state.

The view from Fort Worden.

Few beaches in the Puget Sound area can match the beach at Fort Worden. Grassy dunes line the sand, dancing in the ever-present breeze. Mount Baker, the Cascade Range, and Mount Rainier stand tall in the distance, while the cliffs of Whidbey Island shimmer in the foreground. The deep sand begs for bare feet, the drift wood inspires fort building, and the water is cooling on a hot day. (more…)

Fine Dining and Fine Wine on the Olympic Peninsula

Travelers to the Olympic Peninsula have long gone there to find stunning scenery, rain forests, and unparalleled outdoor activities. Back in the day few travelers expected to find great food or wine. That has changed.

A young apple presser examines a batch of apples that will soon be turned into cider at Finnriver Farm & Cidery

These days, people exploring the Olympic Peninsula come across restaurants that have been written up in the New York Times (Fins, in Port Townsend). They find hand-crafted pizza made in wood-fired stoves at Sequim’s Alderwood Bistro. They find elegant garden dining at the Cafe Garden in Port Angeles. They also find award winning Washington State Wine and cider.

When next you head to the Olympic Peninsula, be it to hike, admire views from Hurricane Ridge, or spend time in a historic seacoast town, be sure to bring your appetite. Allow time to stop by one of the Washington State wineries in Port Angeles and Port Townsend, where you may taste hand crafted Washington wine. Visit a picturesque cidery in the Chimacum Valley, and taste cider made from Washington apples. You’ll be happy you did.

2011 Festival of American Fiddle Tunes

Don't miss the 2011 Festival of Fiddle Tunes, happening now.

The 2011 Festival of American Fiddle Tunes is underway at Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend, on the Olympic Peninsula. Fiddle fans have until Saturday, July 9, 2011, to enjoy some of the finest fiddlers around.

The much-anticipated Country Cajun Stomp takes place Friday, July 8, at 6 p.m. Bring a picnic and a low-back chair (if you want to rest) to the lawn at Littlefield Green and get ready for a mighty fun dance event.

The Master Hands Project: NEA National Heritage Award Winners Concert takes place at the McCurdy Pavilion on Saturday, July 9, at 1:30 p.m. Don’t miss this historic celebration of Wayne Henderson, Dudley Laufman, Marc Savoy, Paul Dahline, and Liz Carroll, with Jacqueline Laufman, Paul Dahline and Family, and John Doyle.

No trip to Port Townsend would be complete without a visit to the local Olympic Peninsula Wineries. Taste locally made Washington wine at Sorensen Cellars and FairWinds Winery. Bringing a bottle or two back home with you is a great way to remember a fine weekend at the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes in Port Townsend.

Please visit Fiddle Tunes for additional festival information.

Summer Cider Day in Port Townsend

What promises to be the first Summer Cider Day of many takes place this Saturday July 9, 2011, from 11 a.m to 7 p.m.

Ciders from all over the Northwest – including 10 local cidermakers – will be at Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend. They’ll pour their cider, discuss differences between the various cider styles, and generally celebrate the fermented apple. It promises to be a fun event.

Two of our member Olympic Peninsula Washington Cideries will participate: Finnriver Farm & Cidery and Eaglemount Wine & Cider. They’ll be joined by cider makers from the Methow Valley, the Skagit Valley, the Willamette Valley, and beyond. Try one, try all.

Try Washington State Cider at the Summer Cider Day, July 9, 2011.

In addition to cider, there will be a selection of local cheeses and some fine live music. More information may be found at Summer Cider Day.

Whale Watching and Wine Tasting

Washington’s Olympic Peninsula is one of the few places in the state where one can go whale watching and wine tasting in the same day.

Killer whales, humpback, minke, and gray whales all swim in the waters of Puget Sound, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Strait of Georgia. Puget Sound Express, based in Port Townsend, takes passengers out to see them all. For the past few months, gray whales have been most visible. For the next few months, orcas should be most prevalent.

A glass of Washington State Wine is just what is needed after an exhilarating day searching the waters for whales. Sorensen Cellars and FairWinds Winery are both located in Port Townsend, and both offer wine tasting. Wine and cider tasting is also available at Finnriver Farm and Cidery, located outside of town in lush Chimacum valley, and Eaglemount Wine and Cider, in the hills on the southeast banks of Discovery Bay.

The Pacific Northwest is home to some of the most majestic creatures on earth – whales. It is also home to some mighty fine wine – Washington State Wine. The Olympic Peninsula is the place to experience both.

Additional information about whale watching tours is available at Puget Sound Express.

Port Townsend Kitchen Tour

The kitchen has long been the heart of the home. People are drawn to the warmth of the kitchen and sustained by the meals that emerge from it. For many, the kitchen is the embodiment of the word “home”. Perhaps that’s why it’s so interesting to see other peoples’ kitchens.

The 14th annual Port Townsend Kitchen Tour takes place Saturday, April 30, 2011. Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., participants may tour eight different kitchens in Port Townsend’s historic Downtown and Uptown. This is a unique opportunity to peek into some of the homes you’ve most admired in Port Townsend.

Some of the kitchens are in historic homes, updated to meet the needs of our time. Others are in new homes, and reflect current trends in design. If you’ve been considering a kitchen remodel, the Port Townsend Kitchen Tour is a fantastic opportunity to see a variety of kitchen designs, cabinetry, counter tops, and more. Plus it’s fun.

There may be no better activity after a day of kitchen touring than Washington State Wine tasting. Sorenson Cellars and FairWinds Winery are located in Port Townsend; both offer wine tasting on the weekends. Two more tasting opportunities are just outside of town in beautiful Chimacum: Finnriver Farm & Cidery and Eaglemount Wine & Cider.

Local Washington State Wines and Ciders are also available at The Wine Seller, on Water Street in Port Townsend.

Please visit Port Townsend Kitchen Tour for additional detail.

Wine and Cheese on the Olympic Peninsula This Weekend

It’s finally here, the weekend all wine and cheese aficionados have been anticipating for weeks. The Northwest Wine and Cheese Tour of Olympic Peninsula WA Wineries is tomorrow and Sunday, April 16 and 17, 2011.

Blue Cheese from Willapa Hills

Hire a sitter for the kids or call your closest friends – a variety of wine will be poured at the eight participating Washington State Wineries in Port Townsend, Chimacum, and Port Angeles. Each will be paired with a local cheese, and together the wine and cheese will bring out the best in each other. (more…)

Port Townsend Farmers Market Opens April 2

The Port Townsend Farmers Market is a big market for a small town. Each week, more than 70 vendors set up their stalls to sell their wares and thousands of people visit them. 40 farms sell fresh, locally grown produce. 4 artisan cheesemakers sell cheese created from locally raised sheep, goats, and cows. There are many crafts and some fine live music. One can purchase hand-crafted Washington State hard apple and pear cider and Washington State Wine. It is, in short, a gustatory paradise. (more…)

Indulge in Wine and Chocolate Because You Can.

Much of the country is paralyzed under umpteen feet of snow. Here in the Pacific Northwest, we should celebrate our ability to travel freely by, well, traveling.

The upcoming Red Wine and Chocolate Festival at our Washington State Wineries is a great incentive to travel to the Olympic Peninsula the weekends of February 12 and 13, and 19, 20, and 21. Picture a towering fountain of flowing chocolate and barrels of delicious Washington State Wine. Why stay at home when you can experience that?

Wine and chocolate may not be inherently romantic, but they can be a lovely addition to a romantic moment. In honor of Valentine’s Day, enjoy a romantic getaway on the Olympic Peninsula – in Port Angeles, Sequim, or Port Townsend. Visit our Olympic Peninsula Wineries to sample a variety of Washington State Wines and a delicious array of chocolate creations.
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Sweet and Savory, Chocolate and Wine

Chocolate. Red Wine. Joy.

Is there anything better than following a bite of chocolate with a sip of good red wine? We think not.

Celebrate two of the best things in life with good friends, family, or that special someone. Join seven of our Washington State Wineries on the North Olympic Peninsula for two weekends of Red Wine and Chocolate: February 12 – 13, and February 19 – 21, 2011 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily).
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Wassail Celebration at Finnriver Cidery

Finnriver Farm & Washington Cidery invites all to a Wassail Celebration this Saturday, January 15, 2011, between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.. Wassail is an old English tradition in which the community gathers to honor apple orchards and enjoy the land. Wassail is a contraction of the Gaelic phrase, Waes Hael which translates to ‘Good Health’. Come wish Good Health for all in 2011.

Wassail Celebration at Finnriver on January 15, 2011.

In 1135, Geoffrey of Monmouth recorded in ‘History of the Kings of Britain’ his understanding of the origin of the toast: (more…)

The Gift of Port Townsend Washington Wines

Visit the lighthouse at Fort Worden while in Port Townsend.

Port Townsend, Washington, Wines make delightful gifts. In addition, a trip to Port Townsend wineries makes a delightful getaway. Enjoy a few days in this historic port town over the holidays, and bring back Washington wine for friends and family.

FairWinds Winery Port O’Call recently received a bronze medal at the Tri-City Wine Festival; in attendance were more than 100 wineries and over 400 wines. It was a true honor for FairWinds’ Port O’Call to be singled out among such fine competition. The Port O’Call is a mellow port and an excellent choice for after dinner. (more…)