2013 Sequim Lavender Weekend

One of the biggest events on the Olympic Peninsula is the Sequim Lavender Weekend. Believe it or not, the Olympic Peninsula is one of the largest national producers of lavender and lavender products. To celebrate this pungent and relaxing herb, a festival is held the third weekend in July each year. For 2013, the Sequim Lavender Festival will take place from July 19 -21.

There are more than a dozen lavender farms in the Sequim area, where you can tour, buy goods and even taste lavender treats, like ice cream!

The growers responsible for the success and heritage of the festival will be available all weekend through a self-guided and free “U-Tour” attraction. With a map of the farms, visitors may leisurely drive (or bike) and visit any and all lavender farms they are interested in seeing. Lavender-themed gifts and fresh cut bouquets will be available for purchase. As always, admission, advice and fragrance at the farms are free! Additional regional attractions are highlighted on the map as well – like our wineries.

The Lavender Festival Street Fair occurs in downtown Sequim on Fir Street. Admission is free and visitors will enjoy three days of musical entertainment, fragrant Sequim lavender and tasty vendors. A talented group of artists, jewelers, photographers and “craftsmiths” will showcase their products for purchase. The Sequim Sunbonnet Sue will have their quilt show just around the corner at the Sequim Middle School.

The other main attraction during the Lavender Festival is Lavender Arts & Crafts Faire in the Park – also running all weekend long, there will be live music in the band shell, an awesome array for food vendors and a beer and wine garden, featuring our Washington wines. We will be serving beverages from all seven of the local wineries and of course the famous Olympic Cellars lavender wine. There will also be Northwest micro-brews from Olympic Distributing and sparkling hard cider.

Make sure to save some time to visit our wineries and tasting rooms on your trip to the Peninsula!

Wine Pairings with Lamb Chops with Lavender & Herbs Recipe

During the 2012 Lavender Weekend in Sequim, all the Olympic Peninsula Wineries will be joining in the celebration. To whet your appetite, we’ve found a great recipe with lavender to share: Grilled Colorado Lamb Chops with Lavender. Each of the eight wineries of the Olympic Peninsula shared their recommendations of wines to go with this simple and delicious lavender and lamb dish. Try this lavender recipe and have your own tasting with a wine or cider from each winery! We also suggest taking the Olympic Peninsula Lavender Weekend Wine Tour. Each winery will have additional wine and lavender pairings to suit every palate.

For the stronger flavors of the lamb, rubbed with lavender and herbs then grilled, each winery recommended these selections from their wines…

Black Diamond Winery: Muller Thurgau. This Reisling cross is slightly sweet with spicy undertones.

Camaraderie Cellars: Merlot, with its blackberry and cherry flavors or their slightly peppery/spicy Syrah.

Eaglemount Wine & Cider: Raptor Reserve, a blend of Cab-Sauv, Merlot, and Cab Franc. Also Apple Mead or Quince Cider.

FairWinds Winery: Lemberger, an unfiltered red with mellow yet complex flavors of fresh fruit and spice.

Finnriver Farm & Cidery: Sparkling Appleblueberry, an off dry champagne method cider or the dry Artisan Sparkling Cider.

Harbinger Winery: El Jéfe, a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvédre and Petite Sirah. Or Bolero (Tempranillo + Grenache)

Olympic Cellars: Their full-bodied Syrah or the Cabernet Franc with flavors of sage, tarragon and lavender.

Wind Rose Cellars: Nebbiolo. Opening aromas of pipe tobacco and savory herbs. Cherry and plum flavors with a cranberry finish.

Be sure to take the Olympic Peninsula Lavender Weekend Wine Tour to taste these and other award-winning Olympic Peninsula wines. Many wineries and cideries will have special releases of lavender-themed creations. You can also experience Olympic Peninsula wines by visiting the Sequim Lavender Farm Faire Wine & Beer Garden at Carrie Blake Park (202 Blake Avenue in Sequim).

Olympic Peninsula Wineries Celebrate the 2012 Lavender Weekend in Sequim, WA

Enjoy lavender and wine during the Olympic Peninsula Lavender Festival

Olympic Peninsula Wineries love lavender and are jumping into the Sequim Lavender Weekend with two great events:

Olympic Peninsula Lavender Weekend Wine Tour 2012
During Sequim’s Annual Lavender Weekend, experience gorgeous fields of purple lavender and taste award-winning Olympic Peninsula wines along the way. Eight wineries of the Olympic Peninsula in Port Angeles, Sequim, Port Townsend and Chimacum will be celebrating the festival with a special Lavender Weekend Wine Tour. Drive the self-guided tour and experience these unique and distinctive wines handcrafted by our local artisans. Taste Olympic Peninsula-made red wines, white wines, specialty dessert wines and ciders while experiencing the warm hospitality our wineries are known for. On offer will be established award winners as well as the latest releases. Wineries will be open during their normal tasting room hours. Click here for the hours and locations of each Olympic Peninsula winery.

Olympic Peninsula Wineries at the Sequim Lavender Farm Faire Wine & Beer Garden
Throughout the weekend, the Olympic Peninsula Wineries will also make their wines available at the Wine & Beer Garden in Sequim’s scenic Carrie Blake Park (202 Blake Avenue). Try a selection of two wines from each of the eight Olympic Peninsula Wineries, with your choice of purchasing by the glass or by the bottle. Stop by Friday and Saturday any time between 10am and 7pm. On Sundays, the Sequim Lavender Wine & Beer Garden will be open 10am to 6pm.

This Lavender in the Park event not only includes a chance to sample delicious local beer and wine. The lovely setting of the park also includes live music with FREE admission! Don’t miss these opportunities to celebrate both the wine and lavender produced by our region’s rich agricultural heritage.

The eight members of the Olympic Peninsula wineries are: Harbinger Winery, Camaraderie Cellars, Black Diamond Winery, Olympic Cellars, Wind Rose Cellars, Eaglemount Wine & Cider, FairWinds Winery and Finnriver Farm & Cidery. From all of us, we wish the lavender celebration visitors to our area a happy 2012 Sequim Lavender Weekend!