I am so lucky in life to have wonderful, fiercely smart, and wildly fun girl friends. Two of these ladies, I've known and been close with for over 20 years.
We all have those friends that it's fun to catch up with, fun to go out on the town with, fun to get coffee with.... but these girls are the ones that it feels like coming HOME to; where no conversation has an awkward silence, and where you know your deepest secrets and fears are safely guarded. They're two of the few people that I can recall their childhood home phone numbers by heart to this day because we dialed each other so often on ye old landline.
I met Adrien in kindergarten and JulieAnne in 3rd grade. We've survived the awkward years of middle school together, and stayed part of a tight knit crew all through high school cheering on the Issaquah Indians. Adrien and I stuck it out in Girl Scouts til we were seniors, and she didn't even make fun of me (too much) when I told very entertaining stories in my sleep at camp. We went to prom together at the Seattle Space needle, and JulieAnne and I spent our 21st birthdays across the country with Adrien despite being separated by the distance (we will forgive you someday for abandoning us, Adrien). Many nights were spent with JulieAnne eating tropical dots and watching scary movies in her basement and they have both continuously been, essentially, my life coaches.
Since we all live in separate states, it's a beautiful thing when we can all meet in one place for a weekend!
We spent our time in Central Washington, a popular destination for bachelorette parties, doing some wine tasting for the weekend. Here's our review of the wineries we went to:
C.R. SANDIDGE: Manson, WA.
This winery is located near several restaurants and eateries in Manson and has a small tasting room, but the wines are not to miss. We enjoyed most every wine here, and I came home with the 2014 Whistle Punk, a red blend with aromas of black cherry, blackberry, caramel, toasted coconut, and espresso coffee. Another favorite of ours was the Triumph.
HARD ROWE TO HOE: Manson, WA.
Yes, that's really the name of the winery.
Yes, they have a row boat at the winery.
Yes, I made all of us get in said boat to take pictures.
Yes, they knew this would be happening since they've known me for over 20 years.
Favorites from this winery included the 'Shameless Hussy' white wine and the Coquette, for which tasting notes included "popcorn". They also serve a delicious port wine named 'Land HO!'
If you'd like to join their wine club and receive a shipment of their wine regularly, you may join 'The Oar House.'
The Hard Rowe to Hoe winery has a RICH past and history linked to it's name. I don't feel confident, or comfortable reviewing the history on this blog without major blushing, so you'll just have to visit yourself.
BENSON WINERY: Manson, WA.
Benson winery is absolutely breath-taking. The rolling hills of grape vines and a backdrop of Lake Chelan are unparalleled. Out of the wineries we visited, this one took best view hands down.
We took our bottle of 2014 Cabriovese out to their patio to enjoy in the late summer sun. Even though it is not yet officially Autumn, the morning air had a crisp quality to it that just didn't feel like summer anymore. It was nice to visit Central Washington at the conclusion of the summer season (when it is busiest), as it was more peaceful.
WHERE TO EAT:
BBQ In the Vineyard. This eatery was recommended to us by locals and it's located adjacent to the Lake Chelan Winery in Manson. It's a casual, open-air shed backed up against rows of grapes where visitors eat under string lights while listening to country music. It was pretty magical. After several wine-tastings, Adrien and I were pretty hungry and BBQ really seemed to get the job done! Sample some of Lake Chelan Winery's wines while dining here to squeeze in another winery during your central Washington tasting marathon.
WHERE TO STAY:
AirBNB: John's Home.
Adrien and I stayed at the most peaceful farmhouse set in the center of rows of orchard trees- apples, pears, plums, and rows of grapes. A portion of the land is thoughtfully set aside by the host for a community garden. There are also overflowing beds of dahlias, black-eyed susans and sunflowers with garden gnomes hidden at their feet.
I could not get enough of the front porch and we bundled up tight just to be able to enjoy our breakfast out there in the morning along with the rising sun.
Fresh flowers were a nice touch to the table in our room. What a beautiful bouquet, hand-picked from the yard.
September is harvest time, and the honey bees are still working hard to make enough honey for the winter months ahead.
A portion of the property is community gardens, teeming with fresh, ready-for-the-picking produce, including this tunnel of green beans.
Our hosts were sweet enough to send us home with a huge box of freshly picked plums from their orchard. We were happy to bring home some of the fruits of the valley.
Wine is WIN with an "e" on the end. I totally won by finding these two as best friends 20+ years ago. These are the ladies I'll drop anything for, wait anxiously for the next reunion with, and treasure the memories we have together.
Until next time, my dear friends.
September 2017.