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Pacific Northwest wineries build events around Mother’s Day

By Eric Degerman on May 9, 2013

Arbor Crest Wine Cellars and other members of the Spokane Wineries Association will participate in Mother’s Day Weekend events Sunday. (Photo courtesy of Flickr. Click through for credit)

Sunday in the Pacific Northwest will be a day to celebrate mothers with brunch, flowers and regional wine.

Some tasting rooms that choose to operate on Mother’s Day will waive tasting fees for mothers on Sunday, but many in our region also have scheduled special events.

For years, the Spokane Wineries Association has used Mother’s Day Weekend to kick off its spring releases. The festivities start at noon Friday.

It is one of three special weekends that the 19 wineries observe together. The weekend also is a great way to participate in the Lilac City’s corkage-free campaign. More than a dozen restaurants in the Spokane area will waive corkage if guests bring a bottle purchased that day from a Spokane winery. Diners must present the receipt to qualify for the offer.

In Woodinville, Covington Cellars – the parent of Wine Press Northwest’s 2013 Washington Winery to Watch — will hold a three-course Mother’s Day lunch paired with wines by Morgan Lee.

There are several events scheduled for Sunday in the Yakima Valley. Desert Wind Winery in Prosser creates a brunch buffet and mimosa bar, and each mother will receive a rose. Kestrel Vintners in Prosser will be staging Mother’s Day Brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Silver Lake Winery in the Rattlesnake Hills offers a Mother’s Day Salmon Lunch from noon to 4 p.m. with live music.

One of the Northwest’s most popular Mother’s Day events – the brunch at Eola Hills Wine Cellars in Rickreall, Ore. – has long been sold out.

Lynn Penner-Ash, Oregon’s first female head winemaker, and her team at Penner-Ash Wine Cellars near Newberg developed a special Mother’s Day brunch at her winery, which offers one of the best views in north Willamette Valley. Lunch is catered by Feastworks, and it will feature her acclaimed pink, which she calls Roseo. Tickets and RSVP are required.

In the Chehalem Mountains, Alloro Vineyard carries its Mother’s Day Weekend Wine and Fine Chocolates event through 5 p.m. Sunday. It collaborated with The Meadow in Portland for the chocolate pairings.

Idaho wineries continue Mother’s Day traditions

A number of Idaho wineries in the Snake River Valley also have a tradition of toasting moms on Sunday.

In fact, Sawtooth Winery’s ranks as one of the oldest in the Pacific Northwest. The Nampa winery will hold its 24th annual Mother’s Day Wine Tasting and features attractions for all age groups. The Flavors, who will be returning to play Savor Idaho next month, will perform. Two food trucks will be operating. Winemaking consultant Kat House conducts interactive science experiments geared toward children, who also can have fun with clowns and facepainting. Cost is $25 at the winery. Presale tickets are $15.

Ste. Chapelle opens up its lawn for a Mother’s Day picnic, a concert by local artist Ophelia and a variety of drink specials that include Wild Hibiscus Mimosa with its sparkling wine. Indian Creek will blend the sound of After Abbey lead singer Samuel Taylor with treats from the Voluptuous Vittles Food Truck. Others with special events on Sunday include Hells Canyon, Mouvance and Williamson.

In British Columbia, one of the more unique Mother’s Day events will be at Township 7 Vineyards & Winery’s tasting room in Langley. It includes a fashion show and live music by Exit 58. Entry is by donation to Servants Anonymous Society, which assists females who have been victims of sexual exploitation.

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About Eric Degerman

Eric Degerman is the President and CEO of Great Northwest Wine. He is a journalist with more than 30 years of daily newspaper experience and has been writing about wine since 1998. He co-founded Wine Press Northwest magazine with Andy Perdue and served as its managing editor for a decade. He is a frequent wine judge at international wine competitions throughout North America and orchestrates 10 Northwest competitions each year.