If you're spending Thanksgiving in the Mid-Columbia, this is a great time to seek out a new winery, try a new vintage or simply get out and explore.
You can take advantage of the Yakima Valley and Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail wineries' Thanksgiving in Wine Country events.
In the Yakima Valley, several wineries will hold a holiday open house with special tastings of wines, music, art displays and discounts on purchases Friday and Saturday. Check out the appetizers and homemade dark chocolate brownies at Agate Field Winery in Zillah or book a seat for one of the seminars at Desert Wind Winery in Prosser.
To find a list of participating wineries, go to http://wineyakimavalley.org or call 509-965-5201.
Or head for Zillah, where you can visit 13 of the wineries along the Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail for their three-day event Friday through Sunday. They will be offering a chance to sample new releases, discounts, appetizers and chocolates to nibble on.
There is no cost or ticket needed to attend this event, however, some wineries do charge a tasting fee. A $10 Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail Passport offers 10 percent to 50 percent off wine purchases and waives some tasting fees. Passports are sold at the wineries.
For a full list of participating wineries, go to www.rattlesnakehills.org or call 509-965-4521.
You will need to take your own glass along to these events, as wineries won't be doing any dishwashing.
Several regional wineries, such as Maryhill Winery in Goldendale, also will be holding an open house over the long weekend. Enjoy the festivities -- including live music -- from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday. For more information, go to www.maryhillwinery.com or call 877-627-9445.
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*Loretto J. Hulse: 582-1513; lhulse@tricityherald.com. To receive a recipe via e-mail each Tuesday register at tricityherald.com and click on newsletters. If you already are registered, click on edit account and newsletters to select Recipe of the Week. This exclusive recipe does not appear in the newspaper.
