A popular wine tasting destination may not seem like the best choice for a family getaway. However, we had the pleasure of learning that Walla Walla, Washington is indeed a fantastic place to visit with kids. Slaed and I hadn’t visited since before we were even married, so we were excited to see the small town located in Southeast Washington State (about 4.5 hours from Seattle) through the fresh eyes of our children.
Wenatchee, WA’s Chateau Faire Le Pont Winery: 5 Reasons to Visit
While visiting Wenatchee, Washington last fall, we were treated to a wine tasting from Chateau Faire Le Pont, a winery in the north end of town close the the confluence of the Columbia and Wenatchee rivers. We arrived in the late afternoon in order to beat the evening crowd, and take advantage of some free time before dinner elsewhere in the city.
Things can go terribly wrong when wine tasting with kids, if you’re not prepared (our tips here), but our experience at Chateau Faire Le Pont was lovely, and I wanted to share a few of the reasons why this particular place felt special to me. I know when we’re back in town, I’ll certainly want to stop back in, and maybe someday, we’ll even have the pleasure of enjoying a meal in their dining room.
9 Tips for Wine Tasting with Kids
With so many opportunities for wine tasting popping up more and more, we love getting the chance to sample the tastes of the regions that we travel through, even with kids in tow. As wine lovers, we simply can’t pass up an option to explore new and different wine varieties, get to know the people behind the bottle, and when possible experience where the grapes were actually sourced.
Throw kids into the mix though and wine tasting can get a little tricky. When you taste, you want to take your time, savor, and pick apart the subtle notes in each sip. Kids don’t have that kind of patience.
Can you visit places like Sonoma County, Washington’s Columbia Valley (and beyond), and skip a visit to the wineries? We think not.
Here’s a list of things we keep in mind when it comes to wine tasting with kids:
1. Research Ahead.
It’s best to know what you are getting into ahead of time. Do some pre-planning and find out the most kid-friendly wineries and vineyards in the area in which you are traveling. Features we love and look out for when wine tasting with kids:
- Outdoor decks and patios
- Picnic areas
- Kids tables/play areas
- Games like bocce ball and corn hole, expansive lawns, and even play equipment
- Food
- Animals
Wine Tasting with Kids in Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley
While visiting family in Sonoma during our Spring Break road trip, we spend an afternoon exploring wineries of the Dry Creek Valley. The area, specifically known for their zinfandel grapes, is located on the west side of US 101 in Northern Sonoma County close to the towns of Geyserville (tiny) and Healdsburg (small). The landscape, as one would expect, is absolutely gorgeous, void of a lot of development, and lucky for us, free from crowds. Whether that was due to the weather (rain off and on), time of year (early April), or just the fact that this particular region has remained undisturbed from a lot of other retail, I can’t be completely sure, but I certainly appreciated it!
Lake Chelan Wine Tasting with Toddler in Tow
When my husband, Slaed, mentioned he’d need to travel to Lake Chelan for work last weekend, I jumped at the chance for Bergen and I to tag along. Being just a little over 3 hours, in North Central Washington, by the car makes it the perfect roadtrip, and a good opportunity to get away, even if it would only be for a couple days. I was also hoping to take advantage of the 300 days of sunshine that Lake Chelan boasts.
The weekend had it’s ups and downs. Thankfully more ups than downs, but the downs had us questioning why we were traveling with our rambunctious toddler yet again. Were we pushing it? Should we have just stayed home where he’s comfortable and has a routine?
Our first full day greeted with a sky full of clouds and a forecast for rain after a rough night of little sleep, but we were determined to make the most of it. Slaed worked in the morning while Bergen and I went on a nice long walk (despite the weather) and explored town. During Bergen’s nap, we hatched a wine tasting plan. Thanks to Chelan’s Chamber of Commerce, we were armed with a map of Chelan Wine Country and a slew of recommendations with our unique needs in mind. The wineries need to be open, family-friendly, and not too terribly far away.
Lake Chelan and the surrounding area has long been famous for it’s apples, but only in the last 5 years or so has it’s wine scene picked up, and become quite a destination for tasters. According to the chamber of commerce, in 2009 it was designated as an American Viticulture Area (AVA), and now has over 20 wineries to explore.
Our tour started at Vin du Lac just outside of the town of Chelan. Upon arrival we immediately noticed the view and the spacious patio area. We were also put at ease when we spotted another couple with their older toddler enjoying a glass of wine inside. After sampling a red and a couple whites, we decided it was best to choose a full glass, and enjoy it outside where Bergen was free to explore. We settled on the Les Amis (75 % Riesling, 10% Gewurztraminer, 15% Muscat). Fresh, not too sweet, not too dry, perfect for sipping as we soaked in the Vitamin D and took in the view.
For our next destination, we were torn. We knew we would continue around the lake towards the town of Manson, but with our limited time and toddler patience, we couldn’t make any mistakes! Luckily, we quickly found out one of two choices was closed making our decision easy: Benson’s Vineyards. This time, we put Bergen on my back in the ergo. Again, we sampled just a couple wines, and then noticed the nice back deck. The two of us decided on another full glass so we could enjoy the sunset as Bergen meandered around the fully enclosed area. Their 2009 Sangiovese was the right choice. I liked it’s balance with just a touch of raspberry fruitiness. We loved not worrying about him wandering off, discovering stairs, or some other way out. Sure it was a little chilly, but we were prepared, and the view made it all okay.
We were ready and looking forward to our last winery: Wapato Point Cellars. We heard from multiple sources that not only was it a great place to taste wine, but a great (and family-friendly) place to have dinner. There’s even a playground on the property! After one or two samples, we quickly realized we needed to move on to our meal for Bergen’s sake. I knew exactly what to order and was not disappointed with their burger. Flavorful and cooked just right with just the right amount of melted cheese. We went home with a bottle of 2011 Harmony: a refreshing blend of Pinto Grigio and Riesling.
We appreciated the laid back atmosphere of the Lake Chelan wineries, and while winter may not be ideal for most visitors, I was thankful for the lack of crowds, and blown away by the pleasant, family-friendly experience. And as for those questions above about traveling once again with our young toddler…I think we made the right choice, don’t you?
Where is your favorite wine region? What makes it the best?
Info to Know:
- Before starting your wine tasting journey, take some of the guess work out of it, and head to the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce for a winery map and recommendations that suit your needs. Up-to-date information on hours and tasting times are available as well.
- 102 East Johnson Ave Chelan, WA 98816
- Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm
- Vin du Lac of Chelan
- 105 Highway 150 Chelan, WA 98816
- Benson Vineyards
- 754 Winesap Ave. Manson, WA 98831
- Wapato Point Cellars
- 200 Quetilquasoon Road Manson, WA 98831
Also read about wine adventures in Sonoma County, plus 9 Tips for Wine Tasting with Kids!
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