Yakima Redefined, part 3

Craft Beverage Yakima was formed to market the downtown (and beyond) artisan beverage producers: beer, cider, wine, spirits. There is a rekindled spirit in Yakima with many new companies creating amazing beverages. Along with that are past and new restaurants and hotels. Everything that makes a destination worth visiting!

Bale Breaker Brewing Company

Fourth generation family members are still growing hops in the Yakima Valley, but they have taken a next step, opening a production brewery in the midst of the hops fields. Originally, there were 20 acres of hops; they now have 1000. Siblings Patrick, Meghann, and Kevin had all worked harvest and understood the business. They also liked to home brew. Getting his MBA, Patrick created a comprehensive business plan for opening a craft brewery. Since the plan was done, why not execute it? They opened in April 2013. The original plan was only to sell in Eastern Washington (they wanted to own their home market before expanding and did so for the first year), open with two styles of beer, be hop forward. They now sell in Spokane and Seattle with six taps at Safeco Field. They are in most groceries in the state and at Total Wine. Already at full capacity at their new facility, they have just added 16,000 square feet. The taproom is family and dog-friendly, with lawn games, picnic tables, food trucks in summer, and a pint night where $1 for each pint sold goes to a local organization. Check their website for live music nights. 1801 Birchfield Road, Yakima, WA 98901. 509-424-4000. www.balebreaker.com

Bron Yr Aur

You have to like a couple who take their retirement money, open a brewery and pizza place, name it after a Led Zeppelin song, and get their three kids to work with them. The words mean "hill of gold" and the old fruit stand, now restaurant and brewery, is their hill of gold. For fun, they loved going to breweries and trying out all the beers. They took all the ideas they'd collected and opened in January 2013. Annette has lived in Naches all her life and knew the area needed a family-friendly spot where people could spend time and get good beer. The restaurant is in the fruit stand building; they've built a wonderful outdoor patio with lawn area, and next to that is their brewery and another bar. One son created the pizza dough recipe they make onsite; pizza is baked in a brick oven. They have six of their own beers on tap. Mike had home brewed for six years and they had a consultant help with equipment and their first batch. Their beer is sold only at their location. 12160 US Hwy 12, Naches, WA 98937. 509-653-1109.  www.bronyraurbrewing.com

Naches Heights Vineyard

Naches Heights is Washington's newest AVA (2012), based on the unique volcanic soils. It is located on top of an andesite (closely related to granite) lava flow. This lava flow may be the longest andesite flow in the world. There are also bigger diurnal temperature differences in the area. Phil Cline planted Naches Heights Vineyard in 2002 on family land where fruit had been grown for 60 years; 2005 was their first crop and 2006 their first vintage: Pinot Gris, Riesling, Syrah. Their first big score was 91 points from Wine & Spirits for their Riesling. They grow 35 different types of grapes in four different AVAs. Naches Heights Vineyard grapes are grown sustainably, organically, and bio-dynamically, and NHV is LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology) certified and Salmon Sale on 80% of their labels. Check their website for events at the Heights. 250 Ehler Road, Yakima, WA, 98908. 509-966-4355. nhvwines.com

Wilridge Winery

Founded in 1988, Wilridge is the oldest continuously operated winery in Seattle. In 2007, their own estate vineyard was planted on Naches Heights. They have 12 acres with 21 varieties of grapes growing. Part of the Naches Heights AVA, Wilridge is one of two wineries there now (see Naches Heights Vineyard above); grapes are grown organically and bio-dynamically. Owner/winemaker Paul Beveridge focuses on the terroir of vineyard sites rather than winemaking innovations or trends. The tasting room at Naches Heights is intimate, with a comfortable porch in front. Being able to taste wine right next to the vineyards is always a plus. Like the Tasting Room at Pike Place Market, you can get other wines as well as Wilridge at Naches Heights. You can also picnic, hike, bike, or rock climb. But tasting wine is best. 250 Ehler Road, Yakima, WA 98908. 509-966-0686. www.wilridgewinery.com

Zesta Cucina

While Italian in name, Zesta is really modern American with a focus on seafood. You can certainly get pizza and pasta, but also steak, tuna, scallops, halibut, Cuban chicken, and so much more. Planning a party? They have three different private venues seating from 30 to 100. The restaurant seats 140, with 80 seats in the bar. 95% of what they serve is made in house, and they offer a full kids menu. The restaurant is inside a building with other retail, similar to the Wallingford Center in Seattle. The restaurant itself feels a little like a fairy land with small white lights, various seating areas, and flowers. Once you've been you'll be thinking "why haven't I been here before?" and it's a good question since they've been in business for 15 years. Time to make a visit. 5110 Tieton Drive, Yakima, WA. 509-972-2000. zestacucina.com

Connie Adams/July 2016