Yakima Redefined, part 4

Craft Beverage Yakima was formed to market the downtown (and beyond) artisan beverage producers: beer, cider, wine, spirits. In our final piece of this series, we take you to two wineries, two hotels, and help you find transportation for your beverage tour!

Kana Winery

Sourcing from Elephant Mountain, Boushey Vineyards, Elderding-Six Prong, Coyote Canyon, Stone Tree Vineyards, and Champoux Vineyards, Kana produces wines designed to age well. Reds spend 36 months in barrel, then a year in bottle (depending on previous vintage sales). 2300-2400 cases are produced each year, with the emphasis on Rhone varietals with an artistic flair and broadly-affordable prices. Kana opened in late 2004 and is owned by a physician/musician, Dr. Palmer Wright, who plays at the tasting room. It was one of the first wineries to open downtown, helping lead the retail renaissance. The interior is fun with brightly painted items, cafeteria-style benches, the wine tasting bar, and scattered tables. 102 S 2^nd Street in the historic Art-Deco Larson Building, Yakima, WA 98901. 509-453-6611. www.kanawinery.com

Hotel Maison

Just months old, Hotel Maison resides in a building that is 105 years old, built for the Yakima Freemasons, with a Mansard roof, dormer windows, slate roof, and terra cotta detailing. While maintaining the history, the interior is brand new. Heating/cooling systems are located in hallways so guests don't have electrical humming in their rooms. Art throughout reflects the views, colors, and tones of the Valley. There are standard king rooms, studio suites, standard two queens, and ADA-designed rooms. Robes, spa bathroom amenities, iPod chargers, Keurig coffee makers, and much more add up to a very comfortable night's stay. A fitness center is located within the building, and Ummelina Yakima Valley Spa Retreat is right across the courtyard. Daily complimentary breakfast includes pastries, fruits, charcuterie, and hard-boiled eggs. Security covered parking is also available. It's a wonderful repurposing of a beautiful building. 321 E Yakima Avenue, Yakima, WA 98901. 509-571-1900. thehotelmaison.com

Hilton Garden Inn Hotel

Located right downtown, this hotel offers a fitness center, pool, hot tub, business center, meeting space, banquet facility, as well as their own full-service restaurant for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They also offer a 24-hour convenience mart for snack foods, and can coordinate catering for meetings and events. Underground self-parking is offered at a nominal cost. They offer king bed rooms as well as rooms with two queen beds, and ADA accessible rooms. Within walking distance of many restaurants, wineries, and breweries, this is a very convenient location. 401 East Yakima Avenue, Yakima, WA 98901. 509-454-1111. hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com

JB Neufeld

J (Justin) and B (Brooke) decided Justin should start his own label, as he had always wanted to do. It's really a side project as he is the winemaker for Gilbert Cellars and also makes the red wines for Naches Heights Vineyard. Clearly, he has plenty of free time. The more he has learned, the more interested he has become with the process of making wine. That is what his own label is about: concentrating on the fruit and not blending varieties or vineyards to balance a wine. He wants his wines to truly reflect the area they are from. His label is Cabernet Sauvignon focused and he currently has three wines available, all of which were in barrel for 23 months: 2012 Artz Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013 DuBrul Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2013 Yakima Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. 2008 was his first vintage. He makes his wine out of the Gilbert Cellars winery at 2620 Draper Road, Yakima, WA, 98903, 509-895-9979, and you can visit there, or contact Brooke at 206-255-0119 to schedule a tour/private tasting. www.jbneufeld.com

Wineries Express

Eric Miller founded his tour company in 2012. He has a B.S. degree in Global Wine Studies from Central Washington University, and loves introducing the curious to wine country. He grew up in the Yakima Valley, has lived in Seattle, San Francisco, and the Tri-Cities and is now at home in Selah. Having a broad knowledge of the wine industry and knowing many of the personnel at Eastern Washington wineries, he is much more than your driver. He has all kinds of anecdotes to share, behind-the-scene information, and is sensitive to groups' needs. Wine tours do not include tasting fees, although these are usually waived with a bottle purchase. Vehicles include a small bus (4-12), a large bus (up to 29), and private car tours (4 or fewer). You can book transportation from Eastern Washington to Western Washington (Mariners, Seahawks anyone?). The bus has a stereo, four-screen video system, overhead reading lights, and storage, plus room for luggage. 115 S 2^nd Street, Selah, WA 98942. 509-895-9733. www.wineriesexpress.com

Connie Adams/August 2016