Scott McKinlay, Editor                               Vol. 11, Number 4        April  2014
  
Current Events 

 

 

Event Summary

 

 


For late breaking events in Prosser or events  that didn't make the newsletter
 
  
Prosser Winter
Farmer's Market

November - April
9am - Noon

1st & 3rd Saturdays

Farmers Market  

  
  
  
  
 
Sage Rat Run
May 17-18 2014
Sunnyside.Grandview.
Prosser

  
  
 
   
Washington State Evergreen RV Show 
April 11th-13, 2014 
Monroe, Washington



 
  
Spring Barrel Tasting
Yakima Valley
April 25th-27th   
    

 

 

 

 

  

Princess Theatre Schedule 

 
Tickets to many of these great events are available at the Prosser Chamber of Commerce 

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Wine Country
 
What's Happening in Wine Country 

  
  
Greetings from Wine Country RV Park!
  
 
Spring has arrived here in Wine Country!! Come celebrate the arrival of April with Pre-Spring and Spring Barrel Tasting. It's not too late to reserve a spot, but we are starting to fill up for these 2 fun filled event weekends.
 
 
 
Spring Barrel Weekend Activities

Yakima Valley wine tasting from the barrel is a unique experience. Expect wines to taste different than you are used to out of the bottle. The vintages are brand new - giving tasters a sneak peek in to how they could mature. Will it be an award-winner? You be the judge at Spring Barrel celebrations this year! You have two weekends to participate: On Saturday April 19th, many wineries are open for "pre-barrel." This is an opportunity for a bit slower pace and more education from the wine-maker as crowds are smaller. The weekend of April 25-27th is Spring Barrel Weekend, where droves of people gather in the Yakima Valley for the largest wine festival in the Pacific Northwest to experience the new vintages straight from the barrel. Many wineries have local food pairings, live music and festivities.   

 

 

Spring Barrel Tasting also allows tasters a sneak preview of upcoming vintages from their favorite wineries. This special weekend in the Yakima Valley features winemakers and cellar staff who are on hand to share insights and answer questions on the winemaking process. Many of the 40 participating wineries make special efforts to enhance the wine tasting experience by adding delicious cheeses, sauces, salads, and even desserts to mix along with special tasting and education. To get more information and to find out who the participating wineries are visit www.wineyakimavalley.org or call (509) 965-5201.   

  

Login to www.winecountryrvpark.com to make your reservations for Spring Barrel in Wine Country.


14 Hands Winery Opens for Business in Eastern Washington

14 Hands Winery will officially open its doors for business on Saturday, April 12, to the new 14 Hands winery and tasting room in Prosser, Washington. Owned by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, 14 Hands is Washington's 3rd largest wine brand. To secure a ticket to the grand opening event, please visit 14hands.com.

Come experience the spirit of 14 Hands in person at our brand-new winery and tasting room featuring fantastic indoor and outdoor lounge space, a beautiful tasting bar, and a unique barrel room. The new space will also showcase an expanded collection of 14 Hands The Reserve wines, as well as seasonal offerings throughout the year. Visit 14hands.com for updated information.



The Northwest Preparedness Expo
Friday, May 2nd 10am-6pm   
Saturday, May 3rd 9am-6pm
 
Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center  
2140 Wine Country Road 
Prosser, Washington 99350 
Contact  
Larelle Michener [email protected]

509-882-7810  

Join us at The Northwest Preparedness Expo in 2014 and learn why it is important to be prepared... and what preparedness means! Geared for both the questioning newbie as well as the experienced, this two day event will cover the 5 S's of preparedness: Safety, Sustenance, Shelter, Skills and Stuff. Browse the vendors and find the gear that is right for you be it first aid kits, tools or food stores. Sit in on one of the classes offered and learn about alternative energy sources, herbal medicine, canning, home defense, communication in an emergency situation, and many other topics. 
 

   

Sage Rat Run
 

 The 2014 Sage Rat Run will be on May 17th and 18th. Located in the wine country of Sunnyside, Grandview, Prosser, Washington. Sage Rat Run is designed to bring communities and people together for a happy, healthy, fun run event while raising money for charity and other causes.

The biggest Half Marathon finishing medal in Washington State? In 2013, Sage Rat Run had an impressive 5 inch Sage Rat Volcano Medal due to the anniversary of the St Helens eruption. The Little Rock Marathon claims to have the largest marathon finishing medal in the country at around 7 x 6 inches. The 2014 Sage Rat Run Half Marathon / 12k Finishing Medal will be a whopping 6 inch monster. Is there a bigger finishing medal in Washington? We think not. Not only will it be big, we are claiming that it will be the coolest finishing medal you will receive in 2014. If we are wrong about having the coolest, biggest, medal in Washington, let us know so we can do better in 2015. For more information login to www.sageratrun.com 

 

 

 

 As you are planning your spring, summer and fall travel, remember we love groups, big and small. If you are planning a special event remember we have banquet facilities as well as meeting rooms that can handle your group.

 

 

Nick and myself sure enjoyed visiting with everyone at the Portland RV Show last month, and we sure hope we see you this year in Wine Country.

For all of you that couldn't attend the Portland RV Show, we will be at the Washington State Evergreen RV Show April 11th-13th. This show will take place at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, Washington and we will be there handing out information about Wine Country RV Park and Prosser.

 

 

Make sure you read the winery section of this newsletter for many more upcoming events and activities.

 

Remember we do have an online reservation system, so if you wake up in the middle of night wondering where you could go for a quick weekend, enjoy the sunshine, play a round of golf, wine taste and then have an awesome evening around the fire pit with friends!  This is the place!!  You can log onto www.winecountryrvpark.com and make your reservation for up to 2 years in advance!!

 

 

 

Happy April and as always Safe Travels, 

CURRENT WEATHER CONDITIONS

                                       

Click here for current weather in Wine Country.

Easy Recipe by Nick


 



PB + J Healthy Oatmeal Cookies

   

Servings: 8 * Size: 2 cookies * Calories: 91 * Fat: 3 g * Carb: 15 g * Fiber: 2 g * Protein: 2.5 g  

Sugar: 5 g  Sodium: 19 mg  *Cholest: 0 mg

Ingredients:

  • 2 medium ripe bananas, mashed
  • 1 cup of uncooked quick oats*
  • 2 tbsp chunk peanut butter (I like the texture)
  • 4 teaspoons reduced sugar jelly


Directions:

Preheat oven to 350�F.  Spray a non-stick cookie sheet with cooking spray.

Combine the mashed bananas and peanut butter in a medium bowl. Add the oats and mix until thoroughly combined. Place batter by tablespoons (little more than level) on the cookie sheet, making an indent with the back of the measuring spoon. Repeat until you have 16 cookies.

Bake 15 minutes or until golden. Remove from oven and top each with 1/4 teaspoon jelly.

*Use gluten free oats such as Bob's Red Mill quick oats to make them gluten free.



Enjoy !!!

 

 

Manager's Corner  

 

 


Hey Everyone!

 

                April has arrived and Spring is in full swing! The weather has been warming up nicely, and after speaking with some of you at the Seattle and Portland RV shows, it sounds like you are excited about traveling to Wine Country RV Park for a sunny and warm destination! With all of the wineries gearing up for the season, we have been getting our wine selection stocked up here in the RV park store. Speaking of wine, have you made your reservations to attend the Pre Barrel or Spring Barrel weekends? These events happen on the 3rdand 4thweekend of April. We still have a few sites available and I suggest making the reservations ahead of time as this weekend will sell out. So give us a call or go online to make your reservation today!
                

The wine bar here in our lobby of the RV Park Office is ready and the local wineries are on board to come to our RV Park and do tastings in the evenings. The schedule for these wineries are getting finalized. So keep a look out for a separate Newsletter email that will have this information for you.  

 

                I hope all of you have a great month and we here at Wine Country RV Park look forward to seeing all of you that are coming to stay with us .

 

Safe Travels,

 

Nick

 

 

Monthly Riddle Corner
  
The answer to last month's riddle was:
Answer: I am a Stapler
Congratulations to Bob Hatlestad 
 

 

Here is this months riddle -

 

 

Riddle:

 

A man is walking through the park one day and sees a group of four boys standing in a circle. A smaller boy is holding a large stick and hands it to a larger boy saying "I couldn't do it, your turn."

The larger boy swings the stick twice and the other two boys go to the ground. The smaller boy says "I'll get 'em next time." The man walks away smiling.

 

 

 

 

  

What just happened? 

 

   

  

 

The riddles will be collected for 24 hours, to make it fair to our clients that don't get home from work until later in the day.  One name will be drawn from those who entered within 24 hours of the newsletter.  Email your answer to:  [email protected] with RIDDLE in the subject line and the correct answer drawn from the entries to the riddle will receive a free one night stay.      

  

 

 

 

 Featured Winery:

 Mercer Estates 

 

 


Mercer Estates Winery

3100 Lee Road, Prosser

Open Wed-Sun 10:00 AM-5:00 PM

(509) 786-2097  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

The Mercer family wants guests to be able to connect with staff and take in the sights, sounds, and aromas of the wine-making process - from grapes to barrel to bottle. Arrange for a private tour of our facility and then enjoy the resulting award-winning wines in our beautiful tasting room! Our friendly and knowledgeable staff welcomes you to enjoy your tasting at one of our comfortable tables, sampling our wines side-by-side, or if you prefer, step up to our tasting bar to sample in the traditional manner, one wine at a time. 

 

 

Our unique seated tastings provide an opportunity to rest your feet while comparing and contrasting the different flavors and aromas of each individual wine. You and your guests can enjoy our art-filled air-conditioned tasting room at your leisure, and perhaps discuss your discoveries with the winery owners or other knowledgeable staff.

 

 

The winery and grounds are full of beautiful sights and sounds. Guests can stroll the walking paths and enjoy our diverse and luscious landscaping, taking in the beautiful vistas and agriculture that surrounds us. Pause to watch the train roll by or perhaps catch the antics of the gentle, wild critters who have made themselves at home on our estate.

 

 

Come visit us and enjoy our wines!
-The Mercer Family

 

 

  


 

 

On the Wine Front 

 

  Upcoming Events 

 

 

 

Desert Wind Winery

2258 Wine Country Rd. Prosser

509-786-7277  

www.desertwindwinery.com 

 

 

Friday - April 18, 2014

Wine Sensory Evaluation Class: Back to Basics

5:00pm-7:pm
Learn how to describe what you are tasting when you drink wine. We'll try two white wines, two reds, and use a variety of additional sensory tools to help you learn how to pinpoint the flavors and aromas in wine. $30 per person ($27 for Wine Club) includes workshop instruction, wine and snacks. Reservations required; class size limited to 25 guests.

Friday - April 25, 2014
Friday Night Farm to Fork Dinner at Desert Wind
6:00pm- 8:00pm
Join us for our festive monthly event featuring a three-course family-style dinner highlighting the region's best produce and purveyors. Pre-dinner social begins at 6:00 p.m.; dinner at 6:30. Limited seating available; reservations required one week prior to date of dinner. $65 per person ($55 for Wine Club members) includes pre-dinner social and three-course dinner with wine pairings.

Friday - May 02, 2014  
First Friday Music & Flatbreads at Desert Wind
5:00pm-8:00 pm

Join us on the patio (weather permitting...indoors otherwise) for an evening of food and fun. Live music, $10 flatbread pizzas, and food and drink specials. No reservations required.


Wednesday - May 14, 2014
Cooking Class at MOJAVE at Desert Wind
5:00pm - 7:00pm
Join us in MOJAVE for an evening of culinary instruction in a small class setting. Learn tips and techniques for mastering your kitchen from the MOJAVE culinary crew. $70 per person ($60 for Wine Club members) includes class instruction and chef demo, recipes, wine and food and a small gift. Class size limited to 12 participants; reservations required at least one week prior to date of class.

Friday - May 30, 2014   
Friday Night Farm to Fork Dinner at Desert Wind  
6:00pm-8:00pm
Join us for our festive monthly event featuring a three-course family-style dinner highlighting the region's best produce and purveyors. Pre-dinner social begins at 6:00 p.m.; dinner at 6:30. Limited seating available; reservations required one week prior to date of dinner. $65 per person ($55 for Wine Club members) includes pre-dinner social and three-course dinner with wine pairings. 


Mercer Estates Winery

3100 Lee Road, Prosser

Open Wed-Sun 10:00 AM-5:00 PM

509-786-2097

 

April 12, 2014

Take a deep breath, relax and take advantage of our

Tax Relief Day at
Mercer Wine Estates
~ Today ONLY ~Free Shipping On All Tasting Room Sales

May 3, 2014 (all-day)

Dollar$ For Scholars Fundraiser
Celebrate with us by giving back to our communities growing interest in pursing secondary education!

All day, a percentage of all Tasting Room wine sales (May 3rd 2014)  will be donated to the scholarship fund!

So bring in your Family & Friends and support us in this great cause!

For more information, visit their website at:

http://moralesmemorialscholarship.org/Morales%20Memorial%20Scholarship.html

 

 

May 10, 2014


 Celebrate the special woman guiding you through life with our newly released

100% Grenache 2013 Mercer Estates Rose'

Free Tasting for All Mom's Today!

  

  

 

Milbrandt Vineyards

508 Cabernet Court

Prosser, WA 99350

509-788-0030

 

Saturday 26 April 2014, 09:00am - 11:00am

Booming Barrel Sale 2014

Our largest wine sale of the entire year!

Get here early to stock up on all of your favorite Milbrandt Vineyards wines, the sale is only 2 hours!

More details coming soon...

 

 

 

 

Coyote Canyon Winery

357 Port Avenue

Prosser, WA 99350

(509) 830-6301

 

Friday, April 25, 2014 - Sunday, April 27, 2014; 10am-5pm 

Spring Barrel Event 
Winemakers Loft, 357 Port Avenue, Prosser, WA 99350  
Live Music in the Wine Garden featuring Swing Shift!

 

Join us at this year's Spring Barrel Event to celebrate our award winning Spring Wine Release.

 

You will also enjoy: 

      

Reserve Tasting and Bottle signing with Mike Andrews
Barrel Sampling with Justin Michaud
Unique Red wine and Dove Chocolate pairings with Martha Andrews

Live music in the Wine Garden featuring Swing Shift

$5 Entry Fee

Sample the Award winning vintages of Coyote Canyon Winery. We will treat you with the stories of how our wine develops from grape to glass. Barrel sampling allows tasters a sneak preview of upcoming vintages from their favorite varieties. Visit with the grower, winemaker and cellar staff who are on hand to share insights and answer questions on the winemaking process.

  

For more information call us at 509-786-7686

or email us at [email protected]

 

- See more at: http://www.coyotecanyonwinery.com/events/upcoming-events.html&emode=M&E=195&10152#sthash.sW0105pG.dpuf

 

 


Airfield Estates

560 Merlot Drive

Prosser, WA 99350

509-786-7401

  

SPRING BARREL TASTING WEEKEND!!!

Friday, April 25th - Sunday, April 27th

Sample some of our newly released whites, favorite reds, & upcoming wine still in barrel.  Prosser's very own Hogg Heaven BBQ will also be on site selling their delicious brisket and pulled pork sandwiches.  With a premier pass, you can also visit 40 other Yakima Valley wineries!

Date:
Friday-Sunday, April 25-27, 2014
Location:
Airfield Estates Prosser Tasting Room and Participating Yakima Valley Wineries

Premier Pass:

  $30
in advance until April 21st - or - $35 at the door. 

 

 

Friday-Sunday, May 9-11, 2014

MOTHER'S DAY WINE TASTING

Join us for a special Mother's Day Wine Tasting!  We'll be featuring some of our favorite Spring wines and offering complimentary wine tasting to all mothers.  Wine flights and cheese platters will be available for purchase.  Plus, we will be featuring live music from 1 PM to 5 PM on Saturday, May 10th.

Location:Airfield Estates 

 

 

 


 

   

 

 

Please click on websites below for updated Winery Events

 

 

 

 

Airfield Estates   Alexandria Nicole Cellars   Apex Cellars 

 

Coyote Canyon Winery  Desert Wind Winery 

 

Gamache Vintners  Cowan Vineyards  Hogue Cellars 

 

Kestrel Vintners  Martinez & Martinez Winery  Mercer Estates 

 

Milbrandt Vineyards  Thurston Wolfe Winery  Willow Crest Winery 

 

Wine O' Clock Wine Bar & Bistro  Yakima River Winery 

 

 Vineheart Winery  Pontin del Roza  14 Hands Winery 

 

 

 

   

These are just a few of the wineries we hope you will visit while you are here this coming year!!

 

 For the beer drinkers who might be coming along too, we have something for you too!!

 

 

 

 

Horse Heaven Hills Brewery    Located Downtown Prosser

 

 

       Whitstran Brewery                  Located on Wine Country Road

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or contact us at [email protected]