Wine Country Contenders - Budget Travel

Wine Country Contenders - Budget Travel

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GRASSROOTS WELLNESS SPA & FITNESS STUDIO

Take a meditative journey .
Recently celebrating their grand opening, Grassroots Wellness & Fitness Spa was designed around the most important person in the world: You. Everything is tailored to your body and your concerns with the purpose of having you leave revitalized, relaxed and refreshed.

Highly personalized and an intimate environment with a focus on inner beauty is what sets Grassroots apart from other spas or fitness studios. Located in the South Hill's Cathedral District at Grand & 13th, Grassroots offers everything from pedicures and facials to massage to biofeedback. In the upstairs Fitness Studio you'll find yoga, Pilates, and meditation classes and for your directional needs there's even a Life Coach on staff.

Upon meeting owner Julie Greeley, one can instantly see her passion has a purpose which shines through, realizing that the opening Grassroots was a a detailed dream turned reality with things falling into confirming this was the journey she was meant to be on. Greeley, a regional director for the past 20 years with Sta-fit Athletic Club, 24 Hour Fitness and now OZ Fitness in Spokane says she loved what she did but their was a true balance missing in the Fitness Industry and believes in helping people to find the balance in their life of the mind, body and soul. A co-worker's tragic ending catapulted Greeley to set her vision into action, as she felt we all need to return to our Grassroots and find balance and inner beauty and wellness for our journey. Enlighten yourself and be a Spa ritualist. Because we all deserve to live the good life.

1303 S Grand Blvd

Spokane WA 99202
509 474-0213

Chaps

Who says you can't go home ? Well, not Celeste Shaw who created Chaps Cafe as an tribute to her heritage. Shaw grew up as a farm girl in Montana prior to converting a turn-of-the-century farmhouse into a down home cafe that is nothing less than delightful. Her inspiration was her two grandmothers, who comfort foods meant home. Colorful cowboy gear and an eclectic decor make you feel like this is where you belong even if you're a city slicker. But it's the home-on-the-range cooking that will have you back for more. The recommendation is to go for breakfast and be sure to have the locally roasted Bumpercrop coffee. This isn't your pretentious gourmet restaurant, but let's be honest, sometimes it's what you'd rather have anyway.

Chaps is located at 4237 South Cheney-Spokane Road Spokane WA. 99224 509 624-4148

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First Friday (August 7th) Art Walk. Wine is liquid art.

The arts and unique businesses are alive in Downtown Spokane and First Friday will showcase them on a monthly basis on the First Friday of every month. Enjoy an evening of drawings, paintings, prints, sculpture, ceramics, photography and other visual art. Take in diverse live performances, including music, dance and theatre and don't forget the exceptional shopping and dining Downtown has to offer.

First Friday Listings - August 7, 2009 Venues open 5-8pm unless otherwise noted.

Barrister Winery, 1213 W. Railroad Ave., “After a Long Interruption” by Spokane artist, Dennis Strasser. Twenty years ago Dennis changed focus became the art director for a clothing company. This show signals his return to fine art; his rediscovery. Reception, 5pm, Lyle Morse plays acoustic Blues, 7-10pm, bistro picnic fare from Beacon Hill available for purchase.

French Quarter, 1311 W. Sprague, Hosting Airfield Estates of Prosser, Wa! Winemaker, Marcus, will pour some winery favorites –guests can meet him and ask wine questions. Brad Keeler plays exceptional Blues, come sample the latest chocolates.

Whitestone Winery, 111 S. Cedar, Proud to host Julie Suchanek, a local artist with a detailed technique manipulating color and shape to suggest the language of each piece, her art is best described as intimate realism. Meet the artist, 5:30-8:30pm. Heather O'brien of 6' Foot Swing provides music. Wine by the glass and gourmet cheese plates will be available for purchase.

Grande Rhonde Cellars, 906 W. 2nd (across from the Steam Plant), Featuring Cheri O'Brien. Cheri's paintings often fuse the real and imaginary "things" her mind conjures up when she sees objects, people, and landscapes. Besides twisted and colorful conventional painting she also does glass enamel paintings and fused painted stain glass. She paints images of the Pacific Northwest including the Palouse region. She also chosen to do a Washington State Public Arts commission, a 44 foot fused painted glass scene called "Setting the Fish Free." She will bring a lot of life to the Spokane art scene.

Arbor Crest Tasting Room, 808 W. Main, River Park Square, Third Level, Featuring artist Dave McGranaghan, with music by Maxie Ray Mills.

Lone Canary Winery, 109 S. Scott Street, Suite B2, Pam Galloway’s exhibit features human and wildlife images, as well as painted furniture. Mellad Abeid on classical guitar, 5-9pm. Wine served by the glass with light hors d’oeuvres; BirdWatchers wine club members receive 10% off glass pours.

For an complete list, go to http://www.downtownspokane.org/first-friday.php

Wine trend #1: Love of local wines (Locapour)No matter where you are, whether you are on home turf or traveling, choosing a locally made wine is “in”. Not only are local wines eco-friendly, they can add to your experience. Opt for a local wine. So glad to know we are "in".

Wine trend #2: Break the rules.How often have you heard the food and wine pairing rule “red wine with steak and white wine with fish”? And how often have you struggled in the wine gallery trying to figure out which wine? Well, labor no more. Food and wine pairing rules are meant to be broken. Here is the only rule that applies: Drink what you like! We never did like rules.

Wine trend #3: Affordable winesOrdering or serving super expensive wines – also known as second mortgage wines because of their lofty price – is a trend that is past its prime. There is so much high quality wine being made that it is not necessary to break out the Black Amex for a compelling bottle. And you’ll save enough money that you can enjoy really good wines, albeit less expensive ones, more often.

AN EVENING UNDER THE STARS

Thursday, August 6, 6pm to 10pm Arbor Crest Wine Cellars

Spokane Public Radio will celebrate the season with a Northwest mid-summer picnic.

The event will combine the beauty of the Arbor Crest Wine Cellars grounds with music by two of the best bands in our area: early-evening bluegrass from Prairie Flyer and danceable hot jazz by Hot Club of Spokane. Chef Romeo Herrera from Catered For You will create and prepare a special picnic for our guests.

As the sun goes down you can enjoy the gorgeous view and grounds, sip award-winning Arbor Crest wines, dance, converse with friends, bid on lovely public radio silent auction items, and star gaze with Spokane Sidewalk Astronomers...all under a luminous full moon. All proceeds benefit Spokane Public Radio.

Gourmet Picnic Menu by Catered For You

Grilled breast of chicken with a peach buerre blanc
& Huckleberry glazed salmon
Harvest potatoes
Salad of fresh greens, garden veggies, cider vinaigrette
Washington apple cake
Iced tea
Craven’s Coffee
Arbor Crest Wine (for purchase by the glass or bottle)

Call 328-5729 or (800) 328-5729
$35 SPR Members/$40 general*
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW AT SPOKANE PUBLIC RADIO
Must be 21+ to attend.
*Non-refundable donation. Proceeds benefit Spokane Public Radio.

AN EVENING UNDER THE STARS A Northwest Picnic

Dinner music will be provided bysmokin' bluegrass band Prairie Flyer.

Have a swingin' good time on the dancefloor after dinner with Hot Club of Spokane.

RAIN in the forecast can be a good thing

Afternoon delights and late night bites make Rain Lounge one of Spokane's Happiest Happy Hours!
Happy Hours are Monday through Friday from 4-6pm and 10pm to close
Wednesday include 1/2 price bottles of wine!
As you can see from the list below the list presents the problem of what items to choose. The reccomendation goes to Baked brie. carmelized onions & apples in a puff pastry (see photo). This is a blissful mix of sweet and savory. Oh but then there's the fresh clams in a spicy sauce, which are oh-so good. Hmm, the solution is to order a few and share.

Townshend Cellar

16112 N Greenbluff Rd

Colbert, WA 99005

(509) 238-1400

Bravo!

Townshend Cellar has a hit with Vortex, a non-vintage Bordeaux blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon 43%, Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. It was recommended by a grocery store wine guy and he was oh-so right. I had a past affair with the T3, which is one of Townshend's most popular blends, so let's just say I knew I was going to like Vortex. Vortex is lighter-style red with essences of blueberries and some raspberries. As you may know, wines are named after the grape, but when its a blend the wine maker gets to name it. A vortex is a spinning, often turbulent, flow of fluid. Any spiral motion with closed streamlines is vortex flow.Perfect title for an aromic wine just swirled in the glass.

I am also a huge fan of the Huckleberry Port which posses aromas of dried black currant, huckleberry, fig and black cherry with a hint of licorice. The huckleberry, chocolate, coffee and black currant linger on making this a delicious port style wine. We all know it's the local favorite wild huckleberries from North Idaho that makes this a port to covet and crave.

This winery is definitely one to watch as the wines are consistently good. The winery has grown from two barrels of wine in 1998 to over 10,000 cases of wine today and offers over 20 different wines.

Life's fast, sip slow.

Beecher's Handmade Cheese (Seattle)

1600 Pike Place

Seattle, Washington 98101

206.956.1964

Say Cheese!

Beecher's is an oh-so tasty artistian cheese maker located in Seattle's Pike Place Market. Though this is always a good choice for a bite, Beecher's is especially perfect on a grey Seattle day. We're talking about the ultimate in comfort food and quite possibly the best homemade cheese EVER. Perfectly toasted grilled cheese sandwiches, creamy tomato soup, and to-die-for grown up macaroni and cheese are all found on a busy corner in the heart the Market. I suggest you order up, grab a stool and watch the cheese makers slowly create bliss in an open vat. The best news for out of towners is Beecher's ship their delectable Flagship Cheese and that World's Best Mac 'n Cheese anywhere in the country. This superbly Seattle eating experience won't disappoint and have you thinking about how soon you can get back there.