Celebrate the grape harvest with wine fest on Whidbey

Published 2:36 pm Friday, October 28, 2011

Despite a cool, wet summer, the grape harvest on Whidbey Island this year has delivered, island winemakers report.

While it’s too soon to tell how 2011 wines will fare compared with other years, it is time to celebrate the harvest.

For the past few years, the Whidbey Island Vintner Association — a collaboration of the eight wineries on the island — have organized a tour timed to the fall harvest and new releases, spokeswoman Virginia Bloom said.

This year’s tour runs from Nov. 11 through 13.

The weekend is an opportunity to explore Whidbey’s scenery, enjoy the water views, take in the tapestry of fall colors, all while tasting award-winning wines. (Be sure to designate a driver, as always.)

Six wineries are participating at five tasting rooms. Wineries are Holmes Harbor Cellars, Greenbank Cellars, Blooms Winery on Whidbey, Spoiled Dog Winery, Ott &Murphy Wines and Comforts of Whidbey.

Included in the tour is a souvenir wine glass, entry to the wineries and live music at the Bayview Corner tasting room shared by Blooms and Spoiled Dog wineries.

People who purchase a case of wine (that’s 12 bottles total, tracked on a punch card) can either get a $20 rebate or free tickets to the Red Wine &Chocolate tour in February.

The wine tour is $20 in advance or $25 at the event.

Buy tickets at http://tinyurl.com/winetourtickets or at any of the participating tasting rooms.

For more information, go to www.whidbeyislandvitners.org or call 360-321-0515.

Herald staff