It was the green that lured us. The hills that surround the Yakima Valley have an ease and softness to them that is unique—like creation exhaled over the land, and as its breath slowly fell to the earth, the roundedness of the downward drift held its shape. This time of year, with extra moisture and cool temps, they turn green. It doesn’t last long, but while it does, it’s something special. On a recent sunny day, Shelley, Aileen and I found our way into the green hills with one thing in mind: wine.
An ancient shifting of tectonic plates, volcanic eruption, and significant flooding has created a wine growing region here that is outstanding. We have so many grapes around we take them for granted. Just as a Himalayan villager forgets to marvel at Everest everyday, so do us non-industry folks forget to marvel at our extraordinary fortune at being so close to one of the best wine growing areas in the state. Hankering for the winery experience, but short on time, we popped south through the gap and ended up on a slope at Owen Roe.
Tucked against the green hills, we were greeted by meticulous vineyards in various states of pruning. On entering the tasting room we randomly bump into 0wen Roe’s Steve Womack who offers to give us a tour of the grounds.
We Gator-up excitedly, because while tasting is always lovely, it’s the hills we’re craving on this day. Our go-around in the Gator was more than sightseeing, it was an explanation of the grape itself.
The geology and the soil, in combination with specific weather patterns come together to grow each grape variety with the individuality of a snowflake. A section of excavated hillside reinforces this tutorial further, revealing the history of the land in visible layers. We’re blown away. We wrap up with a lengthy tasting, ending our brief afternoon liaison with a smile.
The distinctive take away we were all feeling? How lucky we are that there are so many places in the Valley to have this experience. Nestled into the folds of the ridgeline are numerous wineries and vineyards, all taking advantage of a superb growing location. The wine and the farm are not disconnected here, giving rise to a blue jeans approachability that is downright glorious, especially when you consider the tremendous amount of quality and variety available. 
Novices and experts alike can belly up for a tasting and both walk away feeling satisfied, which is saying something. Being connected to the land and the growing in such an intimate way takes the wine experience one step further, creating a unique blend of sky and earth that’s exposed and honest in a way that a tasting note could never articulate. Seeing the gentle rise and fall of the land, and smelling the dry air makes it all come together in the glass differently. Blue jeans optional.
As a child of the valley, long since moved ovet the mountain, I was enjoying the images of back home, and then I read the authors last name,and smiled, the smell of hops in my nose.
Shrub Steppe and wine, green and shades of brown, the tiny bit of color from the Steppe’s earth; all have blessed this County we call Yakima. Thank you for your beautiful article.