The Crush 2011

In Tri-Cities, there isn't much to do. It's a city (well three actually) on a river, in the middle of a desert. And that desert is in the middle of fields. In some of those fields, they grow grapes. Most of those grapes get turned into wine. One of the main, possibly the only, tourist attractions in the area are the many wineries among the fields.

One of the main tourist/wine weekends is around harvest time. In the greater Columbia Valley this is called The Crush. This year (and last year if memory serves correctly) our friends Jason and Whitney Saura came over to visit and go out wine tasting with us. 

The wineries are beautiful and offer spectacular views of the area. Here are some pictures from the better parts of the desert :)

One of our favorite views at Terra Blanca Winery

I love the walkway

 (same place that most of these photos were taken)

On to the next winery!

This is Kiona Vineyards. They have the perfect
setting for a mid-wine tasting tour snack. 

The best way to enjoy wine tasting is with plenty of
food and water. So it doesn't go to your head.
It's part of the fun to make up little cheese,
cracker, meat and fruit trays - takeaway style.

The view from the balcony is fantastic.

Kiona is a native american word which means:
brown hills. Fitting huh :)

Their vines are some of the oldest in Washington.

On our way home we came across this grape.
He was drawing people to a little known winery
up the hill. Ironically, we drive past this every week
and had no idea there was a great winery there. 

Back home, waiting for dinner.

Which of course takes longer when the cook is out
taking pictures ;)

It was such a fun weekend with the Sauras! We always have fun when we spend time with them and this weekend was no different. I'm so thankful for friends that are invested in our lives and make sure to make time to keep the friendship up!