24 Nov Thanksgiving in Wine Country looks different in 2020

Thanksgiving in Yakima Valley’s Wine Country is a Northwest tradition dating back to the 1980’s. It’s hard to imagine a more customary activity for your Thanksgiving weekend.  But like so many things this year, the event is getting a pandemic shakeup.

Many local wineries will be open for the weekend, November 27 – 29, but the experience will be different. Outdoor tasting in November has required many to think creatively to establish safe protocols and customer comfort.

To limit crowd sizes, improve social distancing and help wineries plan for your visit, it is best to call and make a reservation.  This allows you to learn first-hand what the winery is offering, what its social distancing policy is, and it will ensure that you have a seat when you arrive.

Following are a handful of wineries who offering wine tasting during Thanksgiving weekend.

Treveri Cellars has added outdoor domes known as “The Bubbles at Treveri” to their tasting service. These Bubbles offer a safe way to extend the patio season into fall and winter months.

The “Bubbles” are made of polycarbonate which retains heat and blocks the wind. Each Bubble is tastefully appointed with soft chairs, side tables, a heater, warm blankets, Bluetooth speaker with instructions for guests to choose preferred music, ice bucket, a call button to your server and a special menu of food and beverages available during your visit.

Treveri has five Bubbles, each seating up to five people. The Bubbles can be reserved for two-hour timeslots at no additional cost.  “We wanted to create a safe and comfortable outdoor tasting experience” says Julie Grieb, co-owner of Treveri Cellars.  “We knew there was a strong possibility of a second shut-down and wanted to make sure we could continue to safely serve our guests throughout the winter season. The Bubbles are meant for inclement weather and will be used until the temperatures warm up next spring.”

Each dome is sanitized according to Health District rules which includes airing out the space for a specific time prior to the next group’s service. All surfaces are sanitized per requirements.

The Bubbles light up at night and provide plenty of glow for evening service. Reservations are highly recommended as they have bookings into February. Reserve on-line at trevericellars.com.

Dineen Vineyards is offering seating in their outdoor pavilion. Tables are limited to parties of five. Blankets and a warm fire are also available, but the winery recommends bundling up to make sure you stay comfortable.  Dineen Vineyards will be open Friday through Sunday, from noon to 5 PM offering flight tasting, glass pours and bottle sales as well as small bites including cheese and charcuterie.

Airfield Winery offers curbside pick ups. Black Friday Sale (starts 11/20-11/29) 50% OFF Case of  2016 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon $180/case (reg $360), 2018 Late Harvest Moscato $150/case (reg $300).

AntoLin Cellars will be open for outdoor seating with heaters weather permitting. Closed Sunday.

Chandler Reach will be open Thanksgiving weekend from 11am-5pm with patio seating.  Free delivery is available within a 75-mile radius of the winery.  50% off shipping of 6 or more bottles and complimentary shipping on orders of $250 or more.

Dineen Vineyards will be open Friday through Sunday, from noon to 5 PM offering flight tasting, glass pours and bottle sales as well as small bites including cheese and charcuterie. Seating will be in the outdoor pavilion and tables will be limited to parties of five. The winery has blankets but recommends that you bundle up for cold weather.

Fortuity Winery will be open Fri-Sun, 12-5p for curbside and retail sales offering Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday offerings. Outdoor tasting is encouraged by reservation only Thanksgiving weekend; fortuitycellars.com/reservations. Each reserved table has a reserved heater. Bundle up and bring a blanket.

Gilbert Cellars is offering outside table service, weather permitting along with Black Friday, small business Saturday and Cyber Monday discounts. Dress warm and enjoy.

Masset Winery will be offering a drive up, parking lot special for Thanksgiving. $100 off any case of wine- mix and match OK and no exclusives. Call or email ahead to have it ready or just pull up and we’ll put it together quickly. Other wine specials all weekend long as well as custom Wine Country Baskets with your choice of 2 wines and a bag world famous “It’s All About The Pretzels” available to preorder.

Thurston Wolfe Winery will not be open for the Thanksgiving Weekend.

Bring your family and friends out to shop for holiday gifts while wine tasting at VanArnam Vineyards.  Outdoor seating with heaters is available (bring your jackets and blankets). The winery will be open Friday 12 pm – 5 pm, Saturday 10 am – 5 pm and Sunday 11 am – 5 pm of Thanksgiving weekend. No reservations needed for groups of 5 or less.

Wit Cellars will be open for wines by the flight during Thanksgiving weekend, bottle, or glass on the patio. The patio offers a barrier from the elements along with heaters and fireplaces.  Weekend specials include:3 pack-2019 WIT Sparkling Pinot Grigio, 2018 WIT Chardonnay, 2016 WIT Petit Verdot, retail $100.00 on special price $65.00. 2018 Chardonnay by the case 40% off.  New releases for Thanksgiving – 2019 WIT Sparkling Pinot Grigio, 2018 WIT Sparkling Rose, 2017 Mazzacano Sangiovese “Capriccio”.

Owen Roe will be open  11-4:00 daily for curbside pickup. Closed Thanksgiving.

Paradisos del Sol Winery is offering tastings for single households only. ID required establishing same address residency.

Purple Star Wines will be open for outdoor seating around the fire pit, reservations encouraged to ensure seating. Dress warmly and feel free to bring your own blankets.  Wines by the glass or bottle and food options available for outdoor seating.  Curbside and local delivery available along with 1 cent shipping on all of our gift boxes.  The winery is  offering its new Purple Vine line of red wine for $80/case, shipping charges do apply.

Portteus Winery will be open 11am to 4pm  Thursday – Sunday with several 2 for 1 sales. Depending on weather, outdoor seating for sale wines will be available.  Please bring a glass for tasting.

This is also an opportunity to stock your cellar as many wineries are offering hefty Black Friday discounts.

Reservations and predetermined tasting times mean you can plan ahead, slow down, savor the wines, chat with servers and winemakers, and enjoy the experience at a more leisurely pace.

Just because things are different, doesn’t mean they aren’t fun — this is after all, the kind of thing memories are made of. Grab a blanket, your coat, a pair of gloves and head to wine country. Not only will you have an opportunity to enjoy great wines around a crackling fire, you will be supporting small businesses who have been hurt by the on-going restrictions caused by the pandemic.