Relaxing with Sparkling Wine in the Rolling Hills of Walla Walla, Washington
By: Michael and Eli...
Published: July 8, 2022

Part 1: Yellowhawk – Time to pamper yourself and enjoy some culinary delights!
When we walked into the Pool House at Yellowhawk Resort, we knew we were in for a treat. Our home for the next two nights was full of sunshine, lots of polished wood, and glowing terra cotta floor tiles. The wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides opened up right onto the pool deck. The main floor was one great room with a full kitchen, dining area, and living room. The high ceiling and bright sunshine made the room airy and light.  After relaxing in one of the many pool lounge chairs or conversation nooks, come back to the Pool House for a soothing sauna.

Yellowhawk has plans to expand the lodging area, adding big projects like an adult-only lap pool and additional housing. They will also be offering pool-side cabanas. Wine club members can make a reservation for a cabana and a wine tasting while enjoying the beautiful setting. Yellowhawk is also a popular destination since it is located in the abundant sunshine in Walla Walla in Eastern Washington. It is only a 4 ½ hour drive from Seattle, which has a few rainy days.
If you are looking for a wedding venue, you’d be hard-pressed to find a place more beautiful than the Yellowhawk with its breathtaking views of the valley. There is always something special going on at Yellowhawk. Check out their events listings here. 
Yellowhawk is not just a resort but also a winery focusing solely on sparkling wine. See part 2. We stopped at the tasting room for wine and a little lunch of smoked salmon schmear atop a generous portion of toasted sourdough bread garnished with salmon roe. It paired deliciously with the Yellowhawk Sparkling Chardonnay, which was crisp and sharp, with lemony notes and a smooth finish.

That night we headed into downtown Walla Walla for dinner at the Walla Walla Steak Co. What a treat! We started with a classic Shrimp Cocktail – large, juicy, poached prawns and a spicy cocktail sauce with an excellent horseradish kick.

For our main course, we had to go with the beef. Michael’s Filet Mignon was oh so tender and buttery. I had the Prime New York Strip, which had a delicious flavor and just the right amount of char. The Walla Walla Steak Co. is opening a new restaurant in Woodinville (10 minutes from our door!), and we can’t wait.
Located in the historic train depot in downtown Walla Walla, the Steak Co. is right next door to its “little brother” sports bar Crossbuck Brewing & Taproom. We stuck our heads in to check it out. We both agreed that this was a definite stop next time we are in town. The hamburgers looked amazing!
We had a lovely opportunity to chat with Dan Thiessen, managing partner of Yellowhawk and Walla Walla Steak Co. The group that owns Yellowhawk Resort, Walla Walla Steak Co, also owns Crossbuck Brewing, and El Gaucho, in Seattle and Bellevue. Dan is a 5th-generation farmer and the owner of the Thiessen family ranch outside of Walla Walla. Beef from the Thiessen ranch is featured in at least one of the hamburger offerings in the Crossbuck. Dan grew up in nearby Asotin on a cattle ranch. He studied culinary arts at the Culinary Institute of America, and his 25-year career has included kitchens in Switzerland, Aspen, Coeur d’ Alene, Seattle, and Walla Walla. He and his partners are visionaries who have created a set of marvelous experiences for anyone who loves good wine and food.
We returned to Yellowhawk to relax with a Sparkling Malbec and enjoy the sunset; then we talked about returning to this beautiful setting. 
Continue reading part 2 here.

 
Editorial disclosure: lodging, beverages, and food generously provided