331 Things to Do – #33 Wine Down & Swirl at 3 Local Artisan Wineries in Port Angeles & Taste the Flavor of Fall on the Harvest Wine Tour
– Updated on November 5, 2018 –
It’s vino season throughout the Olympic Peninsula and we’re crushing on 3 local Port Angeles, Washington wineries: Harbinger Winery, Camaraderie Cellars and Olympic Cellars Winery. Come along on the Harvest Wine Tour happening every November to sip and sample at a handful of Olympic Peninsula and Port Angeles wineries.
Try one of our adventure “pairings” with each winery to make the most of your visit on the Olympic Peninsula!
1. Harbinger Winery
We’re not quite sure what seasonal surprises Harbinger Winery has in store for their Harvest Wine Tour patrons, but we know they’ll never disappoint. Head to Harbinger Winery for a delightful swish of some fine wine and fresh local flavor. This is the local’s “have-a-glass-of-wine-and-hang-for-a-while” type of place. If you find yourself in town on a Friday evening, the scene is bustling with clinking glasses and friendly chatter. Chat up one of their tasting room specialists, or a friendly Port Angeles local who may just tell you all about their favorite hiking spot, swimming hole or Syrah.
The Harbinger Winery is known for wine made from hand-picked grapes that are then crushed by hand by the Harbinger crew themselves within hours of harvest. The wine drinking scene here is delightfully laid back. If you’re not a wine fan, they also have Northwest craft beer on tap to please your palate.
Pairing: Brush up on your strokes
Take a painting class led by local artist Todd Fischer whose vibrant artwork graces not only the walls of Harbinger, but also their bottle labels. Look for his wine and paint events is happening throughout the year — his next event is on November 28, 2018 at Harbinger Winery. The cost is $50 and includes all supplies and, of course, a glass of wine! Call (360) 452-4262 to book.
2. Camaraderie Cellars
Celebrating their 27th harvest this fall, Camaraderie Cellars will be unveiling some of their new release wines and serving up some of their back-by-popular-demand famous Turkey Pumpkin Chili with homemade scones, plus pheasant sausage bites. You can sip and snack in the new Ridge Room — a new enclosed outdoor patio perfect for chilling out on during the cooler months. Look for special wine discounts during the tour!
Camaraderie’s wines are made to be enjoyed with food and crafted with a minimalist approach by Camaraderie’s vintner, Don Corson. The winery has a lovely sculpture garden and outdoor fireplace for enjoying a local Washington “fine wine experience”. Catch one of their special events and concerts during the summer months.
Pairing: Alfresco Art
Port Angeles is teeming with outdoor sculptures and art. Stroll the downtown streets, waterfront and forests to find art in unexpected spots.
3. Olympic Cellars Winery
It’s all about local food and wine this year. Check out the locally sourced Foodie Market Place at Olympic Cellars Winery during this year’s tour as they feature a vast selection of their favorite local food, treats and beverages for guests to pick up — and share — during the holidays.
Olympic Cellars Winery in Port Angeles is a family-owned and operated winery in a barn built way back in 1890. Everything about this award-winning winery is historic — it was one of the 15 original wineries in all of Washington State. Sip at the 100 year-old handbuilt tasting bar and listen for the ring of the 100 year-old harvest bell while tasting some of their serious heritage wines. Look for fun events happening year-round including special nonprofit fundraisers, summer concerts and even an annual International Women’s Day celebration.
Pairing: Port Angeles’ Underground Heritage Tour
Olympic Peninsula Harvest Wine Tour
The Olympic Peninsula is ripe with adventure. Why wander to Walla Walla or the Willamette Valley for your wine tasting fix when you can take a culinary-inspired road trip to Washington’s Peninsula where gourmet treats and tastes await you on a weekend-long autumnal wine tour?
The annual Olympic Peninsula Harvest Wine & Cider Tour is a self-guided tour where nine small batch wineries from Chimacum to Port Angeles welcome you to their tasting rooms to sip and snack at your own pace. You can purchase a ticket, which includes a commemorative wine glass and tastings, or opt to pay-as-you-go per tasting. If you purchase a ticket, be sure to get it stamped at all nine wineries for a chance to win a gift basket or tickets to the Red Wine & Chocolate Tour in February.
Looking for someone else to do the driving? Contact one of Port Angeles’ guided tour operators to inquire about a Harvest Wine Tour charter so you can be shuttled in style to all wineries.
Camaraderie Cellars photo by Megan Krueger Photography
