Yesterday Bob and I stopped by the 50th anniversary celebration over at Chateau Ste. Michelle.
The 50th Anniversary Celebration Weekend was absolutely packed full of delighted celebrants, who braved 90+ degree weather to attend. Yes, it was crowded and unpleasantly hot, but that didn’t seem to stop anyone from enjoying the party!
Several food trucks were on site, including Dante’s Inferno Dogs, Skillet, Veraci Pizza, Off the Rez, Gourmini’s, Wise Guy, Athena’s, and Hallava Falafel. Sadly, Bob and I had just eaten a huge brunch at home and weren’t hungry enough to sample the food trucks! We should have planned ahead better!
There definitely was a festive atmosphere, with 50 Years banners everywhere, smiling employees bustling about, and people camping out on the grass all over, sipping wine by the glass. There are still many activities planned for this Labor Day Weekend, including tours of their new Visitor Center.
This darling patio awaited the next batch of visitors who would be happy to settle in and enjoy wine together.
As always, the landscaping at Chateau Ste. Michelle is gorgeous.
I was delighted to see this fabulous ice sculpture of the Chateau’s main building!
I’m glad we got to see it before the 90+ degree weather melted it away!
Inside the Visitor Center, this wall of temptation greeted me.
Lines for tastings were quite long (understandably), so I browsed the gift shop area instead, enjoying the lovely homewares.
Outside, people had gathered on the lawn for a free concert from Just One Look. (They’re a tribute band dedicated to Linda Ronstadt.)
We walked past the Manor House, which you can rent out for private events.
Everywhere you went, people were camped out on the grass visiting with friends and family, drinking wine and enjoying both shade and sunshine.
So many paths to wander! Everywhere we went, people were lounging on picnic blankets or portable folding chairs, seeking shade and enjoying the festive atmosphere. You could hear the music nicely from other areas of the grounds, encouraging strolling.
I stopped to wonder why this courtyard had only one little table set up. How nice for the next couple to happen upon it – your own little oasis amongst the celebration’s enthusiastic chaos.
If only we had time to buy a bottle of Chateau Ste. Michelle wine and retire to this shaded table to savor it. Alas, we had another event to run off to.
I loved the plants lining the steps to the courtyard. It felt glamorous and elegant to be here.
Up at the amphitheater, employees were busy setting up for the free concert from Paul Revere’s Raiders. (On Monday, The Australian Pink Floyd Show will play a concert here. Tickets may still be available).
With 185 wooded acres, there’s a lot of exploring you can do at the Chateau. I was intrigued by this greenhouse outbuilding, sadly roped off to keep snoopy people like me away!
I wasn’t quite ready to leave the fun party yet, so paused for a couple minutes to rest and reflect.
We’d parked in a far-off parking lot, which gave us a view of these impressive tanks. I can only imagine what goodness lies within them! Note that parking is $10 during Labor Day Weekend and the anniversary festivities. The Chateau provided shuttles to help you get back to your car if you’d been escorted to one of the further-out parking lots.
Check out upcoming experiences you can sign up for at the Chateau this fall, including “Wine Boot Camp,” “How to Blind Taste Like a Master Sommelier,” “Champagne & Sparkling Literacy” and “A Sensory Sojourn.”
Congratulations on your anniversary, Chateau Ste. Michelle! Here’s to the next fifty years!
-Carrie
RESOURCES:
Chateau Ste. Michelle on Facebook
Chateau Ste. Michelle on Instagram
Chateau Ste. Michelle on Twitter
