The Yakima Valley, Washington state's first designated American Viticultural Area, is thriving with more growers, more wineries, and much more to do and see.

EVERYBODY LOVES a milestone birthday, and last spring the Yakima Valley wine region celebrated 25 years since receiving its designation as Washington state's very first American Viticultural Area (AVA).

Much has changed over the past quarter century, according to longtime Yakima Valley winemaker Kay Simon, co-owner of Chinook Wines with her viticulturist husband, Clay Mackey.

Back then, the wine industry was just a few passionate individuals who were exchanging ideas, advice and equipment, Simon says. "The pioneering spirit that drew many of us to the Yakima Valley over 25 years ago is now being re-energized by the number of new winemakers (and business owners) drawn to the area by the valley's growing reputation."

Cheers! Luxury wine cruises from $2,349
Cruise Europe and sample fine wine, all while saving up to $1,000
Sherman's Travel

updated 7:50 a.m. PT, Fri., Jan. 23, 2009
The deal?Few things in life can compare to the perfect combination of elegant cuisine and fine wine. Doing so while sailing on a luxury cruise ship at a fraction of the cost however, is pure bliss.

Food and Wine Trails provide wine tours at sea on some of the finest luxury ships in the world. In response to the changing economy, the company has reduced rates on these voyages up to $1,000 per person, plus, they are giving away free airfare, free pre-paid gratuities and onboard spending credits of up to $500.

So all you wine, food and cruise connoisseurs can delight in the finer things in life, without having to reach too far in your pockets.

Wines in Arizona?
I lived in San Francisco and enjoyed weekend trips into the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. I lived in Germany and tasted wines along the Rhine River. I even found some great wines in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. But never did I think I would find good wines in Arizona. A visit to the wine country of southern Arizona proved me wrong.

Getting There
The Wine Country is about 55 miles from Tucson, Arizona. The areas you will want to visit are Sonoita and Elgin and the beautiful rolling countryside in between. The loop takes you from Highway 82 (running between Sierra Vista and Patagonia) along Upper Elgin Road, Elgin Road and Lower Elgin Road. To get your bearings, I recommend picking up a “Wineries of Sonoita” flyer in Patagonia or reviewing the Arizona Wine Country Website.

Patagonia – A Good Wine Country Base
We stayed at the Spirit Tree Inn in Patagonia, Arizona, south of Tucson and we were in a perfect place to begin a journey into the Southern Arizona Wine Country. I looked forward to a day of photography and tasting.

Travel staffer Christina Talcott spent a day in the Niagara Peninsula's wine country. Here is her reporter's notebook

FLYING TIME

1 hour

DRIVE TIME

About 1 hour from Buffalo