2020 Washington State Press Trip
Bellingham Northwest Wine Festival & Tour
23–25 July 2020

The 2020 Bellingham Northwest Wine Festival Media Tour is organized in partnership with the Whatcom Beer and Wine Foundation and Bellingham Whatcom Tourism. The tour is designed to promote the Bellingham Northwest Wine Festival and tourism in Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham.

Each of the three selected journalists will experience Bellingham, Washington and the surrounding Whatcom County for abundant nature, outdoor adventure and sweeping scenery from the Salish Sea to Mt. Baker and North Cascades National Park. They will savor farm-to-table menus, craft and whiskey brews, a sunset cruise, private wine and cheese tastings, and a vibrant farmers market. Holiday Inn Express and the Four Points Sheraton provide the accommodations.

Itinerary

Thursday 23 July

1:00 Check-in
Holiday Inn Express (late check out on Thursday)
4160 Meridian Street, Bellingham

2:00 Snacks—Whiskey and Canapes
9 Restaurant at North Bellingham Golf Course
205 West Smith Road, Bellingham 
360.398.8300
Nick Moss, Executive Chef

3:30 Tour
Bellewood Farms
6140 Guide Meridian, Lynden 
360.318.7720

5:00 Dinner
Cosmos Bistro
1151 N State Street, Bellingham
360.225.0244
Cinnamon Berg, Executive Chef/Owner

After Dinner
Bellingham Bay Sunset Cruise
San Juan Cruises “unWINEd on the Bay"

Friday 24 July

8:00 Breakfast
To be announced

9:30 Cheese Tasting

• Twin Sisters Creamery
  6202 Portal Way, Ferndale
  360.656.5240
  
  
• Appel Farms Cheese
  6605 Northwest Drive, Ferndale
  360.384.4996

11:00 Lunch
Leader Block Wine Co. & Eatery
2026 Main Street, Ferndale
360.306.8998
Amberleigh Brownson

1:30 Winery Visit and Private Tasting

• Dynasty Cellars
  2169 East Bakerview Road, Bellingham
  360.758.2958
  Peter Osvaldik, Owner/Winemaker
  
  
• Vartanyan Winery
  1628 Huntley Road, Bellingham
  360.756.6770
  Margarita Vartanyan, Owner/Winemaker

3:00 Check-out Holiday Inn Express / Check-in Four Points by Sheraton
Four Points by Sheraton
714 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham
360.671.1011

6:00 Five Course Wine Dinner
Lombardi’s Italian Restaurant and Wine Bar
21 Bellwether Way Suite 112, Bellingham
360.714.8412

	2019 Media Dinner

Saturday 25 July 

8:00 Breakfast
Magdalena's Bistro and Crêperie
1200 10th Street #103, Bellingham
360.483.8563
Magdalena Owner / Chef

9:30 Walking Tour
Fairhaven Walking Tour

11:00 Market Stroll
Bellingham Farmers Market
1100 Railroad Ave, Bellingham

12:30 Lunch
Culture Café at Kombucha Town
210 East Chestnut Street, Bellingham
360.746.6558

2:00 Guided Tour
Whatcom Falls Park 
Bellingham
New tour company Earth Elements

4:00 Relax–Refresh
Return to Four Points by Sheraton
Relax before the Bellingham NW Wine Festival Grand Public Tasting.

6:00 MAIN EVENT!
BELLINGHAM NORTHWEST WINE FESTIVAL GRAND PUBLIC TASTING
Four Points by Sheraton
710 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham
360.671.1011

• 6:00 V.I.P and Media entry
  Grand Public Tasting in Ballroom and the Hydration Lounge in the San Juan Room
  
  
• 6:45 V.I.P., Trade Ambassador and Media Pass entry
  V.I.P Lounge in the Terrace Room

• 7:00 General Admission
  Grand Ballroom and Hydration Lounge
  
  
• 8:00 Awards
  Medal winning wines announced and medal distribution 

Sunday, July 26

Checkout and return home on your own.

Transportation to and from the event is not provided.

Requirements to apply:

To apply, you must be a Regular member and your dues must be current. Your profile must be up-to-date including a minimum of one 2018 article, four 2019 articles, and one 2020 article. The host prefers social media postings everyday, but exceptions can be made for this trip if social media is not part of what you can offer—just make a note on your application.

Deadline to apply: March 12, 2020 

Registration Closed

IFWTWA vets all applications prior to submittal to the Host. Vetting includes verification of member's association status and member profile. Dues must be current at the time of application and during the time the media trip will take place.