Wendy Higgins, The Lodge at Columbia Point

On this episode of Decanted, we travel to one of the notable wine producing regions of Washington state, the “Tri-cities,” located halfway between the Yakima Valley and the Walla Walla valley. We stay at The Lodge at Columbia Point and interview Wendy Higgens, General Manager and long-time friend and colleague of the late founder, Tom Drumheller. Wendy shares Tom’s dream of a wine concept hotel, its exciting future, their dedicated Sommelier and a killer breakfast.

Glasses in Tri-Cities and Red Mountain

We wine taste at five locations, J. Bookwalter, Barnard Griffin, Tagaris, Cooper and Fidelitas. The bottles we couldn’t leave without are listed here. Yeah, most of these are at a higher price point (for our wallets) as we generally like to keep it around the $20-$40 range when visiting a string of wineries but we will cellar these gems for at least 3-5 years. By then, we will have forgotten how much we shelled out, right?

So. Worth. It.

Visit The Lodge

A warm living room ready for conversation. The Lodge at Columbia Point, Richland, WA

We’d rather call this the wine pit. The Lodge at Columbia Point, Richland, WA

It’s like a work of art, you don’t want to disturb…but you have to because of unavoidable hygiene concerns. The Lodge at Columbia Point, Richland, WA

Our favorite feature. The Lodge at Columbia Point, Richland, WA

Go where the arrow commands. You won’t be sorry. Cooper, Benton City, WA

Worshiping at the cathedral of barrels. Cooper, Benton City, WA

The portal to Spain … or close to it. Tagaris Winery, Richland, WA

The beautiful patio at Taverna. Tagaris Winery, Richland, WA

Sleek and modern with a killer view. Fidelitas, Richland, WA

Wine display. Who also wants this? Fidelitas, Richland, WA

Words not sufficient here. Fidelitas, Richland, WA

Shhhh, don’t speak. Just look, and sip. Fidelitas, Richland, WA

Wines we loved

Barnard Griffin

2012 “Forty” Cabernet Sauvignon  |  2014 Grenache

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Cooper

’15 Estate Cabernet Franc  |  ’15 GateKeeper “Bud’s Blend”  |  ’14 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

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Fidelitas

2014 Fidelitas Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery notes: bold and round, dark fruit tones, dark chocolate, and cedar shavings, balanced with fine tannins and a lasting finish 

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