China Bend Winery

Some believe it’s the journey that matters and not so much the destination. However, when it comes to China Bend Vineyards and Winery, we beg to differ. The journey’s fine, but the real reward is in the destination. China Bend Vineyards and Winery is located a couple of hours north of Spokane, near the Canadian border. Situated on the banks of the beautiful Columbia River, China Bend offers a host of delightful surprises, not to mention stunning views of the surrounding hills and Lake Roosevelt.

China Bend Vineyards and Winery is the dream of owners/winemakers Bart and Victory Alexander. They had the foresight to realize that grapes would grow surprisingly well in this area’s harsh winter environment. In their case, they have French oenophiles to thank for a hardy Alsatian grape varietal with the unlikely name of Marechal Foch. (Foch was a famous French general who ran the Germans out of France in World War I.) If you are from upstate New York or Québec, you might already be familiar with this varietal, but in Washington’s Bordeaux-dominated landscape, Marechal Foch is a rare find. The grape produces a soft, full-bodied wine and, not surprisingly, is China Bend’s no. 1 seller.

The vineyard is certified organic, and no sulfites are used in the production of China Bend wines. According to Bart, you won’t get a headache from drinking these wines.

Don’t be surprised if you encounter a serious croquet match taking place at China Bend. The dedicated lawn is manicured to perfection and is the site of serious croquet play. Players from throughout the Northwest ascend on China Bend to participate in major tournaments.

On your way to the tasting room, you will also go by the China Bend Bed and Breakfast. Guests wake up each morning to a full breakfast made from the bounty of Victory’s organic garden. (We told you that this was a destination winery.) The attractive red-roofed tasting room is your WineTrail destination, where you can choose from Bart’s portfolio of red and white wines. Increasingly, their wines rely on locally grown grapes, but some of the grapes come from Bart’s native Yakima Valley. In addition to the Marechal Foch, visitors can swirl and sip China Bend lemberger, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, syrah, meritage, and blends with names such as “Roosevelt Red.” Another highlight of the tasting room is the assortment of organic products Victory makes and sells. Check out these attractively packaged jams, pickled garlic, dill pickles, and salsas. Then grab some chips and salsa to go with the Marechal Foch you just purchased and challenge your partner to a game of croquet.

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  China Bend Winery was featured in WineTrails of Washington as part of the Spokane Valley-Kettle Falls WineTrail on page 562!