The Kirkland Downtown Association (KDA) and the Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce are continuing their partnership with the 2017 series of Kirkland Wine Walks.
The events — which are open to the public — are organized in collaboration with Seattle Uncorked and commence at The Heathman Hotel, 220 Kirkland Ave., allowing attendees to meander around to the local businesses participating in the event.
For the June 23 event, called Kirkland Wine-A-Palooza, the following 20 wineries and 16 downtown Kirkland businesses are partnering up for the event:
- Airways Brewing Company and Love That Red Winery – Hallmark Realty;
- Baroness Cellars – Bombaii Cutters;
- Bontzu Cellars – Simplicity Decor;
- Flycaster Brewing and Michael Florentino Cellars – Bella Sirena Salon;
- King Lake Cellars – Twisted Couture;
- Lodmell Cellars – Essentials on Park Lane;
- Long Cellars – The Heathman Hotel;
- Market Vineyards – Lizzy Kate;
- Patterson Cellars – IVY Gift & Home;
- Pondera Winery – Howard Mandville Gallery;
- Portlandia Vintners, Rainier Wine and Wilridge Winery – Studio 150;
- Three of Cups Winery – Park Lane Gallery;
- TruthTeller – Via Lago;
- Tsillan Cellars – Crush Footwear;
- Upsidedown Wine – Purpose Boutique; and
- Warr-King Winery – Raw Bar 89.
KDA executive director Barbie Collins Young said she sees the Kirkland Wine-A-Palooza as a fun kickoff to the summer season in Kirkland.
“It’s about pure fun,” she said.
The wine walks started three years ago as a KDA initiative, with the chamber joining a year later. Young said the walkability of downtown Kirkland makes it a great venue for the events.
This is the first year the walks have had themes, starting with the I Heart Kirkland Wine Walk on Feb. 10, meant to tie into the then-upcoming Valentine’s Day.
“We wanted to make them a little bit different,” Young said of the themes.
The remaining walks will have themes as well. The Aug. 25 event is being called the Beat the Heat in Kirkland Wine Walk, and Young said they’re going to offer a “cool event” at the height of summer.
“It’s usually one of our hottest days,” she said.
For Oct. 27, the event will be the Kirkland Zombie Wine Walk, just in time for Halloween. Young said they will be encouraging attendees to dress up as zombies or in other Halloween costumes and they will be holding a costume contest.
“It’s one more reason to have a little bit of fun with what we’re doing,” she said.
A date and specific theme haven’t been set for the November event yet, but Young said it will be tied to the holiday season, featuring hot, spiced wines and the opportunity for attendees to do some Christmas shopping.
“It will be an opportunity to enjoy Kirkland for the holidays,” she said.
Only 400 tickets are available for each walk and Young said the February event sold out before the event even began.
“I would really encourage people to get their tickets early,” she said. “We hate to turn people away.”
Tickets are $35 for early bird admission, for attendees who wish to start the walk an hour early, at 5 p.m. Regular tickets are $25, allowing attendees to start at 6 p.m. The events end at 9 p.m.
For more information, visit kirklanddowntown.org/kirkland-wine-walk.
The first 2017 Kirkland Wine Walk was held on Feb. 10, with an “I Heart Kirkland” theme just in time for Valentine’s Day. Photo courtesy of Kirkland Downtown Association
