VISITORS TO SEMIAHMOO Resort in Blaine have no shortage of activities to choose from, whether it’s golf, a spa day, or even fine dining—but if you’re a wine lover, then Semiahmoo Sips should be No. 1 on your agenda. This laid-back event allows guests to sample four different bottles in an intimate, approachable setting, and it’s held every Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Semiahmoo wine cellar.
Tastings are guided by Sommelier Rick Reich, whose deep expertise and wit made for an experience that was not just informative but entertaining. Rather than a formal presentation, our interactions felt like banter with a good friend (who just so happens to know everything there is to know about vino).
Photograph by Cocoa Laney
On the day of our tasting, Reich presented a series of wines by the Walla-Walla based Abeja, and we enjoyed them alongside a selection of meats, fruit, and locally made cheeses (available at an additional cost). As he put it, winemakers approach their craft like an art—and being guided through the nuances of each bottle made us appreciate this art even more.
As each glass was introduced, Reich not only told us about its production but contextualized each varietal within the U.S. wine industry as a whole. We also learned about the history of wine in Washington, as well as how West Coast wineries are adapting to challenges like climate change. From start to finish, Reich’s care for his craft was downright contagious.
The first wine we sampled was the French-style 2021 Beekeeper’s White. Despite being made with 100% chardonnay grapes, it was far more delicate and fruit-forward than anticipated. We compared it with a second Abeja chardonnay and were surprised at the difference, which Reich says was due the latter’s longer barrel fermentation time and an aging process known as sur lie. The second wine had an oakiness similar to California chardonnay, but with a slightly higher acidity level.
From there we moved onto red wine, starting with a lush, juicy 2020 Abeja Merlot made with Columbia Valley grapes. The tasting closed with a side-by-side comparison “just for the fun of it”: a 2019 Abeja Cabernet Sauvignon and a 2016 Gilbert Cellars Left Bank, which is a red blend featuring 51% cabernet sauvignon grapes as well as other Bordeaux varietals.
Photograph by Cocoa Laney
Both were made with cabernet grapes grown in the Columbia Valley, but the tastes were very distinct—whereas the Abeja was full-bodied with notes of leather and dark cherry, the Gilbert was juicy with a more subtle earthiness. As Reich says, winemaking is an art—and sampling such different expressions of the same varietal, namely one from the same terroir, is what makes tastings so fun.
Semiahmoo Sips came to a close around 4 p.m., but our day at Semiahmoo Resort was just beginning. As if we weren’t relaxed enough already, my companion made a beeline from the wine cellar to the on-site spa. We then ended the day with a meal of fresh seafood and a nightcap at Packers Kitchen + Bar. All the while, we kept reminding each other just how close we were to home. The resort is just a half-hour’s drive from Bellingham, so if you’re looking for a weekend escape that feels a world away, then Semiahmoo is just the place.
To learn more about Semiahmoo Sips, visit Semiahmoo Resort online or on social media @semiahmooresort. The event is $20 per person, and no advance reservations are required. 9565 Semiahmoo Pkwy., Blaine, 855.917.3767, semiahmoo.com
