Heirloom Weekend Features Tomato Tasting Event

DAYTON, Wash., Aug. 27, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nothing conjures up the bounty of fall like a ripe, juicy, flavorful tomato picked right out of the garden.  And this bustling, thriving little farm town invites you to come share the bounty September 20 – 22 for the Heirloom Gardeners Food and Wine Weekend, with garden, food and wine centered activities including an Heirloom Tomato Tasting and Dining event on Saturday evening.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130826/DC69774)

In addition to tasting the rich and diverse flavors of sun-ripened heirloom tomatoes, the Heirloom Tomato Tasting and Dining event features TamiJoyFarm pork prepared by Tucannon Meats and fresh-picked farm produce.  Wine tasting with Dumas Station and The Mortal Vintner are included in the ticket price, as well as tastings of Mace Mead Works mead, a honey wine made with local honey that is exploding on the foodie circuit as a hot new beverage.  It is used as a base for drinks at Mace Mead Works downtown Dayton tasting room, which will be hosting live music Saturday night of the event. 

The premier farmstead creamery in the Walla Walla Valley, Monteillet Fromagerie will be open for artisan cheese and wine tasting Friday and Saturday.  Heirloom and organic garden tours, museum tours, and amazing local foods round out the weekend of activities.  The historic Weinhard Hotel and the brand-new Dayton Best Western Hotel and Suites are offering overnight lodging packages that include tickets to all weekend events.

With the Port of Columbia's Blue Mountain Station project getting ready to open its doors later this fall, the community of Dayton is ripe with food entrepreneurs who are growing, processing, and sharing their bounty.  The Port is teaming up with local partners the Dayton Chamber of Commerce, the Dayton Historic Depot, Pacific Power, and Northwest Public Radio to offer this new weekend event that showcases the amazing food, wine, and tour offerings available in this spirited community.  A sneak preview of the Artisan Food Center, the first building under construction at Blue Mountain Station, will be held Saturday from 1 – 3 pm. 

The Artisan Food Center will house 5 artisan food processors making cheese, granola, hot sauce, wine, and mead and is being constructed to LEED certification standards.  "Pacific Power has been a great partner with the Port throughout the development of our Blue Mountain Station project," stated Jennie Dickinson, manager of the Port of Columbia.  "They've worked hand in hand with us to make this building as energy efficient as possible."  LEED points for the building are being earned by using Pacific Power's Blue Sky, Energy FinAnswer, and Net Metering Programs.

Event details can be found online at www.heirloomweekend.com or by calling the Dayton Chamber of Commerce at 800-882-6299 or the Port of Columbia at 509-382-2577. 

CONTACT: Jennie Dickinson, 509-382-2577, [email protected]

SOURCE Port of Columbia