Submitted by Westport Winery
What happens to a humble winery when you add a gift shop, restaurant, bakery, nursery, display gardens and wedding venue, in seven years? Well, it just keeps getting better…and, it’s time to change the name. Now, you need to invite your friends and family to meet you at the Westport Winery Garden Resort.
On May 5, Westport Winery’s property use rezone was approved by the Grays Harbor County Planning Commission. The Grays Harbor Board of County Commissioners made the final approval on June 1. As part of this rezone the long-range options for the winery allows many options including limited future accommodations.
In April, on KOMO radio’s Wine Night Northwest, winery owners Blain and Kim Roberts announced their desire to become the Butchart Gardens of Washington State while recognizing that iconic destination’s 100-year head start. As such Butchart offers the Roberts an inspirational example of what one family’s passion for the land and the community can create.
Winery co-owner Kim Roberts said, “When growing wine grapes we want more ‘hang time’ for the clusters to develop lush flavors. We’re doing the same thing with our winery by creating a place with more ‘hang time’ for our guests to create lasting memories.”
Last fall the winery mowed five acres of raspberries between SR 105 and the wine production cellar. They then moved plants from their nursery into the new Circle Gardens, a series of outdoor spaces for visitor’s enjoyment and exploration. This huge garden expansion brings the property to over twelve acres of unique gardens on the 68-acre estate. More gardens are on the drawing board for the future including a wildflower meadow, a woodland hiking garden, and one of the longest perennial borders in the United States.
In their continuing efforts to support local artists, two new sculptures were unveiled in the gardens on May 3. This brings the total outdoor art display to 40 sculptures by local artists commemorating Westport’s wines and theme gardens.
As part of their continued expansion the winery remodeled the tasting room in April. This allows their team to serve more people in the friendly, relaxed fashion for which they are known. The best news is that the wine club members’ lounge was moved next to a picture window looking out toward the greenhouse and herb garden.
Whether you are coming to sit and relax, bring your friends for tasting, or just for a quick wine pick-up on the way to the beach, these changes are intended to make the guest experiences even more enjoyable.
You will also see this name change reflected on new wine labels now in the Farm to Fork Restaurant where their 39 poster labels are displayed.
When you visit Westport Winery Garden Resort be sure to explore the unique sculpture garden, lavender labyrinth, musical fence, 9-hole executive golf course, giant chess set, outdoor scrabble game, and grape maze, all located on the corner of Highway 105 and South Arbor Road halfway between Aberdeen and Westport. You will see why this has been voted Best of the Northwest Wine Destination four times.
Their award-winning wines are exclusively available at the resort. The tasting room, gift shop, produce market, plant nursery, bakery and gardens, are open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The restaurant is open for lunch daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and for dinner on Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information contact Westport Winery Garden Resort at 360-648-2224 or visit the website atwww.westportwinery.com.
