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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Next stop: ‘Vinotherapy’

Christianne Sharman Special to Travel

Now I like wine as much as the next guy. But judging from the material that comes my way in waves of e-mail tsunamis, I’ve built a reputation as quite the drinker.

Or maybe it’s you. I’m just telling you what I know. Anything after that is on you.

This may interest all sots in the audience: Cave B Estate Winery near Quincy, Wash., plans to release its new reds on July 18.

They’re dressing it up with a wine-paired barbecue lunch; the first-ever people’s choice wine-rating event; a cooking demonstration by Shauna Scriver, executive chef for the winery’s restaurant, Tendrils; and a book signing by regional food and wine author Braiden Rex-Johnson.

Don’t think for one minute that’s all the wine you get. They’ve got bottles of the stuff, and you’ll drink it with winemaker Freddy Arredondo.

They’re calling this a “full wine country experience.” What with all your drinking, you probably know that means: special pricing on “vinotherapy” treatments and live music.

Yes, vinotherapy: the Chardonnay Massage includes “the tantalizing fragrance of a sweet chardonnay” for $65 to $135.

The hour-long Chardonnay Bliss amounts to $145 worth of grape seed sugar body scrub followed by a “wonderful spritz in our rainforest shower. Then your therapist completes the utter relaxation with a chardonnay grape seed oil massage.”

It must have been a really bad year for chardonnay. So there’s plenty more for your chardonnay pedicure, manicure, foot soak and exfoliation.

Seems like you’ll have to lick your feet if you want to taste it.

Prices for these indulgences start at $50. A ticket for the basic events – wine rating, cooking demonstrations, live music and the barbecue with wine pairings – costs $49 plus tax.

Learn more at sagecliffe.com or (509) 785-3500.

Regional events

•Montana Festival of the Wind, June 20-21, Harlowton. Here’s your chance to honor the state’s largest wind energy center with wind-related contests, competitions, entertainment and events. Windy writing, painting, quilting and photography contests precede the weekend. (visitmt.com/ 406-632-4694)

•Bellingham Festival of Music, July 3-19, Bellingham. Six orchestra programs cover classical music from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. (bellingham festival.org/ 360-201-6621)

•Ska Festival, July 8-11, Victoria, B.C. Immerse yourself in music, visual arts, and the genre and history of ska. (tourism victoria.com/ 250-812-6165)

Christianne Sharman can be reached by e-mail at travelturkey@ earthlink.net.