A Summer to Savor in Walla Walla

WALLA WALLA, Wash., June 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Situated in the heart of Washington wine country and surrounded by picturesque rolling hills lies the charming town of Walla Walla, Washington's premier summer vacation location. With more than 100 wineries and 1,800 acres of grapes, the Walla Walla Valley is often referred to as 'the next Napa Valley.' In addition to world-class wine, Walla Walla is also home to delicious gourmet fare worth traveling over the mountains for, including Marcus Whitman Hotel's award-winning Marc Restaurant led by James Beard-recognized Chef Antonio Campolio. Those looking to partake in all the amusements Walla Walla has to offer this summer are invited to stay at legendary Marcus Whitman Hotel where it feels just like home with some added elegance.

This summer, the Marcus Whitman Hotel is hosting an elite culinary and wine tasting experience during the inaugural Friends of James Beard Weekend which was created as a benefit to fund scholarships for Walla Walla Community College Students. The weekend devoted to celebrating Walla Walla's unique culinary and viticulture takes place July 18 and 19 and features a tour, lunch and wine tasting at the Wine Country Culinary Institute followed by the Friends of James Beard Hors d'oeuvre, Wine Reception and Wine Paired Dinner at the Marcus Whitman Hotel on Friday, July 18. The 6-course wine paired meal is prepared by Executive Chef Antonio Campolio, and features a variety of exceptional dishes including: 

• Spicy "Upper Dry Creek Ranch" Lamb Mini Kefta – served with minted yogurt and house cured pickles
• Char Grilled Quail; Three Rivers Winery, Steel Chardonnay, 2013 – served with local greens, fresh peach salad, crispy Yukon gold Anna potatoes
• Wild Columbia River King Salmon; L'Ecole No 41,  Estate Perigee, Seven Hills Vineyard, 2011–  served with smoked tomato gazpacho, micro coriander, buttermilk poached garlic crema

Hungry for more? The full menu can be found here.

The weekend continues on Saturday, July 19 with lunch, wine tasting and tour at Three Rivers Winery. Cost to participate in all three events is $175 for non-James Beard members and $150 for James Beard Members. Those looking for an a la carte option, can attend one or both of the lunch events for $40 apiece and the Friends of James Beard Benefit Dinner for $125. Reservations are required by calling (509) 524-5139, and space is limited. For more details on the weekend and to see the full menu, visit http://marcuswhitmanhotel.com/wine-dine/friends-of-james-beard-event/.

Separate from the Friends of James Beard Weekend, the Marcus Whitman Hotel offers diners the unique chance to meet local winemakers and learn more about the complex and exciting winemaking world through its 'Winery of the Week' program. Throughout the summer winemakers from select local wineries are the guest sommeliers for the evening in The Marc Restaurant and Vineyard Lounge with L'Ecole No 41 and Mansion Creek Cellars as June's featured wineries. Additional winery collaborations will be announced in the coming weeks; for more information visit, The Marc Restaurant on Facebook.

Wednesdays this summer are especially sweet for wine lovers in Walla Walla as diners at the Marc Restaurant are invited to partake in 'Wine Down Wednesday' where guests can enjoy 15% off purchased bottles of wine, $2.00 off wines by the glass and pay no corkage fee every Wednesday.

Finally, the Marcus Whitman Hotel is offering a special summer wine and dine package which includes one night's accommodations, a bottle of Marcus Whitman Hotel's private label red or white wine, bottled exclusively by L'Ecole No 41 winery in Walla Walla, a gourmet cheese plate and an $80 dining voucher to be used at the Marc Restaurant. The special starts at $266. For more information or reservations call (509) 525-2200, visit www.marcuswhitmanhotel.com and ask for the Wine & Dine Package.

About The Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center
Built in 1928 through a community labor of love, The Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center is a downtown Walla Walla landmark where history and luxury intertwine. The property was fully renovated in 2001 and restored to its original grandeur, while adding modern updates to provide a truly luxurious experience for today's traveler. The full grounds include a 127-room hotel with luxury suites, a state-of-the art conference center featuring grand renaissance ballrooms, six on-site wine tasting rooms, and the award-winning The Marc Restaurant – recently named "Restaurant of the Year" by the Washington State Wine Commission – and The Vineyard Lounge. Thousands of overnight guests, diners, wine lovers, conference goers, business travelers and pleasure seekers enjoy the Marcus Whitman's exceptional guest service each year, where they find "ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen" to the backdrop of modern splendor. For more information visit www.marcuswhitmanhotel.com.

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SOURCE The Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center