So many wine events, so little time . . .

Next week, the Culinary & Wine Showcase returns to Bellevue to unite local restaurants with wine- and food-lovers. Now in its second year, the calendar of events has really expanded, with something happening every day from Monday, May 26 through Sunday, June 1.

Highlights include a wine tasting featuring the 2008 Seattle Magazine Washington Wine Award winners paired with bites from Bellevue Collection restaurants, with Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein in attendance.

And, during the week local restaurants such as 0/8 Seafood Grill and Maggiano's Little Italy will be hosting wine dinners featuring Washington wineries.

New this year is the 'Bite & Flight Passport' - an amazing deal, it costs just $25 and lets the passport holder try bites of food paired with tastes of wine at seven local Bellevue restaurants!

Between these events and the Washington Wine Highway, I think I'll have had my fill of wine (if that's possible) by Memorial Day!

Yakima Valley Wine Country Visit

My first trip to Yakima Valley wine country was amazing. Not only did I get the opportunity to sample several incredible wines, I also was able to see first hand all the beautiful acres of vineyards of Olsen Estates Winery. It was such an educational trip. I learned about the vines, the terroir and the whole winemaking and bottling process.

For more information about Olsen Estates winery click here.