09-09 Aecetia Tasting Room

Yakima, WA

Tourism is acknowledged as a key driver in economic development and in eastern Washington, wine, agriculture and outdoor recreation are prime anchors of the economy. The importance of solidifying our economy by capturing the potential of these tourism resources and other economic opportunities is at the heart of the development of this newest Yakima area tasting room. The site of the Aecetia Tasting Room is a young vineyard located on a north facing slope in Naches Heights and within walking distance of the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy trail. It has been developed with attractive, extensive landscaping including a year-round water feature and pond, trees, boulders and pathways, with the intent that visitors will experience a very special setting conducive to leisurely wine tasting and related events. Patio and lawn areas, both covered and uncovered, will be available to guests- a pleasant feature of this rural wine tasting and sales operation.

This new tasting room will be an enhancement to the agriculturally based Naches Heights area. Full barrier-free accessibility is planned for the site and facilities, including new walkways linking the new parking spaces to the grounds, new detached pergola and tasting areas. The facility has a commercial kitchen to support a variety of on-site activities, with space inside for 30 to 50 people. The interior and exterior architecture reflect a Northwest preference for natural materials and a sophisticated but comfortable atmosphere.

A complex process of land use procedures was needed for approval for this relatively untested type of facility use within Yakima County; Traho Architects coordinated closely with County staff from each of the Departments involved to complete the necessary research and documentation. Traho Architects’ full scope of services encompassed site design and design of the new building with its code evaluations and Yakima Health District (YHD) commercial kitchen review and approval; our services also included completion of State of Washington Dept. of Health requirements for the provision of a public water supply and coordination with the YHD in design of a new on-site septic system based on public use. The Aecetia Tasting Room is under construction with a much anticipated opening date of spring 2012.