The first winery I visited in Spokane was Arbor Crest, a site known for spectacular views and whimsical historic structures as well as fine wines, located east of downtown in Spokane Valley. Seen from a distance, its Italianate house perches on a basalt cliff that rises over 400 feet on the north side of the Spokane River. A two-lane road wends its way up to the top. From the large parking area, visitors can fan out onto a couple acres of vineyards, forested gardens, stone patios, and the tasting room, all formerly part of the eccentric Royal Newton Riblet estate.
View from a patio
Who was Royal Newton Riblet?
Born in Iowa in 1871, Riblets long held an interest in mechanical devices and inventions. He moved to the Northwest and worked for a time with his brother Byron, who owned the Riblet Tramway Company, producer of the first ski lifts. Royal’s first wife died young, leaving him with three children. The search for a new wife took him through five marriages and divorces until the seventh marriage took hold, lasting until his death in 1960. In 1925, he built his eccentric estate atop a cliff known as Myrtle’s Peak because a native woman of the same name apparently jumped off it rather than go through with an unwanted marriage.
The estate:
Riblet designed the storied estate, where he lived out his final decades. In addition to the cliff house, he built a workshop, gazebo, and gate house out of basalt rocks as well as a swimming pool carved from the rock, a 16-square-foot checkerboard, a croquet court / ice rink, and a tram going from the cliffs down to the river. The tram was demolished decades ago, but the other features remain, and there is also an example of a square-wheeled tractor, one of Riblet’s numerous inventions. Inspiring views extend across the valley to downtown Spokane, Mica Peak, and Idaho to the east.
The winery:
Back in 1982, Harold and Marcia Mielke established Arbor Crest Wine Cellars as one of Washington’s first wineries. Two years later they moved up to the Riblet estate, which by then had been designated a national historic landmark and was up for sale. Today, their daughter Kristina and son-in-law Jim van Löben Sels run the winery. Although some grapes are grown on the property, most are acquired from vineyards in the Walla Walla / Tri Cities region. A broad spectrum of wines—whites, reds, rosés—can be sampled in the tasting room or carried to the many outdoor seating areas. The Arbor Crest brand, very popular locally, is also distributed in stores and restaurants in far-flung places.
The events:
In a win-win situation, Arbor Crest opens its gates for a number of events throughout the year. There are arts and crafts displays and weekly music concerts — outdoors Thursdays and Sundays in summer and around a fire in the tasting room in the winter. In August, the Spokane Symphony Orchestra holds two open-air concerts here. Crowds drive up to enjoy the music, sample the wines, and look out on the spectacular views. This is also a great place for weddings and other private activities.
P.S. For those so inclined, there is an interesting article by William E. Barr about Riblet and his on-going battle with a neighboring cement plant.