Author Archive

Angi’s Spa Tip #3

Friday, May 6th, 2011

YOGA

Does your work week have you stressed out and in need of relaxation and tranquility?  Maybe you have stiff muscles and joints?    Practicing yoga is a great way to help with correcting issues with your posture, alleviating stress, and mitigating job stress and a demanding schedule.  Did you know:  The benefits of yoga practice include relaxation, an increase in muscle tone and increased strength and flexibility.  It can assist in restoration from strenuous work or work-outs.  It can also help with balance and coordination & help asthmatics’ with increased quality of breathe intake.  It has also been shown to be beneficial for those suffering from arthritis, joint pain, muscle aches, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety and a whole host of other health conditions.  What The Spa can offer:   We now offer Hatha/Vinyassa Yoga Classes here at Cave B Inn & Spa.  Yoga Alliance Registered Instructor Michael Dooley will be available for yoga class reservations Friday through Sunday.  Guided meditation classes are available as well…you’ll never think of breathing the same way again!  Please contact the Spa at SageCliffe to reserve your place in one of Michael Dooley’s great classes and you will be sure to be on your way to tranquility and better health….that’s our wish for you!  The Spa: 509-785-2036 Visit our Spa page on our resort website:  http://www.sagecliffe.com/spa.htm

Angi’s Tip #2: Don’t Forget Your Hands

Wednesday, April 6th, 2011

For those of you that have noticed your aging skin on the back of your hands:

Most of us remember to apply sunblock to our shoulders, noses and other areas on our body, but most people forget about the backs of their hands.  Sunblock should be applied each and every day and reapplied after activity or before going outside.  

Did you know:  Even working under florescent lights may increase the incidence of hyperpigmentation!

What The Spa can offer:   We carry a great line of sun products from Decleor which will provide ample SPF and provide that so-needed protection for our hands…can you think of a more hard-working and noticeable area?  Don’t forget those hands!

 And, for those of you who skip the sun altogether but want the sunglow, we also carry a sunless light tint face cream that gives you a healthy glow without the sun exposure. Come in and try it out!

Angi’s Tip #1: For Sensitive Skin

Wednesday, April 6th, 2011

For those of you who battle with rosacea or extreme sensitivity of the skin: Be sure to avoid all types of stimulating or scrubbing exfoliating products. These will serve to increase irritation and redness. Calming the skin is key! 

What ingredients to look for? Products with Rose and Chamomile are great for your type of skin.

 What the Spa at SageCliffe can offer: Our Decleor Rose Aromessence Treatment Serum and Calming facial creams are great for those of you with extreme skin sensitivity…They’re also very popular; so don’t worry–you’re not alone!

Farm-to-Table Relationships Brought to Bear at Tendrils Vineyard Restaurant

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011

Tendrils Restaurant at Cave B Inn at SageCliffe has emerged from the cold and snow of winter like the proverbial bear, embracing the new spring sunshine and all this wonderful season has to offer.  And it has a lot to offer:  a new Executive Chef to take the helm, and chart an amazing culinary course for this fine dining restaurant on the cliffs.

Chef Bear:  a.ka. Henry H. Ullman

Here at SageCliffe we’re thrilled to welcome Chef Bear.  Coming from ten years as Executive Chef at Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center in Walla Walla, Bear is well-versed in the art of culinary and wine excellence:  during his years at Marcus Whitman, Bear worked closely with many of the area’s best winemakers in the creation of unique wine pairing dinners and events.  He created The Chef’s Table, which allowed diners a special, intimate wine & dining experience in the kitchen.  And he cultivated deep relationships with local farmers, resulting in pasture-finished meats, organic produce and artisan cheeses gracing the hotel’s menu.  And now those same relationships–plus new ones formed with the Columbia Valley region’s farmers and producers–will be brought to bear on Tendrils’ menu.  What a magnificent treat is in store for Tendrils diners.

Chef Bear’s passion for excellence (“I like to do things right,” he says), for where our food comes from, how it’s cared for, and ultimately what kind of experience it gives the diner, is contagious.  His enthusiasm and vision for SageCliffe’s onsite Chef’s Garden is inspirational, and will result in a rich farm-to-table experience that is not merely a buzzword, but a reality.  We can’t wait to see what Chef Bear will bring to Cave B, and we’re thrilled on behalf of all Cave B Inn guests and Tendrils diners for what they will  have the chance to experience.

To read more about Chef Bear, his background, passions and philosophy, please visit our Tendrils Restaurant  page on our SageCliffe website. Help us welcome Chef Bear to the Cave!

Stump the Chump Super Challenge: Start Your Wine Engines at Cave B

Tuesday, March 15th, 2011

Saturday, March 26, 2011 marks Cave B Estate Winery’s annual Spring Wine Release.  The hallmark event is the tasting of Winemaker Freddy Arredondo’s newly-release red and white wines.  This is a first taste of these first wines….and definitely worthy of celebration.

 But what is this about “Stump the Chump?”  With a good-natured dig at that feeling we all get at times when tasting wines–that we don’t quite know what we’re doing–this contest is a Cave B Spring Wine Release tradition.  How does it work? Guests are presented with several varietals cleverly disguised in plain brown bags. Then guests are “challenged” to taste through each of the disguised wines and attempt to identify the varietals.   This year is our first Super Challenge, so the winery’s sure to turn up the challenge and the heat.  Always a great amount of fun, this contest has also proven to be a wonderful way for wine-lovers old and new to test their palate, refine their senses, and come away with a greater appreciation of each distinct varietal.

 So, what are you doing the weekend of March 25-27?  Come on down for our Spring Wine Release, challenge the wine chump inside us all, and come out victorious!  Then, don’t worry about driving home:  stay the night of March 26 at Cave B Inn with our special reduced Spring Wine Release Inn rates–a wonderful way to extend the fun, and give you another opportunity to visit the tasting room with your newly-awakened palate.  Visit the winery page on our SageCliffe site to get ticket and room prices, and place your easy room reservation.  But hurry:  Inn rooms are going fast.  See you at the Super Challenge!

The Best Cave B Wines Yet: at Spring Wine Release 2011

Tuesday, March 15th, 2011

They say it takes time for every Winemaker to hit their stride.  If that’s the case, then Cave B Estate Winery Winemaker Freddy Arredondo is walking tall these days. 

Freddy came on board over four years ago as Assistant Winemaker under then-Winemaker Rusty Figgins.  Previously he had worked at Cougar Crest Winery, and earned his stripes there and in his enology courses in Walla Walla.  As Assistant Winemaker Freddy took on increasing responsibility, but knew that his heart would truly get full rein when he had the chance to become full Winemaker.  This occurred in November of 2007.  For the next few years the wines of Cave B Estate Winery were a combination of those  begun in bottle and barrel by Rusty Figgins–with assistance from Freddy–and, slowly, those begun by Freddy.  And, slowly, as the talent and tenaciousness of Freddy Arredondo became more and more ever-present, the Cave B wines took on a character of increasing distinction. 

It’s been tremendously exciting to watch the wines evolve; to see a Winemaker pour his passion and expertise into every bottle.  His touch is everywhere; from walking the vineyards and evaluating the grapes in the over 100 acres of Cave B estate vineyards, to that first swirl and whiff, to the subtly complex finishes that linger on the tonge and back of the throat.

 Spanish varietals such as Tempranillo were planted, cultivated, brought along, and now share space with the over 17 other Cave B  and SageCliffe wines.   Critics who questioned whether a winemaker could create consistently great wines across such a wide spectrum of varietals have been won over by the results.  In this case, the breadth of Freddy’s talent is equal to the breadth of the wines.  There is no spreading thin here, with quality and nuance suffering as a result.  Instead, year after year the wines have grown and evolved and improved and matured until now, in 2011, we feel we have wines of a tremendous nature.  And we have no doubt whatsoever that this is due to our Winemaker–a true talent.  It’s a thrill and a pleasure to see our grapes into the hands of a consummate wine creator, in the truest sense. If you have enjoyed Cave B’s wines all along, thank you and get ready for the best yet.  If  you are new to Cave B, good timing; choose a bottle, a lovely companion and a beautiful spot, and then get ready for a wine experience that will truly enthrall.  They are that good….sometimes, when it’s truly deserved, it’s okay to toot your horn a bit.  Toot and salute!

Our 2011 Annual Spring Wine Release is Saturday, March 26th.  A full day with the newly-released wines of Freddy Arredondo as its centerpoint.  Come meet these wines and others who share in your love of all things good.  Visit the winery page on our website for full details. 

Martin Luther King is about Dreaming & Remembering: SageCliffe is the perfect Place for Both

Friday, January 7th, 2011

Many of us have a day off on Monday, January 17 for the very worthy reason of remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  We did not want this holiday to go by unnoted, and we truly think SageCliffe is made for thinking, dreaming, & remembering…all things certainly characterized and fostered by Martin Luther King Jr.

The Air, The Sky, The Views…The Peace at Cave B Inn at SageClifffe

It may be an unsual thing to market as part of a resort, but we do like to talk about the air at SageCliffe.  Because, as anyone who has spent time here or at the adjacent Gorge Amphitheater can tell you, the air here is sublime….it is clean.  Sometimes we are all unaware of the pollution we breathe every day until we step out into the fields of SageCliffe and take our first deep breath.  And then we smell…..sage, grape vines, rocks, dirt, sun (yes, we think it has a smell!) and that’s it.  There is just–clarity.  It’s fairly intoxicating.  And although perhaps unusual to talk about, we must, because it is such a distinctive hallmark of SageCliffe–this clean, pure, lovely air.

The SageCliffe Sky

If you visit our website you’ll see many, many photos of sky.  Because SageCliffe is Big Sky country.  Our perch here on the plateau above the mighty Columbia River provides a sense of the treetops; that feeling you could reach up and touch the immense expanse curving out and away above you.  The very largeness of the sky, and the fact it is so often tropical-water blue, creates a sense of peace and calm.  It’s uncanny, what simply gazing at a sky unencumbered by man-made creations can do for the soul.  As the eyes move up, so do your spirits.

The Views of SageCliffe

Yes, they are hallmark.  Truly phenomenal, breathtaking vistas of craggy basalt cliffs, spreading plateaus, the sudden lushness surrounding the hidden waterfall and stream, the wide curving slants of river, the long, orderly lines of grapevines and the acres of apple trees in full pink bloom.  When we say we feed the senses we are not just talking about the wonderful foods at Tendrils, or the fine wines of Cave B Estate Winery.  We are talking about the power of the nature which surrounds–and is–SageCliffe.  When we’re able to see for vast distances, we are somehow able to think and dream very, very large.  We’ve seen it time and again with guests of SageCliffe–they go away excited and energized with new ideas or the unexpected connection together of dots they may have struggled with in the past.

So although we often talk about our great present promotions and what we can offer in the way of lovely accommodations, spa services, wine and food, just as significant–if not more so–is what is at the core of SageCliffe:  it’s very nature, if you will.  Come visit us and just breathe the air, gaze at the sky and the long-vista’ed views.  Think, ponder, remember, breathe….and dream.  We can’t think of a better way to help celebrate the wonderful Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

We are open an extra night this holiday weekend, with rooms available Friday-January 14-Sunday night, January 16.  We also have a special rate just for you which you can read about here.  We hope you come and dream with us.

Feeling the Post-Holiday Blues? No Worries–January at Cave B Inn is Made for Special Times

Monday, January 3rd, 2011

December and all its holiday finery has come and gone, but that’s no reason to sing the holiday blues…Cave B Inn at SageCliffe is ready and raring to go for 2011!

An Upcoming Winter Getaway Option for You

Cave B Inn will be extending its usual winter hours the weekend of January 14-16, so you may enjoy this three day weekend in SageCliffe style!  Martin Luther King Day is a very important holiday, and we don’t want it to go by unnoted.  If you stay at Cave B Inn Friday, January 14 and Saturday, January 15 at Inn Best Available Rates*, you receive a Sunday, January 16 stay at Cave B Inn for only $89.  A truly amazing rate for a truly special holiday.

How to reserve your room/s?  Just call the front desk: 509-785-2283. 

We look forward to giving you a wonderful winter getaway weekend right in the middle of January…as it should be! Are you new to SageCliffe?  Visit our website and take your time wandering through the pages, getting lost in the panoramic photos, and learning what we’re all about. Have you visited SageCliffe previously? –We’d love to see you again.  And remember:  January at  Cave B Inn is made for special times!

*No other promotions, packages or special discounts are accepted with this promotional offer. Please contact the front desk to be quoted Best Available Inn Rates for January 14-16.

The First Night of the Year Deserves Celebrating, Too

Friday, December 17th, 2010

Thank you to all our guests who’ve chosen to ring in the new year December 31st at Cave B Inn…The Inn is sold out, and it will be a wonderful time! We can’t wait to take great care of you and help you usher one year out and another in with fun, fine food and wine, and special touches.

But spread the word….there are still some rooms left for Saturday, January 1st–at an amazing rate of $125 + tax.  Now that is a great way to kick off the first night of the year….so whether you’ve already booked a room at the Inn for New Year’s Eve and would like to extend the fun with a second night, or you’re looking for a great, different, utterly relaxing way to “recover” from your New Year’s Eve celebrating, or if you’re simply wanting to spend the first night of the year in an extraordinarily beautiful location—just pick up the phone and give us a call at the front desk to place your January 1st reservation:  509-785-2283.  Never been to SageCliffe before?  Take a look at our website to get a feel for who we are, and be sure to click on ‘Breathtaking Images’ on the home page to see a whole bevy of property photos.

 Hope to see you the first night of 2011!

The SageCliffe Team

How to Remember that Valentine’s Day is Right after New Year’s Eve

Wednesday, December 8th, 2010

It’s before Christmas and New Year’s Eve and your mind is utterly focused on those two upcoming holidays.  As it is every year, right?  At least that’s how it is around here.  Because every year, without fail, that February 14th date sneaks up and bam!  It’s here. And the scramble begins.

 But no….it doesn’t have to be so!

Getting Valentine’s Day Plans Taken Care of

The truth of it is that for stores, hotels, restaurants–the whole kit and kaboodle of service-providers out there–planning and marketing of their Valentine’s Day offerings begins well, well before February.  It begins before….Hannukah, Kwanza and Christmas and New Year’s Eve!  And that means that not only can you find Valentine’s Day events, specials and activities well before the scramble of, say, February 13th, but by doing so you often get the best of the lot, great savings, and more.

Our Pitch for Our Valentine’s Day Package….You Knew it was Coming (But it’s worth it)

Every year we try to up our own ante in what we offer SageCliffe guests for Valentine’s Day.  And from what you’ve told us over the years, we’ve learned of those special somethings you would most like to have in a Valentine’s Day package for you and the one you love. 
So, drum roll please……Here it is–our Great True Love Valentine’s Package:

Package includes:

  • An overnight stay for two in a Cavern room, with private deck or balcony with sweeping gorge views.
  • 50-minute Couples Chardonnay Massage at the beautiful Spa at SageCliffe.
  • In-room truffles & a bottle of Cave B Estate Winery Blanc de Blanc

Available February 1 thru February 28, 2010.

$450 + tax for this singular experience. Spa gratuity included.

To get all the details on this package and to book, just visit our Cave B Inn Packages page

Last:  Have you ever stayed in a SageCliffe Cavern Room?  The entryway alone will awe your partner….it’s forged straight out of the basalt cliff on which it was built.  And the rooms?  How many places can you soak in the tub while looking into your room and out the patio doors to the amazing, drop-dead view?  They are rooms perfect for romance.  We just posted some pics on Cave B Inn’s Facebook page.  Take a look here.

So we hope you become an early-birder and enter into these next holidays with that great feeling of satisfaction that you have the next “biggie,” Valentine’s Day, all taken care of.  Enjoy!