Chelan Live Cam

Katy approaches winemaking like a master chef. Realizing that great wine starts in the vineyard, she is in the vineyards throughout the growing season, assessing grape development in order to harvest at the perfect time for full flavor and varietal character. She believes in gentle handling of the grapes with the use of the best French and American oak barrels for fermentation and aging, along with minimal pumping, fining, and filtration in the winemaking process. Katy follows the winemaking process with intense concentration from vineyard to glass to produce the best wines possible.

Perry first studied geology and trained as a vertebrate paleontologist at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. Her desire to return home to the West Coast to fulfill the dream of being a winemaker, lead Katy to the University of California at Davis in 1986 to study Viticulture and Oenology. After receiving her degrees, Katy worked in California as Viticulturist/Assistant Winemaker at Geyser Peak Winery, Research Viticulturist at The Benzinger Winery and Assistant Winemaker at MacRostie Winery. Katy served on the Board of Directors of the Sonoma County Viticulturist Technical Group.

Before joining Tsillan Cellars, Perry was Assistant White Winemaker at Chateau Ste. Michelle, one of Washington State’s leading wine producers. The opportunity to control both the vineyard operation and winemaking procedures at a new state of the art winery brought Katy east to Lake Chelan’s Tsillan Cellars. Katy had the rare opportunity to organize the winemaking facility to her specifications and manage the vineyards even before the construction of Tsillan Cellars was completed.

Katy is currently a member of the Board of Directors of The Columbia Cascade Wineries Association and represents the winery at wine industry events throughout the year. She lives in Manson and is planting a small vineyard on her own property.

Tsillan Cellars has quickly become a unique experience destination – offering a variety of red and white wines suitable for all occasions and events. Even if you are unable to visit as often as you would like, you can still enjoy Tsillan Cellars wines and special members only benefits on a regular basis as a member of the Tsillan Cellars Tuscan Club.

Free parking is available on the estate grounds. Parking is limited, ride sharing is suggested. Overnight camping is not allowed by anyone anywhere on Tsillan Cellars grounds. At Tsillan Cellars, we are interested first and foremost in the safety of our guests. The following rules and regulations are enforced to ensure a safe and fun environment that can be enjoyed by all guests of Tsillan Cellars.

All concerts are performed outside, without cover, and are held wind, rain, or shine. For your safety, a security and alcohol check is conducted prior to entering the venue. No beer, spirits or other wine brands are allowed anywhere on the grounds. They will be confiscated. All bags will be subject to search for alcohol and other illegal items. Overnight camping is not allowed by anyone, anywhere on the Tsillan Cellars grounds.

Wine, water, and premium sodas will be available for purchase in the Tasting Room. You are welcome to bring picnic or food of your choice to enjoy on the lawn. We recommend that you bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen for daytime, and a warm jacket for the evening. Please bring all necessary items with you, for there is NO RE-ENTRY, and this policy is strictly enforced. For the comfort and safety of all Tsillan Cellars guests, please leave these at home: alcoholic beverages, cans and bottles, recording devices, video equipment, lounge and elevated chairs, laser pointers, weapons, fireworks, and glass containers of any kind.

A city in Chelan County

We are located along the prime waterfront of Lake Chelan. The park offers an extremely well maintained facility that will not only make you feel at home but entertain you. Whether you're just looking to lie on the beach or like a more active vacation we offer activities for everyone. A new 18 hole Championship Putting Course. This new course features bentgrass greens. sand bunkers, water hazards and subtle slopes to provide fun for the novice players and challenge even the most skilled putter. Ask about tournaments, family discounts, and senior rates. If you like golf, also see Lake Chelan Golf Course. Bumper Boats. The bumper boats are an exciting way to cool off on a warm summer day. Splash & Crash in your own motorized bumper boat. The boat are always a favorite for kids and adults alike. Go-Carts. Race your family at Ralley Alley. This is chance to safely act out your secret fantasy to be a race car driver. 2000 feet of Waterfront. the Lakeshore RV Park offers the largest stretch public waterfront on the lake. For your safety we also have lifeguards on duty in designated areas.

Going on the Tour Boat is as good as having your own boat without all of the details of ownership to get in the way. Skipper Gordon is happy to accommodate you in any way he can, whether it be a short trip to get the "feel" of the lake, or an overnight trip to Stehekin or other stops along the way. He'll also take you on a tour of the Stehekin Valley & leave you time for your own private wilderness picnic if you like.

The Tour Boat really is the way to see Lake Chelan for small groups. You design your own cruise to fit your schedule and interests eliminating the need to arrive in town a day before you board the boat. This kind of flexibility is not only convenient, it's economical, saving you the time and expense that comes with trying to fit into someone else's schedule.

You are able to enjoy the kind of activities that interest you, and stop at places you are curious about. Skipper Gordon is very knowledgeable about the history and geology of the Lake and will be happy to answer any questions. We are happy to provide you with whatever you may need, including help with transportation to Chelan and can help you with private flights from Seattle as well.

Prices vary with custom or specialized tours. We can't set a price until we know what you have in mind but I believe you'll find our prices very reasonable. We'll be happy to help you plan your trip and please, call ASAP for best selection of days and times. The Tour Boat Docks at the Lake Chelan Marina on the Lake's South Shore next to the Ship & Shore Drive-In.

Don't just sit on the shore and watch other people having fun. Shoreline maintains a fleet of the newest in watercraft and we have one just for you! Call us and reserve a boat or personal watercraft for your summer vacation in the Lake Chelan Area. We now serve Lake Chelan, Banks Lake, Lake Roosevelt, and Sun Lakes.

If you like Summer in Lake Chelan, your going to love winter! Lake Chelan has some of the best in groomed snowmobile trails in the State of Washington. Chelan has been the site of the Washington State Snowmobile Convention several times and for good reason. Helmets, snow pants, and the first tank of gas are included in all rentals. Independent rentals are available if you need a machine or two for a ride anywhere in Washington. The bottom line is, we are very flexible and easy to work with. If you need a snowmobile we have one!

Sure, we're all kids at heart, but the chronologically young (and their parents) will especially enjoy these activities geared just for them: Looking for some good, clean fun? Don't miss "Slidewaters", Lake Chelan's family water park, open daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Spend some time at the "City Park" in Chelan where you can enjoy go-carts and bumper boats, a championship putting course, basketball courts, toddler toys and lots of waterfront play area. Take the fishing poles for a stroll through Riverwalk Park, a one-mile paved loop along the Chelan River, with some great fishing holes for kids. Public parks in Lakeside, Manson Bay and Chelan Falls offer great family picnic and play areas, with protected swimming beaches. Local businesses offer horseback riding and pack trips. Families also love the Union Valley llama farm, the Chelan Falls Fish Hatchery, and the Fields Point Interpretive Center. Need some more ideas? Stop by the Lake Chelan Visitor Information Center, we'll be happy to help.

With 55 miles of clear blue lake to explore you'll find plenty of opportunity regardless of your boating preference. Sightseeing, water-skiing, jet-skiing, parasailing, kayaking, canoeing, rowing, tubing, houseboating, paddleboating, and cruising, are all popular ways to enjoy the water. You will also see windsurfers and sailboats, especially uplake in the Lucerne Basin and near Stehekin where the winds are the most consistent.

Lake Chelan is one of Washington State's most productive fisheries. Fishermen consistently take out salmon, rainbow and lake trout, burbot cod, bass and other game fish. A 29.2-lb salmon took first place during the 1994 spring salmon derby, while lake trout up to 25 pounds have recently been pulled from Lake Chelan's depths. The lake is fished deep for salmon and lake trout, using flashers and herring, dodgers and downriggers. But good sized trout and smallmouth bass can be caught right along the rocky shoreline, from docks and public parks. Check with Chelan and Manson sporting goods stores, for tips on the best equipment, holes and techniques. Or go with the pros and book a trip with one of Lake Chelan's experienced fishing guides.

For years, local residents have been using their favorite trails and back roads for walking, running, hiking, horseback riding, bicycling and mountain biking. Increased interest has spurred the continuing development of a more intricate public trails system.

Lake Chelan's Championship Putting Course challenges low handicappers and provides a realistic golfing experience for non-golfers and future golfers. Both Desert Canyon's CPC and the one recently opened spring of '96 in Chelan's Don Morse Park, are surrounded by water, rocks, and hazards, making "putting around" as enjoyable for spectators as for participants.

Clear skies, pristine water and rugged mountain peaks provide a spectacular backdrop for an increasing number of winter recreational opportunities, all within a few miles of the luxury resorts, bed & breakfasts, restaurants and shops that make the Lake Chelan Valley one of Washington's favorite vacation destinations. Off-season rates and discount packages add to the cost-effective appeal of winter recreation and relaxation along the shores of Lake Chelan.

Excellent snow conditions, easy access, diversity of terrain, and nearly 200 miles of well-marked, quality groomed trail have combined to make Chelan an increasingly active snowmobile destination. Snowmobilers agree, however, that the spectacular scenery is what really makes the Chelan area stand out. Trails often parallel the lake, providing unrestricted vistas of the mountainous and inaccessible uplake region. Approximately 2/3 of the snowmobile trail system is found along the lake's northshore, with access points at Antilon Lake and at Echo Valley/Echo Ridge. The remainder of the groomed trails are located along the lake's southshore, with 25-Mile Creek State Park serving as the major access point. In addition to groomed and marked trails, there's plenty of opportunities for outback, off-trail, and hill climbing experiences. Firebreaks built during 1994's summer wildfires, have also created new play areas for snowmobilers. Lake Chelan was chosen as host site of the 1996 Washington State Snowmobile Association Convention.

Echo Valley Ski Area is one of those well-kept secrets that isn't so secret anymore. At an elevation of 3,000 feet, just seven miles northwest of the town of Chelan, Echo Valley features a family oriented downhill experience with three rope tows and a surface Poma Lift. Beginners through expert skiers enjoy the uncrowded slopes, low prices, and outstanding snow conditions. Echo Valley is also the gateway to cross country skiing at Echo Ridge, where over 35 kilometers of groomed, well-signed trails await the novice or experienced skier. Both the downhill and Nordic ski areas are operated and maintained through donation.

Centrally located Lake Chelan is a perfect "hub" for day trips to a variety of fascinating attractions and destinations. Here are just a few:

Lady of the Lake - Choose from a slower, more traditional cruise on the Lady of the Lake II, or the faster, turbo-charged Lady Express. Or use a combination of both for a longer uplake layover.

Stehekin Air Tours - Chelan Airways provides once in a lifetime tours to Upper Lake Chelan from a "birds eye view". You'll see the cascades in a way that can only be done by plane. Try their "Super Tour" which includes flyovers of the high mountain peaks and cascade glaciers.

The Tour Boat - Going on the Tour Boat is as good as having your own boat without all of the details of ownership to get in the way. Skipper Gordon is happy to accommodate you in any way he can, whether it be a short trip to get the "feel" of the lake, or an overnight trip to Stehekin or other stops along the way.

Manson Orchards - Winding through orchards and pasturelands, past a trio of small lakes and view points, the Manson Loop showcases both the agricultural and natural beauty of the Lake Chelan Valley. Start or end the loop with an exploration of the unique shops and restaurants in Manson, The Village on the Bay.

Columbia River Loop - The two riverside routes between Chelan and Wenatchee make an excellent loop. While in Wenatchee, stop by the North Central Washington Museum and Washington Apple Commission, open year round. From April through October, don't miss the delightful Ohme Gardens, a nine-acre alpine garden perched on a rocky bluff overlooking the Wenatchee Valley and Columbia River.

Power Trip - North Central Washington's hydro-electric capacity provides two of the regions more fascinating attractions: Rocky Reach and the Grand Coulee Dams. Highlights of a trip through nearby Rocky Reach Dam include the fish viewing room, powerhouse, and the immaculate grounds which house a multitude of formerly domestic rabbits and guinea pigs. The Grand Coulee is the world's largest concrete gravity dam. Ride the glass-enclosed incline elevator and tour this impressive structure with its museum and artifacts display. Not to be missed is the spectacular Laser Light Show, the largest in the world, which is displayed nightly through the summer across the face of the Grand Coulee Dam.

Leavenworth & Cashmere - Just over an hour away, you'll discover Leavenworth, the Bavarian Village, alive with colorful flowers, old world architecture, specialty shops, restaurants and galleries. Along the way, stop in Colonial American Cashmere, home to the Aplets & Cotlets factory, which offers free tours and delicious samples.

Methow Valley - To the north, your day trip destination can encompass the entire Methow Valley. Allow plenty of time to explore each of the small towns along the River, Pateros, Carlton, Methow, Twisp, and Winthrop. The frontier town of Winthrop has recaptured the spirit of the Old West with false-front buildings, wooden sidewalks and a turn of the century flavor.

Many visitors to the Lake Chelan Valley tend to think of the area primarily in terms of recreation and relaxation, but in agricultural circles, the shores of Lake Chelan are much better known for producing the best apples grown anywhere in the world. This isn't a slogan created by the local growers. Lake Chelan apples are known all over the world for their excellent taste, long shelf life and superior color.

Between 9,000 and 10,000 acres of the Chelan Valley are devoted to the growing of apples and other fruit. Although a few orchards are owned by large fruit growing corporations, the majority of the 375 farms in the valley are relatively small family operations. The average orchard in the valley is 30 acres or less.Total production in 1994 was approximately 8.2 million boxes. The most popular varieties grown in the valley are the Red and Golden Delicious, followed by some of the newer varieties including Galas and Fujis.

Several factors attribute to the superior quality of the Lake Chelan Apple. Fertile soil deposits were left behind by retreating glaciers as they melted thousands of years ago. The Lake itself helps to moderate the area temperatures by keeping the valley above freezing in the winter and also keeps it from getting too hot in the summer. This protects the apples from heat damage and creates a crisper, juicier apple with a longer shelf life.

Although apples are by far the largest crop in the valley, cherries, pears, apricots and peaches are also produced on a smaller scale. Apple labels have become a favorite and inexpensive collector's item, celebrating both the historical and artistic aspects of our agricultural heritage.