Olalla Winery hosts lavender and antique fair

The owners of the Olalla Valley Vinyard and Winery, Konnie and Joe Serka, have ordered up sunny skies and beautiful weather for their upcoming Lavender and Antique Fair this weekend.

The first annual event will host 12 antique vendors selling primitive, vintage and shabby chic collectibles amid tranquil garden settings.

Opened in October 2009, the winery and vineyard began as a way to produce wine for personal use and as gifts for friends and relatives.

Now the small boutique winery boasts six different varieties such as Pinot Gris (white), Agria and Rasberry Agria (red), Cabernet Franc (red) and two types of rasberry wine, all made exclusively from the grapes and rasberries grown onsite.

“Joe is the vintner,” said Konnie Serka, “and he will only use the grapes and berries we grow here to make his wine.”

The wines produced are labeled under the name of “Croatian Family,” since Joe is of Croatian descent and comes from a long line of winemakers.

The winery is situated on a promontory overlooking Olalla Bay, Puget Sound and Vashon Island.

The vineyard consists of eight acres of grapevines, rasberries and blackberries and grows a variety of wine grapes.

According to Konnie Serka, “We close down from January through July for the winemaking process and reopen again on July 3 in time for summer.”

The winery will be open for tasting and tours both days of the fair.

The fields in front of the vineyard yield two types of lavender, True Grosso and Royal Velvet, both used for their scent and culinary uses.

“I will have a lavender booth set up and will be selling satchets, fresh-cut lavender bouquets, soaps and lotions,” said Konnie Serka. “Or the public is welcome to go out and cut their own bouquet.”

Decorative yard art will also be available for the avid gardener to purchase.

“We have tried to create an atmosphere of peace and tranquility here where people can visit and not feel hurried to buy and leave,” said Konnie Serka. “We have provided seating areas throughout the grounds for viewing nature, enjoying the gardens, browsing through the booths or just relaxing.”

Antique vendors from all over the area will set up their booths under tents and share their wares in the garden from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 24 and 25.

Collectibles are sold for the Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital through the Peninsula Orthopedic Guild.

Olalla Valley Vineyard and Winery is located at 13176 Olalla Valley Road SE in Olalla.

For questions or more information, contact the winery at (253) 851-4949 or visit the website at www.olallavalleyvineyard.com.

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