Washington State’s wine country

Although it is the second largest wine producer in the US, Washington State remains under the radar as a wine region.

Home to 20 American Viticultural Areas and more than 1,000 wineries, it offers visitors an unpretentious wine country experience.

It is often compared to some of France’s most renowned wine regions as it shares the same latitude.

Check out the top highlights for wine lovers when exploring the state.

Discover charming small towns

Across Washington’s wine region visitors will discover many small communities, from hamlets of 100 to those with up to around 10,000 residents. These towns offer an authentic local experience surrounded by the region’s wineries. South of Yakima, Prosser was founded in 1882 and has since grown into a riverside destination, and a great base from which to explore surrounding wineries. Visitors can browse for antiques in the historic downtown where many buildings date back to the 20th century. The city kicks off harvest season each year with The Great Prosser Balloon Rally, the weekend includes sunrise and night-time balloon launches, farmers markets, and street painting festival.

Further east is Benton City, sitting within the Red Mountain AVA which is home to some of the most prestigious vineyards and estates in Washington. Sip on elegant wines made from classic French and Italian varieties while overlooking the iconic vineyards of estates like Hedges Family Estate, Kiona Vineyards and Winery, Fidelitas Wines, and Col Solare.

Tri Cities sits in the heart of Washington’s Wine Country Region, Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland surround the confluence of the Columbia and Snake rivers. Here visitors will find outstanding outdoor recreation, plus plenty of comfortable lodging options from which to explore wine country. The Lodge at Columbia Point gives guests stunning water views, with onsite spa services and access to food and wines from across the region in their restaurant.

American Viticultural areas

Washington’s wine country sits east of the Cascade mountains, its growing regions vary significantly in area, climate, and soils, which allows 80 wine varieties to succeed, producing 17 million cases of wine per year. The region has developed over time, with Yakima Valley being the state’s first designated AVA in 1983, to Goose Gap, White Bluffs, and The Burn of Columbia Valley most recently designated in 2021. Yakima Valley gets its name from the Yakama Native American tribe and is one of Washington’s most diverse growing regions. Its top varieties are Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Here visitors can visit Freehand Cellars for views of the surrounding orchards and a menu of shareable small plates. For something more active, take a guided e-bike tour of nearby wineries with Kickstand Tours.

The most eastern AVA in Washington’s wine country is Walla Walla Valley which has the largest concentrations of wineries in the state with over 130, including many of the oldest, such as Woodward Canyon (1981) and L’Ecole No. 41 (1983). It has been awarded ‘Best Wine Region’ for three consecutive years from 2020-2022. Visitors can learn more about how wine is made in Walla Walla at blending experiences hosted by Northstar Winery and Canoe Ridge Vineyard.

Crush season events

Washington’s crush season runs from mid-August through to mid-October, the harvest season is marked and celebrated with several events around early November. Yakima’s annual Sip and Stroll festival is held in early November, bringing together all the key players of the Yakima area from wine to cider. Visitors can taste everything from brand-new wine releases to seasonal beers, all while getting to explore the local businesses of the city’s downtown. Walla Walla Valley celebrates the end of the harvest season with Fall Release Weekend. From November 1-3 wineries throughout the area host special events to debut their newest wine. Attendees will have opportunity to speak with the winemakers themselves about their work, and sample fresh new batches of wine. 

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