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13 Best Washington State Wineries to Visit

Learn about where to find the best Riesling, Syrah, Merlot, and more in Washington.

Washington State’s reputation as a source of high-quality wine has been growing for years.In just the past decade or so, Washington wine’s reputation has skyrocketed, and from everyday-priced reds and whites to bottles that will benefit from years in the cellar, this is very much a state on the rise.

Whether you’re a fan of inexpensive yet delicious Riesling or spicy, savory Syrah , Washington seems to excel. Producers from the state even shine when it comes to Merlot , which isn’t a grape that has had the easiest time gaining a foothold in the more rarefied world of fine wine in this country.

Alongside the growth of the state’s wine reputation, the options for serious wine tourists and casual visitors alike have expanded, too. The ten below all offer excellent hospitality and terrific wine. All you have to do is reserve a time (in some cases) and show up thirsty.

Charles Smith/K Vintners

Former rock band manager and current wine expert Charles Smith produces a range of labels, from luxury priced to everyday drinking (like Kung Fu Girl and Red Devil, both of which are now owned by Constellation, alongside three others). His multiple tasting rooms include an industrial chic space converted from an old Doctor Pepper bottling plant in the Georgetown area of Seattle, a former auto repair shop in downtown Walla Walla, and the K Vintners outpost near Walla Walla on a 19th century farmstead. 

Cave B Estate

Cave B Estate has a lovely Woodinville tasting room, but to get the real experience —   the panoramic views off of a 900-foot cliff, as well as the Gorge natural amphitheater music venue — you have to make the considerable drive to Quincy, which is around two and a half hours away. Fortunately, it’s worth the trip, and if you’re there for a concert, wandering wine pourers and a pizza truck will keep you hydrated and happily full. Plus, if your group is six people or less, you don’t need a reservation. 

Barnard Griffin

This is possibly the only winery you'll ever visit with an art-glass school attached. Rob Griffin's pioneering efforts in eastern Washington have resulted in some of the state's finest wine bargains — the entry level Cabernet Sauvignon is a steal — available for sampling at the winery's three tasting room locations across Richland, Vancouver, and Woodinville. Rob’s wife Deborah Barnard, a fused-glass artist, extends the learning experience with her db Studio and Gallery. 

Chateau Ste. Michelle

The Washington titan is one of the world’s most reliable large producers, and has notable bottles to look for up and down the lineup. The hospitality center in Seattle's suburban Woodinville is ground zero for Washington wine tourism, with a slate of tour and tasting options, including Winemaker for a Day, a summer concert series, private cabanas, and more. 

This joint venture between Chateau Ste. Michelle and Tuscany's iconic Marchesi Antinori is in a design magazine-worthy winery, dramatically situated in a sprawling Wild West landscape on a slope of Red Mountain. The winery’s flagship is an age-worthy Cab-based red, but their Malbec , Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc should also not be missed.

Columbia Crest

Ste. Michelle's sister winery is well-known for fine bargains in Bordeaux-style reds and Chardonnays, but its Reserve tier wines, produced in the Petit Chai "winery within the winery" can be impressive too. The winery in Paterson, overlooking the Columbia River, offers self-guided tours daily, and free, guided tours on the weekend by reservation. Call ahead to reserve a wine and food pairing experience ($25). columbiacrest.com

DeLille Cellars

Among the state's most recognized wineries, this suburban Woodinville producer makes age-worthy Bordeaux - and Rhone-style wines under the DeLille label, single vineyard wines from Red Mountain under Grand Ciel, and Metier, which showcases the generosity of fruit from Columbia Valley. Their Woodinville tasting room offers a wide range of options — library tastings, blending sessions, tastings on the patio, and more — no matter how involved an experience you’re looking for. 

Gramercy Cellars

Master sommelier Greg Harrington pursued his dream of leaving Manhattan behind to explore the vineyards of Walla Walla. He has developed a dedicated following along the way for his deft, balanced wines…though only 8,000 cases are produced annually! The cozy tasting room is a must-stop for lovers of world-class red wine — appointments are strongly recommended, and can be made from Tuesday through Saturday. 

Hedges Family Estate

Hedges was a Red Mountain pioneer, and their dense, lush reds were a gateway through which many passionate Washington winelovers initially passed. Their Red Mountain vineyards are CCOF and Demeter certified, which places them among the upper echelon of environmentally responsible producers, and their wines are terrific evocations of what makes Red Mountain such a special place to grow grapes. Hedges also crafts Columbia Valley wines under the CMS label, including a Chardonnay , a Cabernet Sauvignon, and a red blend, none of which costs more than $20. Walk-ins are available as space allows, but your best bet is to make an appointment for the Benton City tasting room Wednesday through Sunday 11am to 5pm. 

Hogue Cellars

One of the state's larger producers, and one of the few to retain Riesling—one of Washington wine's first hits—as a major calling card. Hogue produces very well-priced wines in three pricing tiers for the general market, but a fourth tier, the tiny production "Terroir" wines, are available only to club members and visitors to the tasting room in Prosser. hoguecellars.com

L'Ecole No. 41

One of Walla Walla's first wineries, this family-owned venture situated in a 1915 schoolhouse remains one of the state’s standard bearers. L'Ecole has had successes across its line, but is probably best known for Bordeaux-style reds and a standout Semillon , among others. The tasting room and winery in Lowden is a popular destination, as are their Walla Walla outpost, L’Ecole Heritage Wine Bar, and L’Ecole Woodinville. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended.

Mullan Road

Courtesy of Mullan Road

Founded a little more than a decade ago by Dennis Cakebread, Mullan Road is focused on Cabernet Sauvignon and a Bordeaux-style red blend. Private tastings are by appointment only in their Walla Walla location, though a new tasting room is set to open this summer. Keep an eye on their website for more details. 

Related Articles

The Ultimate Wine Tour of Washington State

With its dark-as-steel puget sound and snowcapped mountains, washington may not look much like wine country at first. but stay in one of the state’s quintessential wine towns and you’ll quickly discover that some of the country’s best syrahs, merlots, and chardonnays are being produced here..

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Washington’s jewel-like, glacial Lake Chelan comes fringed by vineyard-dotted hillsides that turn out lauded whites.

Photo by Jacquelynn Brynn/Shutterstock

Tucked into the nation’s far northwest corner, Washington wine country is special—and its grape-growing regions unique—because of an exceptional range of growing conditions. The Cascade Mountains bisect the state, a concrete curtain between the maritime climate of the Puget Sound area (where little more than 100 acres are planted with wine grapes) and the semi-arid, blue-skied continental climate well-suited to large-scale grape growing, to the east. Cross eastward from Seattle over those mountains and you’ll find some 300 days of annual sunshine, miles of fruit orchards, and near-desert landscapes that roll down from mountain plateaus, until they drop into cliffs above the massive Columbia River.

There, in Washington’s east, are hilltop wineries overlooking glacial lakes, vineyards abutting dormant volcanoes, and acres of vines covering rock-strewn soils shaped by the Ice Age. Plus, plenty of charming small towns. While the state’s wines have gained renown, its wine country remains bucolic—with lakeside hamlets, college towns turned wine hubs, and Old West outposts—where you’re more than likely to rub elbows with the local winemaker while admiring local art. Here are four essential wine towns to uncover the essence of Washington wine country.

Near Seattle, the town of Woodinville features more than 150 wineries and tasting rooms representing producers from across Washington State (including DeLille Cellars).

Courtesy of DeLille Cellars

Woodinville

Distance from Seattle : 30 minutes

With its proximity to Seattle, 30 minutes away, Woodinville is the closest place to get a taste of Washington wine while staying west of the Cascades. While most of the state’s grapes are grown east of the mountains, numerous wineries import them to produce their wines in Woodinville, nestled in the Sammamish River Valley.

More than 150 wineries and tasting rooms, representing the state’s wine scene as a whole, make the town well worth a visit. There’s the Chateau St. Michelle winery, where peacocks stroll the property and music acts such as Josh Groban and the Steve Miller Band perform in the summer—plus multiple tasting rooms.

Just down the road, in the Hollywood District , more than 50 tasting rooms cluster, including DeLille and Sparkman cellars and Gorman and Guardian wineries. For those more interested in spirits or hops (Washington is the nation’s largest hops producer), there are more than a dozen breweries, distilleries, and cideries to visit, too.

Where to stay in Woodinville

A short walk from the Hollywood District is the Pacific Northwest–styled, rustic-chic, 84-room Willows Lodge —with stone-trimmed fireplaces and soaring ceilings, a spa, and complimentary loaner bicycles, set on five acres along the Sammamish River.

Set within the “American Alps,” Bavarian-inspired Leavenworth puts forth an atmospheric setting for sampling the greater wine region’s bounty.

Courtesy of Icicle TV

Leavenworth

Distance from Seattle : 2 hours

Cross that Cascades corridor, and the wine regions begin to appear: The Columbia Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) extends from the Columbia Gorge on the state’s southern border all the way north, nearly to Canada . It’s home to an area referred to as the American Alps, where a craggy, soaring alpine backdrop meets the Wenatchee River running with snowmelt. Here—100 miles east of Woodinville—is small-town Leavenworth , a hamlet that embraced the Alpine feel by adopting a Bavarian theme: Today, every gallery and tasting room sits behind a Bavarian facade.

Sure, Leavenworth is at the very western edge of wine country (it’s on the northwestern fringes of the Columbia Valley AVA and between the Lake Chelan and Ancient Lakes AVAs to the north and south, respectively)—and bier and brats proliferate. But it’s home to nearly a dozen tasting rooms for Washington wineries growing grapes in adjacent wine regions, including Boudreaux Cellars , with its cabernets using some of state’s oldest vines.

It’s a great base for nearby white-water rafting trips, as well as the arts: The Icicle Creek Center for the Arts hosts Shakespeare performances and a chamber music institute during the summer, and it streams the Metropolitan Opera’s performances all season long.

Where to stay in Leavenworth

Along the Wenatchee River, three miles from the heart of Leavenworth’s tiny downtown, Sleeping Lady Resort epitomizes the Pacific Northwest ethos, with six clusters of rooms (six to eight per compound) sequestered among the pines. Quietly elegant, it’s a great place to take in the stars from the rock-walled hot tub or grab hiking boots, a bike, or snowshoes and explore.

On the southern side of scenic Lake Chelan, the impressive tasting room at Tsillan Cellars is matched by sweeping lawn, vineyard, and lake views.

Courtesy of Tsillan Cellars

Distance from Seattle : 3 hours

In northcentral Washington, about 70 miles northwest of Leavenworth, blue-green Lake Chelan stretches for 50 miles, from the Cascade Mountains to farmland, with vineyards dotting the hills. At the lake’s east end is small-town Chelan, home to boutique shops, galleries, and bakeries. A vintage car show, Cruizin Chelan , kicks off summer, followed by weeks of music in the park and concerts in the surrounding vineyards; come January, locals build a pyre of their Christmas trees and bring in bands for Winterfest .

The unique soil, owed to past glacial and volcanic activity, combined with mostly mild temperatures (thanks to the influence of the enormous lake), results in a wine region that delivers white wines with bright acidity and lots of stone fruit on the palate. Tasting rooms and vineyards sit on the hills that stretch out from Chelan’s north and south shores.

Off the southern edge of the lake, Karma Vineyards specializes in sparkling wine made in the traditional champagne method, Nefarious Cellars serves its local whites (and reds from vineyards elsewhere in the state), and Tsillan Cellars offers pours from a palatial tasting room. Across the lake are more than a dozen other wineries and tasting rooms, including Cairdeas , where the focus is on Rhône blends, and the cheeky Hard Row to Hoe , in tiny Manson, less than eight miles up the lake from Chelan.

Where to stay in Chelan

Hovering above Lake Chelan, where an orchard once stood, is the Lookout , a modern cottage resort community with more than 60 homes for rent (ranging from one to six bedrooms), each granting access to the lakefront beach below, the pool and bocce ball courts, an outdoor kitchen, and trails stretching into the surrounding hills.

Just west of downtown Walla Walla, L’Ecole No. 41 winery was a pioneer for the region’s booming wine industry.

Photo by Sander Olson/L’Ecole No. 41

Walla Walla

Distance from Seattle : 4 hours

To Washington’s south and east, near the border with Oregon, which also has numerous great wineries, is this college town set among farmland. Once known only for its surrounding wheat and pea fields—and eponymous onion—today Walla Walla, with its celebrated terroir, has become the state’s premier wine-touring hub. Merlot struts its stuff here, often found in bordeaux blends, while the valley’s heat makes for complex syrahs and lush cabernets.

The town’s a pleasant base, featuring a mix of shops and galleries with Mill Creek cutting through it. It’s close to the Walla Walla Foundry , where artists cast statues, many of which reside temporarily in the tasting room at Foundry Vineyards , west of downtown. Walla Walla’s restaurant scene is also notable: There’s Andrae’s Kitchen , the fast-casual restaurant set inside a still-functioning gas station, and come evening, you may encounter local winemakers at the Italian-focused Passatempo Tavern or inspired Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen .

There are more than 100 wineries in the Walla Walla AVA and surrounds, and the tasting rooms come clustered in pockets throughout. The grapes are grown outside of town, but several wineries—including Rotie Cellars , Bergevin Lane , and Bledsoe Family —have tasting rooms downtown. To the west of downtown reside early pioneers L’Ecole No. 41 and Woodward Canyon (both established in the early ’80s), as well as Long Shadows (appointment only).

East of town, you’ll find other trailblazers, including Abeja , Walla Walla Vintners , and àMaurice . In between, some 20 tasting rooms—like Buty , Dunham , and Syzygy —occupy converted military buildings at the airport. Meanwhile, roughly five miles south of Walla Walla, Northstar , Pepper Bridge (with its subterranean wine caves), and Sleight of Hand Cellars are a few of the wineries set among the rolling hills.

Where to stay in Walla Walla

With grapes trellising on one side and the Blue Mountains in the distance, the Inn at Abeja —a few miles east of downtown—offers vineyard-based stays on a historic farmstead. There’s the carriage house, with its luxury suites and themed rooms, and four cottages, including a former chicken house renovated with reclaimed woods and soaring open-beam ceilings. Six miles north of Walla Walla is the 2018-debuted Eritage Resort , with its 10 suites and 10 bungalows set by a man-made lake and tucked into hills covered in wheat fields and vineyards.

>> Next: 6 of the Best Wineries in Washington State

Yakima Valley Wine Tasting Areas

Home to more than 90 wineries and five American Viticulture Areas (AVA’s) in just 70 short miles, the Yakima Valley contains more than 17,000 acres of producing vineyards, and we proudly produce over half of Washington State’s wine grapes.

Home to a pleasant and diverse mix of urban and rural wineries, the Yakima Area should be your first stop on your Yakima Valley wine tasting adventure.

Located within both the Yakima and Columbia Valley appellations, this unique wine region boasts ridgetop vineyards at over 3,000 feet in elevation.

The birthplace of the Washington wine industry, this quaint little town is home to more than 30 wineries, 12 of which are within walking distance of each other.

Red Mountain

At just 4,040 acres, Red Mountain is one of the smallest wine grape growing regions in Washington. Located on a gentle southern slope also makes it the warmest.

HAND-CRAFTED STORIES FROM THE YAKIMA VALLEY

Lane and Judie

Lane and Judie are frequent visitors to our Yakima Valley wineries. Both Yakima locals, they spend their weekends exploring Cowiche Canyon with their grandkids, and wiling away the weekend on the sunny slopes of the Naches Heights AVA.

Where Washington's Wines are Grown

It seems odd when you hear wine critics compare the Yakima Valley to the verdant growing regions of France. After all, our little valley contains just a small portion of the wonders of Washington State. Nor does the Yakima Valley have the fabled history of the French countryside.

But when you actually learn a little more about the Yakima Valley, you’ll find we actually do have a lot in common with some of the most productive regions of France. We are blessed with the perfect combination of wine-making conditions: well-drained, loamy and silty volcanic soil, high-desert climate that gives us long, hot sunny days and cooler nights, and lots of sloping terrain that allows us to plant a large amount of varietals.

Unlike some of the more well-known wine growing regions, the Yakima Valley has some unique opportunities you won’t find anywhere else. Our wineries are unpretentious, and the winemakers are friendly and open, all of which makes wine tasting in the Yakima Valley an intimate and rewarding experience.

Plan Your Wine Country Trip

Tasting rooms, wineries, vineyards, cideries and breweries await your visit. Our map is conveniently organized by tasting area to make planning your wine tour easy!

As Yakima Valley's viticulture has matured over the years, more than 90 wineries have established themselves throughout this fertile region.

WINE TRIP IDEA

Wine tasting in the Yakima Valley is a friendly and rewarding experience. Use this trip idea as a guide for planning your own wine tour.

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Washington Wine Country

Washington state’s vineyard region.

Tour the areas within the vineyard region of Washington State known as Washington Wine Country: Tri-Cities, Walla Walla Valley and Yakima Valley.

In Washington Wine Country, you will experience award-winning wines straight from the source and often poured by the wine-maker. The region contains the first AVA (American Vitacultural Area) - Yakima Valley AVA, which originated in 1983. Now, the over 240 wineries in Washington Wine Country include grapes from the regional AVA's of Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Yakima Valley, Red Mountain, Rattlesnake Hills, Horse Heaven Hills, Snipes Mountain and Naches Heights.

Photos provided by Washington State Wine courtesy of Andréa Johnson Photography

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Check your first case of wine free.

Your Vacation to Washington Wine Country Just Got Easier - with the Taste and Tote program. Check your first case of wine free from Yakima, Tri-Cities/Pasco or Walla Walla on Alaska Airlines. Enjoy waived rental car drop fees from Hertz Rent-a-Car. Show your Alaska Airlines boarding pass for waived tasting fees at participating wineries.

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Washington State Wineries: Discovering The Best Wine Tours

Washington State is known for its picturesque beauty, enigmatic mountains, and stunning coastlines, but in recent years, it has also gained a reputation for its exquisite wineries. The state is now home to over 1,000

Washington State is known for its picturesque beauty, enigmatic mountains, and stunning coastlines, but in recent years, it has also gained a reputation for its exquisite wineries. The state is now home to over 1,000 wineries and has become a popular destination for wine lovers from all over the world. If you’re a wine aficionado, Washington State’s wine tours offer the perfect way to see some of the best wineries, taste world-class wine and experience the beauty of the state.

The wine scene in Washington is relatively young compared to other wine regions in the United States, but it has quickly gained popularity due to the high quality of wines produced. Washington State’s wineries are scattered around the state, with the majority located in the Yakima, Walla Walla, and Columbia Valleys.

The Yakima Valley is known for producing some of the finest Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon wines in the world. The area has over 100 wineries and is a prime grape-growing region in the state. Walla Walla Valley is another wine region that has gained immense popularity in recent years. With over 140 wineries, Walla Walla is home to some of the best vineyards in the region, including the iconic Leonetti Cellar and Seven Hills Winery.

The Columbia Valley is the largest wine-growing region in the state, covering over 11 million acres. The region is home to over 670 wineries, making it the largest wine region in Washington. Red wine lovers will appreciate the strong, bold flavors of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah wines produced in the region.

If you’re planning a wine tour in Washington State, there are several ways to go about it. You can either choose to visit the wineries on your own, hire a private tour, or join a group tour. Solo visits can be quite overwhelming, especially if you’re not familiar with the area, so it’s recommended that you hire a tour guide or join a group tour. Several companies offer wine tours, each catering to different preferences of wine lovers.

Washington State offers an incredibly diverse wine experience, and each vineyard offers a unique experience. Some vineyards require advanced bookings or have specific visiting hours, so it’s important to plan ahead.

Top Wineries to Visit in Washington

Columbia Crest

Columbia Crest is a renowned winery located in Paterson, Washington. The winery is famous for its rich Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon wines, which have been awarded several accolades worldwide. The vineyard is well-known for its breathtaking views of the Columbia River and the cascading mountains.

L\’Ecole No 41

L\’Ecole No 41 is located on the historical Frenchtown Schoolhouse in Walla Walla, Washington. The winery offers exceptional red and white wines that have consistently won numerous awards over the years. The tasting room offers a cozy atmosphere with a fireplace, making it an ideal spot to enjoy a glass of Merlot or Chardonnay during the winter months.

Chateau Ste. Michelle

Chateau Ste. Michelle is one of the oldest wineries in Washington State, dating back to 1934. The vineyard is located in Woodinville, Washington, and offers a wide range of wines, from Chardonnay to Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery has a beautiful French-style chateau, and the grounds are immaculate, making it a perfect spot for picnics and wine tastings.

Food and Wine Pairings

Washington State is known for hosting several food and wine pairing events throughout the year. The state has some of the best restaurants and eateries, each offering unique culinary experiences. Yakima Valley’s Dine Around event takes place in February and offers wine lovers an opportunity to sample the best food and drink pairings in the region.

The Seattle Wine and Food Experience is another famous event that takes place in February. The event brings together over 200 vendors, including wineries, breweries, and restaurants, who offer guests exclusive food and drink experiences.

Wineries That Offer Unique Experiences

Several vineyards in Washington offer unique experiences, making them stand out from the rest.

Walter Dacon Winery

The Walter Dacon Winery is located in Shelton, Washington, and is known for producing some of the finest Zinfandel wines in the state. The winery offers guests an opportunity to explore the wine-making process and even allows them to stomp grapes with their feet.

Martinez and Martinez Winery

Martinez and Martinez Winery is located in Prosser, Washington, and is a family-run winery that produces exceptional Merlot wines. The winery offers guests an opportunity to create their own wine blend, which they can take home as a souvenir or to enjoy with friends and family.

Fall Wine Festivals

Washington State’s wine region hosts several wine festivals throughout the year, but the fall events are the most popular. The annual Walla Walla Crush Festival takes place in October and offers visitors a chance to experience the harvest season, grape-stomping events, and wine tastings.

The Leavenworth Oktoberfest is another fall festival where wine lovers can savor some of the best German-inspired wines and cuisines in the region. The festival takes place in September in Leavenworth, Washington.

Washington State’s wine tours offer the perfect way for wine lovers to sample some of the best wines in the state, experience the natural beauty of the region, and learn about the wine-making process. With over 1,000 wineries to choose from, visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to wine tours in Washington State.

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The Heart of

Wineries & Wine Bars

If you love wine tasting, Washington’s Tri-Cities is the ideal destination. Known as "The Heart of Washington Wine Country®," the Tri-Cities region houses more than 200 wineries within a 50 mile radius.

Visitors can sample award-winning wines , or enjoy breathtaking views of beautiful vineyards. Many wine enthusiasts choose to stay in the Tri-Cities and then branch out in order to experience the variety of southern Washington wine tours and tasting rooms while staying in one convenient location. Spend a day each touring wineries in the Yakima Valley, Prosser, Red Mountain, and Walla Walla without having to change hotels .

The Heart of Washington Wine Country

Wine Trail Map

Make plans to visit Tri-Cities and embark on wonderful Washington wine tours in one of the nation’s top wine regions. You’ll experience new flavors, meet new people and create new memories that will last a lifetime.

How to Have the Best Wine Weekend Getaway

Cheers to the women of washington wine, tri-wine: a guide to hispanic-operated wineries & vineyards.

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660 Frontier Rd. Prosser, Washington 99350 (509) 786-5514 Website

14 Hands Winery 660 Frontier Rd. Prosser, Washington 99350

10 E Bruneau Ave, Spaces 61/70 Kennewick, Washington 99336 (509) 980-2414 Website

4 Whistles Winery 10 E Bruneau Ave, Spaces 61/70 Kennewick, Washington 99336

67228 W Island View PR NW Prosser, Washington 99350 (253) 797-7930

Above The Curve Vineyard 67228 W Island View PR NW Prosser, Washington 99350

560 Merlot Dr. Prosser, Washington 99350 (509) 786-7401 Website

Airfield Estates 560 Merlot Dr. Prosser, Washington 99350

2880 Lee Rd., Ste. D Prosser, Washington 99350 (509) 786-3497 Website

Alexandria Nicole Cellars 2880 Lee Rd., Ste. D Prosser, Washington 99350

158422 W. Sonova Rd. Prosser, Washington 99350 (509) 832-3877 Website

Alexandria Nicole Cellars Destiny Ridge Tasting Room 158422 W. Sonova Rd. Prosser, Washington 99350

19205 N. McBee Rd. NW Benton City, Washington 99320 (509) 303-5869 Website

Anelare Winery 19205 N. McBee Rd. NW Benton City, Washington 99320

20206 E 583 PR NE Benton City, Washington 99320 (509) 588-6870 Website

Avennia Red Mountain Tasting Room 20206 E 583 PR NE Benton City, Washington 99320

1106 N. Jurupa St. Kennewick, Washington 99338 (509) 627-4986 Website

Badger Mountain Vineyard/Powers Winery 1106 N. Jurupa St. Kennewick, Washington 99338

878 Tulip Ln. Richland, Washington 99352 (509) 627-0266 Website

Barnard Griffin Winery 878 Tulip Ln. Richland, Washington 99352

421 E Columbia Dr Kennewick, Washington 99336 (206) 395-8460 Website

Bartholomew Winery 421 E Columbia Dr Kennewick, Washington 99336

9506 W. Chandler Rd. Benton City, Washington 99320 (509) 588-8800 Website

Chandler Reach Vineyards 9506 W. Chandler Rd. Benton City, Washington 99320

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Best Walla Walla Wineries, Wine Tours & Tastings 2024

Going wine tasting in Walla Walla? Here’s how to make the most of your visit.

In a quiet corner of southeastern Washington State , the compact city of Walla Walla has been a darling among wine lovers for decades. The wine industry is a major driver of tourism in the area—the city is home to around 120 wineries along with a wide array of hotels and restaurants that cater to Winetravelers. The industry is so important here, in fact, that the local community college even offers associate degrees in enology and viticulture.

Walla Walla sits at the heart of the Walla Walla Valley AVA, home to nearly 3,000 acres of vineyards—some of which are in neighboring Oregon . The region is particularly known for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah , though Merlot , Malbec , and Cabernet Franc are also well represented in the region.

While red rules supreme in this AVA, you’ll also find a handful of producers bringing out Chardonnay , Viognier , and Riesling .

How to Get to Walla Walla and How to Get Around

If you don’t live in the Pacific Northwest , you’ll need to fly to one of the area’s airports and rent a car . Walla Walla has its own tiny regional airport (Airport Code: ALW) , with regular connections to Seattle on Alaska Airlines.

The closest international airport is in Spokane, just under a 3-hour drive away. Alternatively, you can fly to Portland, Oregon (a 4-hour drive from Walla Walla) or Seattle (4.5 hours away). While you can experience much of Walla Walla on foot, and there are enough tasting rooms downtown alone to keep you busy, you’ll need a vehicle to really get a feel for the region and its vineyards.

If you don’t have a designated driver in your group, you’re best off joining a wine tour or hiring a driver for the day. Roads2 Travel offers private and completely customizable transportation . We recommend selecting some of the wineries below and booking the route with them for a day of your choosing. 

Overlooking the picturesque landscapes of Walla Walla, a region renowned for its warm hospitality and exceptional Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Images courtesy Walla Walla Valley Wine & Richard Duval Images.

Best Wineries to Visit in Walla Walla

Downtown alone has around 40 wineries & tasting rooms to choose from, most of which are on Main Street and on surrounding roads. Many of the city’s historic buildings have been revamped and now house wineries—popular options include Seven Hills Winery , one of the oldest in town, which is housed in a historic wood mill, and Elephant Seven , where visitors can taste Rhone varietals in a converted feed stable from 1905.

The Walla Walla Airport District is another great spot for winery hopping, with over two dozen wineries, cideries, distilleries, and breweries spread across a selection of World War II-era buildings in the northern part of town. Must-visits include Dunham Cellars , which occupies a refurbished airplane hangar, and Northstar Winery , where you can create your own unique wine by signing up for a blending experience . You’ll also find an ever-changing selection of fledgling wineries in the area that are participants in the Port of Walla Walla’s Winery Incubator Program.

There are plenty of options in the surrounding countryside, from Walla Walla Vinters in the eastern reaches of town to the Rotie Rocks Estate , just over the border in Oregon. You can even sample student-produced wine at College Cellars on the Walla Walla Community College campus.

If you prefer your wines bubbly, head straight to Yellowhawk Sparkling House , where you’ll find sparkling Sémillon , Malbec , and Chardonnay —they even do a bubbly red blend.

Don’t leave town without paying a visit to Caprio Cellars , one of only a few wineries in Walla Walla with its own estate vineyards.

Winetraveler Tip: The tastings at Caprio are always free, although you’ll probably end up wanting to bring some of their fantastic Bordeaux blends home with you.

While you’re in the neighborhood, stop by Pepper Bridge Winery , which features its own gravity-flow facility that uses the earth’s natural force to move grape juice and pulp to tanks and then on to the barrels, without the need for pumps. Pepper Bridge supplies grapes to Amavi Cellars nearby–if you want to rub shoulders with local winemakers, visit Amavi in the early evening, when they offer a happy hour with pizza, beer, and—of course—wine.

Best Walla Walla Wine Tours & Wine Tastings

Walla walla wine walk.

Specializing in creating memorable, hassle-free, and entertaining experiences, this tour invites you to taste your way through downtown Walla Walla, all while soaking in the local ambiance.

Summary of the Tour: The Walla Walla Wine Walk is more than a wine-tasting tour; it’s an invitation to experience the heart and soul of Walla Walla. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or simply curious about this charming region, this tour offers a delightful and engaging way to explore the local flavors, sights, and culture. Enjoy the wines, wander the streets, and discover the unique shops that make Walla Walla a must-visit destination.

Highlights:

• Wine Tasting in Walla Walla: Enjoy a variety of wines from Walla Walla’s local wineries, each chosen to represent the region’s viticultural excellence.
• Explore Charming Downtown: Wander through the picturesque streets of downtown Walla Walla, soaking in the charm and character of this vibrant area.
• Discover Unique Local Shops: Enhance your wine walk with visits to unique local shops, offering a glimpse into Walla Walla’s artisanal and creative community.
• Hassle-Free Experience: Enjoy a well-organized and entertaining tour that takes care of all the details, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the experience.

Price: from $85.00 per adult

Schedule a Walla Walla Wine Walk

Lowest price guarantee, Reserve now & pay later, Free cancellation courtesy of our partner Tripadvisor.

Private Personal Winery Tours in Walla Walla

Experience the best of Walla Walla Wine Country with Personal Winery Tours, offering a stress-free and highly personalized wine tour tailored to smaller groups of up to 6. Perfect for couples, close friends, family members, or friends meeting up, these tours provide an intimate and enjoyable exploration of the Walla Walla Valley or the Red Mountain wine areas. With 15 years of experience, Personal Winery Tours ensures a safe, customized, and unforgettable journey through nationally acclaimed wineries and picturesque vineyards, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Blue Mountains.

• Explore Walla Walla Valley or Red Mountain: Choose between two of Washington’s premier wine regions, each offering distinct wineries and scenic landscapes.
• Visit Nationally Acclaimed Wineries: Experience tastings at some of the area’s most celebrated wineries, known for their exceptional wines and hospitality.
• Beautiful Vineyard Views: Enjoy the visual feast of lush vineyards set against the majestic Blue Mountains, adding to the tour’s allure.
• Personalized and Intimate Experience: With a maximum of 6 guests, the tour ensures a personal and enjoyable experience, tailored to your group’s preferences.
• Safe and Stress-Free: As a licensed and insured tour operator, Personal Winery Tours ensures a safe and relaxing journey, allowing you to fully enjoy the tastings without concern.
• Customized Itinerary: Whether new to the area or a returning customer, the tour can be customized to suit your tastes and interests, creating a unique wine-tasting adventure.

Price: from $700.00 per group (up to 6)

Book a Private and Customizable Wine Tour of Walla Walla

Where to Dine

Situated in Walla Walla’s historic Pastime Café building, Passatempo Taverna offers an Italian-inspired dinner menu of antipasti and pasta along with pizza and steaks, with most of the ingredients sourced from local farms. The wine menu leans Italian, with a few Washington options for good measure, though this downtown spot is best known for its innovative cocktails.

Owned by Tom Maccarone, who grew up in Walla Walla, T.Macs has become a bit of an institution since it opened up its doors in 2005. Stop by for lunch or dinner to try one of the beautifully presented (and tasty) dishes on offer—and make sure to save room to try some of their celebrated desserts. 

Hotels in Walla Walla

In the heart of the city center, the Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center has been a Walla Walla landmark since it first opened back in 1928 and offers classic rooms within easy walking distance of restaurants and wineries. A few blocks away, The FINCH is a contemporary alternative, featuring midcentury-revival décor in a revamped old motel.

If you want to be in the heart of wine country, Cameo Heights Mansion in the nearby community of Touchet is a fantastic option, with classic, individually decorated suites with views out over the surrounding vineyards.

Beyond the Wine: More Things to Do in Walla Walla

While it’s hard to argue that wine is Walla Walla’s biggest draw, there’s plenty to do in and around town for when you need a break from drinking.

If you’d like to learn about local history, stop by the Fort Walla Walla Museum , which features exhibits on everything from agriculture to Victorian-era fashion.

The Whitman Mission National Historic Site is also worth a visit–the on-site museum features displays and artifacts pertaining to the Indigenous Cayuse people of the area and missionary settlers who came to the region on the Oregon Trail.

While there are a few easy trails at the Whiteman Mission, travelers wanting to tackle a more strenuous hike will find no shortage of options in the nearby Umatilla National Forest .

All images in this guide courtesy Walla Walla Valley Wine & Richard Duval Images.

Written By Margot Bigg

Margot Bigg is a freelance writer and editor specializing in travel and culture. Her stories have appeared in publications around the world, including National Geographic Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Rolling Stone, Lonely Planet, Afar, VegNews, Slate, Sunset, Robb Report, Roads & Kingdoms, VICE, ​The Times of India, and The Oregonian. She’s the author of Moon Living Abroad in India, Moon Taj Mahal, Delhi & Jaipur, and Moon Spotlight Delhi and a co-author of Fodor’s Essential India, Fodor’s Oregon, Fodor’s Pacific Northwest, and Fodor’s Best Road Trips in the USA.

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26 of the Best Wineries in Washington State You’ll Love

By: Author Amanda OBrien

Posted on Last updated: 16/02/2024

When you think of the United States and wine, I imagine your mind takes you straight to California. But did you know that Washington State is the second largest wine-producing state in the US? And that it is home to more than 1,000 wineries?

As prices rise in California’s best-known wine regions like Napa, more and more people are looking to Washington State as the next big name in US wine. Add to this the outstanding natural beauty of Washington State, its fantastic food scene, friendly people, and temperate weather, and you have a wine region that is a pleasure to visit.

I’ll help you plan that visit by taking you through where the wine regions are in Washington, 26 fantastic wineries in Washington, other great things to do in Washington State, some great restaurants and, of course, some of the best boutique hotels in the state.

How to Plan your visit to wineries in Washington

The beauty of a Washington State wine trip is its flexibility. Many of the wineries in Washington State, particularly the larger ones, have tasting rooms in Seattle and/or in nearby Woodinville. Seattle has areas like SODO, which has several tasting rooms literally next door to each other, allowing visitors to do their own vineyard hopping whilst in town.

Woodinville is less than a 30-minute drive from downtown Seattle and home to over 130 tasting rooms and vineyards. Woodinville is an easy half-day or day trip from Seattle and can be visited on a tour, so you don’t have to worry about driving. If you have a couple of days, I would recommend staying in Woodinville. Again, many of the tasting rooms and wineries are within walking distance, and there is no need for a car.

Book your Woodinville Wine Tour from Seattle

If you have more time, it is possible to head to the vineyards and make a Washington wine road trip. This is what I did when I visited Washington State (as well as Seattle and Woodinville). Walla Walla routinely comes up as one of the best wine towns in the United States and should definitely be on your itinerary.

I also visited the Tri-Cities area, which is home to a great range of wineries, the famous Red Mountain and the beautiful Yakima Valley.

I spent two nights in Woodinville, one night in Yakima, two nights in the Tri-Cities and one night in Walla Walla. This six-night trip allowed me to visit a wide range of wineries and really get to know the Washington wine world. I would highly recommend a similar itinerary.

Seattle Only

Seattle has a mix of urban wineries that source their fruit from around Washington and tasting rooms for some of Washington’s best-known wineries. SODO Urbanworks is the perfect place to go if you are in Seattle and want to taste some Washington wine but are short on time. It is home to ten different winery tasting rooms, San Juan Seltzer, and Nine Pies Pizza. It is located near the stadium.

Head to funky Georgetown and check out one of the first champions of Washington wine at House of Smith Jet City (more about them later in this article). Or visit some of the urban wineries such as Welcome Road Winery or Pine Lake Cellars.

Woodinville

Woodinville is less than 20 miles from Seattle and home to 130 tasting rooms. This is also the location of some of the state’s oldest vines which you can see at Washington’s oldest winery, Chateau Ste Michelle. Plus, Woodinville is home to ten breweries, seven distilleries and many good restaurants.

The downtown area is pedestrianized and home to some great restaurants and tasting rooms. I stayed in the Hollywood district and was able to walk to nearly 30 tasting rooms, including the glorious Chateau Ste Michelle.

Woodinville now receives over 1 million visitors a year. The town has 12 different wine passes available for visitors offering great deals on everything from Rose producers to female wine producers. There is no need to download an app, as the passes are delivered via text or email and can be saved on your phone.

Washington Wine Road Trip

Yakima is a 2 1/2 hour drive southeast of Woodinville. From Yakima to the Tri-Cities is about 75 minutes. It takes about one hour to drive from the Tri-Cities to Walla Walla, again all heading southeast. From Walla Walla back to Seattle takes about 4 hours and 20 minutes.

A bit more about Walla Walla

Downtown Walla Walla has a charming main street that is home to many tasting rooms. If you didn’t have a car, it would be possible to experience a good range of Walla Walla wineries by tasting room hopping along the main street. If you’re looking to buy some wine, head to The Thief, which also serves wine by the glass.

Walla Walla is also home to a winery incubator which is located near its airport. Established in 2000, the wine incubator supports new winemakers getting started. There are five cute and colorful barn-style buildings at the incubator. One is the Washington wine shop which is another good place to buy wine to take home.

The other four buildings are leased out to brand-new vineyards for two years. This allows the new vineyards to start serving their wines without the funds needed to set up their own tasting rooms. Every two years, the wineries change.

Visiting the Airport Winery Incubator is a fun and unique way to try the newest wines in Walla Walla. However, make sure to check the opening hours before you visit, as most of the incubators are staffed by small teams. There are also a few other wineries with tasting rooms near the airport.

NB: The Airport Winery Incubator isn’t located at the actual Walla Walla Airport. It is only a few minutes away by car, but you will need to allocate time if you want to visit on your way in or out of the airport.

Wineries in Washington

1. rotie cellars.

Rotie Cellars is a Walla Walla-based winery in the Rocks area with a tasting room in Seattle’s SODO. If you like the wines of Cote du Rhone, then this is the winery for you. Rotie is all about making traditional Rhone blends using Washington State fruit. So these are red wines with lower alcohol levels, less oak, and more balanced.

But Rotie doesn’t just make Rhone-style wines. They have a sparkling rose that is very popular as well as a white blend. Their Seattle tasting room has a modern, industrial feel and visitors can try five of their wines for $20.

Rotie’s winery/tasting room is actually located over the border in Oregon. There is both outdoor and indoor seating. Reservations can be made for tastings at both locations on the Rotie Cellars’ website.

2. Sleight of Hand

Another Walla Walla based winery, Sleight of Hand, is only a couple of doors down from Rotie at SODO. Sleight of Hand was founded in 2007 by Trey Busch and Jerry and Sandy Solomon. Their signature wine is the Archimage which is a Cabernet Franc and Merlot blend. They also make some fantastic Syrahs, including the Psychedelic Syrah from the highly rated Rocks area of Walla Walla.

The owners of Sleight of Hand are big music fans and use their collection of over 2,000 albums to keep turntables moving at both their SODO and Walla Walla tasting rooms.

Actor Neil Patrick Harris is a big fan of Sleight of Hand. He is also a magician and thus a perfect fit with the Sleight of Hand brand. The winery decided to produce a wine featuring Harris on the label, The Conjurer, which is one of their big sellers.

3. House of Smith

House of Smith was started by Charles Smith in 1997. Smith had been a tour manager for some of the world’s biggest rock groups before realizing the potential of Washington as a wine state before many others.

Today House of Smith is the largest independent and winemaker-owned winery in Washington State and has seven different brands. It is perhaps best known for its K label . Smith was responsible for one of the first Washington State wines to gain a perfect 100-point score from Wine Spectator.

The Seattle tasting room is known as House of Smith Jet City and is located in the up-and-coming Georgetown neighborhood. It’s a large building with a hip, industrial feel, lots of glass, and high ceilings. They store quite a bit of wine on-site, so you can sit and sip and see the barrels through the glass.

House of Smith also has a tasting room in downtown Walla Walla and at their K Vintners winery in Walla Walla.

4. Chateau Ste Michelle

Chateau Ste Michelle is the oldest and the biggest winery in Washington State. I always want to be most passionate about the small guy wineries, but I must admit I loved Chateau Ste Michelle and its wines.

Their property in Woodinville was originally marshland that was converted into a dairy farm. Their first wines came in 1967 and their French-style chateau in Woodinville was built in 1972. The winery’s white wines are made in Woodinville, and their red wines are at their Canoe Ridge Estate Winery in Eastern Washington.

Chateau Ste Michelle produces a large range of wines and has several different brands. Their signature white wine is Riesling, but I loved their Ethos and Cold Creek chardonnay. Their signature red is Cabernet. However, there is such a huge range of wines available that you will surely find something you like.

The estate in Woodinville is quite magical. I visited on a warm Saturday, and it was buzzing. The large gardens were filled with people enjoying wine and picnics. The main building is big but divided into several different areas and rooms, so it is quite easy to navigate.

Don’t miss Chateau Ste Michelle if you’re heading to Woodinville.

Efeste’s first vintage in 2005 was actually made with grapes from California. They started growing their own grapes in Washington in 2007. This is a true family business. I met Eleni and Big Papa, who have involved their entire family in their winery. Many of Efeste’s wines are named after family members.

Efeste is best known for its cabernet syrah blend , which always sells out. After tasting this incredibly smooth red wine, I could see why this was the case. Eleni’s favorite wine is Kayleigh which is 100% Syrah. I agreed with Papa on his favorite wine, Lola, an oaked chardonnay .

The tasting room in Woodinville is very modern, with concrete floors, high ceilings, lots of windows and oak but it still feels quite warm and almost cosy.

You can also find Efeste at SODO in Seattle.

Shane Howard started the Pondera winery in 2003. He taught himself winemaking and decided to focus on Bordeaux-style red blends. He also makes Syrah, a very popular Malbec, Chardonnay and Viognier. Pondera has taken many awards for its wine, including 2022 double golds for its Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon Blends Entwined 2017 and Stiletto 2018 and gold for its Viognier at the Belle and Bottle Awards.

The Pondera Winery tasting room in Woodinville is filled with art. Shane’s parents ran a picture-framing business for years. They have used their knowledge of art to source the work of local artists and display them on the walls at Pondera, turning it into both a tasting room and an art gallery. The combination of the two makes for a great wine-tasting experience.

6. Rocky Pond

Founded in 2013, Rocky Pond grows twenty different grapes in Washington. They are best known for their Stratastone, a blend of Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah , Cabernet and their white wine blend Glacial Treasure. I also thought that their traditional method sparkling was excellent.

The Rocky Pond tasting room is in downtown Woodinville. It’s a bright and modern space. I loved their wrought iron “wine trees” that are used for tastings. And I was blown away by their charcuterie platter. Rock Pond is also well known for its baguette and butter, which was also fantastic.

Rocky Pond also has a tasting room at its winery in Lake Chelan.

7. Delille Cellars

Delille Cellars was the first Washington winery to produce a Bordeaux-style blend, and it has one of the oldest vineyards in Woodinville. Delille sources its grapes from Red Mountain as well as various sites in the Columbia Valley.

DeLille Cellars started in 1992 and was one of the first five wineries in Washington to receive Robert Parker’s 5-star excellence rating. Today they are still best known for their Bordeaux style blends , D2 and Chaleur Estate. They also make a highly rated white blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon called Chaleur Blanc.

Like Chateau Ste Michelle, Delille has a large operation in Woodinville. Their vineyard/tasting room runs over three stories, and in addition to all sorts of tastings, guests can take part in a wine blending experience, a library wine tasting, or enjoy a full meal at The Lounge Restaurant.

8. Long Shadows

Long Shadows Winery was started by the former CEO of Chateau Ste Michelle, Allen Shoup. He developed seven ultra-premium wines inspired by the world’s top wine regions. The winery worked with a winemaker in each region to develop unique versions of their top wines using Washington fruit.

These include Tuscany, Bordeaux, Napa, South Australia, Pomerol and Schlossgut Diel in Germany. All of their wines are aged in French Oak.

The results are impressive. Feathers, their Cabernet collaboration with a Napa-based winemaker, is their best-selling red wine. I was a big fan of their Sequel Syrah , developed with an Australian winemaker.

Long Shadows also produces its own wines, such as its Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, in addition to its partnership wines. The winery is in Walla Walla and they also have a tasting room.

Unlike most Washington state wineries, Jaine is all about white wine and rose. Their tasting room/cottage in Woodinville is a lovely white clapboard house with a marquee filled with soft lights and oak tables.

They are best known for their signature Jaine Rose and their Laura Lee Sauvignon Blanc. Jaine is all about soft white wines with relatively low acidity. I also really liked their sparkling Blanc de Blanc and they do have a couple of red wines as well.

If you are looking to visit Woodinville with girlfriends, I can think of few nicer places to spend the afternoon wine tasting than the light and relaxing Jaine tasting room in Woodinville.

Yakima Valley-Based Wineries

10. treveri.

If you like sparkling wine, then Treveri Cellars should be top of your wine-tasting list for Washington State. They are Washington State’s premier dedicated sparkling wine house. Their winemaker is German and sparkling wine was his mother’s favorite drink.

Treveri makes their sparkling using the traditional method. Their sparkling wines are all 100% single grape, apart from the sparkling rose, a mix of Syrah and Chardonnay. I thought all of their sparkling wines were excellent, but I particularly enjoyed the sparkling Syrah, a unique and tasty wine.

The best thing to order at Treveri is a sparkling flight. They are excellent value at just $10. One of the tasting options is a Mimosa flight, which I haven’t seen before. The Mimosa flight includes orange-mango, strawberry-pineapple, guava-passionfruit and raspberry-lemonade rose. Plus they have a great cocktail list.

Treveri is well known for its Sunday brunch – make sure you book. They have sharing platters on offer when it isn’t Sunday and the pretzel charcuterie board is supposed to be particularly good.

11. Rider Cellars

This boutique winery is located in Selah, and its specialty is playing with grapes that are unusual for the area. Kristin and Colby Rider bought a vineyard in 2016 only a few minutes from the town of Selah that was already growing Pinot Blanc and an Austrian grape called Zweigelt. They decided to focus on these grapes and start experimenting.

Today pinot blanc is the best-selling white wine in the range. Rider Cellars also uses the pet nat method to make their sparkling wine with pinot blanc . This old French method bottles the wine before primary fermentation is finished. When it comes to reds, they are best known for their syrah and, of course, the unique Zweigelt.

The tasting room in Selah is cosy and full of character. It is located on the town’s main street and quite easy to find.

12. Wilridge

Wilridge has a spectacular location on the uplands of the Cowiche Conservancy trail system. The views of the vineyards seem to go for miles and visitors are welcome to hike along one of the many trails. Or hike the three-mile Cowiche Conservancy Trail and finish up at Wilridge.

The winery follows organic and biodynamic growing practices for its large range of grapes. They have one of the larger ranges of white wine in the Yakima Valley, including a very nice Chardonnay. However, they are best known for their red Bordeaux-style blend . I was also a big fan of their Syrah. They also make vodka, brandy and even grappa.

The tasting room is surrounded by a wonderful wrap-around porch with loads of seating. I would aim to get to Wilridge for mid-afternoon to allow for sitting and relaxing on the porch and watching the sun drop.

You can also find Wilridge Wines at Pike Place Market in Seattle.

13. Two Mountains

This family-owned winery planted its first grapes in 2000, but previous generations had been farming on their Yakima Valley land since 1951. All of their fruit comes from their own 300 acres of vineyards. They have a very fruit-forward style with minimal interference.

They grow fruit specifically for their best-selling rose, which comes in a cute four-pack. Their other top seller is a Bordeaux-style red blend that is great value at $15 a bottle. I also tried their riesling, which was high in minerality and had a lot of flavor.

Tastings can be booked on the Two Mountains Winery website , or you can pop in and try your luck. They don’t have a kitchen, but they sell pre-packaged snacks or are happy for you to bring your own.

Tri-Cities Based Wineries

14. j. bookwalter.

Jerry Bookwalter started making wine in the Tri-Cities area in 1983. Today his son is the head winemaker at the vineyard. Their wines are all named within a literary theme. They are perhaps best known for their quintessential Washington State cabernet sauvignon , the Protagonist. I was also very impressed by their Volume 9 cabernet.

If you’re after a great value red wine checkout Subplot 40, which is only $20 a bottle. Bookwalter has been making this wine for 40 years. In terms of whites, I really enjoyed the Double Plot Chardonnay.

Bookwalter has a beautiful new tasting room in Richland with a very cool wine glass sculpture out front. I also loved their state of Washington-shaped wine racks. The tasting room has seating inside and out, and in addition to tasting flights, wine is sold by the bottle and by the glass.

In addition to the Richland tasting room, Bookwalter has a great restaurant called Fiction (read about it in my restaurant section of this article) and a tasting room in Woodinville. Plus, there are two other wineries within walking distance of the Richland tasting room if you want to make a day of wine tasting.

15. Goose Ridge

Goose Ridge is the largest contiguous estate vineyard in Washington State, with over 2,000 acres of grapes. They have five brands of wine and also make some excellent cider (try the blood orange). It would be quite difficult to visit Goose Ridge’s comfortable tasting room and not find anything you liked.

Goose Ridge’s flagship wine is the red blend Vireo. They also have a first flight red blend which is very tasty and a good merlot. In addition to wine flights, they also offer cider and vodka tastings plus a small bites menu.

The outdoor tasting area is filled with pagodas and big soft couches. It feels more like a boutique hotel poolside setup than a winery. It is a lovely place to sit and taste wine.

Goose Ridge also has tasting rooms in Woodinville, Leavenworth and Walla Walla.

16. Barnard Griffin

Barnard Griffin planted their first vines in 1983. Their signature wines blend their grapes and those sourced from other wineries. The reserve range is sourced from specific sites. They make a lovely fresh sparkling wine with many apple notes for which they are quite well known.

Their best-known wine is their award-winning rose which is made from Sangiovese grapes. They have won the rose section of the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition for the last eight years.

And do make sure you taste Cotes du Rob – their Rhone style red (Rob is the name of their winemaker) as well as the Albarino. Barnard Griffin also makes some fortified wines under the Rapport brand.

In addition to the standard wine flight tasting offer, Barnard Griffin also offers private tastings, which include a tour and charcuterie platter. They offer a decent-sized tapas menu Wednesday through Sunday. And they have a glassworks studio I visited and will tell you about later in this article.

This was also one of the friendliest and most fun tasting rooms I visited. The staff at Barnard Griffin are very entertaining and engaging.

Barnard Griffin also has a tasting room in Vancouver, Washington.

Tri-Cities Red Mountain-Based Wineries

17. red mountain trails.

If you’re after a unique wine-tasting experience, then head to Red Mountain Trails Winery . The winery offers a 20-minute wagon ride or one-hour trail ride through the vines before wine tastings. We took the wagon ride and it was good fun.

After the ride, we sat outside by a firepit, and our wine flight appeared in cute small glass bottles. Red Mountain’s biggest seller is their rose and they are well known for their cabernet franc . Their red wines are made with the grapes you will have just ridden through and the grapes for their chardonnay and rose are sourced from Columbia valley.

Post-wine tasting, the lovely team at Red Mountain Trails brought out a cardboard box that contained graham crackers, Hershey chocolate, M&M’s, Reese’s peanut butter cups and some very large marshmallows. We made some very tasty smores on the fire pit.

If you are visiting Red Mountain Trail between mid-June and the end of August, you can take a goat yoga class. Goat yoga can only take place when the goats are up to 8 weeks old, so it is a limited season but I am sure very memorable!

18. Col Solare

If you’re looking for a touch of Tuscany in Washington State then Col Solare is the winery for you. Col Solare is a joint venture between Chateau Ste Michelle and Tuscany’s Marchesi Antinori winery. The first vintage was in 2006, and grapes were planted according to the Antinori style. This is Washington States’ only winery with international ownership.

The tasting room/vineyard main building has been designed in a Tuscan style, complete with a bell tower (which is only rung at the beginning and the end of harvest). It feels more high-end than most other tasting rooms I visited in Washington. Col Solare has outdoor and indoor areas for tastings and some stunning views over their vineyards.

These are higher-end wines, and were the most expensive tasting I did during this visit. Col Solare is best known for its Cabernet, and they make some very impressive red wines.

Col Solare also has a tasting Bottega at Chateau Ste Michelle in Woodinville.

19. Fidelitas

Fidelitas was one of my favorite tasting experiences in Washington. The tasting room is large and modern, with high ceilings and lots of glass, plus a very impressive wall of wine I wanted to take home.

But best of all was the wonderful outdoor area complete with Adirondack chairs and some amazing views. I highly recommend timing your visit to Fidelitas for sunset. A Red Mountain sunset is something quite special and not to be missed.

Fidelitas is a small family-owned winery specializing in Bordeaux-styl e blends since 2000. They also make a malbec and, in the whites, a Semillon and sauvignon blanc. All of their fruit comes from Red Mountain.

They also serve one of the best-tasting charcuterie platters I have ever had. It consisted of three kinds of cheese, two salamis, cranberries, and toasted walnuts.

Fidelitas also has a tasting room in Woodinville.

You might enjoy reading my article on facts about Washington State.

20. Frichette

Greg and Shae Frichette opened their first tasting room in 2013, serving their first vintage of 2011. Today Frichette Winery offers seven varietals, including Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Semillion. Shae also has her own sub-brand, Sashay, which is a rose.

I tasted their fantastic 2019 Red Reserve . Visit their Red Mountain winery and try a signature, winemaker select, or mystery flight.

21. Muret-Gaston

Muret-Gaston is a Red Mountain winery run by husband and wife Amy and Kyle Johnson. When the couple met and married, they discovered that 15 generations earlier, their ancestors had lived in neighboring villages in Southern France. This discovery inspired their wine journey; today, they blend old and new world winemaking techniques and age their wines in French barrels.

The winery focuses production on small lots and is well known for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Red Blend. I actually tasted one of their whites, an excellent grenache blanc.

Taste Muret-Gaston wines at their winery or in their wine bar in Kennewick.

22. Hightower Cellars

Hightower Cellars was founded in 1997 by Tim and Kelly Hightower. Their winery and tasting room are in the Red Mountain region. Hightower grows Bordeaux varietals, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet France and Petit Verdot. They also buy in Syrah, Viognier and Grenache grapes.

Each vintage Hightower Cellar releases its best blend as their “ Out of Line Vineyard ” Estate Red Wine. I tasted their 2018 vintage and it was outstanding.

Walla Walla Based Wineries

23. l’ecole no 41.

One of the first wineries seen when driving into Walla Walla is L’Ecole No 41 . Based in a historic schoolhouse from 1915, L’Ecole is the third oldest winery in the region. They are best known for their Bordeaux style blends , such as the Perigee. Their latest red blend, Ferguson, has won many awards and is now one of their most popular wines.

The schoolhouse has a beautiful large tasting room upstairs with seating both indoors and outside. They offer a range of tasting flights at different price points and will waive the tasting fee based on a minimum purchase amount. Although they are best known for their reds, I also very much liked their whites and took home a bottle of Chardonnay.

Taste L’Ecole at their winery, in their wine bar in downtown Walla Walla or at their tasting room in Woodinville.

At Balboa , grapes are picked and sorted by hand, and each vineyard block is crushed and fermented separately. Founded in 2005, the winery is located in the rocks area of Walla Walla. I loved their tasting room that uses the bottom of barrels as wallpaper and has a lovely outdoor area for tasting.

Balboa’s sparkling rose is extremely popular at the moment and should definitely be tasted. I loved all the reds I tasted at Balboa, particularly the 2017 Syrah. Balboa is one of only several wineries making wine from the traditionally Chilean grape Carmenere .

25. Seven Hills

Seven Hills have some of the oldest vines in Walla Walla and one of the most beautiful tasting rooms. Established in 1988, they are one of the founding estates of Walla Walla. Their winery and tasting room are located in an old wood mill from 1904 in downtown Walla Walla.

The old mill’s high ceiling, wooden rafters and wooden floorboard have all been preserved and make for a lovely bright-tasting room. And as you sit and enjoy your tasting at Seven Hills you can see the working winery and barrels through the glass.

Seven Hills are known for its merlot and cabernet sauvignon- based wines. Each year the winemaker chooses the best lots from each varietal and puts together a Bordeaux-style blend called the Pentad.

26. Walla Walla Vintners

Walla Walla Vintners has been making wine since 1995. Their vineyard and tasting room is a 15-minute drive from downtown Walla Walla. They have a lovely large outdoor area with big comfortable couches, umbrellas and fantastic views of their vines.

They are one of the few wineries in Walla Walla to produce Sangiovese. They are well known for this and their Cabernet and Red Blend . Their cut bank estate red features fruit from their best vineyard each year. They also make a very good sauvignon blanc.

Bringing Washington Wine Home

If you live in the United States or Canada, most wineries can ship your wine purchases home. Additionally, many wineries run clubs involving regular deliveries and offers. These can be a great way to stay in touch with your favorite Washington wineries.

If, like me, you live outside of the United States and Canada, few Washington wineries will ship – plus there is local tax to consider. However, there is a way around this. I live in London and flew premium economy. In the UK I can bring in up to about 18 bottles of wine if they are for personal use.

My premium economy ticket gave me 2 x 23 kg bags. At Chateau Ste Michelle, I could buy a typical cardboard box for a case of wine and the inners which protect the wine. I loaded this up with 12 bottles and taped it all up. It weighed about 20kgs and I could check it through from London to Seattle as my second bag. I also stashed a few more bottles in my luggage.

Of course, check your home country’s allowances on personal use and tax and you don’t have to fly premium economy to purchase an extra check-in bag.

Things to do in Washington State that aren’t tasting wine

1. take a pike place market food tour.

Founded in 1907, Pike Place Market has been a Seattle icon for over a century for good reason. I first visited Pike Place Market in the 1980s when I lived in Seattle, and even as a teenager, I loved it. Today it is filled with interesting and diverse food and beverage offers, and one of the best ways to get to know the market is to take a food tour.

Book Your Pike Place Market Food Tour

2. Try the Salted Caramels at Fran’s

If you’re a big fan of caramel – which I am – then don’t miss a visit to Fran’s. The chocolates are amazing and their store in Georgetown is beautiful. President Obama used to give White House guests Fran’s gray salt caramel chocolates when he was in the Oval Office – they are that good.

3. See Snoqualmie Falls

Twenty miles past Woodinville, beautiful Snoqualmie Falls receives over 1.5 million visitors annually. The falls are virtually on the main road and parking is well-signed. Once you’re out of the car, the falls themselves are about a five-minute walk away. There are three viewpoints and access to the base of the falls. Salish Lodge and Spa sits at the top of the falls if you feel like a drink with a view.

4. Yakima Canyon Drive

The I-90 East runs between Woodinville and Yakima. The Yakima River Canyon Scenic Byway runs between Ellensburg and Yakima. This 25-mile road is State Route 821. The road runs along the river and there are many fantastic views. Allocate some extra time to the drive as you will most likely want to stop and take many photos.

5. Create Your Own Glass Art

Barnard Griffin Winery in the Tri-Cities doesn’t just make great wine. They are also home to DB Studio , run by local artist Deborah Barnard. Head to the studio and make your own fused glass piece. Deborah will supply you with the glass and an extensive range of colorful bits and pieces to make your own piece of glass art.

Once you’ve done your design, it heads into the kiln, where it bakes for about 12 hours. I made glass coasters and swizzle sticks, which I now use at home. If you’re not interested in making your own, plenty of lovely glass art works are available for purchase.

Some great places to eat in Washington

Located in downtown Seattle, Purple has a modern and fun design aesthetic highlighted by its amazing circular wine stairway! The wine stairway is also kind of in the middle of the round bar, which sits at the heart of the restaurant.

The menu is heavy on local and seasonal ingredients. One of the dishes for which they are known is the gorgonzola dates which come with prosciutto, pine nuts, chives and aged balsamic and were a bit of a sensation. Next up was calamari fried in vodka batter followed by baked brie with apricot, caramelized onions, candied walnuts, grapes and house crackers.

For mains, we tried a scallops special and the grilled rib eye with whipped Yukon potato, wilted brussels sprout hash, local mushrooms, apple cider reduction, and smoked bone marrow butter. And we washed it all down with some fantastic Washington State chardonnay.

Dahlia Bakery

Tom Douglas operates 17 restaurants in the Seattle area, several of which are within a stone’s throw of the wonderful Hotel Andra. Lola is inside the hotel. Serious Pie (pizza) and the wonderful Dahlia Bakery, where I headed for breakfast, are both across the road.

Dahlia is a busy bakery with lots of great takeaway options and counter seating. They are famous for their coconut cream pie, but it was a little early for me for cream, so I ordered a breakfast sandwich with eggs, mushrooms and a truffle sauce. A great little breakfast and the coffee was very good.

Walla Walla Steak Co

This big, bustling restaurant is in the heart of downtown Woodinville and has a great atmosphere. The open kitchen at Walla Walla Steak Co is particularly impressive and I enjoyed seeing the prime rib I ate being prepared and sliced.

We ate in the high-ceilinged dining room, which was open and modern with booth-style seating. Unsurprisingly the menu is meat focused, but there are seafood options. We started with some scallops on the half shell with a soy-miso vinaigrette, wasabi aioli and pickled ginger.

Of course, the show stopper was the Alder Wood Smoked Prime Rib. Served with a tasty au jus, horseradish cream, backed potato and broccoli, it was perfect. There was no dessert after that.

NB: The original Walla Walla Steak Co is still going strong in Walla Walla.

Heritage serves modern American food using the best seasonal ingredients and is within walking distance from Willows Lodge. I went for brunch; the menu is a mix of breakfast and lunch items. There are salads, sandwiches (sammies), shareables and brunchables.

I wanted to try their signature dishes, so kicked off with the delicious Dungeness crab hush puppies that were served with lemon-dill creme fraiche. The portion size was surprisingly reasonable so I decided to try a second specialty – the jar of pie. The glass jar contained key lime curd, graham cracker crumble, toasted meringue and fresh berries and it was fantastic.

Barking Frog

Barking Frog is the restaurant at Willows Lodge in Woodinville. Working with local farmers and foragers, the innovative menu is an interesting mix of flavors and cooking methods. The dining room has quite a cosy feel with an angled roof, open kitchen plus an open fire at the middle table.

I don’t often mention the bread when I write about restaurants, but the bread selection and seasonal compound butter were outstanding at Barking Frog. I moved on to the poached beets with baby lettuce, pistachio, balsamic and creme fraiche. Next up was the garden gourd (I think this was squash) with greens, miso, fig, pepita soil and sesame tuile.

My “main” was a generous serving of diver scallops with apple, variations of celery and a savory granola crunch. As if all of that wasn’t enough, I was lucky enough to have breakfast at the Barking Frog the next morning, where the menu was just as good.

I had a particularly tasty deconstructed bagel with the lox, cucumber, tomatoes, red onions and capers all on the side and I must say I preferred putting the bagel together myself. The salmon and bagel itself were particularly good. A great example of high-quality ingredients driving a terrific meal.

Los Hernandez

Los Hernandez won a James Beard Classics award for their now-famous tamales. This family-run business opened in 1990 and is known for its seasonal (mid-April to June) asparagus tamales that trigger queues down the block. The owner’s daughter told me that their homemade masa drives their success – they even sell the masa on its own (as well as a lot of frozen tamales).

I didn’t visit in asparagus season, so instead tried the chicken tamale, which was excellent. The tamales are served with whole rather than refried beans. The family has spent many years perfecting their bean side dish, and it is pretty darn good.

I only ate good meals on my trip to Washington State, but I must say Crafted in Yakima was my favorite meal of the trip. Run by a husband and wife team, Crafted is all about local and the menu is constantly changing.

The restaurant itself has a long bar and two top tables along the side. We had the position of choice: the bar stools in front of the kitchen – no screens just live cooking. We kicked off with oysters featuring a strawberry beet mignonette. This was followed by the oh-so-tasty wood-fired beets with apple butter, herbed goat’s cheese and roasted pecans.

I was a bit unsure about the agnolotti pasta with peach ricotta, black pepper mascarpone, grilled peaches and black garlic crumble but it was absolutely delicious. But the highlight of an evening of taste sensations was the dessert. Crafted is known for its smores dessert and we had a prime seat to watch it being prepared, blow torch and all to get those marshmallows the right type of texture.

The smore was then topped with caramel ice cream and three big sticks of chocolate and covered with a glass cone and some smoke. The reveal was very theatrical and my gosh it tasted absolutely amazing and I ate every single crumb.

Cafe 11th Avenue

If you’re really hungry, there can be few better places in the world to visit than Cafe 11th Avenue in Yakima. Open from 7-3 daily, they serve both breakfast and lunch – plus cocktails. The drink for which they are most famous is the Mega Monstrous Mary. Imagine a bloody mary combined with a full hot breakfast in a drink and that is the Mega Monstrous Mary.

The breakfast menu is quite awesome and making a decision is difficult. Particularly as each breakfast item contains multiple elements. I had the pancake breakfast. This was three massive thick pancakes as well as a large plate with a giant homemade hashbrown (which was fantastic), sausages, bacon and eggs. There was enough to feed three people.

Cafe 11th avenue is also quite famous for its gravy with biscuits. Luckily my colleague ordered this so I could try some and I can confirm that their top secret homemade gravy is quite spectacular.

Frost Me Sweet Bakery

If you’re craving something sweet in Richland, then Frost Me Sweet Bakery is the place to go. I have never seen such a huge variety of appealing and colorful cupcakes. If you’re after something savory, the lunch menu offers paninis, pastas, wraps, burgers and salads.

We tried some avocado wontons – a first for me but very tasty and then a tasty chicken salad. And if you feel like a specialty coffee after your visit pop across the road to Peacock Coffee Roasting .

Fiction is a full-service restaurant that is part of the J. Bookwalter Winery. There is a large outdoor seating area with a fantastic bar where the high tables feature a thin line of fire, and the inside is cosy and perfect for cooler days.

It’s all about farm-to-table at Fiction, with locally sourced meat, fish, and greens. I would call the menu modern American with a focus on ingredients. There are several interesting sharing options, pizzas, salads with or without proteins, and a selection of classic mains.

We had heard that the sharing items were particularly impressive. The bacon-wrapped dates were my favourite, stuffed with almonds, rosemary goat’s cheese and a cabernet sauvignon reduction. I had avocado fries for the first time, which surprisingly worked and then some very tasty pork tacos.

Lulu’s is a casual dining craft bar and kitchen on the Columbia River. It has a modern, fun feel with a large bar inside and, of course outdoor dining on the river. The menu is comprehensive, with a broad range of sharing options, tacos, steaks, burgers, sandwiches and a few classic mains.

Again, we focussed on the sharing options as we had heard good things about them. The pig candy is bacon deep-fried with brown sugar and cayenne pepper and as delicious but naughty as it sounds.

The roasted brussel sprouts with candied bacon, onion and a balsamic reduction were my highlight. We also enjoyed the deep-fried zucchini and the tuna tacos.

Drumheller’s at The Lodge

Drumheller’s is the restaurant at The Lodge at Columbia Point. The menu focuses on seasonal ingredients and we kicked off our meal with the fruit and cheese and wine country charcuterie platters.

I had a fantastic vegetarian risotto for my main but admit to food envy as many of my fellow diners ordered the signature duck with blackberry and patchouli. Great food in a wonderful location.

Walla Walla

TMACS is a modern, light, bright restaurant on Walla Walla’s Main street with indoor and outdoor seating. I visited for lunch and had a large range of salads, sandwiches and pasta from which to choose. We started with a tasty burrata salad with grilled peaches and heirloom tomatoes.

All of the salads at TMACS can be served with a protein. I went for the butternut squash salad with julienne pears, baby kale, candied walnuts, goat’s cheese and a maple syrup vinaigrette plus grilled shrimp and it was fantastic.

We couldn’t resist ordering the house-cut fries with parmesan cheese and chives on top. I enjoyed everything I ate at TMACs but these were quite amazing and incredibly moorish.

Brasserie Four

Also located on the lovely Walla Walla main street, Brasserie Four is a French brasserie with both indoor and outdoor seating. We started with some fantastic pate and an outstanding heritage tomato salad. The bouillabaisse I had as my main was brimming over with delicious seafood and almost impossible to finish.

NB: I also heard great things about Saffron but couldn’t get there. If you go, do drop me a line and let me know what it is like.

Walla Walla Bread Company

Locals raved about Walla Walla B read Company and told me I needed to get there early or everything would be gone. I followed their advice, headed to Walla Walla Bread Company early one morning, and encountered one of the most appealing ranges of pastries and treats I have ever seen.

I was particularly impressed by what I will call croissants plus. They have many croissant-style pastries that come with delicious sounding fillings and toppings. I ordered the red velvet croissant, which featured cream cheese icing on top as well as inside and oh my it was amazing. If you go to Walla Walla, you must visit Walla Walla Bread Company and have a pastry.

Where to Stay in Washington State

Seattle – hotel andra.

Located in downtown Seattle, Hotel Andra brings Scandinavian style to this charming boutique hotel. The rooms are the perfect balance of style and comfort. My room had a small separate cupboard, stool, and mirror area perfect for blow drying. The main room was large but still felt cozy. The lighting is warm and soft and all about lamps – there is no overhead lighting.

All of the furniture in the room was high-end but very comfortable. The bathrooms have large blue-grey tiled walk-in showers and Face Stockholm toiletries – a brand I have never seen in hotels before.

Like probably every other guest who has stayed at Hotel Andra, I loved the lobby with its high ceiling and fireplace. It felt so inviting.

Famed Seattle Chef Tom Douglas runs the restaurant at Hotel Andra, Lola. Lola also provides in-room dining options. Or, across the road, visit two other Tom Douglas restaurants, Serious Pie and the Dahlia Bakery.

Check Availability for Hotel Andra – Read More Reviews on Trip Advisor

Woodinville – Willows Lodge

Willows Lodge is in the heart of Woodinville. It’s a fantastic location that is perfect for exploring several of the wineries and tasting rooms in the area on foot. It is a very relaxing and cozy hotel. The lobby has a high ceiling and a central open fireplace. Reception is also ready with a glass of wine night and day, which I appreciated – and it was pretty good!

My room was very large and contained, besides a king-sized bed, a desk with two chairs, a comfortable chair with footrest, a fireplace that turned on with a switch, and a balcony. I particularly liked the spa-style bathroom. The large tub sat behind a wooden shutter so the bathroom could be opened entirely. There was also a good-sized walk-in shower.

Willows Lodge is full of lovely touches. I nearly bought one of the soft bathrobes. There are delicious local teas in the rooms and a good espresso machine. If you’re hungry, a mini basket can be personalised and brought to your room.

The hotel has a bar and restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor area has a fire pit. This is in addition to the Barking Frog restaurant. There is a spa, fitness centre, complimentary bicycles, a relaxation pool which is basically a hot tub and an outdoor sauna.

The grounds of the hotel are quite beautiful and well worth a walk. Some areas feel quite Asian in style and there are many different water features, sculptures and some pretty amazing fauna.

Check Availability for Willows Lodge – Read More Reviews on Trip Advisor

Yakima – Hilton Maison

The Hilton Maison Hotel has a great location in the heart of downtown Yakima and covered parking. It’s not really a boutique hotel, but it is located in a building that dates back to 1911. The building was originally a Masonic temple. If you ask very nicely, you may be taken to the very top floor where you’ll see a Masonic temple that has sat untouched since 1911!

My room was very large and simply furnished with everything I needed including a little kitchenette with a sink, coffee machine and microwave. The bed was big and comfortable, there was a separate desk, bathrobes and iron with an ironing table. The room also had several windows across two sides, providing a good amount of natural light.

Hotel Maison also has an on-site fitness centre and a business center. It is adjacent to Ummelina Yakima Valley Spa Retreat if you’re in need of some pampering.

Check Availability for Hilton Yakima – Read More Reviews on Trip Advisor

Tri Cities – Richland – The Lodge at Columbia Point

The only four-star hotel in the area, The Lodge has a fantastic location on the Columbia River. It is a decent-sized hotel with 82 rooms but a small hotel feel. The welcoming lobby has a high ceiling, wooden floors and pillars, and a lake view. Each room is named for a winery or vineyard within Washington State.

I had a riverfront room, and it was huge. My king-sized bed almost looked small and came with a fireplace that could be operated with the touch of a button. The room also contained a 2 1/2 seater couch, coffee table, two additional chairs and a small kitchenette with a sink.

I loved the luxurious spa-style bathroom featuring a round spa bath with its own shutters plus a large walk-in shower. The toiletries brand was Float – I hadn’t heard of them, but the products were good.

Once you’ve luxuriated in your suite, it’s time to enjoy the facilities. The Lodge at Columbia Point has a spa as well as a gym. But best of all is the lovely open-air swimming pool and hot tub with views of the Columbia River. The area also has an outdoor fireplace, so you can grab your towel and warm up by the fire after your swim.

I’ve already mentioned The Lodge’s restaurant Drumhellers earlier in this article. I also enjoyed a delicious breakfast at Drumhellers, all eaten sitting on the outside terrace with river views. They are known for their buttermilk biscuits for breakfast but I went with the granola, yogurt and berries.

Check Availability for The Lodge – Read More Reviews on Trip Advisor

Walla Walla – The Finch

One of the newer hotels in Walla Walla, The Finch was an old-style motel until it received a quirky and modern renovation. The layout of the motel has been maintained, but the interiors have been completely updated.

The lobby section of the hotel is a mix of windows and industrial flooring with comfortable couches and wooden furniture. There is also a kitchen of sorts where guests can enjoy coffee throughout the day.

The rooms are large and simple in layout, with white walls and coral and aqua highlights. Upon entry, rooms have a small desk in case you need to get some work done and then open into a large bedroom. The sink and mirror are actually part of the main room and the separate bathroom has just a toilet and white tiled walk-in shower.

The Finch has a great location just off the Walla Walla main street and plenty of undercover parking.

Check Availability for The Finch – Read More Reviews on Trip Advisor

How to Get to Washington State Wineries

Seattle-Tacoma is the largest airport in Washington State. There is an airport in Walla Walla, but it is small and only has domestic flights. Flights between Walla Walla and Seattle run daily. Oregon’s international airport in Portland is actually closer to Walla Walla than Seattle-Tacoma airport.

Tri-Cities also has a domestic airport, but it has more connections to some of the major US hub airports, including Atlanta, Charlotte and Dallas.

The easiest way to get around Washington State wine country is to rent a car.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are most vineyards in washington.

The majority of vineyards in Washington State are located east of the Cascade Mountains.

What are the largest wineries in Washington State?

Chateau Ste Michelle is the largest winery in Washington State. It is also the oldest winery in the state.

How Many wineries are in Washington state

There are over 1000 wineries in Washington State.

How much do wine tastings cost in Washington State?

There is a wide range of prices for wine tastings or flights at wineries in Washington State and many will waive the tasting price if visitors purchase a certain amount of wine. In general, expect to pay between USD$20 and $30 per tasting per person.

When should I visit Washington Wine country?

The main wine tasting season in Washington State begins in April and runs through to the end of November. Depending on your timing, and global warming, you may be able to visit during the harvest time – this will vary year to year.

Amanda O’Brien is the creator and editor of The Boutique Adventurer. She has visited 80 countries and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers as well as the IFTWTA. She is passionate about wine had has just completed Level 3 of the WSET. Born in Australia, she lives in London.

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What is Road Trip all about?

Watch the video below, which gives you a glimpse into the experience of Road Trip, which is now in its thirteenth year.

The Heartbeat of this Program

The best way to experience Washington wine is in the vineyard with your hands in the dirt or in the winery working directly with the fruit. Whether it’s performing punchdowns, tasting clonal selections, or even steam-cleaning barrels by hand, Road Trip is equal to none.

“I’ve traveled on 5 continents on wine trips and this is one of the best executed I’ve attended.” — Ronald Randall,  Il Ritorno St. Petersburg, FL 

Five days of immersive learning, listening, and living. You get to meet our ground breakers—those who helped put Washington on the world-wide map—but you also get to meet those who are breaking new ground: people who are experimenting in ways never before seen. If there’s one thing people know about Washington, it’s that there is nothing we can’t do. Through hands-on vineyard and winery exercises, focused seminars led by influential wine personalities, regional tastings with all of the players and makers of today, and unforgettable dinner parties, Road Trip is sure to make a lasting impression.

How does one go on this trip?

Road Trip was designed for, and with, high-level trade and wine professionals in mind. To participate in Road Trip, one must go through a nomination process (see link below), and then later be selected to attend. Road Trippers come from all over, but they share one thing in common: they are professionally passionate about wine. These individuals are decision makers and purchasers for their companies, or taste-makers in their communities. The program is intensive, so it should be noted that some tasks and activities can be physically demanding, from walking long distances in the vineyard to lifting/maneuvering in tight spaces, but we accommodate every single need. You can be on-premise or off-premise, work for a chain or single unit, or be a wine educator. To see the full guidelines for eligibility, please visit the nomination link below.

Please note that this program is not open to consumers or media.

Testimonials

The relationships forged on this five-day trip between attendees, staff, and winemakers are life-long. We always love hearing about our Road Trippers’ experiences, first and lasting impressions, and reflections. You can see a few below from some of our alums.

“I can honestly say, this is one of the best trips that I’ve been on in my entire career.” — Jill Zimorski,  Alinea Restaurant Chicago, IL

“This was a fantastic experience in all ways: from the people (both staff and fellow attendees), to the networking opportunities with winemakers and vineyard properties, and others on the trip, to the the dozens of Washington wines represented and tasted, as well as the seminars and educational resources provided. And not least, this trip was wildly fun as well!” — Amber Rill,  CORKBUZZ , New York, NY

“The Road Trip was a truly amazing experience. One I will never forget. I met so many wonderful people that I will grow great relationships with. I feel so passionate about Washington, it’s land, it’s wine, and the people working hard to showcase its greatness!” — Claire Perry, Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House Chicago, IL

“The quality is second-to-none. This was a trip of a lifetime; every detail was done with proud care and gave a 360-degree view of the industry. We had fun, we learned, we laughed, but a true craftsmanship of a journey. Road trip is one of the best events in the wine business anywhere.” — Chris McFall, Lazy Bear San Francisco, CA

“Just when I think I have a handle on the types of wines coming out of this state, I try something new that blows me away. They are only getting better!” — Emily Edeen,  Canlis Restaurant Seattle, WA

Now you can build out your own custom Washington Wine road trip with our app: Map My WA Wine. See below to learn more about it and get it on your iOS or Android device. We can’t wait to see where you go and what you discover.

Introducing Map My WA Wine

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Wine Tours in The Finger Lakes

Finger Lakes wine country is vast and varied, so it’s best to make a plan before you visit. There is so much wine to taste and experience and so little time!

What’s more, responsible wine tour enjoyment means making sure you have a designated driver or leave the driving to someone else. Here in the Finger Lakes, wine lovers are in luck.  A variety of wine tours offer you and your group an intimate trip to the vineyards and combine local winery and tasting visits with amazing views of the famous Finger Lakes wine country while you just sit back and take it all in.

Ride through Upstate NY wine country with the only rail bike history tours in the U.S.

• Updated: Sep. 14, 2024, 10:57 a.m.
• | Published: Sep. 13, 2024, 9:02 a.m.

Ride through Finger Lakes wine country in Upstate New York with the Finger Lakes Rail Riders, which offers historical rail bike tours. Provided photo | Finger Lakes Rail Riders Provided photo | Finger Lakes Rail Riders

• Sunny Hernandez | [email protected]

An Upstate New York rail bike company is offering a workout with a historical twist on its rail bike rides—the only one of its kind in the U.S.

Finger Lakes Rail Riders in Penn Yan claims to be the only rail bike company in America which provides a historical narration of the area as you pedal through some of the most beautiful landscapes in Upstate New York’s wine country .

They were also awarded a Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Award earlier this year, according to an announcement on their Facebook page .

At FLRR, riders will travel in pairs, with a solo seat option to ride with the guide, along a mostly flat five-mile path . The two-hour excursion includes a 25- to 30-minute narration of Yates County history, delivered with a humorous touch by your guide through a two-way radio on each bike.

Think Disney’s “Jungle Cruise,” but Upstate New York style.

Over the course of your journey, you will see working farms, relics from the railroad that was once there, and a one-room Mennonite schoolhouse. Participants are encouraged to ask questions along the way.

See rail bike companies across Upstate NY

Rail bikes are a unique way to see the state's beautiful landscapes.

“People can come and ride on existing railroads that have been here since 1851,” founder and owner Kathy Ferron told RochesterFirst. “They can get a little exercise, they can see some beautiful scenery — Yates County is an absolutely spectacular place to see.”

While in the area, visit some of the finest Penn Yan has to offer in the Finger Lakes , including paddling on beautiful Keuka Lake , and not one, but two award-winning ice cream spots, The Spotted Duck and Seneca Farms .

FLRR rides run Sunday through Tuesday and Friday through Saturday from now until October 29. The cost per two-seater bike is $88 and there is no age limit to how young or how old a rider has to be.

One person can pedal for two, as long as their fitness level allows it.

FLRR answers more questions about their rides on their website FAQ page .

Rail bike options have grown over the years, giving some abandoned railroad tracks new life by allowing passengers to travel down them on two or four person machines. There are several companies across Upstate New York which offer different kinds of excursions and experiences. Some even offer pet-friendly rail bike tours.

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Hugging trees, sipping wine, eating nerds among 5 things to know from second round of 2024 procore championship, share this article.

NAPA, Calif. — Silverado Resort is situated among the rolling hills of Napa Valley’s wine country and surrounded by more than 400 wineries. Luke Clanton, the No. 1 amateur in the world, is just 20 years old and a junior at Florida State so no wine for him. He said his parents have been indulging in the grapes of choice that have made this region famous.

“I’ve just been on the sidelines playing video games and eating Nerds, so it’s been a lot of fun,” Clanton said.

Indeed, it has. The kid made another cut on the PGA Tour, shooting 4-under 68 on Friday and picking up his 15th point in PGA Tour U. He continues to prove that he already belongs out here and that once he finishes chasing a national title with his teammates, he’s going to be a handful for the pros.

In the meantime, the likes of Patton Kizzire, David Lipsky and Rafa Campos are trying to prove they deserve another year in the land of milk and honey. Kizzire leads by one after a 65 at Silverado Resort’s North Course on Friday but the likes of defending champion Sahith Theegala (9 under) and Presidents Cup teammates Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes and Min Woo Lee (all 7 under) are lurking.

Here are five things to know after the second round of the 2024 Procore Championship .

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Kizzire's new mental coach

Patton Kizzire of the United States plays his shot from the sixth tee during the second round of the Procore Championship 2024 at Silverado Resort on September 13, 2024 in Napa, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Patton Kizzire became a tree hugger on Friday. Then he went out and shot 7-under 65 at Silverado Resort’s North Course to grab the lead in the second round of the  Procore Championship .

Kizzire had three weeks off after missing the FedEx Cup playoffs last month and decided he wanted to work on the mental side of his game. As a result, he started working with a new sports psychologist, a local woman that he noted has worked with other professional golfers that live near him in Saint Simons Island, Georgia.

Among the things she has introduced into his regimen includes hugging trees, walking bare foot and looking at flowers.

“Not joking. I hugged that tree right there,” he said, pointing to a tree along Silverado Resort’s 16th tee. He added, “I’ve hugged one tree in my life and that was this morning.”

Whatever works. Kizzire opened with 66 on Thursday, birdied his first hole after hugging that tree and then made pars on the rest of the front nine. He said he didn’t have his best stuff but remained patient.

“That was it,” Kizzire said. “I could have gotten frustrated or talked about a bad shot or worried about why am I not hitting it like I want to or all those different things, but I chose not to do that.”

He carded six birdies on the back nine to improve to 13-under 131. So far, being in a better head space is helping Kizzire, as he put it, “Be the best version of myself.”

“It’s been really cool to just get organized and try to be more playful out there and be unflappable, that’s kind of my word,” he said. “Just finding joy and positivity and really not letting yourself go the other way, that’s been a key to my first two rounds.”

Lipsky's 10 birdie round

David Lipsky of the United States walks on the seventh fairway during the second round of the Procore Championship 2024 at Silverado Resort on September 13, 2024 in Napa, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

David Lipsky is staying with a friend this week, who owns a vineyard in wine country. So, while visitors to the area are lining up for pours at the more than 400 wineries, Lipsky has been enjoying some special rose.

“I had a few glasses of that, tried it out,” he said.

He also had more than a few birdies on Friday. Eight was enough so he also made a hole-out eagle from 135 yards at the par-4 16 th .  

“I hit my gap wedge about 130 and it was sort of a perfect club. Even my caddie said it’s the perfect club,” Lipsky said. “Once it came off, took the wind a little bit right to left and landed right by the hole, one-hopped and spun back and came in.” 

He also sprinkled in three bogeys and a double at No. 8, his 17 th  hole of the day, to shoot 67 and vault to 12-under 132 and one off the lead. 

Of his round that consisted of just five pars, he said, “it happens in golf. Just got to accept that. Especially on a course that’s so firm and bouncy like this one, you’re going to get some bad breaks and you’re going to get some good breaks.”

And what does Lipsky anticipate on the weekend? 

“Firmer and faster. I don’t see ’em slowing it down at all and that’s my favorite type of golf where you really have to think, think about where you’re landing it on the greens, think about positioning it off the tee, making sure you have the good angles in and I think that sort of suits my game,” he said.

Spaun's on a roll

J.J. Spaun of the United States plays his shot from the 15th tee during the second round of the Procore Championship 2024 at Silverado Resort on September 13, 2024 in Napa, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

J.J. Spaun wasn’t ready for a break in his schedule after the Wyndham. He was just heating up, finishing T-3 at the Wyndham Championship for his second straight top-10 finish and sixth straight made cut. But he hasn’t cooled off despite the cooler climes compared to his home in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“It’s nice being out of 110 heat so I was kind of looking forward to wearing a sweater,” he said.

His game has picked up where he left off. On Friday, he shot a bogey-free 7-under 65 to climb to 10-under 134 at the midway point of the tournament. After a slow start to the season during which he battled flu-like symptoms and lost about 15 pounds, he’s gotten serious about his training and it’s helped him gain distance off the tee.

“I’ve been driving the ball a lot farther this year and I finally found kind of like a setup with my driver where I’m able to like control the dispersion,” he said. “So getting off the tee at the start of the year was a struggle for me, but my irons have always been pretty solid. As long as I’m in fairways or semi rough I can manage to get proximity, pretty close to the hole.”

Kuchar climbs the leaderboard

Matt Kuchar of the United States reacts on the seventh green during the second round of the Procore Championship 2024 at Silverado Resort on September 13, 2024 in Napa, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Matt Kuchar may be of a certain vintage – to borrow a wine term – but he’s still young at heart.

“I know I’m 46, but I don’t see myself as a veteran,” he said, “I still see myself as a young kid that’s excited to go play. Like I love coming out here.” 

Indeed, he does. He birdied half his holes on Friday at Silverado Resort’s North Course to tie for the low round of the day, an 8-under 64. That marked his fourth round of 64 or better in his last eight rounds on Tour. He came out of the gate hot with four birdies in his first five holes. He jumped to 10-under 134 at the halfway point, three back and T-3 with Spaun. Kuchar is seeking his 10 th  career win.

“I feel like I can still win any given week,” he said. “Maybe places like this maybe suit my game a little better where there’s a real premium on driving the ball well. Here is a course that I love, but I know if you’re not driving it well it’s tough sledding out there. I certainly am pleased with the state of my game at the moment, I’m pleased with the course we’re playing and my chances this week. I came here excited and I’m glad it’s still working out that way.”

International Team trio in the mix

Corey Conners of Canada plays his shot from the ninth tee during the second round of the Procore Championship 2024 at Silverado Resort on September 13, 2024 in Napa, California. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

The International Team grouping of Corey Conners, Mackenzie Hughes and Min Woo Lee had it going on Friday morning. Conners was the low scorer, posting 8-under 64, which included an eagle at 18. Hughes shot 67 and Lee, who was leading until his drive hit a tree and ricocheted out of bounds, settled for 69. All three are at 7-under 137 and T-10 heading into the weekend. 

The trio bonded first at a team dinner on Wednesday and then had time to chat about the Presidents Cup for the first two days.

“It was fun to play with those guys and going to be teammates with them in a couple weeks,” Conners said. “Obviously Mac and I go way back to our junior golf days and really close friends. Got to know Min Woo better over the last few years.”

Conners got the birdie-fest going by stuffing his approach at No. 10 to two feet and Hughes let him know he liked that shot.

“I said, ‘Hey, if you’re my partner that’s kind of the length of putt I like so just make sure you hit it close like that for me,’ ” Hughes said.

At the fourth, Hughes did him one better, holing a pitching wedge from 152 yards.

“If we happen to be alternate shot partners, I do enjoy that very much, too,” Conners said.

All three are within touch of the lead, which is what they were looking for this week as they prep for the Presidents Cup, which begins Sept. 26.

“I’d say so far mission accomplished,” Hughes said. “My goal is to kind of get yourself in the mix, that’s the best way to kind of get yourself tournament ready, battle tested is to be in contention.” 

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