Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Texas Tea?
While in Zillah, don't miss the opportunity to see the
Teapot Dome gas
station,
14691 Yakima Valley Hwy. (
&
509/829-5100
), a national historic
building built in 1922 in the shape of a giant teapot to call attention to
a scandal in the administration of President Warren G. Harding. You'll
find the teapot on the south side of I-82.
Finds
made. This winery focuses on cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay, and gener-
ally has a wide selection of vintages and varietals available.
530 Gurley Rd., Granger.
&
509/854-2220.
Feb-Nov Fri-Wed 10am-5pm; Dec-Jan daily noon-4pm. Take
exit 58 off I-82; go west on Yakima Valley Hwy. then right on Gurley Rd.
Hyatt Vineyards
With its wide lawns, valley views, and immacu-
lately tended gardens, it's obvious that this winery does a brisk wedding business
and is a good spot for a picnic. Their white wines are often good values, and they
also do a wide range of red wines. One of the best reasons to drop by is to try
their black muscat dessert wines.
2020 Gilbert Rd., Zillah.
&
509/829-6333.
www.hyattvineyards.com. Daily 11am-5pm (call for winter
hours). Take exit 50 off I-82, go north to Highland Dr., turn left on Bonair Rd., and turn right on Gilbert Rd.
Maison de Padgett Winery
Another of the valley's new wineries, this
place does a very wide range of wines, including malbec and sherry. Although
you might at first think the odd labels, cute wine names, and unusual bottles are
just a way to distract you from mediocre wines, you'd be wrong. Sure there are
some odd wines here, but there are also some superb (and pricey) wines.
2231 Roza Dr., Zillah.
&
509/829-6412.
Mar-Nov Thurs-Mon 11am-5pm; Dec-Feb by appointment. Take
exit 52 off I-82, go east on First Ave., turn left on Fifth St., which becomes Roza Dr.
Paradisos del Sol
Barrel-aged dry white wines are one of the hallmarks
of winemaker Paul Vandenberg, who has also made wines for Portteus Vineyards
(another of our favorite wineries). The wines made here at Paradisos del Sol are
full-bodied, complex, and among the most distinctive wines in the state.
3230 Highland Dr., Zillah.
&
509/829-9000.
www.paradisosdelsol.com. Daily 11am-5pm. Take exit 52 off
I-82, go east on First Ave., turn left on Fifth St., which becomes Roza Dr.; at Highland Dr., turn right.
Portteus Vineyards
With excellent views across the valley, this winery
produces some of the best red wines in the Yakima Valley. Bold, full-bodied
wines are the hallmark here. While most of the wines here are in the $20 to $25
range, the very drinkable Rattlesnake Red weighs in at under $15.
5201 Highland Dr., Zillah.
&
509/829-6970.
www.portteus.com. Mon-Fri 10am-5pm; Sat 11am-5pm; Sun
noon-4:30pm. Take exit 50 off I-82, go north, and then follow Highland east as far as it goes.
Silver Lake Winery
This is one of the state's larger wineries and has tast-
ing rooms here and in Woodinville (near Seattle). Producing a wide range of
wines, Silver Lake keeps prices reasonable and often has great sales and discounts
on its wines. The tasting room is in the hills on the north side of the valley and
has good views.
1500 Vintage Rd., Zillah.
&
509/829-6235.
www.silverlakewinery.com. Apr-Nov daily 10am-5pm; Dec-
Mar Thurs-Mon 11am-4pm. Take exit 52 off I-82 and go north over the freeway, turn left on Cheyne Rd., right
on Highland Rd., and left on Vintage Rd.
Value