Eastern Washington - Washington State - page 332

Let's Do Lunch
Because good restaurants are few and far between in the Yakima Valley,
you should consider bringing along picnic supplies when you go out wine
tasting. Lots of wineries have patios, picnic tables, and great views.

Tips

caves completed. At press time, Ray Sandidge, one of the region's best wine-
makers, was producing the wines for Chandler Reach. Chandler Reach produces
exclusively big red wines, with prices in the $20 to $25 range.
9506 W. Chandler Rd., Benton City. & 509/588-8800. www.chandlerreach.com. Call for current hours. Take
exit 93 off I-82 and go north.
Hedges Cellars at Red Mountain Focusing its attentions on its caber-
net sauvignon-merlot blend and an unusual sauvignon blanc-chardonnay blend,
this winery, which has tasting rooms both at its Red Mountain vineyards and in
the city of Issaquah near Seattle, is one of Washington's more reliable wineries.
53511 N. Sunset Rd., Benton City & 509/588-3155. www.hedgescellars.com. Apr-Dec Fri-Sun 11am-5pm.
Take exit 96 off I-82, go east on Wash. 224, and then turn left on Sunset Rd.
Kiona Vineyards Located down a gravel road in the Red Hills region of
the valley, this large winery produces a wide variety of easy-to-drink wines at
moderate prices.
44612 N. Sunset Rd., Benton City. & 509/588-6716. Daily noon-5pm. Take exit 96 off I-82, go east on
Wash. 224, and then turn left on Sunset Rd.
Oakwood Cellars The view of Rattlesnake Mountain makes this boutique
winery a good choice for a picnic on a day of tasting wines in the Benton City
area. Oakwood Cellars produces a wide range of both red and white wines.
40504 N. DeMoss Rd., Benton City. & 509/588-5332. Thurs-Sun noon-5pm (winter by appointment). Take
exit 96 off I-82; go east on Wash. 224, then left on DeMoss Rd.
Terra Blanca Vintners Despite the name, which translates as “white
earth,” this winery has its vineyards on the slopes of Red Mountain, which is
known for producing outstanding wines. Tannic bordeaux blends, syrah, and
chardonnay are the main focus, but they also produce viognier and several
dessert wines. This is one of the only wineries in the state with barrel-aging caves.
34715 N. DeMoss Rd., Benton City. & 509/588-6082. www.terrablanca.com. Daily 11am-6pm (Dec 25-
Feb 14 by appointment). Take exit 96 off I-82; go east on Wash. 224, then left on DeMoss Rd.
THE TRI-CITIES AREA
Barnard Griffin Lots of good white wines, including semillon, fumé
blanc, and chardonnay, can usually be had here, and the winery also does a good
job with its dessert wines. Prices are quite reasonable.
878 Tulip Lane, Richland. & 509/627-0266. www.barnardgriffin.com. Daily 10am-6pm. Take exit 3 off I-182
and turn left on Columbia Dr.
Bookwalter Winery Producing everything from light, drinkable picnic
wines to complex, full-bodied cabernet sauvignon and merlot, this winery on
the west side of Richland is one of the valley's more reliable operations. No mat-
ter what your tastes, you're likely to find something here that you'll like.
894 Tulip Lane, Richland. & 877/667-8300 or 509/627-5000. www.bookwalterwines.com. Daily
10am-6pm. Take exit 3 off I-182 and turn left on Columbia Dr.