Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Wineries
Yakima Valley is one of the premier wine-growing regions in the entire state, covering two distinct viticultural appellations, Yakima Valley and
Rattlesnake Hills. Stop at local visitors centers for a map of more than two dozen local wineries, or request a copy from the
Yakima Valley Wine
Growers Association
(800/258-7270,
www.yakimavalleywine.com
)
.
UPPER YAKIMA VALLEY
No need to truck deep into the valley for a charming vineyard experience. Keep close to the city and visit
The Tasting Room Yakima
(250 Ehler
Rd., 509/966-0686) out near Cowiche Canyon. Here you'll encounter a small turn-of-the-20th-century farmhouse that acts as a cooperative tast-
ing room to three boutique wineries. Outside, there is a verdant lawn and a patio, a well-tended garden, and a small chicken coop. All of this is
adjacent to a small nine-acre biodynamic vineyard and over 80 more acres of sage land open to hiking.
RATTLESNAKE HILLS
The pleasantly fragrant vineyard grounds at
Bonair Winery
(500 S. Bonair Rd., Zillah, 509/829-6027,
www.bonairwine.com
,
10 A.M.-5 P.M.
daily) also present great views of the mountain and of nearby orchards. Stop by the shady pond to give Bonair's resident Aussie shepherd dog
a scritch behind the ears before heading into the new pale-yellow French chateau tasting room. You'll be greeted with a smile by the friendly
owners, who have the gift of gab. Call ahead to arrange a guided vineyard or winery tour ($10).
Sit on a bench near a giant wine barrel to sip a glass and survey the surroundings at the
Hyatt Vineyards Winery
(2020 Gilbert Rd., Zillah,
509/829-6333,
www.hyattvineyards.com
,
11 A.M.-5 P.M. daily April-Oct., 11 A.M.-4:30 P.M. daily Nov.-Dec. and Feb.-Mar., closed Jan.). An
immaculate lawn, colorful rose garden, and a giant windmill sit directly outside the tasting room patio. Surrounding them are acres of orderly
vineyard rows.
The McDonald Mercantile building houses
Piety Flats Winery
(2560 Donald-Wapato Rd., 509/877-3115, 11 A.M.-5 P.M. Fri.-Sun., closed
Dec.-Feb.). Surrounded by a lawn and table shaded by young walnut trees, this 1911 country store building offers bric-a-brac, candies, and gour-
met foods to go along with the wine tastings.
YAKIMA VALLEY WINERIES
Walk the vineyards in the Yakima Valley for a closer look at the growing grapes.
The mezzanine tasting room at
Silver Lake Winery
(1500 Vintage Rd., Zillah, 509/829-6235,
www.silverlakewinery.com
,
11 A.M.-4 P.M.
Thurs.-Mon. Dec.-Mar., 10 A.M.-5 P.M. daily Apr.-Nov.) affords a nice vineyard view and windows into the winery's distilling operation. The
patio and porch are especially pretty in the fall when the leaves begin to turn.
You'll wind through gravel roads hugged by grapevines to get to the barrel room tasting bar at
Portteus Vineyards
(5201 Highland Dr.,
Zillah, 509/829-6970,
www.portteus.com
, noon-5 P.M. daily in summer, call for winter hours). Don't let the warehouselike atmosphere scare you
away—the winemakers here produce some prized reds.
