On cozy winter nights, on a hot summer day, on a night out with friends in Miami, or at dinner at a friend’s place– few things can soothe the heart and body better than a great wine.
One glass of Burgundy can help you go through difficult conversations. A tipple of Merlot can make up for a bad day. A pour of Chardonnay with fried salmon can make dinners more wholesome and savorier. In essence, no matter what varietals you favor, a good wine never fails to do the job.
Once you get the hang of it, nothing can replace wine that is sufficiently aged and tastes great. And when it comes to preparing a great wine, it largely depends on where it came from. The best part? Our country has no shortage of wineries that produce delicious wines and also instill a love of wineries and vineyards!
The state of Washington accounts for just over 5% of the nation’s total wine production. But it houses some of the most reputed wineries boasting great-tasting wines and amazing tasting rooms. Read on to discover eight wineries in Washington you need to check out.
Cascade Cliffs Vineyard and Winery
Cascade Cliffs Vineyard and Winery have been around for over 35 years in the Columbia River Gorge. The winery hosts a range of exotic grape varietals, including the premier Piedmont varietal wines. But the greatest highlight of this vineyard is the exotic Italian varietal Barbera– the most loved varietal. Other popular varietals include Syrah, Nebbiolo, and Cabernet Sauvignon, among others.
On top of it, the Wishram tasting room offers a great view of the mountains, making the experience even better! You can also request a tour of the vineyards or purchase a club membership to get discounts and tours.
Address
8866 HWY-14. Wishram, WA ZIP-98673
Contact: (509) 767-1100
Visiting hours: 11 AM-5 PM (Everyday)
Lake Chelan Winery
If you love wines and are about to visit Chelan soon, you can’t miss dropping by Lake Chelan Winery. The place has some amazing views to treat your eyes to while having a pour of delicious wine.
Another reason why Lake Chelan Winery happens to be the most famous of all Washington wineries is its wines and BBQ. The place boasts a barbeque restaurant with not only red and white wines but also cheese– all surrounded by lush green meadows and gardens. You can also take tours every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 2 PM.
Address
3519 HWY-150, Chelan, WA ZIP-98816
Contact: (509) 687-9463
Visiting Hours: 11 AM-6 PM (Sunday – Thursday), 11 AM-7 PM (Friday – Saturday)
Goose Ridge Estate Vineyard and Winery
Goose Ridge Estate is one of the largest wineries in Washington. Spread over 2500 acres of vineyard and adjoining winery, Goose Ridge offers state-of-the-art winemaking on display.
The winery not only has some of the finest quality single varietals, including Merlot, Syrah, and Malbec. But it also makes unique blends like Vireo and First Flight. The tasting rooms are open from 11 AM to 5 PM on Friday and Saturday. The winery also has three other tasting rooms in Leavenworth, Woodinville, and Walla Walla.
Address
16304 Dallas Road, Richland, WA ZIP-99352
Contact: (509) 628-3880
Visiting Hours: 11 AM-8 PM (Thursday – Saturday), 11 AM-6 PM (Sunday – Wednesday)
Vin Du Lac Winery
The Vin Du Lac Winery speaks for itself. Literally meaning Lake Wine, the French name of the winery aptly describes the vicinity of the winery from Lake Chelan. But that’s certainly not the best part about the winery.
Vin Du Lac winery boasts a vast range of award-winning wines that cater to all your wine cravings. This winery offers a dedicated tasting room that is open every day from noon to 8 PM.
The place offers mouth-watering vintage varietals from Lake Chelan AVA, such as the 2011 Pinot Noir Cortelli VNYD. Other than some popular wines, such as Cotes Du Lac and Chardonnay, some varietals are available exclusively for members.
Address
105 HWY-150 Chelan, WA ZIP-98816
Contact: (509) 682-2882 x 0; (866) 455-WINE
Visiting Hours: 12-8 PM (Daily)
Bartholomew Winery
The Columbia Gardens Wine and Artisan Village is an urban region in Kennewick that boasts numerous wineries. But the Bartholomew Winery has a different status altogether because of the exceptionally unique taste its wines have.
This winery has the common Bordeaux and Rhone varieties, such as Malbec, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. But what makes it special is the other set of rarer wines like Tannat, Carmenere, and Albarino. Tasting rooms are open Thursday through Sunday, while timings might vary. Tasting is not free, but the fee is refunded if you purchase a wine.
Address
421 E Columbia Drive, Kennewick, WA ZIP-99336
Contact: (206) 395-8460
Visiting Hours: 12-5 PM (Friday – Sunday), 3-7 PM (Thursday)
Betz Family Winery
Betz Family Winery is different from other wineries on the list. They are much more private than other wineries and do not have a dedicated tasting room. But does this affect your experience in any way? Hardly.
With a major focus on quality, winemakers at Betz Winery believe that their “best wines are always still to come.” You can taste the wines or tour the winery only by scheduling an appointment for Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.
The winery offers both Bordeaux and Rhone-styled singles and blends. In addition, there are also some special releases like Quinta Essentia and Heart of the Hill.
Address
13244 Woodinville Redmond Road NE, Redmond, WA ZIP-98052
Contact: (425) 861-9823
Visiting Hours: Appointment Only
Terra Blanca Winery and Estate Vineyard
Terra Blanca Winery is hands-down the most exotic place on this list. And when we say exotic, we mean it. Visiting this place is no short of visiting a winery in Italy.
The architecture and the lush green mountainous surrounding makes the place look like something you would see in Tuscany. And what can we say about the wine? The taste of wine in Terra Blanca only amplifies the Italian vibe with its rich flavor. You can taste the wines and also have a great dinner here in Terra Blanca.
Address
34715 Demoss Road, Benton City, WA ZIP-99320
Contact: (509) 588-6082
Visiting Hours: 11:30 AM-4:30 PM (Friday – Sunday)
Kiona Vineyards and Winery
Kiona Winery is one of the most reputed and leading wineries in the Red Mountain AVA, as well as in Washington State. And it’s also one of the oldest! The Kiona Winery has been around for about 47 years.
The first grapes– Cab, Chardonnay, and Riesling– were planted in 1975, and the first Kiona vintage was produced in 1980. And they haven’t looked back since then.
You can come here to taste white and rose wines like Sauvignon Blanc and Cuvée Artemisia. Or you can go for reds like Lynx and Cyclops. But don’t forget the dessert wines, either.
Address
44612 N Sunset Road, Benton City, WA ZIP-99320
Contact: (509) 588-6716
Visiting Hours: 12-5 PM (Daily)
And that was all!
Washington state has a lot of amazing wineries for whetting your wine curiosity and giving you an unforgettable experience. And the ones we mentioned above are some of the best ones to add to your winery bucket list.
Whether you want to taste some rare varietals or watch large swathes of sagebrush– these wineries won’t disappoint you. Visit these wineries as soon as possible!
But before that, let us know your thoughts about this blog. If this blog instilled or increased your desire to visit wineries, don’t forget to share it with other wine lovers. And if you’re ever in California, here’s a list of vineyards in the state that are totally worth your time.