26 Best Sights in Washington Wine Country, Washington

With an attractive tasting room in the up-and-coming Port of Benton Wine and Food Park on the east side of town, Alexandria Nicole opened its eco-minded winery near the Columbia River—about 35 miles south—in 2004 and has steadily developed into one of the region's stars. The refreshing Viognier and lightly floral Shepherds Market Roussanne-based blend scores high marks from critics, while the cherry- and plum-inflected Tempranillo is a stellar choice among the reds. Ask about the four tiny houses for rent at the vineyard, which also has a seasonal (mid-March to mid.-November) tasting room. 

Co Dinn, the owner of this downtown Sunnyside operation, spent nearly 20 years as the winemaker at renowned Hogue Cellars before establishing his own boutique winery. Top wine publications have taken notice and lavished praise on the complex unfiltered Chardonnay and juicy southern Rhône GSM (Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre). The tasting room is in a neatly transformed deco-style former water utility building with a pleasant side patio. 

Established in 2001 on the site of a historic apple orchard on the lower slopes of the Rattlesnake Hills, this popular winery with a focus on sustainability specializes in both estate-grown Bordeaux- and Rhone-style varietals, from the supple and earthy Cabernet Franc to a French oak-aged Roussanne-Viognier blend. The handsome tasting room adjoins a gable-roofed terrace surrounded by colorful gardens. 

This vaunted boutique winery with sweeping views specializes is a darling of those who appreciate exceptional Bordeaux wines, including one of the state's most accomplished Malbecs. The tasting room is modern, bright, and airy, and outdoor seating areas provide a spectacular backdrop for indulging in these rich wines, along with charcuterie and cheese platters. 

Established several miles south of Yakima in 2018 by a team of wine-loving architects, this stunning modern tasting room set on a hill with clear Mt. Adams views produces accessible Pinot Gris, Syrah, and several other balanced wines. The kitchen serves tasty flatbread pizzas and other wine-friendly fare, and the winery offers overnight stays in a couple of guest homes and a restored vintage Airstream. 

It's worth the 20-minute drive from downtown Yakima to experience a tasting at this beautiful family-run vineyard specializing in blends of Rhône and Bordeaux varietals and both lightly oaked and unoaked Chardonnays. During the warmer months, music concerts are held in the amphitheater, with breathtaking mountains forming the backdrop. 

At this 30-acre lavender farm and wine-making operation set in a stylishly modernized farmhouse a little northwest of Zillah, you can sample first-rate, mostly Bordeaux- and Rhône-style vin, along with a brick-oven-baked pizza made with a dough recipe passed down by one of the owner's Ukrainian families. You can also attend concerts, chef dinners, and other special events.

John Williams planted the first grapes on Red Mountain in 1975, made his first Kiona Vineyards wines in 1980, and produced the first commercial Lemberger, a light German red, in the United States. Today the winery boasts a beautiful 10,000-square-foot tasting room with 180-degree views of Red Mountain and the Rattlesnake Hills, an idyllic setting for sampling top-notch late-harvest Riesling, Chenin Blanc ice wine, Sangiovese, Syrah, and many others. You can order charcuterie and cheese plates to enjoy inside or on the patio.

This friendly winery on the fertile slopes of the Yakima River stands out both for its splendid gardenlike setting and its diverse selection of wines. You'll find everything here from peppery Carmeneres to inky Port-style Zinfandel dessert wines to lightly effervescent moscatos. 

Another of Prosser's crop of younger wineries that have developed a big reputation, Wit Cellars offers tastings in a dapper space in Vintners Village. In addition to producing an eclectic array of superb wines, from a old-world-style Cabernet Franc to a late-harvest Riesling and a port-style Petit Verdot dessert wines, the winery stands out for its exceptionally welcoming staff.

This family-run winery's tasting room, reminiscent of a European chalet, sits among vineyards near a duck pond that's lovely for picnics. A valley stalwart since 1985, Bonair has garnered dozens of awards for its Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Riesling, and Chardonnay.

Established by the famous (since the 14th century) Italian winemaker Marchesi Antinori and Washington’s oldest winery, Chateau Ste. Michelle, this dramatic if somewhat imposing postmodern winery set atop of lofty bluff overlooking the Red Mountain AVA is devoted to big, bold, and quite pricey Cabernet Sauvignons, Malbecs, and other Bordeaux reds produced in the style of Super Tuscans. Estate tours and tastings of these critically adored wines are by reservation only. 

Set in Sunnyside's white-clapboard former rail depot, Côte Bonneville winery has earned cult status among discerning sippers for its expressive wines produced from low-yield grape vines on the steep, rocky, south-facing slopes of nearby DuBrul Vineyard. Drop by this art-filled tasting room to sample the superb Cabernet Franc Rosé or one of the richly textured Bordeaux blends.

The most widely recognized of Red Mountain's many acclaimed wineries occupies a spectacular hillside château that looks like it could have been plucked straight out of the Bordeaux countryside. Indeed, the estate specializes in the classic French grapes that excel in this terroir, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah leading the charge. On cool days, sip your wine by the fire in the grand tasting room; in summer, have a seat on the patio overlooking the neatly groomed gardens.

Don't be put off by the industrial look of the Port of Benton's Wine and Food Park—it's home to several superb wineries, including this certified-organic operation that's long been acclaimed for its full-bodied reds (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah) and an eclectic mix of whites (Chardonnay, Viognier, and Sauvignon Blanc). They're made from grapes—some of them estate grown—that are deliberately stressed to increase the intensity of their flavors. The tasting room sells cheeses and deli items and has an inviting covered patio. 

This historic estate on the 1,200-foot southern slopes of the Rattlesnake Hills often some of the best valley views in Zillah. With both a large deck and well-manicured lawn with a soothing fountain, the winery stands out for its Cabernet Sauvignon, sweet and dry Rieslings, Roza red blend, and Chardonnay.

It's named for the calcium carbonate in the earth beneath it—Terra Blanca is Latin for "white earth"—and from this favorable soil grow wine grapes that produce the winery's specialties: Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Albariño, and Chardonnay. This picturesque estate winery offers sweeping views of the Red Mountain region, and also has one of the only restaurants in Benton City, the Vineyard Grill, which served refined Pacific Northwest fare from Friday through Sunday. 

Established in 1987, one of Prosser's top mid-price wineries features Wade Wolfe's unusual blends, including a tropical fruit–forward white Pinot Gris–Viognier and a velvety Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Lemberger blend known as Dr. Wolfe's Family Red.

This contemporary timber-frame winery and tasting room on a sunny slope at the south end of Benton City is the brainchild of Chris Upchurch, founding winemaker of acclaimed DeLille Cellars and one of Washington's pioneers in aging wines in concrete tanks, a practice with Roman roots. Focused on sustainable vineyard management, his winery produces a short but critically acclaimed list of mostly Bordeaux-style wines.

One of Yakima Valley's most buzzed-about winemakers, Wautoma Springs was founded by Jessica Munnell and Tom Merkle, two highly respected names in the state's viticultural community. They've quickly developed a following for a crisp Sauvignon Blanc with melon and grapefruit notes, and an inky reserve Malbec (it's actually named Inky) that you'll want to serve at your next steak dinner. The tasting room is in a newer section of Vintner's Village, in an airy, high-ceilinged building with comfy seating.

This relative new kid in the valley has quickly earned kudos for its value-friendly bottles, many of them priced below the $25 mark, including a silky, steak-friendly Cabernet Sauvignon and a bright and light rosé that's ideal on a hot summer night of grilling. If visiting the high-ceilinged tasting room on a cool day, opt for a seat by the fireplace or out on the patio, which is warmed by a fire table and space heaters.