Washington State is the country’s second largest wine producing state. Central Washington’s Columbia Valley AVA produces 99% of the wine grapes grown. Want to tour the vineyards of Central Washington’s Yakima Valley where the wine grapes are grown? Learn about the growing of grape vines and the wine making process? There are a number of Yakima Valley wineries that will lead you through the process of producing the fine Washington State wine of the Yakima Valley.
- In October, Two Mountain Winery offers the opportunity to participate in grape harvest and crush. Become a Winemaker for a Day. Find out if you can hack it as a winemaker when you join us for our hands-on Winemaker for a Day event held annually in October. This exclusive event features the opportunity to participate in the most exciting time of year at Two Mountain – harvest and crush. The first hour will be spent in Copeland Vineyard with Vineyard Manager Patrick Rawn, examining the vines and learning how to determine when the grapes are ready for harvest. Then you’ll roll up your sleeves and head to the Two Mountain cellar for the second hour with Winemaker Matt Rawn, where you’ll receive hands-on education as you participate in the process of crush. You’ll learn how to read brix through a hydrometer, take temperature readings, participate in punch-down and learn about the fermentation process. At $40 per person, this annual experience sells out very quickly so call to reserve your spot as soon as possible.
- Join the Two Mountain Vineyard Crew which meets 4 times annually. Two Mountain Winery’s Vineyard Crew lets wine lovers and aspiring viticulturists unleash their inner farmers and learn what it takes to grow premium wine grapes in the heart of the Yakima Valley. Led by Patrick Rawn with support from brother Matt, “Vineyard Crew” sessions focus on a range of seasonal topics from pruning to thinning, veraison to harvest. Crew members tend to assigned “Vineyard Crew” vines at four key growing periods during the year so they experience each of the grape-growing cycles firsthand. Each of the four half-day sessions includes a finger-filthying enological experience followed by wine and appetizers in our Vineyard Crew members receive generous discounts of 15% off per bottle, 20% off per case, a cool member t-shirt, and of course, dirty hands and serious bragging rights.
Kestrel Winery in Prosser, WA offers tours by appointment only. The Kestrel website offers interesting online tour and technical notes on the vineyards.
Desert Wind Winery welcomes groups ranging from 2 to 50 people, and offer an informative tour that will interest novices and seasoned wine veterans alike. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff specializes in providing our guests with a unique glimpse of the winemaking process. From our unique Southwestern style to our award-winning wines and tasteful gift shop, Desert Wind Winery is sure to please every member of your group.
Our beautiful outdoor river view patio area is the perfect place for picnicking, sipping wine or simply relaxing. In the winter months, cozy up in our tasting room in front of a toasty fire. Our large parking lot offers plenty of parking and turnaround space for buses, limos or RVs.
Conveniently located at exit 82 on Hwy. 82, we are centrally located and just minutes from dozens of other wineries. Tour slots fill up quickly and require a minimum of 48 hours notice to book, change or cancel. Please reserve your space online or by calling us at 509.786.7277.
Columbia Crest Winery in Patterson, WA offers guided tours on weekends at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm. 2:30 pm and 4:00 pm. Self-guided tours are available daily.
Central Washington is a rich agricultural region with vast acres of vineyards and numerous wineries from boutique to much larger operations. This is the perfect location to learn about the tending of the vineyards and the profession of winemaking. For those whose find that wine making is their passion, there is a teaching winery in the city of Grandview, Yakima Valley Vintners. Here you can take college level courses to learn how vineyards grow, wine making, and tasting room management. The students take care of the vines and make their first attempts at wine making, which you can taste and purchase at Yakima Valley Vintners Grandview tasting room.
Wine Yakima Valley Summer Vineyard Tour Series. These July tours feature 4 Notable Grape Growers, an answer to the growing trend of Americans wanting to know the ingredient source of everything they consume. The same is true with wine; once isolated to notable winemakers, now grape growers are increasing in notoriety and popularity. Wine Yakima Valley is giving consumers insider access to some of the best grape growers in the state by offering vineyard tours every weekend in July. The Vineyard Tour Series will feature prominent, well-respected and long-standing growers from Red Willow Vineyard, DuBrul Vineyard, Upland Estates and Boushey Vineyards.
Tickets for each tour are $75 and include wine, food and a grower education tour.
- Red Willow Vineyard – July 7, 2012 1-4pm Aged To Perfection – Tour one of the state’s oldest vineyards, the birthplace of Washington’s first Syrah, and a pioneer of cabernet franc and sangiovese. Tours receive a nostalgic touch with transportation in a covered wagon pulled by a vineyard tractor all the way up to the vineyard chapel with 360 degree views as well as tours through the syrah, cabernet franc and sangiovese vinyeards.
- DuBrul Vineyard – July 14,2012 1-4pm Rooted in the family – Guests will enjoy an intimate tour of this highly acclaimed vineyard and taste through some of Cote Bonneville’s exclusive wines. Vineyard owners Hugh and Kathy Shiels have strived to produce grapes that express the unique terroir that is Dubrul. See firsthand the mineral deposits, extensive irrigation practice and why steep rocky soils are so important to growing exceptional grapes in the Yakima Valley.
- Upland Vineyard – July 21, 2012 1-4pm Cultivated in Tradition – The Upland tour includes an opportunity to see the original vines that were first planted in 1917. This tour showcases the progression from planting the vine to producing grapes, harvest winemaking and the aging process. Explore Washington’s 10th AVA – Snipes Mountain.
- Boushey Vineyards – July 28, 2012 1-4pm Steeped in Syrah – Tour the vineyard with Dick Boushey, the father of syrah, as he discusses the idiosyncrasies of how syrah grows and the various conditions that change the taste of the grapes grown on different hillsides, in various soils and more. Boushey grapes create the most critically acclaimed wines in the state and are a key player in the success of Washington wines. His strong influence and historical significance on the Washington winemaking business is also explored.
Tags: Desert Wind Winery, Learn about vineyards, Learn about winemaking, Vineyard tours, Wine Yakima Valley Tours, Winery Tours, Yakima Valley Vineyard Tours, Yakima ValleyWinery Tours
