Looking for perfect pairings on your next trip to Yakima Valley wineries? We have the delicious list!
Many wineries throughout the valley offer an array of tasty small bites, charcuterie boards and specialty pairings. Keep an eye on your favorite winery’s social pages for locals’ favorite food trucks serving up specialties on rotation, holiday food events and pop-up events. Be sure Food Truck Fridays at Mercer Wine Estates is on your list! They host a different food truck every Friday through September, complete with happy hour specials on wine and live music from 5 to 8 pm. Keep an eye on the calendar for Gilbert Cellars’ rotating food truck lineup every weekend through fall. Gilbert Cellars and Two Mountain Winery both curate a selection of tasty takeaway items to enjoy with their wines. Dineen Vineyards Supper Club is back for a second summer, with a series of intimate, al fresco wine dinners as their winemaking team hosts The Lion Chef, Gilbert Kolombo. Bonair Winery recently added a weekly small plate special.
Check out more delicious winery dining events on our calendar!
If you’re looking for a more expansive menu of foods to pair with your favorite wines or share with friends, check out these top stops!
DoodleVines Winery + Event Center
DoodleVines Winery + Event Center is nestled into a serene vineyard setting complete with pond and breathtaking views. Spend a leisurely afternoon or join them for one of their event evenings (Vino & Vinyl anyone?) and enjoy an array of specialty flatbreads, a Mediterranean Wine Pairing Plate and more.
Freehand Cellars
Freehand Cellars’ panoramic views of the valley and mountains, beautiful deck and expansive lawn make it an ideal stop for perfectly paired bites all summer. Their menu showcases a variety of shareable appetizers, served family-style, striking a balance between local, farm-fresh specialty items and crowd-pleasers. Highlights from the menu might include toasted artisan bread accompanied by a house-whipped goat cheese, or a fresh, local peach caprese drizzled with balsamic glaze. Keep an eye on social channels for seasonal specialties, like their homemade spicy apricot jam (made from farm-fresh apricots) served with specialty cheese, enjoy their signature flatbread or gochujang chicken skewers.
Treveri Cellars
You’ll find a variety of delicious choices from Treveri Cellars, Washington’s premier sparkling wine house. Their full menu features an array of boards and platters, flatbreads, paninis, salads and a savory bratwurst that reflects the founders’ heritage. They also host their popular Bubble Brunch every Sunday, offer happy hour specialties and feature to-go boxes complete with Treveri sparkling wines paired with fine cheeses, meats and crackers. Enjoy your pairings on their lovely outdoor patio with and take in the expansive valley views. Reservations are highly recommended Friday through Sunday, especially for Sunday brunch.
Bosma Estate Winery
At Bosma Estate Winery, estate-grown, small-batch wines pair beautifully with tasting room bites available every day the winery is open. Guests can enjoy a carefully curated, custom charcuterie plate and made-to-order croissant sandwiches. End with Bosma’s exclusive Cabernet Cocoa Truffle Terrine –a chocolate ganache finished with cocoa and red wine-infused finishing salt crafted by Chef Shawn Niles, The Fat Pastor and MasterChef alum. Settle into the tasting room, sit outside and soak up the view, or reserve the private tasting room for an intimate small-group pairing. Farmer-first, family-run, and intentionally limited in production, Bosma is a hidden-gem stop for visitors in the Rattlesnake Hills.
LaPierre Farms and Winery
LaPierre Farms and Winery pairs their wines with beautiful charcuterie boards and a variety of specialty flatbreads, many featuring freshly picked fruit from their own orchards. Enjoy them on the patio overlooking valley views.
VanArnam Vineyards
The Tin Roof Grill at VanArnam Vineyards serves light fare featuring seasonal produce from the Yakima Valley. Enjoy paninis, salads, crostini and bruschetta as well as an abundant charcuterie board. Vegetarian and gourmet snacks such as locally made Savage Mustard. Linger and enjoy the view from the trellised patio with outdoor seating with orchard and vineyard views or sit inside at one of the classic barrel tables. Make a reservation for groups of 8 or more.
Whitman Hill Winery
Settle in at one of the cozy, personal cabanas or outdoor tables with fire pits at Whitman Hill Winery. The lovely tasting room is surrounded by beautiful grounds with winding walkways, water features and a pond and fountain. They serve a menu of house specialties designed to pair with their wines. Menu highlights include their charcuterie boards, baked brie, whipped feta with roasted strawberries, dips, bruschetta and more.
Gård Estate Wines & Inn – Prosser
A new chapter has begun, as Desert Wind Winery has become Gård Estate Wines & Inn in Prosser. For now, they serve an array of light bites, but we eagerly anticipate the return of delicious creations from the kitchen. Keep an eye on social channels for artisan pizza and more!
Palencia Family Estate
At Palencia Family Estate, you’ll find the on-site Culture Shock Bistro serving up specialties that match their name. The menu rotates seasonally and has multicultural flare, such as blue corn empanadas with chicken al pastor.
Terra Blana Winery and Estate Vineyard
The Vineyard Grill at Terra Blanca Winery and Estate Vineyard offers handcrafted fair to pair with their wines. Spend an afternoon taking in the scenic views and wander the grounds with sweeping lawn and pond. Then linger over hand-tossed brick oven pizzas, salads and a range of elevated sandwiches.
Gård Vintners – Ellensburg
Tucked into historic downtown Ellensburg, Gård Vintners serves up a selection of sharable plates, flatbreads and panini. Join them for food, wine and music every first and third Friday and other special events.
Perfect Picnics
Even if a full menu isn’t available, the scenic estate wineries throughout the Yakima Valley are just made for perfect picnics with a view!
Cycle Yakima is a new addition to the valley, offering a range of guided e-bike tours combining nostalgic fun with modern adventure whether you’re a regular rider or you’re rediscovering the joy of cycling. Guide Kyle Bisconer will work with you to choose the perfect route for your scenic rides that blend outdoor adventure with local history and wine for a unique experience. One of the most popular routes takes you though the unique shrub-steppe landscape of the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy. Make it a wine tour with a stop for wine tasting and food pairing at DoodleVines. They’ll even transport your wine purchases for you! For something special, book an e-bike date night, complete with a picnic. Work with him to curate your stops.
For a little something extra, book a customized, luxe picnic experience with Perry & Co Posh Picnics after one of your scenic winery stops. They’ll set up and take down for you so you can simply enjoy the peaceful experience complete with table, cushions and customizable tablescape. Check out the market offerings at Provisions Restaurant + Market for your picnic or pick up sandwiches, specialty cheeses, salads and other delectable treats at Essencia Artisan Bakery.
Categorized in: Food and Dining, Wine Country