Seasonal sipping, vineyard views and springtime blooms
There’s something special about spring in wine country. Of course you find exceptional wines here where Washington wine was born, but this is when the vineyards come back to life. It’s when the Yakima Valley is filled with orchard blooms and wildflowers on the trails and hills. What better time for a road trip? Be sure to mark your calendar for Spring Barrel Tasting, April 28 to 30, or simply take a spring tasting trip for winery events all season long.
So, what’s the best way to take in those vineyard views on your wine tasting trip? Let someone else take the wheel and enjoy a tasting tour!
The Little Hopper Grapevine Tours – We all know and love the Little Hopper as Yakima Valley’s craft beer bus, but this year they launched their brand new Grapevine Wine Tours. With the same comfortable ride and knowledgeable, entertaining guides, you can sit back and enjoy. Book your spot on one of their scheduled Friday or Saturday/Sunday wine tours. Enjoy a curated tour of two to three upper Yakima Valley wineries on Fridays or four wineries, including Zillah, Prosser and Red Mountain, on Saturdays and Sundays. You can also schedule private or corporate tours with the itinerary of your choice as well as special event transportation.
Red Mountain Trails – How about a horseback wine tasting tour through the vineyards? The husband-wife team at Red Mountain has a deep connection to the lands and it shows in the care they put into their tour experiences. Book your spot for a horseback, wagon ride or guided bicycle tour and then enjoy a whole lot more. After your tasting tour, linger on their lovely pavilion or around the fire pit with a flight of their Red Mountain wines, picnic boxes or s’mores kits. Say hi to the goats and take home artisan goods, including handmade goat milk soaps, from the gift shop. Tours run through December.
Kickstand Tours – The folks at Kickstand Tours are ready to take you on an expertly led e-bike tasting tour. Their comfortable bikes make for an easy ride through beautiful wine country with at least three Zillah/Rattlesnake Hills, Prosser or Red Mountain winery stops. Each trip takes about five hours and includes a lunch stop (lunch not included in cost) and a support vehicle to follow along and collect your purchases along the way. If you don’t find a pre-scheduled Zillal area tour, they’re happy to plan private tours for your group. They don’t require a minimum number of riders and you can have them curate your tour or choose your own winery stops.
Elite Tours – For group beer and wine tasting tours, Elite Tours offers the amenities of home, including a bathroom, wet bar, refrigerator, kitchenette and five couches so you can stretch out and enjoy your tour. Choose from four- to six-hour winery tours and work with them to plan your winery stops. You can also opt for brewery and special event tours.
Boost Bikes – If you prefer to go at your own pace, make your reservation with Yakima’s only e-bike rental service. With several models to choose from, you’ll find your perfect ride regardless of ability or experience. They offer delivery and pick-up for your tour and you can ride up to 75 miles on a single charge. You can rent a tank bag or basket to carry your purchases or wear a pack. Check your favorite winery stops to see who’s hosting food trucks the day of your ride.
Check out our guide to Yakima Valley Wine Country to plan you trip!
Picture at the top courtesy of Little Hopper Grapevine Tours at Dineen Vineyards
Categorized in: Wine Country
