From rolling vineyards and sun-soaked valleys to charming towns and winding rivers, Washington’s Wine Country is a premier wine destination. This road trip starts in Seattle and passes through multiple wine touring regions and AVAs, stopping in the Yakima Valley, Tri-Cities, Walla Walla, and the Columbia River Gorge. Along the way, discover award-winning wineries, savor seasonal cuisine, explore museums, and stroll riverfront trails.
If you have an extra day before or after your journey, consider extending your trip to nearby Woodinville, where more than 130 tasting rooms showcase wines from across the state.
At a Glance: Wine Country Road Trip
When to visit: April-November
Trip length: 4-7 days
Highlights:
- Multiple American Viticultural Areas (AVAs)
- Scenic drives through vineyards and farmland
- Guided wine tours
- Farm-to-table dining
- Fruit stands and U-pick farms
- Museums and cultural attractions
- Outdoor recreation
Washington Wine Country Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Seattle to the Yakima Valley
Drive time: About 2.5–3 hours
From Seattle, head east along Interstate 90, stopping for lunch in historic downtown Issaquah before continuing across Snoqualmie Pass into Central Washington, where evergreen forests give way to rolling vineyards and farmland. Stretch your legs in downtown Ellensburg, where you can visit locally owned shops or the Kittitas County Historical Museum before continuing south through the Yakima River Canyon Scenic Byway to Yakima.
Once in town, check into your hotel and head out for a farm-to-table dinner at Crafted, Cowiche Canyon Kitchen, or other local restaurants showcasing seasonal ingredients.
Where to Stay:
- Hotel Maison: This hotel in a restored historic building is conveniently located within walking distance of downtown shops and restaurants.
- Hotel Y: Located just outside downtown, visitors can enjoy a seasonal outdoor pool.
Day 2: Yakima Valley
Today, explore the western and central Yakima Valley, where vineyards share the landscape with orchards and hop fields. Rather than driving between wineries, consider booking a guided wine tour with Little Hopper for a laid-back tasting experience. The Little Hopper Wine Tour offers seasonal visits to three wineries. Bikeable wine tours and private options are also available from tour operators. For a light lunch with a view, consider a stop at Freehand Cellars, Whitman Hill Winery, or VanArnam Vineyards.
Afterward, visit seasonal roadside fruit stands or one of the Yakima Valley’s charming small towns. Browse antique shops in Zillah, explore Toppenish’s murals, or discover Granger’s dinosaur collection. At the Yakama Nation Cultural Center, learn about the tribe’s history, heritage, and living traditions.
For dinner, grab tamales from Los Hernandez Tamales in Union Gap or enjoy dinner at one of the valley’s craft breweries.
Also See: U-pick Farm Experiences
Day 3: Tri-Cities
Drive time: About 1-1.5 hours
Depart Yakima and head east toward the Tri-Cities and two of Washington’s smallest AVAs: Red Mountain and Candy Mountain. Set at the meeting of the Columbia, Snake, and Yakima rivers, the Tri-Cities are home to some of Washington’s most acclaimed red wines.
For wine tastings, choose between nearby estate wineries or urban tasting rooms at Tulip Lane or Columbia Gardens Artisan Village. Learn about the wine-making process at Hedges Family Estate or enjoy a tasting overlooking the vineyards at Fidélitas or Frichette Winery in nearby Benton City.
Beyond wine, explore the region’s agricultural roots at the REACH Museum, stroll waterfront parks, rent kayaks, or visit the Pasco Farmers Market. You’ll also find fantastic dining options throughout Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco, including Dovetail Joint for craft cocktails and creative bites or Proof Gastropub for hearty burgers and salads.
Where to Stay:
- The Lodge at Columbia Point: An upscale Richland hotel that sits directly on the Columbia River.
- Hilton Garden Inn Kennewick: This comfortable hotel in Kennewick is within walking distance to the Columbia Center Mall and dining options.
Also See: Discover Washington’s Farmers Markets
Day 4: Walla Walla
Drive time: About 1 hour
Today, continue east to Walla Walla. Surrounded by vineyards and with views of the Blue Mountains, this charming small town boasts more than 40 downtown tasting rooms. Take a self-guided walking tour or head out to scenic vineyards such as Echolands Winery or Abeja. You’ll find multiple guided tours, including customizable Tesla Winery Tours or Kickstand Tours’ e-bike excursions. For visitors curious about newer winemaking talent, the Airport District is worth a visit.
Between tastings, browse local boutiques, enjoy a round of golf, cycle past farmland, or visit the Fort Walla Walla Museum to learn about the region’s history. End the evening with a dinner showcasing locally grown ingredients paired with Washington wines at spots like TMACS or Hattaway’s on Alder. In nearby Waitsburg, Bar Bacetto serves up craft cocktails and pasta in an intimate setting.
Optional extension: Add an extra day and make the two-hour drive east to the Lewis Clark Valley. The Lewis-Clark Valley AVA spans both Washington and Idaho, and jet boat tours depart from Clarkston into Hells Canyon, North America’s deepest river gorge.
Where to Stay
- The FINCH: This downtown hotel has a modern, casual feel and inviting shared spaces, including an outdoor courtyard.
- The Marcus Whitman Hotel: A local landmark, this historic hotel offers an elegant stay near downtown’s tasting rooms.
Also See: Learn More About Washington Wine
Day 6: Columbia River Gorge
Drive time: About 3-3.5 hours to White Salmon-Bingen
From Walla Walla, you can choose to return to Seattle the way you came or extend your Washington Wine Country road trip west through the Columbia River Gorge. Centered around the Columbia Gorge AVA, wineries here benefit from a unique meeting of cool and hot climates and offer sweeping river views and hillside vineyards.
Enjoy a wine tasting at COR Cellars or Syncline Winery near Lyle, or head to AniChe Cellars outside of White Salmon-Bingen. Along the way, visit the Maryhill Museum of Art and the Stonehenge Memorial or hike along scenic bluff trails. In town, enjoy dinner at Henni’s Kitchen and Bar or Everybody’s Brewing.
Where to Stay
- The Society Hotel: Located in White Salmon-Bingen, you can choose from hotel rooms, cabins, or hostel-style bunks and enjoy an onsite spa.
- Skamania Lodge: Set to the west in Stevenson, this forested resort offers lodge rooms, glamping, outdoor activities, and more.
Also See: Discover Washington’s Hot Spring Resorts
Day 7: Vancouver WA
Drive time: About 1.5 hours
Continue west through the Columbia River Gorge to Vancouver WA. Located along the Columbia River, the city’s walkable waterfront is home to multiple tasting rooms, making it the perfect place to end your Washington Wine Country road trip. The city also boasts a standout restaurant scene with many waterfront dining offerings, including DOSALAS Latin Kitchen and WildFin American Grill.
From Vancouver, Seattle is about a three-hour drive north.
Where to Stay
- Hotel Indigo Vancouver Downtown: Located along Vancouver’s waterfront and within easy walking distance to tasting rooms.
- The Heathman Lodge: This cozy lodge-style property set outside the bustle of downtown has an indoor pool and on-site dining.
Featured image credit: Mark VanDonage / Courtesy of Visit Walla Walla