As the second-largest wine producer in the United States, Washington State has no shortage of excellent vintages. Wine grapes including Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris are sourced from 21 unique American Viticultural Areas (AVAS) across eight Washington wine regions, with more than 1,000 wineries calling the state home.
“Washington is the perfect wine destination for those looking to discover new favorites,” said Kristina Kelley, Executive Director of the Washington State Wine Commission. “Whether you’re looking for breathtaking vineyard views, educational tasting experiences, or a comfortable place to enjoy a glass of wine with friends—there’s something for everyone here.”
While Washington’s climate and soil make each of the Washington AVAs unique, talented winemakers make wines shine. Read on to discover Washington wine regions to taste through on your next trip.
Washington Wine Regions
Yakima Valley
The Yakima Valley wine region features a number of Washington’s most prominent AVAs. Established in 1983, the Yakima Valley AVA is the state’s oldest. The region also includes Snipes Mountain AVA and the Rattlesnake Hills AVA, known for excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Riesling.
At Two Mountain Winery, wines are produced using 100% estate-grown grapes certified under the Sustainable WA program. Sit out on the grassy lawn or choose the front patio and enjoy a glass of rosé featuring Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. For sparkling wines and charcuterie paired with beautiful valley views, head to Treveri Cellars or visit Freehand Cellars to sit out on the expansive patio and lawn with a crisp glass of Riesling and a view of Mount Adams.
Further south in Prosser, visit Winemakers Loft to wander into four different tasting rooms in one stop—the Rosé Rita wine slushy is a can’t-miss in summer at Martinez & Martinez Winery.
Yakima Valley events like Spring Barrel Weekend and Catch the Crush give visitors an interactive look at wine production.
Walla Walla Valley
Walla Walla is home to 130-plus wineries and 3,000 acres of vineyards with a large concentration of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. The Walla Walla AVA, designated in 1984, is the second oldest in the state.
Leonetti Cellar, the first commercial winery in Walla Walla, was established in 1977 by Gary Figgins. Now, winemaker Chris Figgins continues his family tradition through both Leonetti and Figgins Winery. Don’t miss the guided tasting of estate-grown wines in the barrel caves.
At Abeja, experience staying the night next to vineyards at the winery’s historic inn and farmstead and enjoy estate wines made by a husband-and-wife team. For the sustainably minded, Pepper Bridge Winery is powered almost entirely by solar panels.
In walkable downtown Walla Walla, explore more than 45 tasting rooms, including Vital Wines, a nonprofit winery founded by winemaker Ashley Trout that focuses on providing healthcare access for the many vineyard and cellar workers in the region. In the Airport District, an incubator program allows up-and-coming winemakers to utilize production and tasting room space.
To taste the latest wines out of Walla Walla, plan around events such as Spring Release Weekend at the beginning of May or Fall Release in November.
Tri-Cities & Red Mountain
Some of the most sought-after grapes in Washington are grown in the Red Mountain AVA and its surroundings, and that’s all due to its warm climate. With plentiful sunshine, the area is a coveted producer of Cabernet Sauvignon utilized by winemakers not only within the AVA but across the state. This region is also home to Candy Mountain, the state’s smallest AVA.
With a history dating back to the 1980s, Hedges Family Estate turned to biodynamic farming in 2008 and hosts guests at its incredible Chateau-inspired tasting room with courtyard seating by the fountain. Kiona Vineyards has been farming on Red Mountain for three generations, with the first vineyard planted in 1975. The patio and tasting room with floor-to-ceiling windows show off unobstructed views of the landscape.
In Richland, head to Goose Ridge Estate Winery in the Goose Gap AVA, known for its unique sunny slope. The tasting room, surrounded by 2,500 acres of vines, showcases wine, cider, and vodka.
Cascade Valley & North Central
The Cascade Valley and North Central wine region is one of the largest, encompassing a number of growing areas and tasting destinations. This includes the prominent Lake Chelan AVA, bordered by the vibrant blue waters of Lake Chelan.
Sip white wines on the grassy lawn with vineyard and lake views at Succession Wines or head to Vin Du Lac Winery to pair estate wines with the garden-to-table menu from their seasonal bistro. In Manson, Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards makes wines from the region’s first LIVE certified sustainable vineyard. At Tipsy Canyon Winery, cozy up in an Adirondack chair to sip with views of the vineyard and towering Cascade Mountains. A visit to the Lake Chelan region in May offers the opportunity to experience the area’s wine and jazz festival.
The Ancient Lakes AVA is also in this region, which has a higher concentration of white varietals such as Riesling and Chardonnay. Cave B Estate Winery harvested its first vintage here in 1984 and is still open for tastings, right next to Sagecliffe Resort and Spa, where you can spend the night among the vineyards with expansive views of a river gorge.
For wine tasting in Leavenworth, head downtown to find a number of options within walking distance, or stop at Icicle Ridge Winery in nearby Peshastin to taste the winery’s popular fruit wines.
Columbia Gorge & Southwest
With views of Mount Hood, the Columbia River, and basalt cliffs, wineries located in this Washington wine region are especially picturesque. The AVA here is unique in that it receives a wide range of rainfall, providing excellent growing conditions for a range of grapes including Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir.
On Underwood Mountain, Loop de Loop offers low-intervention wines fermented with wild yeast and an idyllic mountain view from the patio. Cor Cellars boasts a meticulously designed tasting room and private canvas tasting tents on the hillside. At Syncline Winery, taste biodynamic estate wines in the garden, or head further east to Jacob Williams for wines made by third-generation winemaker Peter Cushman.
In Southwest Washington, downtown Vancouver and the city’s vibrant waterfront are home to a range of satellite tasting rooms showcasing Washington wines including Airfield Estates Winery, Maryhill Winery, and Barnard Griffin.
Woodinville
With quick access from Seattle, residents and visitors alike have the opportunity to taste from more than 130 producers in Woodinville. Broken up into four winemaking districts, Woodinville spans varied production facilities ranging from large to small. Tasting rooms highlight wines made on-site or serve as satellite locations for wines produced in other Washington wine regions such as Walla Walla.
Chateau Ste. Michelle, established in 1976, is a key piece of Washington’s wine history. A visit to the immaculate grounds and chateau offers a multitude of tasting opportunities, along with a can’t-miss concert series on the lawn in summer perfect for picnics.
Mike Januik has been making wine in Washington since 1984 and heads up Novelty Hill Januik—a sleek destination to taste from two independent wineries. For a food and wine experience, visit Bayernmoor Cellars, where chef Tori Barr is dishing up pizza paired with sustainably produced Pinot Noir, along with an ice cream and wine pairing flight. At DeLille Cellars, try Bordeaux-inspired reds in the winery’s restaurant and tasting room located in the old Redhook Brewery building. Here, grapes from some of the oldest vines in the state are turned into wines.
To experience winemaking in action, including grape stomping, don’t miss the Crush Festival at the Warehouse Winery District in late September.
Seattle & Northwest
West of the Cascades, you’ll find the expansive Seattle & Northwest wine touring region, including the Olympic Peninsula, Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, and up to Bellingham, along with Whidbey Island and the San Juans. This area includes the wet, cool Puget Sound AVA, the fourth established Washington AVA.
In Seattle, wineries such as Eight Bells, Cadence, and Latta Wines bring grapes in from Washington AVAs across the state to their production facilities and tasting rooms. On Bainbridge Island, Bainbridge Vineyards crafts certified organic wines thanks to the help of draft horses. Several wineries are also located on Whidbey Island, including Spoiled Dog Winery, which focuses on sustainably produced estate wines. In Port Townsend, Eaglemount Winery pours wine, mead, and cider at its 1883 farmstead.
To sample from an extensive range of Washington wine regions, Taste Washington is hosted in Seattle each March.
Spokane & Pullman
With seven tasting rooms downtown, all within a few-mile radius, Spokane has become a hub for wine tasting. Townshend Cellar, a B Corp Certified Winery, offers tastings in its urban winemaking facility. For a sweeping city view, add Arbor Crest Wine Cellars to your list. It sources fruit from Columbia Valley’s Sagemoor Vineyards, which has some of the state’s oldest vines. The tasting room is housed in the 1924 Cliff House Estate on meticulously maintained grounds.
In Spokane Valley, Latah Creek Wine Cellars has focused on Merlot, Pinot Gris, and Riesling using grapes from Ancient Lakes and Wahluke Slope. At Liberty Lake Cellars, enjoy a sunny afternoon on the grassy lawn playing cornhole while sipping Red Mountain reds. Farther south in Pullman, Merry Cellars offers indoor tasting amongst the barrels or outside with views of the rolling Palouse hills.
About the Author
Molly Allen is a freelance food and travel writer, hiker, and paddleboarder who has spent more than 14 years exploring the Pacific Northwest. When she’s not playing outside, you’ll find her perfecting her homemade pizza craft. Her work can be seen in Travel & Leisure, Wine Enthusiast, Business Insider, Taste of Home, and other publications.