As a recent transplant to the sunny side of the state, I can attest to the ever-growing number of wineries in Eastern Washington. From expansive vineyards to boutique tasting rooms spread out over hundreds of miles, it can be hard to plan a trip that makes you feel like you really tasted Washington wine.
There are over 20 wine-growing regions in Washington state, plus popular towns like Prosser and Tri-Cities that boast their fair share of tasting rooms. To help make sense of it all, I’ve created a roundup of my favorite Washington wines and wineries! And if you’re curious about what makes Washington wine so darn special, check out my updated Washington wine guide!
Best Wineries in Eastern Washington State
These are some of my favorite wineries in Eastern Washington. I’ve organized them from west to east, assuming you’re traveling from the Seattle area. Some of these wineries are run by my friends, but I’ve genuinely selected spots I can personally say have some amazing juice!
Treveri Cellars
Location: Wapato
Region: Yakima Valley
Wines to try: Sparkling Gewürztraminer, Blanc de Blancs Brut
Highlights: 100% single-varietal wines, vineyard views
I always know when I’ve crossed the threshold into Washington Wine Country when I reach Treveri Cellars, a family-owned sparkling wine house based in Yakima. They specialize in Méthode Traditionnelle sparkling wines, using both traditional grapes, such as Chardonnay, along with less conventional grapes, like Riesling and Mueller-Thurgau.
Wautoma Springs
Location: Prosser
Region: Columbia Valley
Wines to try: El Prat red blend, Fork & Spoon Cabernet France
Highlights: Curated food menu, wine village
Located in Prosser’s Vintner’s Village with Airfield Estates, Martinez & Martinez, and Thurston Wolfe, Wautoma Springs produces small-batch wines that showcase the Columbia Valley. Their tasting room has a variety of tapas and provisions that pair perfectly with the wines, which range from zesty Albariño to their deep, dark Cabernet Franc.
Alexandria Nicole Cellars
Location: Prosser
Region: Horse Heaven Hills
Wines to try: Jet Black Syrah, Purple Reign Grenache, Sherpard’s Mark white blend
Highlights: A wide selection of Washington wines
Alexandria Nicole Cellars has been a steadfast figure in the Washington wine scene since 2001. Today, they have several tasting rooms in Woodinville, at their estate in Destiny Ridge, and in Prosser near the Port of Benton’s Wine and Food Park.
Their Prosser location shares walls with Tirriddis and Narratif, two exciting up-and-coming wineries worth popping in to try. They produce a wide variety of wines that showcase the best examples of Horse Heaven Hills and the surrounding Columbia Valley.
DavenLore
Location: Prosser
Region: Yakima Valley
Wines to try: Petite Sirah, sweet Riesling, Tempranillo
Highlights: Beautiful view, small-batch wines
Nestled into the peaks of Horse Heaven Hills, DavenLore is a short drive from Prosser but totally worth it for the expansive vineyard views and unique wines. Owner and winemaker Gordon Taylor produces less than 2,000 cases per year, and each wine is hand-harvested. Red blends are DavenLore’s signature.
Kiona Vineyards
Location: Benton City (Red Mountain)
Region: Red Mountain
Wines to try: Lemberger, Chenin Blanc
Highlights: Gorgeous view & lesser-known styles
In the heart of Red Mountain lies Kiona Vineyards. They are formed by five distinct sites, all on Red Mountain. Most of their wines are estate-grown, showcasing the best examples Red Mountain has to offer. Expect everything from bold reds to the rarely-seen Lemberger. Even white wine–on Red Mountain!
Hightower Cellars
Location: Benton City (Red Mountain)
Region: Red Mountain
Wines to try: Out of Line Vineyard Estate Red, Red Willow Cabernet Franc, & Syrah Rosé
Highlights: Gorgeous view, simple food pairings & your friendly vineyard dog
Just minutes from Kiona is Hightower Cellars, run by Kelly and Tim Hightower. Tim is the winemaker and produces exceptional Bordeaux varietals from their Red Mountain vineyard, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and one of my favorites, their Syrah rosé.
When you visit, make sure to give their golden lab a bell rub!
Col Solare
Location: Benton City (Red Mountain)
Region: Red Mountain
Wines to try: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Highlights: Gorgeous view & world-class Washington reds
Italian for “shining hill,” Col Solare is a partnership between the longstanding Washington State’s Chateau Ste. Michelle and Tuscany’s Marchesi Antinori. The goal was simple: Show off the best examples of Washington Cabernet. Between the estate and select partnerships, these wines are rich and bold—a perfect balance of deeply flavorful Washington fruit and rich Tuscan winemaking traditions.
Barnard Griffin
Location: Richland
Region: Columbia Valley
Wines to try: Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, rosé of Sangiovese, and Cotes du Rob Blanc
Highlights: Washington wines at varying price levels
One of the first wineries to put Washington state on the map, Barnard Griffin sources grapes from multiple vineyards across the Columbia Valley. Their single-vineyard reserve wines are highly sought-after for their rich flavor and expression, while their entry-level blends receive the same attention to detail at an approachable price point.
If you have the time, sign up for a class at the owner’s glass studio, db Glass Studio.
Palencia & Monarcha Winery
Location: Kennewick
Region: Red Mountain & Columbia Valley
Wines to try: GSM, Malbec, Albariño
Highlights: Spanish food truck, regular live events
Palencia Winery is run by Victor Palencia, who immersed himself in the study of wine, learning from his father the importance of tending to the vines. He specializes in Spanish and Bordeaux varietals, including Albariño, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec, to name a few.
His winery is based in Kennewick at the Columbia Garden Urban Wine Village, along with three other wineries, including Muret-Gaston, Gordon Estate, and Bartholomew Winery. When you’re hungry, the Village has several food truck options, including Culture Shock Bistro, a Spanish-PNW-fusion truck owned by Palencia Winery.
L’Ecole No. 41
Location: Lowden/Walla Walla
Region: Walla Walla
Wines to try: Merlot, Syrah
Highlights: Historic Walla Walla winery, downtown wine bar
The third winery established in Walla Walla, L’Ecole No. 41 produces the wines Walla Walla is known for: Big, bold, intensely concentrated Cabernet, Merlot, and Syrah. You can taste through their collection at the winery in Lowden or visit their Heritage Wine Bar downtown and be near the likes of Seven Hills Winery and Browne Family Vineyards.
