Washington Wine Country

The Washington wine industry has quickly emerged as an international player in producing quality wines. The state's grape production has doubled over the past 10 years to keep pace with the growing number of wineries around the region. Today, there are more than 240 wineries throughout Washington and vineyards are found everywhere from the greater Puget Sound region to the heart of Washington wine country in Yakima Valley and Walla Walla Valley. With long, hot summer days and cool evenings, the wine regions of Southeastern Washington are known for producing robust Merlots and Cabernet Sauvignons that have earned their appellations and their vintners prized reputations. Popular white wines from the region are made from the varietals of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Gewürztraminer.

Tour Puget Sound wineries

With many wineries just a 30-minute drive from Seattle, day trips are an excellent opportunity to explore the wines made in the Puget Sound region. An afternoon of wine tasting can begin in the University District and then amble on over to East King County and Woodinville or south of downtown. Wineries throughout the area offer an array of experiences from tasting rooms in private homes to chateaux with ample grounds for picnics and room-enough to host concerts in the summer. Many of the wines produced in Puget Sound are made from grapes grown on the east side of the state, but some of the 30 or so wineries in this appellation use grapes grown in Puget Sound. Varietals well suited to the region's mild, dry summers include Madeleine Angevine, Siegerebbe and Muller-Thurgau.

Washington wine country tour

Walla Walla is a popular destination for those planning to spend a weekend traveling through Washington wine country. The city, 280-miles southeast of Seattle, has become an attractive tourist destination with its hotels, restaurants, shopping district and wine tasting rooms. Walla Walla also hosts a variety of events throughout the year from a spring release weekend in early May to a holiday barrel tasting in December. The central location of this city is ideal for exploring the 40 or so wineries within the Walla Walla Valley appellation and makes the town an excellent starting or stopping point for tours of wineries in the Yakima Valley and Columbia Valley appellations to the west.

Related links: