Yakima Valley’s sagebrush-dotted high-desert terrain, spectacular mountain ranges and deep gorges formed by ancient volcanoes and Ice Age floods will simply take your breath away. It's an area that possesses exceptional growing conditions, making it the perfect location for wine grapes to thrive. In fact, one third of Washington’s wine grapes are grown in the fertile soils of Yakima Valley. Their 14.7 hours per day gives them an average of 2 extra hours more sunlight than California’s prime growing region, resulting in fruit with high natural acids and rich and balanced wines. After a day of wine tasting in Yakima (read about it here) and the surrounding areas we headed east to Prosser (still within the Yakima Valley AVA), home of several dozen wineries.
This is part 2 of a 3-part series of wine tasting in Yakima Valley. Be sure to read all about Day 1: Three Glorious Days of Wine Tasting in Yakima Valley here, and Day 3: Yakima Valley’s Craft Spirits, Great Wine, and An Award-Winning Pale Ale here.
Our first stop was Vintner’s Village, a convenient cluster of 10 wineries all within walking distance. Just off I-82 (exit 80), Vintner’s Village is the perfect place to spend a day wine tasting without all the driving. Pack a lunch and picnic at any of the wineries, dine at Wine o’Clock Wine Bar, or enjoy a seated tasting at Milbrandt Vineyards, our first stop in the Village.
Milbrandt Vineyards
Milbrandt Vineyards planted their first vines in the Columbia Valley AVA in 1997. Today, they farm 12 distinct estate vineyard sites and their grapes are purchased by some of the most prestigious wineries in the state. Their vineyards are concentrated in the Ancient Lakes area (currently under application for official AVA status), an area noted for exceptional Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris; and in the Wahluke Slope AVA, where temperatures are among the highest in the state and the lowest annual precipitation. Milbrandt Vineyards launched their own winery in 2005 and produce wines from both their own estate and neighboring vineyards. In 2007 they launched the Milbrandt Vineyard label. They were awarded Best Red Wine for its 2011 Brother’s Blend at the Seattle Wine and Food Experience 2014. Stop by Milbrandt Vineyards for a wine flight paired with delicious foods.
Thurston Wolfe
Dr. Wade Wolfe and Rebecca Yeaman started the Thurston Wolfe Winery in 1987, where they specialize in unique red and white table and dessert wines in small case lots. Their knowledge of the area’s vineyards and their passion for blending has resulted in some exceptional wines such as their award-wining PGV, a blend of 63% Pinot Gris, 34% Viognier, and 3% Orange Muscat. This intensely rich, food-friendly wine has deep fruit flavors and a lovely crisp finish. An up and coming grape in Washington’s wine country is the Lemberger, an Austrian variety (where it is known as Blaufrankisch). Though this grape has been grown in the area since the 70s, it’s not commonly found. Thurston Wolfe produces both a blend (D.R. Wolfe’s Family Red 2011 contains 20%) and single varietal Lemberger. It’s a fruity, full-bodied wine that pairs beautifully with a wide range of dishes. Other wines to try are their award-winning Howling Wolfe Zinfandel, aged in both American and French oak, and their intensely fruity Viognier (also an award-winner). In addition to the exceptional wines, Chance, the winery’s rescue dog, makes this winery a must-visit!
Kestrel Vintners
About one minute down the road you’ll find Kestrel Vinters. Founder John Walker (b. 1925 - d. 2010) figured he couldn’t name his winery “Johnny Walker’s,” so he named it after the kestrel falcon (the smallest North American raptor), which can be found protecting the vineyards from unwelcome critters. Their 126-acre estate vineyard sits high on “the Roza” (the Roza Irrigation District) and is home to some of the oldest Cab Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malbec, and Merlot vines in the state, which date back to the early 70s. Try their wild yeast, low oak Burgundy-style Chardonnay. Kestrel is unique in that they are one of only a few vineyards in the state growing the “shy bearing” Chardonnay “Wente” clone. This variety produces modest quantities of high quality fruit with a different aroma and flavor profile of what one typically expects in a Chardonnay (due to the difference in clones). While still possessing typical Chardonnay notes (honeysuckle, floral, citrus), the Wente clone has hints of minerality, spice and subtle notes of Muscat. Taste a bit from each of their four lines (Artist, Flacon Series, Winemakers Select and Signature Series), but linger a bit longer over their Signature Series, a splendid showcase of old vine wines. In addition to the Chardonnay we sipped some of their spectacular old vine wines, a 2010 Sangiovese, and enjoyed a Sauvignon Blanc paired with a seared scallop over an apple fennel salad prepared by Executive Chef Jessica Smith. Feeling peckish? Stock up on artisan cheeses and an assortment of charcuterie from their well-curated deli case.
14 Hands Winery
Next stop was the stunning new home (winery and tasting room) of 14 Hands Winery. The beautiful, modern structure, designed to highlight the unique history of Eastern Washington wines and the Horse Heaven Hills where the small (only 14 hands high, hence the label’s name), wild mustangs once roamed. The new space features a beautiful (and roomy!) tasting bar and area, a unique barrel room, and fabulous indoor and outdoor seating areas. Try their expanded collection of 14 Hands “The Reserve” wines, like their 2010 The Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, a bold and jammy wine with concentrated fruit flavors and hints of chocolate. This wine lingers on the palate with just the right amount of tannins. While the weather is still warm, enjoy a tasting of their bright and tropical 2012 The Reserve Sauvignon Blanc. This lush and lively wine with its hints of citrus is perfect on warm Yakima Valley day with its typical bluer than blue skies. Take a glass outside, enjoy the view, and imagine the sounds of wild mustangs in the distance.
Walter Clore Wine & Culinary Center / MOJAVE of Desert Wind Winery
Our final destination of the day took us to The Walter Clore Wine & Culinary Center, located in Prosser just off I-82 (exit 82) and a hop, skip, and a jump from Vintner’s Village. This must-see learning center, named after the “Father of Washington Wine” Walter Clore, is designed to promote Washington State’s quality and diverse wines and foods through engaging and experiential activities like tastings, cooking classes, and more. For instance, sample four different Chardonnays aged in different oaks or compare wines from four different AVAs - all in one tasting room. Displays and exhibits will outline topics such as the history of Washington wine, key players in the Washington wine industry, irrigation technology, unique attributes of the various AVAs, and the farm-to-table process. Guests will be able to watch a culinary demonstration in the demo kitchen, or even host their own event in the indoor/outdoor space with stunning vineyard and Yakima River views. They’ll celebrate their official grand opening on May 30, 2014, so be sure to check out this fabulous new center conveniently located next to Desert Wind Winery.
After enjoying a number of wines in the Clore tasting room, we entered their amazing demo kitchen for a dinner prepared by Chef Kristin Johnson of MOJAVE, Desert Wind’s Southwest-inspired restaurant with a Northwest twist. Local ingredients and wines (both by Desert Wind and local neighbors) were paired to perfection by Chef Johnson. Do not miss her Hand Cut Truffle-Rubbed Ribeye! See the full menu here.
A peek at our fabulous dinner that night..
Prosciutto-wrapped Asparagus with Aioli
Spring Greens Salad with Candied Walnuts and Radishes
Blood Orange Crêpe Suzette
Getting around…
Let Eric Miller, owner of WineriesExpress.com, be your designated driver! Wineries Express helps connect customers with producers in an upbeat, educational, entertaining and safe manner. Wineries Express is a charter service offering individuals, couples, and small groups tours to be driven in comfort and safety across the many estates in the Yakima area while offering wine education and ambassadorship. Click here for more information and to reserve a coach.
