Thank you for your interest in the Yakima Valley...

Hello Kirsten,

Thank you for your interest in visiting Yakima Valley Wine country. June is a wonderful time to come wine tasting in the Yakima Valley. The days are warm and, being desert, the evenings can be cool enough for a sweater.

The Yakima Valley is 2 ½ hours from Seattle over Snoqualmie Pass (I-90). You can enter the Yakima Valley by continuing on I-82 East or you may choose to follow the Yakima River Canyon Scenic Byway (Hwy. 821) with its beautiful views of the river. The difference in time is about 10 minutes longer but it is certainly worth it for the scenery. Choosing I-82 East, you climb over the tops of the hills and over the last ridge see the Yakima Valley spread out before you.

From your letter, it sounds like Saturday will be your wine touring day. You have a few options, the Rattlesnake Hills offers wineries in the midst of the vineyards approximately 20 minutes south of Yakima. There are about 20 wineries to choose from in this area, from small unique tasting rooms to estate wineries, they are all different. If you are looking for a light lunch, Bonair Winery offers a light $5.00/plate Tapas menu and may even offer live music on Saturday afternoon.

If you choose to continue further down the valley to Prosser, you will find a dozen wineries in a two block area. Seven beautiful big winery buildings, such as Olsen Estates, Airfield Estates, Thurston Wolfe, and Milbrandt to name a few. The other tasting rooms can be found all in one building. On a summer weekend you will find a few will offer a tapas menu for lunch, such as Milbrandt. Prosser is also the home of the original retail store for Chukar Cherries, chocolate covered dried cherries, they usually have samples to enjoy. (Yum) Keep in mind that wineries may be having special events during your weekend stay and you may want to consider this in choosing which you would like to visit.

Slightly south of Prosser is the Red Mountain AVA, consisting of a dozen wineries surrounded by vineyards. Most of them are located on Sunset Road. Taptiel Winery features a beautiful view from the top of the Hill. Many excellent wines to taste here.

There are limo companies that offer tours such as Sunwest Limosine, or A&A Motorcoach which can accommodate any size group from 4 up. There is also Yakima Valley Tours which offers a luxury van tour of the wineries you would choose to visit.

Kirsten, staying in Yakima is a great option because you can enjoy the wineries in the vineyards during the day and then the downtown Yakima night life. The winery tasting rooms in downtown Yakima, stay open later in the evening than the wineries in the vineyards and offer live music, as well as the late night live music offered at the Sportscenter Restaurant, the Seasons Performance Hall, or Capital Theater presentations. If you are choosing this, there are hotels that are within walking distance of these activities, such as the Hilton Garden Inn, in the middle of downtown Yakima, the Red Lion Hotel, 2 blocks to the east, the Holiday Inn DowntownHoward Johnsons Hotel and Holiday Inn Express. Be sure to check our event page at Visityakimavalley.org for an updated list of activities and events offered during your weekend stay. This list is constantly being revised. (Yakima’s newest hotel), a block further would be the

For a special treat before you leave on Sunday, consider a spa treatment at Ummelina’s International Day Spa and Global remedies. They offer a variety of relaxing rejuvenating spa experiences. Ummelina’s is open at 10:00am on Sunday, in time for you to relax before the drive home.

When you arrive please stop at the Yakima Valley Visitor Information Center, Exit 33a off I-82 E . We will be able to assist you with maps and current event information.

I know you and your friends will enjoy your visit to the Yakima Valley.

Tourism Matters!

Tourism Ambassador for South East Washington, from the Yakima Valley, is Martin Olsen of Olsen Estates Winery.

Martin says "People are just starting to learn about the Yakima Valley and its richness. What we've got here is something really special." The amount of growth and infrastructure here in the past five years is really measureable. I think that's all directly related to tourism....."

Come to the Yakima Valley for Spring Barrel Tasting April 24-26 and ask Martin "Why Tourism Matters!"

Spring Barrel Tasting,the last weekend in April is a great opportunity to learn about the growth of the wine industry in the Yakima Valley, take tours of the vineyards, talk to the winemakers, learn about food and wine pairing or just sample great wine, bask in the sunshine and listen to live music.

April 24-26: Come experience springtime in full bloom in the Yakima Valley! Meet Martin, his brother Leif and winemaker, Kyle Johnson at Olsen Estates for a guided tour of Olsen Brothers Ranches 2,600-acre Olsen farm started by his father 25 years ago. The Olsen family has a 100 years of interesting history in the Yakima Valley, maybe Martin will share more of his families saga. The tour will begin at Olsen Estates winery, where you board a bus and travel 15 minutes to the farm visit several vineyard sites, get an overview of the Olsen’s diversified crop production, which include cherries, apples, hops, and blueberries. The tour concludes at sunset among the vineyards atop Olsen Hill, with wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres. Package includes a photo keepsake to take home as a reminder of your Spring Barrel Tasting weekend! $50/person, 20 people max 3:00 - 6:00 PM

OR

April April 24-26: Kick off your Spring Barrel Tasting weekend with our Vine to Wine tour at Olsen Estates! On Friday from 3-6pm, the Olsen's are offering a guided tour of Olsen Brothers farm and vineyards, including wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres ($50/person). Then, relax on the patio where we’ll be featuring the smooth sounds of R&B guitarist, Wayman Chapman, on Friday and Saturday afternoons. Tapas available, as well as barrel samples and wines by the glass or bottle. $5 event fee (waived with Wine Yakima Valley premiere pass). 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM Olsen Estates Winery.

Check the numerous events happening at over 60 wineries in the Yakima Valley during Spring Barrel Tasting Weekend.

There is something for every member of your family, Bike Rides, Dinosaurs, winemaker dinners, art and craft fairs,Fresh Asparagus,antique car show, fun, live music at wineries, wine tasting, dueling pianos, BBQ oysters, sunshine, evening wine tasting & live music, dancing in downtown Yakima at the Sportscenter and Taste of Washington and much more!