The Yakima Valley is Washington State’s original wine region — the first American Viticultural Area established north of California — cradling the state’s largest concentration of vineyards along the Yakima River in the warm, dry high desert of south-central Washington. Home to prestigious sub-appellations including Red Mountain, it produces nearly 40% of the state’s wine grapes.
Designated Washington’s first AVA in 1983, it now contains five nested sub-AVAs — Red Mountain, Rattlesnake Hills, Snipes Mountain, Candy Mountain and Goose Gap — in a Cascade rain shadow that depends on snowmelt irrigation.
Tapteil Vineyard Winery
Enjoy panoramic views of the Yakima Valley and Red Mountain AVA from this hilltop winery at the end of Sunset Road. In addition to its own estate winery, Tapteil Vineyard grows grapes for many outstanding wineries in ...
Explore Tapteil Vineyard Winery →Know the wines of Yakima Valley AVA
Wineries to visit
Best time to visit Yakima Valley AVA
Five distinct tasting areas — Yakima, Naches Heights, Zillah, Prosser and Red Mountain — lie within about 70 miles, alongside breweries, cideries and the valley’s famous hop farms. The calendar is anchored by Spring Barrel Weekend (late April) and the harvest-season Catch the Crush (October).
More about Yakima Valley AVA
Wineries to Visit in the Yakima Valley
- Kiona Vineyards & Winery (Red Mountain) — the pioneer that planted the sub-region’s first vineyards in 1975 and was one of four wineries operating when the AVA was designated.
- Col Solare (Red Mountain) — a luxury Cabernet estate founded in 1995 as a partnership between Chateau Ste. Michelle and Tuscany’s Marchesi Antinori.
- Owen Roe (Wapato) — Washington and Oregon varietals with seated tastings and Mt. Adams views.
- Treveri Cellars (Wapato) — Washington’s dedicated sparkling-wine house, made in the traditional method.
Yakima Valley Wine Tours
Most packaged tours run from Seattle; locally, guided van and e-bike tours cover the Zillah, Prosser and Red Mountain areas: