Several Yakima Valley Wineries Give You Wines With a View

Many of Washington’s tasting rooms come with an added bonus during your visit: being able to enjoy the wines with a view.

Whether they’re perched on a hilltop overlooking a surrounding valley or steps away from an outdoor patio nestled in the vineyards, winery tasting rooms frequently provide a tranquil setting and beautiful scenery to accompany the great wines they serve.

And don’t think that just because we’re moving into the fall and winter months there won’t be much to see and do outdoors. Autumn is one of my favorites seasons to pay a visit to Eastern Washington.

Not only do you get some breathtaking fall colors within the red to yellow spectrum, the daytime temperatures can still easily reach the upper 60’s and low 70’s with nearly always dry conditions. That’s a welcome break from the gray, drizzly days we westsiders begin to see far too much of this time of year.

There are a number of greater Yakima-area wineries that give you expansive, unobstructed views of the Yakima Valley. Do some tasting, purchase a glass or bottle, bundle up if you need to, and sit back and enjoy the scenery at these three options:

Hyatt Vineyards (pictured above) – Still going strong after 25-plus years, this Zillah winery has always offered very reasonably priced wines. If you haven’t been there as of late (like me) you might be impressed (as I was) with how solid and true-to-the varietal these wine are.

Try the 2012 Pinot Gris (about $10) with tropical/lemony flavors and a splash of residual sugar to the balance out the brisk acidity or the 2011 Zinfandel (about $15) with touches of bittersweet chocolate, dried cherry, black plum and spicy pepper.

For a small step up in price, the winery also produces some very nice wines under their Roza Ridge second label.

Knight Hill Winery – Not far from Hyatt, and with even more spectacular views, is this winery situated in the Rattlesnake Hills Appellation.

Be sure to check out their 2012 Verdelho (about $15). It carries distinct aromas and flavors of toasted coconut along with a hint of spiced pear and a creamy finish. The rarity of this wine among Washington winegrowers alone makes it worth seeking out.

Windy Point Vineyards – Closer to Yakima, the Frank Lloyd Wright-style tasting room overlooking the valley includes a full kitchen, tasting bar and lounge and dining areas.

Take a stroll through the nearby rose gardens and then enjoy a taste of the 2007 Pointless Red (about $17), an approachable blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.