Central Washington Wineries

Brief Overview of the Winery

Central Washington brings together a large and diverse wine community in a landscape of fertile valleys and sun-drenched slopes. The region encompasses over 50,000 acres of vineyards and more than 900 wineries, attracting visitors to tasting rooms and wine bars in towns such as Ellensburg, Cle Elum and Roslyn. It is a region where local grape varieties and the collaboration between wine producers and growers set the stage for many different wine experiences.

History

The text presenting Central Washington's wineries highlights the region's size and growth as one of the largest wine regions in the USA. The large area of vineyards and the extensive number of wineries has led to a dense network of tasting rooms and wine bars in local town centers. A concrete, documented example of a newer establishment is Fortuity Cellars in Ellensburg, founded in 2017, and working closely with grape growers in Yakima Valley to select fruit. Other players such as Swiftwater Cellars were founded inspired by the owners' travels and aim to combine elegant settings with local food and wine experiences. Over time, the region's availability of tasting rooms, events and dining has made Central Washington a more visible destination for wine enthusiasts.

Grapes and Production

The production uses Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Malbec and Muscat Ottonel. The grapes come from Central Washington—Yakima Valley. Special production characteristics include collaboration with local grape growers to select fruit, broad cultivation of both red and white grape varieties for different wine styles, and tasting rooms and wine bars as local showcases for the wines.

Wineries

The region's 'offerings' consist of the total array of wineries, tasting rooms and wine bars rather than a single product line. Visitors encounter a wide selection of red and white wines from the mentioned grape varieties and various growers in Yakima Valley and Central Washington. The places range from small local wine bars such as CORKS in Roslyn to wineries with their own tasting facilities like Fortuity Cellars and Swiftwater Cellars, and several combine tastings with small bites and bistro offerings, such as BRIX Wine Bar & Restaurant.

Visit the Winery

Guests can visit the region's tasting rooms and wine bars directly; there is a visitor center in Ellensburg at 609 N. Main St, which serves as a local point of contact. Several places offer open tastings, events and small bites. Examples of places with public tastings and events are CORKS (Roslyn), Swiftwater Cellars (Cle Elum), Upsidedown Wine (Cle Elum), Fortuity Cellars (Ellensburg), Gård Vintners (Ellensburg) and BRIX Wine Bar & Restaurant (Ellensburg). Information on specific opening hours and bookings can be found at each location.

Philosophy and Craftsmanship

In Central Washington, many producers place a high value on collaborating with local grape growers to ensure fruit of the desired quality. There is a strong emphasis on letting the Yakima Valley's expression and the region's terrain come through in the glass. At the same time, many players prioritize creating visiting experiences where wine is presented in combination with local menus, events and an atmosphere suited for both relaxed tastings and larger events.