Yakima Valley Wine Country

Last weekend we took a trip out to Yakima Valley to check out some familiar wineries as well as experiment with a few new ones. The weather was nice and not too hot, and the wineries were hopping as a result.

Overall, Yakima Valley wineries are booming. Several that we visited a few years ago that seemed small and quaint at the time have now built new buildings, expanded their facilities, and "glitzed up" their appearance. Of course, you always had the glitzy ones, and you still have the mom & pop ones. But in general, the movement seems to be towards the bigger and better (and, I hate to say it, just a touch more Napa/Sonoma). Fortunately, most tastings are still free and most makers are not snooty when it comes to sharing their wine with you.

Here's a few highlights (and lowlights) of the weekend:

Hyatt Vineyards - Our perennial favorite didn't fail to please. Several great wines at very reasonable prices, with a pleasant area outside of the tasting room to picnic, relax, look at the vines, or stare up at the windmill that graces their wines' label. We stocked up on a few bottles of the Black Muscat while there, which is an easy-drinking semi-sweet red.

Kiona Vineyards - I claim this is one of the best wineries in the region. One gets a very mom & pop feel as one walks into the basement of a house, which is the tasting room + gift shop. Kiona produces well over a dozen wines, each of them ranging in quality from great to amazing. Their dessert wines are especially good, with honey-like, creamy qualities.

Agate Field Vineyard - A relative newcomer under this name, but an experienced grape-grower and vintner nonetheless. Owner Ben Rashford is focusing on producing small runs of really good wine. They have two for sale and for tasting, both red, and both smooth and rich.

Seth Ryan Winery - Wasn't very impressed with Ryan's wines. Ironically, the cheaper ones were better than the more expensive, with their most expensive 1999 Jessica Meritage being the weakest. Too tangy and imbalanced, I suspect the proportions of the 5 grapes used for the mixtures to be the culprit.

Paradisos del Sol - One of our old favorite wineries left us with a (metaphorical) bad taste in our mouths in our most recent visit. The wines haven't changed that much (decent to quite good), but the experience in the tasting room was less than stellar. We were helped by a young woman who seemed more interested to tour her knowledge and her "way of doing things" than help us taste the wines and answer our questions. No, you can't rinse your glass. No, you can't taste that dip since we've moved on to different wines. Oh, and let me talk bad about the large party that was in here before you all. Watch the customer service in your tasting room, Paul!

Terra Blanca - A decent winery that's gone off the glitz end. A very large new building, built in the rustic Mediterranean style, has taken over their property. This was one of the more "Napa"-esque wineries that we visited, and we lamented at the loss of their previously quaint feel (not two years ago we picnicked on their lawn - now one feels like they may ruin their manicured lawn if one sits on it). The wines were good, but a bit on the spendy side for the quality.

Horizon's Edge - Come on guys, why are you not willing to offer at least some of your wines for free tastings? Nearly all of your competition does. Oh well, no thanks, then.