Now you can actually get VEGAN wine produced right here in Washington State.  The Klickitat Canyon Winery produces vegan wines, no sulfites added, no yeasts, has no residual sugars and all the of the grapes come from the Columbia Gorge and varietals are 100% pure.  For those that have been trying to find the perfect wines to fit with their vegan diet this is the place for you to go!

The grapes are the secret to the wines produced by this winery.  The owners believe that the grapes make the wine from the natural yeasts found on the grapes so they don’t have to add any additional chemicals.  The wine develops on its own merits and must be completely fermented to dryness before it is bottled.  They are a certified organic processor. 

The small Columbia Gorge Winery is a small winery owned and operated as a family business with great care and pride.  The vintner, Robin Dobson, takes great pride in producing wines that are unlike the wines in other vineyards and hopes that you will come and taste their wines.  Once you do they are sure you will come back time and again.

Robin was born in Berkeley, California.  He moved to Geneva, Switzerland at the age of 9.  He graduated from high school in Geneva, went on to college at UC Davis and then got her PhD in Plant Pathology at Washington State University.  He is now a botanist/ecologist with the US Forest Service as well as working at the winery.

Working with him at the winery are his brothers, Richard and Christopher, his mother Julie.  His young sons, Kiva, 14 and Tico, 9 along with his new partner Kathleen all help making the winery the place she loves and loves to share with you.

When you take a break from visiting the winery you may want to go wind surfing in the area around Hood River, Oregon.  The scenery is also beautiful so take the time to enjoy nature while you are in the area.

The grapes grown near Hood River typically ripen with more difficulty due to cooler temperatures compared to those at The Dalles and further east.  Across the Columbia River from Hood River is Underwood Mountain, an old volcano with deep volcanic soils.  Celilo Vineyard, from which they obtain most of the grapes for their Columbia Gorge label, is on Underwood Mountain.  This vineyard is developing a reputation for excellent grapes.

All of their wines are aged in oak and have relatively higher levels of acid and tannin than the wines of Oregon, California, and Eastern Washington.  The wines re made to be cellared and drunk with food, as is the European tradition.  Because of the process, the wines are very stable, and will not lose their flavor and freshness if left open.  How many times have you opened a bottle to have to discard it after the party or dinner is over because it won’t hold?  Most of the wines of this winery are best served at room temperature.

They produce only a very small quantity of wines each year (typically, only 600 cases).  So, if you want Vegan, Organic wine you will want to order early to make sure they are available.

Location:
Klickitat Canyon Winery
6 Lyle Snowden Road
Lyle, WA  98635

Phone & Fax (509) 365-2900

Email: klickitatwines@hotmail.com

Take Note: Visitors are welcome for wine tasting and tours:
Friday through Sunday 12-6 (Memorial Day – Labor Day)
Saturday and Sunday 12-6 (April 1st – Thanksgiving)
and other times by appointment
 

Klickitat Canyon Winery – Lyle, Washington (Columbia Gorge Winery) is a post from: Washington Tourism

Come to one of the newer vineyards in the Columbia River Gorge area, the Gorge Crest Vineyards.  With the first harvested grapes coming out in the fall of 2007 and is already ranked as one of the Top Ten Wineries in the State of Washington!  Rick Ensminger, the manager of Celilo Vineyards, which borders Gorge Crest, designed the vineyard.  With is knowledge of higher altitude, late season, varietals he knows what it takes to produce great grapes in this area.

The vineyard doesn’t try to achieve large yields, it goes for the smaller yields with highest quality.  With agreements with Celilo and the Columbia Gorge Appellation the vineyard will supplement production to get the quantity needed for making great wine for your pleasure.  These grapes are handcrafted to provide the perfect touch to produce great wines.  All the grapes are de-stemmed, crushed and pressed by hand to eliminate stem and skin bitterness which is caused by high pressure hydraulic equipment.

The tanks are hand siphoned for the clean juice off the top during fermentation so that transfer can take place without disturbing sediment.  The tanks at the winery are imported Italian stainless steel fermenting tanks produced by Marchisi.  When the wine is ready it is aged and racked in hand made barrels of French and American Oak.

The wines of this facility are the Gewurztraminer which is a dry Alsatian style white; Riesling with its candied apple and honeysuckle aromas, the Pinot Gris which is a dry white, Pinot Noir which is a Burgundian style, the Merlot with its coffee and ripe cherry flavor and the Syrah with a rich cedar and licorice flavor.  Try each and find the one that best suits your taste buds.  Enjoy the adventure of trying the newer wines and the environment of the area.

Gorge Crest Farms was once part of a large corporate farming operation.  Prior to that it was a dry-land orchard producing apples until "The Big Freeze" in the 1930’s took it out.  Then it was used to grow pears but that market also closed down so the land was then part of the large corporate farming operation.  In 2003 the owners of Gorge Crest purchased the parcel of land.  It is now a thriving farming operation with the goal of providing you with the best wines possible.

If you are looking for the perfect venue for your event then you may want to consider the Gorge Crest Vineyards.  It offers: Expansive views of the Columbia River Gorge and Hood River Valley with Mt. Hood looming in the background.

New traditional winery building with intimate inside settings. We are one of the only sites that offer an incredible indoor area as well as an outdoor area with views from both.

Indoor events room w/stone fireplace (in case of bad weather)

Elegant indoor bathrooms

Extensive manicured lawns

Outdoor dance floor

Covered porches

Indoor/outdoor bars (including a wine serving area)

Beautiful cobblestone patios

Three dedicated band locations w/necessary electrical

On-site parking facility and Valet Parking turn around

Directions: From the Portland Airport head South on I-205 (get in right lane from airport).  Look for signs that say “84 East –The Dalles”. Take 84 East for approximately 45 miles to Hood River.  Take exit 64 “Mt Hood”, turn left, go across the green bridge.  Turn left after bridge.  Go approximately 1.5 miles and take the 3rd right onto Cook Underwood Road.  Go 4.7 miles and turn right on Ausplund Rd.  Go .7 mile and turn left into “Gorge Crest Vineyards.”  There is a large rock sign at the bottom of the driveway.

Location: 461 Kollock Knapp Rd., Underwood, WA 98651

Phone: 509.493.2026
 

Gorge Crest Farms – Underwood, Washington is a post from: Washington Tourism

Come and visit this family owned and operated winery in the Columbia River Gorge and you may never want to leave.  The Columbia River Gorge area has become a wine Mecca of sorts for those who enjoy quality wines produced by small wineries.  The attention to detail, the careful selection of the grapes and the processing of the wines are of utmost importance to these vintners.

With the Jacob Williams Winery producing under 2000 cases of wine per year you can be assured that you are getting quality by perfectionists.  This winery works hard to provide you with the best wines since it is named after Brad Gearhart’s, the owner, sons!  With John Haw is the consultant for the winery.

The tasting room is in downtown Lyle so it’s easy for you to find.  Brad’s father, Len, runs the tasting room Friday through Sunday, Noon – 5 pm.  It is open from April through mid-December for your pleasure.  There will be a permanent production facility and tasting room emerging from the vineyards along the banks fo the Columbia River just off Hwy 14, but it isn’t completed yet so keep your eyes open for the big day!  It should be ready in the spring of 2010.

The wineries club boasts many special events throughout the year.  If you are a member you can enjoy such things as barbeques, barrel tastings and even Italian dinners.  You also receive a year-round discount on all wine purchases so check out becoming a member.  Becoming a member of the Wine Club is free.

Jacob Williams is currently producing Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Reserve Merlot, Syrah, Reserve Syrah, Zinfandel and Sadie Red, a special vintner’s blend named after the family dog. Stop in the tasting room and try these wines, you will be pleased you did.

Location of the production facility is in Hood River at 202 Wasco, right behind Wal-Mart.

Phone Number: 503-577-3906

Mailing Address: 34 State St, Lyle, WA 98635

E-mail Address: info@jacobwilliamswinery.com

Jacob Williams Winery – Lyle, Washington is a post from: Washington Tourism

There is a winery that truly fits the name it has chosen with Illusion.  Located in the hills above the Columbia River this small winery and tasting room opens for your enjoyment most weekends during the summer and over the holiday periods.  The winery and Dante’s Ranch Vineyard offers sweeping views of Dillacort Canyon, Swale Canyon, Stacker Butte ans well as Mount Adams, Mount Hood and a sliver of the Columbia River.  What a fabulous setting to sit back and enjoy a glass of quality wine.

The winery was founded in 2002.  The small production facility in Western Washington is not open to the public.  But the vineyard is and the tasting room so you will find yourself a wonderful bottle of wine to remember the fabulous views, nice people and the easy setting.

Not only will you enjoy your time at the winery but the activities available in the Columbia River Gorge will keep you busy from the time you arrive until you must leave.  Even though you probably will want to stay forever, sometimes home does call.  The Gorge is less and an hour east of Portland and just four hours from Seattle and offers world-class cuisine, hiking, fishing, windsurfing, museums and the unique opportunity to visit more than 30 wineries.

The wines that are available from Illusions are:
CURRENT RELEASES
2006 Pinot Gris, Yakima Valley
2006 Chardonnay, Yakima Valley
2004 Apparition, red table wine
2005 Syrah, Windy Ridge Vineyard, Horse Heaven Hills
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
2006 Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc, Aldercreek Vineyard

COMING UP IN 2009
2005 Apparition, red table wine, Columbia Valley
2007 Pinot Gris, Yakima Valley
2007 White Riesling, Yakima Valley
2007 Chardonnay, Yakima ValleyIN THE BARREL
2005 Windy Ridge Syrah port
2006 Syrah, Windy Ridge Vineyard
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Dionysus Vineyard
2006 Apparition, red table wine

2007 Syrah, Windy Ridge Vineyard
2007 Merlot, Bacchus Vineyard
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Dionysus Vineyard
2007 Apparition, red table wine
2007 Windy Ridge Syrah port

Dave and Dina Guest will welcome you to their winery and tell you the story of how it got started.  Enjoy the liesurly time visiting with others in the tasting room or sitting outside admiring the beauty.

Mailing address:
32446 Morgan Drive
Black Diamond, WA 98010

Winery address:
31 Schilling Road
Lyle, WA 98635

Email: illusion@sprintmail.com
 

Illusion Winery – Black Diamond, Washington is a post from: Washington Tourism

Come to visit this family-owned and operated winery and farm in the scenic Columbia River Gorge.  Meet the owners who have great stories to tell about how they got into the business.  Alexsis Pouillon got exposed to the winery business at Fetzer winery in Mendocino, California during the 1994 harvest.  He advanced from there to the world of winemaking in his won vineyard but you will need to hear more directly from him to get the full flavor of his journey.

His wife and partner, Juliet Pouillon, got her beginning on her second date with Alexis.  Prior to that she had lead a life as a farmer, dolphin trainer and theatrical director as well as a chef.  Time listening to her story will also be one that will have you sitting on the edge of your chair waiting for more of her adventures to unfold.

The winery is situated in the beautiful area of the Columbia River Gorge outside of Lyle. You will not only enjoy the wines but the scenery and the solace too.

They practice traditional artisan winemaking techniques.  They allow the wine to age in the cellar before bottling and labeling each bottle by hand.  They firmly believe that by using the time honored system of winemaking they are providing you with truly fines wine that is worth the wait.  The grapes are picked by hand in small lots when they are just right!  Come and enjoy the experience of this delightful winery.

The selection of wines available will have you so pleased you found this beautiful little winery.  Try their 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a wine that will make you sit back and take notice of the quality, flavor and aroma just waiting for you to enjoy.  Whether you choose to drink it now or to keep it for a few years, you will not be disappointed in this full bodied assault on your taste buds.  There are only so many bottles of this so get yours now.

If you prefer a dry rose’ then you will love the 2008 Rose’ available at the winery.  You will never forget what summer is like when you open this wine, the wine will bring summer to your senses!

The variety of selection, the quality of the wines and the delightful tasting room (tasting room is open to the public:
Thursday – Sunday from 11am-6pm
or by appointment)experience will have you coming back to the winery frequently and ordering from them when you can’t make a trip to the winery.

Location: 170 Lyle-Snowden Rd.  Lyle, WA 98635  

Phone: 509.365.2795 or Email: info@domainepouillon.com

Domaine Pouillon – Lyle, Washington is a post from: Washington Tourism

You really need to visit this winery when you are traveling through Washington.  Instead of the large size facility that you are accustomed to you will see a petite winery packed with oak barrels, locally manufactured stainless steel tanks and cursing/pressing equipment and pumps from right here in the good old USA!!  Because of the petite size of the winery everything is custom fit to work here.

The winery is located in the Columbia River Gorge area where the soil is just right to produce the quality wines this vineyard provides. Cascade Cliffs began planting Merlot in 1986 on land that is on a bench onehundred feet above the Columbia River and backed by the beauty of tall basalt cliffs giving the site a fabulous location for growing great grapes and producing great wines.  In time the vineyard became home to other classic varietals such as Petit Syrah, Nebbiolo, Zinfandel, Barbera, Syrah, and Caberet Sauvignon.

The Winemaker is Bob Lorkowski who grew up making wine.  His parents would fill the backseat of their car with fruit from the local farmer’s market and from that they would make wine.  He purchased the winery in 1997 and increased production from 2 to nearly 4 thousand cases focusing on Piedmont varietals.

The Vineyard offers primarily red wines.  If offers Bordeaux ans well as Piedmont.  The Bordeaux wines originally grew in the south of France and the Piedmont in northwest Italy. 

Cascade Cliffs’ signature style is to use multiple strains of oak in the aging process. The winery uses three strains of oak: French, Hungarian and American.

The winery has special events for Father’s Day Weekend, Independence Day Weekend, New Moon Party (in July), Anniversary party (August), Party at the Pumphouse, Harvest Party, Thanksgiving Weekend and the holiday Party in December.  Contact them for specific dates for these events and then go and join the fun!

Location: Cascade Cliffs
8866 Hwy 14, PO Box 14
Wishram, WA 98673

Phone:(509) 767-1100

Email: cascadecliffs@gorge.net

Cascade Cliffs Vineyard and Winery – Wishram, Washington is a post from: Washington Tourism

This winery isn’t one of the largest in the country, in fact, it does approximately 3,000 cases a year, but the wines are fabulous, just the way a small, family owned winery has the ability of providing.  The winery was started in 1999 by James and Poppie Mantone.  The innovative and careful crafting of the wines is due to the true concern to produce quality wines for the enjoyment of those that buy it.

There are a few wineries on the West Coast that use the Vino-Seal glass closures instead of the standard corks and the Syncline Winery is one of them.  It is a treat to find this quality available in wines from the small winery.

The Mantones produce well-structured, detailed and highly aromatic wines which are priced affordably.  They produce wines that are delightful to drink immediately or to be cellared. 

The Syncline Winery focuses on southern French varietals and explore the opportunities available with such grapes as cinsault, mourvedre, counoise and grenache as well as the syrah and viognier.  This offers the opportunity for you to taste some great wines of differing varieties.

They also make some of the most delightful pinot noir.  This is a unique opportunity to taste some quality wines made right here in Washington state!

The owners of the winery have events to offer the visitors to enjoy not only the wine but live music, food and special wines for sale.  Members of the Wine Club meet annually to enjoy a party for two nights of great friends and great wines.  If you are interested contact the winery and join their Wine Club.

The staff of the winery consists of James Mantone as the Winemaker, Vineyard Manager and founder of Syncline Wine Cellars.  He came from the Midwest, and worked at a number of wineries honing his craft before opening his own winery.  Along with James is his wife Poppie who is the Assistant Winemaker and Saleswoman.  She moved to Oregon from MA and became involved in the production of wine.  Now she is James’ right hand.

The winery is located along the Columbia River in southern Washington State.  Their  estate vineyard, Steep Creek Ranch, is located on a southern slope on the very eastern edge of the new Columbia Gorge AVA. Directly west of the vineyard and winery is a series of 300-foot cliffs rising up into the surrounding mountains straight out of the Columbia River. Locally known as the “Coyote Wall Syncline” and to geologists as the “Bingen Syncline,” this dramatic feature gives the winery its name. It is at this point that the rainy western Columbia Gorge transitions to the semi-arid eastern Gorge.

Syncline Wine Cellars
111 Balch Rd.
Lyle, WA 98635

Phone: 509.365.4361
Fax: 509-365-8012
 

Directions:
From Portland:
Follow interstate 84 east from the metro area to exit 64 "White Salmon/ Government Camp." Turn North and cross the Hood River Bridge to a "T" intersection at State Route 14. Turn east (right) and head to the tiny hamlet of Bingen (1 mile). From the eastern edge of Bingen, continue for 4 miles on Highway 14 east. Turn north (left) onto Old Highway 8. Drive for 3.5 miles. Turn north (left) onto Balch Rd. Turn left in 1/10th mile at second driveway #111.

From the Tri-Cities or the East:
Follow State Route14 along the north shore of the Columbia River to the hamlet of Lyle. At the western edge of Lyle, turn North (right) onto Old Highway 8. Drive for 3 miles, then right on Balch Rd. (NOTE: make sure it is the second Balch Rd on the right!).

Syncline Wine Cellars – Lyle, Washington is a post from: Washington Tourism

Pronounced "Ah-BAY-Ha" this winery stresses the importance of taking care of the land and the people that come to visit. 

Situated on a century-old farmstead in the foothills of the Blue Mountains you will be able to enjoy the beauty that has been created by nature and the hard work of the owners of this site.  The buildings have been carefully restored with an emphasis on craftsmanship and longevity.  Not only the wine will be worth a stop but so will looking at the beautiful buildings.  They used salvaged materials to add interest and set the stage for renewed purpose in the old buildings that now create the winery and the inn guest house.

With the passion for Cabernet Sauvignon the Harrison’s have chosen the Walla Walla location to produce their wines.  The climate is right and so is the soil.

When the farmstead was first built between 1903 and 1907 there were buildings used for typical farming use.  The Small Barn is now used to host winery guests whereas before it was the dairy.  The large barn housed the horses and mules and today..it is the winery.  The Chicken House and the Summer Kitchen were the first two cottages to be restored and now are used for guests that visit the winery. 

Surrounding the winery and inn are 35 acres of gardens, lawns, creeks and vineyards for the enjoyment of all that come here.  There are 5 suites for you to choose from if you decide that you want to spend more than just a little time at the winery.  The peace and quiet along with the beauty will make it a most enjoyable stay.

When you arrive, check out the winery and see the state of the art equipment and hard working team who make the fabulous wine the vineyard is known for producing. 

Location: 2014 Mill Creek Road
Walla Walla WA 99362

Phone: Winery (509)526-7400
Inn (509)522-1234

Email: info@abeja.net

Abeja Winery – Walla Walla, Washington is a post from: Washington Tourism

Situated on 243 acres in the Horse Heaven Hills Appellation is this winery ready to provide you with some of the Northwest regions best wines.  The Alexandria Nicole Cellars produces small lots of hand-crafted wine. 

The grapes are grown at Destiny Ridge Vineyards especially great for the growing of grapes with the ideal climate and soil quality.

Because of the size of the vineyard the grapes that are not used for the Alexandria Nicole Cellars are sold to other wineries in the area. 

Alexandria Nicole Cellars offers barrel tastings and tours of their facility.  You do need an appointment so make sure you call when you know you are going to be in the area.  Come and enjoy the warm and inviting space in which visitors can taste wine, enjoy tapas, and relax by the gas fireplace. This winery is he Alexandria Nicole Cellars experience is a combination of world-class wine meets Pottery Barn, perfect for your evening out.  The Cafe is open Thursday-Saturday 11:30 – 9 with live music every Thursday night from 7 – 9.

There is a lot involved with growing great grapes beyond planting them and hoping for rain.  At the vineyard the foreman is responsible for pruning, trellising, canopy and irrigation management, grapevine fertilization and mineral nutrition, plant propagation and selection, pest management and disease control, pesticide use and all the other things required to bring in the best fruit possible to make the best wines.  Not an easy task for anyone, but certainly a critical one.

Both red and white wines are available through the cellar.  Visit the tasting room and discover which of these outstanding wines the right one for you is.  They also have a wine bar and banquet facilities to accommodate you needs.

Owner: Destiny Ridge Winery, LLC Ali and Jarrod Boyle

Winemaker: Jarrod Boyle

Opened: 1998

Tasting Room: Open to the public. $5 tasting fee refundable upon purchase.

Location: 2880 Lee Road, Suite C • Prosser, WA 99350

Phone: 509.786.3497

From Seattle and points West
Driving Directions

# Take I-90 East to I-82, Exit 110.
# Merge onto I-82 East via Exit 110 toward Yakima.
# Take the WA-22 exit—Exit 82—toward Mabton/WA-221.
# Turn right onto WA-22/Wine Country Road.
# Turn left onto Benitz Road.
# Turn Right onto Lee Road.

From Spokane and points North & East
Driving Directions

# Take I-90 west toward Seattle.
# Merge onto US-395 South via Exit 220 toward Ritzville.
# Merge onto I-182 West via US-12 toward Richland.
# Merge onto I-82 W/US-12 toward Prosser
# Take the WA-22 exit—Exit 82—toward Mabton/WA-221.
# Turn right onto WA-22/Wine Country Road.
# Turn left onto Benitz Road.
# Turn Right onto Lee Road.

To the Vineyard Destiny Ridge

From Seattle and points West

# Take I-90 East to I-82, Exit 110.
# Merge onto I-82 East via Exit 110 toward Yakima.
# Take the WA-22 exit—Exit 82—toward Mabton/WA-221.
# Turn left onto WA-22/Wine Country Road.
# Turn left onto WA-22 for 1.5 miles.
# Turn left onto hwy 221 continue until you reach hwy 14.
# Turn right onto hwy 14 for 13 miles until you reach mile marker #155
# Turn right onto Sonova Road, head to the big Red building Alexandria Nicole Cellars

Prosser Tasting Room Hours:          Daily: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Woodinville Tasting Room Hours:     THUR – MONDAY 12:00 am – 5:00 p.m.
Closed on:   
    *  Mother’s Day 
    * Labor Day
    * Thanksgiving
    * Christmas
    * New Year’s Day
    * Super Bowl Sunday

Alexandria Nicole Cellars – Prosser, Washington is a post from: Washington Tourism