Rattlesnake Hills

You’ll get a stunner of a view of the Yakima Valley [1] and the looming, majestic Mt. Adams from Sagelands Vineyard’s (71 Gangl Road, Wapato, 509/877-2112, www.sagelandsvineyard.com [2]) hilltop location. Be sure to check out the stonework and beautifully carved doors at the lodge-style tasting room. Try the merlot and cabernet sauvignon during tasting hours (10 a.m.–5 p.m. Mar.–Oct., noon–5 p.m. Nov.–Feb.), or schedule a winery tour to get a closer look at the operation.

The pleasantly fragrant vineyard grounds at Bonair Winery (500 S. Bonair Rd., Zillah, 509/829-6027, www.bonairwine.com [3], 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily) also present great views of the mountain and of nearby orchards. Stop by the shady pond to give Bonair’s resident Aussie shepherd dog a scritch behind the ears before heading into the new pale-yellow French chateau tasting room. You’ll be greeted with a smile by the friendly owners, who have the gift of gab. Call ahead to arrange a guided vineyard or winery tour ($10).

Sit on a bench near a giant wine barrel to sip a glass and survey the surroundings at the Hyatt Vineyards Winery (2020 Gilbert Rd., Zillah, 509/829-6333, www.hyattvineyards.com [4], 11 a.m.–5 p.m. daily April–Oct., 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m. daily Nov.–Dec. and Feb.–Mar., closed Jan.). An immaculate lawn, colorful rose garden, and a giant windmill sit directly outside the tasting room patio. Surrounding them are acres of orderly vineyard rows just waiting to be photographed.

The historic McDonald Mercantile building houses Piety Flats Winery (11 a.m.–5 p.m. Fri.–Sun., closed Dec.–Feb.). Surrounded by a lawn and picnic table shaded by young walnut trees, this 1911 country store building nostalgically offers bric-a-brac, candies, and gourmet foods to go along with the wine tastings.

The mezzanine tasting room at Silver Lake Winery (1500 Vintage Rd., Zillah, 509/829-6235, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Thurs.–Mon. Dec.–Mar., 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily Apr.–Nov.) affords a nice vineyard view and windows into the winery’s distilling operation. The patio and porch are especially pretty in the fall when the leaves begin to turn. Silver Lake also offers barbecue dinners on Saturdays.

You’ll wind through gravel roads hugged by grapevine to get to the barrel room tasting bar at Portteus Vineyards (5201 Highland Dr., Zillah, 509/829-6970, www.portteus.com [5], noon–5 p.m. daily in summer, call for winter hours). Don’t let the warehouse-like atmosphere scare you away—the winemakers here produce some prized reds.