Prosser is on the way from
Tri-Cities to
Yakima along I-82, but it's hardly a mere pitstop -- there are more than 30 wineries pouring tastes in this town. Still, you'd be forgiven for not immediately realizing this, since many wineries are right off the highway, mixed in cheerfully with fast food joints and gas stations, making it an unusual, if convenient, wine-tasting destination. The wineries have come here as a result of significant
local government encouragement -- two areas of town, just off the highway, were designated for winemakers, many of whom have opened tasting rooms here, even though their vineyards are in other places around the state. But don't mistake the slightly-canned feel of planned modern development with sub-par wines -- the wineries here may have new facilities, but they practice the age-old craft of wine making (utilizing estate grapes as well as grapes from surrounding AVAs) with panache.
Visit Prosser Wineries
List of Prosser-area wines, alphabetically and by varietal.
- Vintner's Village area: This cluster of about a dozen wineries is just off I-82 on the north end of town, and while the setting certainly lacks the traditional winery ambience -- highway instead of sweeping winery views -- the wineries and their tasting rooms feature impressive interior design, along with excellent wines. It's also quite convenient, since most wineries are an easy walk from one another. You'll probably spot Airfield Estates (560 Merlot Drive) from the highway, since the winery has duplicated the look of the World War II airfield that was once on the owner's family's land nearby. (The structure that looks like a vintage air traffic control tower is actually a recreated water tower.) Also of note here is The Winemaker's Loft (357 Port Avenue), an incubator where six emerging wine makers have tasting rooms.
- Wine and Food Park area:
Another cluster of wineries is off the highway east of downtown Prosser, at exit 82. There's a bit more ambiance out this way, and wineries like Kestrel Vintners (2890 Lee Road) make the most of it, using clever landscaping to create pleasant outside seating areas. Kestrel also provides light lunches and has an impressive cheese case, and indeed, the wineries in this area are working together to make this corridor a food-lover's destination. For example, on Friday nights from April to October, Kestrel, Snoqualmie, Desert Wind, Hogue Cellars, Heaven's Cave, Alexandria Nicole Cellars, Cowan and Mercer collaborate on a "Sip and Stroll" - the wineries stay open until 7 p.m., many offer nibbles and bites, and if you visit all participating wineries and get a card punched, you're eligible for a prize.
