Excellent question. Even though your palette detests the taste of a Bordeaux or Malbec, you can have an enjoyable time in wine country.

For starters, wine is so much more than a nice beverage to sip on. It's about the lifestyle, the people and the experience.

Here are few things you can enjoy while visiting wine country that don't involve tasting it:

1. Take in the stunning views at each winery.

2. Meet the winemakers and their staff and learn about the process of growing wine grapes and making the wine. It's quite interesting.

3. Enjoy live music at the winery. Many wineries in the Tri-Cities offer live performances during the evening.

4. Have a meal or a snack. Multiple wineries in our area serve appetizers and even have full restaurants. There is nothing wrong with taking in the view while having a snack and enjoying an ice water or other beverage.

5. Meet winery dogs. These unique animals are full of personality and have been appointed as the social directors of their wineries. They greet and interact with guests as they visit.

6. Eat chocolate. This one is easy. A lot of wineries pair red wines with chocolate, but who says you have to drink the wine too?

Many of the Tri-Citie's attractions starts with the letter 'W'.  In cases where it doesn't, there is a way to incorporate ‘W' somehow.

Water - With the Columbia, Snake, and Yakima Rivers running through the Tri-Cities, there are many recreational opportunities.  These include: swimming, kayaking, power and pleasure boating, wakeboarding, waterskiing, wind surfing, and watching the hydroplane races in the summer.

Weather - The Tri-Cities enjoys some of the best weather in the Northwest with 300 days of sunshine a year.  We have a mild climate with less than seven inches of precipitation annually.  Summer temperatures average a pleasant 88 degrees, with river breezes contributing to cool evenings and balmy days.

Wine - We welcome you to the Heart of Washington Wine County®.  The Tri-Cities is within a one-hour drive of 160 wineries and is complete with hotels, restaurants, and cultural amenities.  During the warm summer months, the Tri-Cities has more than 17 hours of sunshine each day, two more hours than Napa and Sonoma.  These long mild days in September and October are perfect for ripening wine grapes.   

Wildlife - The Tri-Cities is home to eight National Wildlife Refuges and Reserves which include nature trails and shoreline viewpoints.  In April and May, native wildflowers begin their grand display.  In June see flocks of American White Pelicans, Great Blue Herons, Mule Deer, Coyotes, and Beavers.  In late summer and early fall, watch the salmon run up the Columbia River.

Wedge - This will be your golf club of choice if you are within a few feet of a green at one of the Tri-Cities' ten beautiful golf courses.  Beginner, intermediate and scratch golfers have their choice of gorgeous 18 hole, putting, and par 3 courses.

Walk - Enjoy this activity and others on 23-miles of contiguous riverfront trail. Weaving between the Tri-Cities, the Sacagawea Heritage Trail offers a view of nature's scenic beauty along the Columbia River.

Welcome Circle - One of the seven basalt story circles you will find at the Confluence Project at Sacajawea State Park.  The story circles, created by famed artist Maya Lin, are just one of seven interpretations that make up the project.  All seven projects are located at the confluence of rivers throughout the region and each of the seven locations was a stopping point for Lewis and Clark on their journey more than 200 years ago.

Watermelon - An amazing treat among other freshly picked produce and homemade goodies you will find at one of many farmers' markets throughout the Tri-Cities.

What kind of ‘W's can you use to describe the Tri-Cities?