The Red Jewel of Washington State Wine Country

The Ultimate Guide to Red Mountain Wineries

Imagine top-class wineries, Columbia River views, and breathtaking vineyard tours in one region.

Vineyards & Wineries
Red Mountain AVA Map
Red Mountain Events
Plan Before You Go
FAQs

Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot…We could go on about the list, or you can taste these gems yourself. Come and explore the ruby red jewel of Washington State wine country one sip at a time. Here’s everything you need to know before swirling a glass at a winery in Red Mountain AVA.

What Makes Red Mountain AVA Special?

Home to the most fertile vineyards in Washington, Red Mountain offers more than a sip of good wine. Here, winemakers’ dreams grow from the soil. The terrain of Tri-Cities wine country was shaped by ice-age flooding, which developed soft slopes and embedded nutrient-rich topsoil. A variety of factors are essential to crafting the best wine: soil, elevation, precipitation, temperature, and wind. These wine-making elements come together at Red Mountain as vine root systems can easily access nutrients; southwest slopes offer plenty of sun rays for tannins in the grapes; little precipitation prevents damage to the growing season; and the breezes maintain the small but flavor-concentrated fruit sizes and minimizes frost.

The History Behind Red Mountain AVA

In 1972, wine pioneers John Williams and Jim Holmes discovered a sagebrush-covered area in Eastern Washington and established a vineyard in this area three years later. After the discovery of the premier taste of the first wines, more winemakers flocked to Red Mountain and developed more vineyards. AVA (American Viticultural Area) status was given in 2001 and the region is now brimming with more than 50 vineyards.

Vineyards & Wineries at Red Mountain

Chandler Reach Vineyards

Featuring Italian-style wines, this family-operated winery and vineyard spot offers budget-friendly wine tastings at $20 per person. Take in the Tuscan-inspired surroundings or step outside to see the vast vineyards and rolling slopes in the distance. Pair your tasting with a decadent Italian antipasto board, featuring prosciutto, nuts, dried fruits, olives, and crackers. Enjoy wine tours, live music, and stunning sunset views.

  • Featured Wines: Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Sangiovese, and Syrah
  • Location: 9506 W Chandler Rd, Benton City, WA 99320
The outdoor patio are of Chandler Reach Vineyards, overlooking the Yakima Valley.
Chandler Reach Vineyards

Col Solare Winery

Try luxury wines in a sleek tasting room, overlooking the sprawling Red Mountain area. Influenced by renowned wineries Marchesi Antinori in Tuscany and Chateau Ste. Michelle in Washington State, the carefully fermented options celebrate creativity and ingenuity in a bottle. For a smooth finish, we recommend the Malbec, which is a dark, brilliant shade of fuchsia with earthy notes of blackberries and cinnamon.

  • Featured Wines: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Red Blend
  • Location: 50207 Antinori Road, Benton City, WA 99320

Fidélitas

The silkiest, oak-fermented wines await at Fidélitas. This winery’s Bordeaux grape varieties have more new oak aging than your typical glass of wine and are stored in various lots, resulting in rich and complex flavors. Prepare for sumptuous reds, attentive services, and an engaging history lesson of the region during wine tasting.

  • Featured Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Quintessence, and Optu
  • Location: 51810 N Sunset Rd, Benton City, WA 99320
A man pours wine into his friend's glass by the vineyard of Fidelitas Wines in Tri-Cities, WA
Fidélitas

Frichette Winery

From 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., enjoy wine flights and light bites in a welcoming atmosphere. This dog-friendly spot doesn’t require reservations and it encourages all wine lovers to sit back and relax while holding a glass. For a curated wine flight and a fascinating discussion about Red Mountain, book a Private Concierge Tasting & Tour. On sunny days, lounge by the picnic area with a bottle and cheese plate.

  • Featured Wines: Semillon, Sashay Rosé, Cabernet Franc, Sashay Syrah, Merlot, Malbec Carménère, and Zinfandel
  • Location: 39412 N Sunset Rd, Benton City, WA 99320

Hedges Family Estate

The Hedges Family Estate offers a taste of the French countryside with sophisticated, European architecture and terroir-focused wines. Make your way to the Hedges Chateau, where you can try the fermented gems of the winery’s biodynamic vineyard.

  • Featured Wines: Souzao - Tinta Cao, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Rosé
  • Location: 53511 N Sunset Rd, Benton City, WA 99320
The French-inspired courtyard at Hedges Family Estate on Red Mountain.
Hedges Family Estate

Hightower Cellars

Quiet porch views and carefully balanced wines are just a couple of the highlights at Hightower Cellars. Prepare your taste buds for light finishes with dark cherry notes and a robust structure to act as the perfect pairing for any bite.

  • Featured Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, "Out of Line Vineyard" Estate Blend, Rosé, and Red Mountain Reserve
  • Location: 19418 E 583 PR NE, Benton City, WA 99320

Kiona Vineyards and Winery

Drinking a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon just feels right in an airy tasting room. Watch the natural sunlight bounce off your glass as fine-grain tannin and notes of dark fruit warm your palate. This family-owned establishment has been making wine on Red Mountain for three generations and sells their high quality grapes to more than 60 other wineries in the Pacific Northwest.

  • Featured Wines: Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah, Merlot, Sangiovese, Lemberger, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chenin Blanc Ice Wine
  • Location: 44612 N Sunset Rd, Benton City, WA 99320
A man prepares a wine flight at a tasting room inside of Kiona Vineyards and Winery.
Kiona Vineyards and Winery

Market Vineyards

This boutique winery is located at Queensgate Village in Richland and serves exceptional wines in a cozy tasting room. Growing and sourcing grapes from Red Mountain, Market Vineyards is a go-to spot for sampling Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and so much more.

  • Featured Wines: Chardonnay, Derivative (Red Blend), Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Basis Points (Bordeaux Style Blend)
  • Location: 1950 Keene Rd Bldg S, Richland, WA 99352

Terra Blanca Winery & Estate Vineyard

Terra Blanca is Red Mountain’s answer to those who dream of visiting an old Italian villa one day. Walk through the gorgeous grounds of this Tuscan-inspired winery and vineyard. Relax on the terrace and marvel at views of the lower Yakima Valley. Wander under a tunnel of vines, sip on sophisticated reds, and enjoy hand-tossed pizza.

  • Featured Wines: Forte Cabernet, Barbera, Altissimo, and Batholith
  • Location: 34715 Demoss Rd, Benton City, WA 99320

Upchurch Vineyard

Upchurch Vineyard proves that the minute details in winemaking pay off. You can taste it in the subtle sweetness of the Grenache Rose, as well as the unapologetically bold notes of the Counterpart Merlot. With every sip, each element of the wine comes in at the right time as though they were sequences in a musical composition. And with Red Mountain’s prime location, the Instagram-worthy views are a given, but you won’t expect the pleasant surprises that await in your personalized wine tasting.

  • Featured Wines: Grenache Rose, UV Counterpart Merlot, and Chenin
  • Location: 32901 Vineyard View PR NE, Benton City, WA 99320

Zeron Winery

This family-owned winery offers exquisite wines from thoughtfully grown and selected grapes. Make your way to the tasting room and treat yourself to glasses of fermented brilliance. Grapes are grown to be the most vivid shades of green and purple, and are then pressed to become full-bodied delights in a glass.

  • Featured Wines: Petit Verdot, Grenache Rosé, and Syrah
  • Location: 1200 Corral Creek Rd Suite B1, Benton City, WA 99320

Red Mountain AVA Map

Year-Round Red Mountain Events

Red Mountain is home to a variety of annual celebrations throughout the year. In the fall, the Harvest & Crush season takes over Red Mountain vineyards and wineries with five-course meals, barrel sampling, grape stomping, and more. As for the winter season, enjoy holiday open houses at Red Mountain wineries with hot chocolate bars and wagon rides. The spring gives way to the Barrel Tasting Weekend, while the summer usually entails harvest dinners and vineyard tours. For more information about upcoming Red Mountain events, explore our events calendar here.

Plan Before You Go

Best Times to Visit

We recommend visiting Red Mountain AVA in the warmer months, from May to October. The spring, summer, and early fall months yield ideal temperatures for touring the vineyards and sipping on wine in scenic outdoor patios. September and October are peak harvest months, and the vineyard views are unparalleled during this time.

Nearby Places to Stay

There are plenty of Tri-Cities accommodations that are just a short drive to Red Mountain AVA. Explore local hotels and riverfront lodging in Richland, Pasco, and Kennewick here.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Red Mountain AVA known for?

Red Mountain AVA is an American Viticultural Area in southeast Washington State and is famous for its optimal terroir for Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Merlot.

2. How many wineries are in Red Mountain?

There are over 15 wineries in Red Mountain AVA.

3. Is Red Mountain wine good?

Yes! For wine lovers who enjoy a glass of full-bodied, bold varieties, Red Mountain is the perfect place to drink the best Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and other red blends.

4. What makes Red Mountain AVA special?

Red Mountain AVA’s unique terroir sets the perfect scene for growing flavorful grapes that produce the intense and elegant notes in wine. The soil, wind, south-facing slopes, and temperature cultivate the ideal environment for growing grapes.

5. When did Red Mountain become an AVA?

Red Mountain became an American Viticultural Area in 2001.

6. Why is it called Red Mountain?

The iron oxide in the soil produces reddish hues in the soil, giving this southeast Washington AVA spot the name “Red Mountain.”

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