16 Best Things to Do in Benton City, WA

By VI Staff on April 8, 2020 - Updated

Bill Perry/stock.adobe.com

Benton City is known as a hub within the spectacular Red Mountain American Viticultural Area, which spans a 4,040-acre section of the Yakima Valley growing region. The AVA, which was designated in 2001, emerged as a prominent growing region in the 1970s thanks to the efforts of Kiona and Ciel du Cheval Vineyards. Today, the region is known for its unique terroir, which makes it an excellent growing region for Bordeaux-style red varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Area visitors can plan wine trail excursions to taste wines at the city's lovely tasting rooms or enjoy unique tour experiences such as the horseback riding and wagon ride excursions offered by Red Mountain Trails. CDC information for travelers. Hours/availability may have changed.

1.Red Mountain Trails

Red Mountain Trails is a unique way to explore the beautiful Red Mountain American Viticultural Area, offering horseback riding and wagon ride excursions through the region's scenic vineyard landscape. The company, which is owned and operated by married duo Teresa and Jeff Owen, was founded after the couple returned to the Yakima area in 2011. Trail rides are available as part of one hour or 3.5-hour excursion opportunities, with wine tasting and picnic lunch experiences available on longer rides. Longer wine tasting tours stop at four to five of the area's top wineries, lasting approximately four hours. Sunset dinner wagon rides offer fresh-cooked meals and traverse the area's terrain, providing spectacular views and romantic ambiance.

27314 E Ambassador Pr NE, Benton City, WA 99320, Phone: 888-414-1619

2.Tapteil Vineyard Winery

Tapteil Vineyard Winery is a lovely 25-acre vineyard and winery that was originally planted in 1985 by Larry Pearson. The winery, which opened to the public in 2000, is located at an elevation of 880 feet above sea level on Red Mountain and cultivates sections of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot grapes on silt loam soil. Other estate-bottled wines produced by the company include Syrah, Grenache, Riesling, Mourvedre, and Rosé varietals. Visitors can explore the company's gorgeous 30-acre vineyard estate and try all of its current release wines on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays April through December. Picnics are permitted on the winery's grounds and at its beautiful patio deck, which offers stunning views of the surrounding Yakima Valley.

20206 E 583 PR NE, Benton City, WA 99320, Phone: 509-588-4460

3.Hamilton Cellars

Hamilton Cellars was opened in 2017 by married duo Stacie and Russ Hamilton with the help of master winemaker Charlie Hoppes. The acclaimed Red Mountain winery has been the recipient of major awards at internationally-renowned wine competitions such as the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the Seattle Wine Awards, and the Riverside International Wine Competition. Delicious wine varietals include the company's Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, and Vigonier wines. Visitors can sample wines at the company's tasting bar or reserve group tasting tables for groups of eight or more wine enthusiasts. Snacks are available to complement tastings, and guests are welcome to bring their own food to enjoy on the winery's seasonal outdoor patio.

55410 N Sunset Rd, Benton City, WA 99320, Phone: 509-628-8227

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4.Hedges Family Estate

Hedges Family Estate has been owned and operated by Tom and Annie-Marie Hedges since 1987, known for its homegrown philosophy of viticulture and passion for authentic winemaking techniques. The lovely Red Mountain AVA winery is committed to helping area nonprofit organizations, contributing on average 10% of net proceeds to a wide variety of charitable causes throughout the Pacific Northwest. Annual wine releases include estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Red Mountain red blend wines, along with elegant Syrahs released under the company's Descendants Liegeois line. Visitors can share fresh-baked bread and taste wines at the company's tasting room, which is open year-round throughout the week during the afternoon hours. The winery's spacious vineyard grounds are also open to the public for picnics and sipping purchased glasses of wine.

6503, 53511 N Sunset Rd, Benton City, WA 99320, Phone: 509-588-3155

5.Col Solare

Col Solare is a world-class partnership between Washington wine producer Chateau St. Michelle and Tuscan leader Marchesi Antinori, uniting international viticultural techniques to craft the best red wines possible from Washington State grapes. The winery, which was founded in 2007, was originally born out of Marchese Piero Antinori's 1992 trip to the Columbia Valley. It is named in honor of the Italian word for "shining hill," a nod to the beauty of the Red Mountain region. Today, the winery maintains two locations throughout the Red Mountain region, including a signature location atop the mountain itself. Guests can visit the winery's tasting room daily during the morning and afternoon hours and try wine flights of Col Solare and companion label Shining Hill's best wines. Grappa tastings are also offered, complemented by gourmet cheese plates. Tours explore the winery's beautiful grounds, including its iconic 56-foot bell tower.

50207 Antinori Road, Benton City, WA 99320, Phone: 509-588-6806

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6.Cooper Winery

Cooper Winery is one of the Red Mountain AVA's newest wineries, originally opened in 2014 by Neil Cooper. The family-operated winery is known for its excellent Bordeaux-style red wines, which are produced from grapes sourced both from the company's own vineyards and area Pacific Northwest cultivators. Delicious red and white blends are produced year-round, complemented by traditional varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Visitors can stop by the company's tasting room each day during the afternoon hours and taste their choice of the company's 25 high-quality wine releases. The company's tasting room is dog-friendly, making it a great choice for visitors traveling with four-legged friends in tow.

35306 N Sunset Rd, Benton City, WA 99320, Phone: 509-588-2667

7.Frichette Winery

Frichette Winery is a limited-production winery that was opened to the public in 2013, owned and operated by married duo Shae and Greg Frichette. The family-operated winery is located atop gorgeous Red Mountain and produces high-quality wines crafted from the best grapes sourced throughout the Red Mountain AVA. The company has increased its wine production from 650 cases at its first vintage to 1,400 cases annually. Wines produced each year include Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Semillon varietals, along with delicious port wines such as the company's Zinfandel ruby port. Visitors can enjoy private concierge tasting experiences, which last 90 minutes and sample a flight of the company's current wine roster.

39412 N Sunset Rd, Benton City, WA 99320, Phone: 509-426-3227

8.Hightower Cellars

Hightower Cellars was founded in 1997 by married duo Kelly and Tim Hightower, known for their simple, high-quality wines crafted from grapes grown on gorgeous Red Mountain. The winery has expanded its operations to cultivate 10 classic Bordeaux varietals, including Petit Verdot, Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec releases. Viognier, Syrah, and Grenache grapes are also cultivated by the winery's sister vineyard, which is operated by Tim's mother Jackie. Highly-drinkable wines can be sampled at the company's tasting room Thursdays through Mondays during the afternoon hours. Reservations are required for tasting groups of eight or more. Special events hosted at the winery throughout the year include paella parties, end-of-summer barbecues, and an annual Catch the Crush winemaking celebration in October.

19418 E 583 PR NE, Benton City, WA 99320, Phone: 509-588-2867

9.Chandler Reach Vineyards

Chandler Reach Vineyards were originally planted in 1999 by Len Parris, working from starts provided by the famed Ciel du Cheval vineyard. Today, the winery is operated by Parris and head winemaker Matthew Boenzli and produces wines year-round on its signature and Parris Estates winery labels. Silky smooth varietals include Merlot, Syrah, Monte Regalo, Corella, and estate Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon wines. Visitors can taste a rotating offering of the company's wines for a nominal fee at its gorgeous 1,200-square-foot tasting room, which features 14-foot ceilings and an elegant grand staircase and fireplace. Wine tastings are complimentary for annual winery members.

9506 W Chandler Rd, Benton City, WA 99320, Phone: 509-588-8800

10.Rattlesnake Mountain Shooting Facility

Rattlesnake Mountain Shooting Facility is a family-friendly shooting range in Benton City, offering safe, enjoyable shooting experiences for visitors of all ages. Spacious, clean facilities include a public shooting range area, which is home to a variety of targets ranging in distance from 100 to 450 yards. A High Power Range is open throughout the year during designated special event times, offering challenging, exciting targets reaching a maximum distance of 1,000 yards. All non-members of the facility must complete shooting safety classes before any shooting experiences. Guests must bring their own firearms and ammunition, though hearing and eye protection equipment are available for rental at the facility. Children under the age of 17 must be accompanied by adults at all times at the range.

Benton City, WA 99320, Phone: 509-588-4770

11.Purple Star Winery

Purple Star Winery was established in 2008 by married duo Amy and Kyle Johnson and strives to craft wines that are accessible, affordable, and approachable for all wine fans, from novice drinkers to long-time enthusiasts. Wine grapes are sourced from the best Washington State growing regions, including the Yakima Valley, Red Mountain, and Wahluke Slope growing areas. The company's wines are known for their softer tannins and high varietal character, emphasizing the soul and flavor of each unique bottle. Excellent wine varietals sold throughout the year include Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Rosé wines. Visitors can taste the company's Purple Star, Muret-Gaston, and Native Sun label wines at its lovely tasting room throughout the week. 15% of all proceeds are donated to the Seattle Children's Hospital to lessen the burden of medical costs for area families.

56504 NE Roza Rd, Benton City, WA 99320, Phone: 509-628-7799

12.MonteScarlatto Estate Winery

MonteScarlatto Estate Winery has been owned and operated by Joel Mackay since 2007, located within the beautiful Red Mountain AVA growing region. The winery's vineyards are cultivated on 18.5 acres of land, which were transformed from a dirt and sage landscape by Mackay into one of the region's most extraordinary growing areas. The vineyard's first-class terroir lends itself to growing high-quality varietals such as Syrah, Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon, Carmenere, Barbera, Malbec, and Petit Verdot wines. Delicious blush, dessert, and port wines are also produced periodically throughout the year. Visitors can taste wines throughout the year at the company's lovely 10th Hole Tasting Room after taking to the links at its unique nine-hole estate golf course.

28719 E, WA-224, Benton City, WA 99320, Phone: 509-531-3081

13.Sleeping Dog Wines

Sleeping Dog Wines was originally founded in 2002 by married couple Joyce and Larry Oates on the estate grounds of their lovely Benton City home, which overlooks the beautiful Yakima River. The winery is named for the couple's dog, Jet, who makes frequent appearances at the company's tasting room along with the couple's cat, Jade. High-quality red and white wine varietals and blends are produced throughout the year, including bottle-aged Dolcetto, Syrah, Malbec, and Ciel de Chien wines and excellent estate library Merlots. All fruit is sourced from the company's adjacent partner Buoy Vineyards. Visitors can taste wines at the company's tasting room or bring picnics to enjoy on site at its beautiful grounds. Well-behaved pets are welcome on site with their owners.

45804 N Whitmore Prnw, Benton City, WA 99320, Phone: 509-460-2886

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14.Kiona Vineyards and Winery

Kiona Vineyards and Winery is a small-batch estate winery that is operated by the Williams family, known as a pioneer among the Red Mountain AVA winery scene. The forward-thinking winery takes advantage of the unique terroir of the Yakima Valley and Columbia Basin region, crafting excellent wines from grape varietals that thrive in the region's microclimate. Fine estate wines are sold through the winery's Red Mountain and Columbia Valley lines, which can be purchased at the company's tasting room or at retailers throughout the Pacific Northwest. In addition, the winery sources grapes for more than 60 of the Pacific Northwest's top wineries. Visitors can stop in at the company's tasting room daily during the afternoon hours and enjoy complimentary tastings with wine bottle purchases.

44612 N Sunset Rd, Benton City, WA 99320, Phone: 509-588-6716

15.Tucannon Cellars

Tucannon Cellars was founded in 2014 by father-son duo Phil and Ethen Warren, revitalizing an abandoned boutique winery facility into one of Benton City's most scenic modern wineries. The family-operated business specializes in small batch handcrafted wines prepared according to traditional French methods that emphasize hands-on winemaking techniques. Annual releases include Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc, Merlots, Malbecs, Rieslings, Viogniers, and Semillons, along with highly-drinkable red and white blends meant for food pairing. Visitors can taste wines at the company's tasting room, which showcases the works of regional contemporary artists. The winery's scenic grounds are also open for exploration, including the newly-added Sugar Pine Barn event center.

40504 N. Demoss Road, Benton City, WA 99320, Phone: 509-545-9588

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16.Terra Blanca Vintners

Terra Blanca Vintners is a delightful Tuscan-style winery in the Red Mountain AVA, owned and operated by Keith and ReNae Pilgrim since 1992. The stunning 300-acre vineyard estate has become one of the Pacific Northwest's most popular destination wineries throughout its three decades of operation, featuring unparalleled views of the Yakima Valley from its Tuscan-inspired facility. 91 acres of vines are grown on site, cultivating popular varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay alongside less common grapes like Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, and Marsanne. Visitors can taste wines at the winery's spacious tasting room or enjoy delicious gourmet fare at the company's Cafe Orsa, which is open for dinner service on Fridays and lunch on Saturdays. Vineyard walks showcase the company's vineyards, winemaking facilities, and barrel-aging caves.

34715 N. DeMoss Road, Benton City, WA 99320, Phone: 509-588-6082

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