- What is Benton City known for?
- Benton City is known as a hub within the spectacular Red Mountain American Viticultural Area (AVA), which spans a 4,040-acre section of the Yakima Valley growing region.
- When was the Red Mountain AVA designated?
- The AVA, designated in 2001, emerged as a prominent growing region in the 1970s thanks to the efforts of Kiona and Ciel du Cheval Vineyards.
- What makes the Red Mountain AVA a great wine region?
- Today, the region is known for its unique terroir, making it an excellent growing region for Bordeaux-style red varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
- What wine-related activities can visitors enjoy in Benton City?
- 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.
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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, Map
2. 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.
Hamilton Cellars, 55410 N Sunset Rd, Benton City, WA 99320, Phone: 509-628-8227, Map
3. 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, Map
4. 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, Map
5. 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 Cooper Winery 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, Map
6. 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, Map
Best Time to Visit
Places to Stay
Tips for Visiting
Spring (March-May) – Mild temperatures and blossoming vineyards, perfect for wine tasting and hiking.
Best Western Plus The Inn at Horse Heaven – A comfortable stay in nearby Prosser.
Visit Red Mountain AVA – Experience world-class wineries and breathtaking vineyard views.
Summer (June-August) – Warm and sunny, ideal for wine tours, river activities, and outdoor dining.
The Lodge at Columbia Point – A luxury riverside hotel in nearby Richland.
Go wine tasting at Terra Blanca Winery – Enjoy fine wines with stunning views of Red Mountain.
Fall (September-November) – Crisp air and harvest season, great for scenic drives and vineyard visits.
Wine Country RV Park – A great option for travelers exploring Washington’s wine country.
Attend the Catch the Crush Festival – Celebrate the grape harvest with special tastings and events.
Winter (December-February) – Quiet and cozy, great for intimate wine tastings and local charm.
The Lodge at Desert Wind – A boutique stay with wine-country elegance.
Enjoy fireside wine tasting – Warm up with award-winning reds at Hedges Family Estate.
Map:
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