Prosser is a small town nestled in Benton County, Washington. Since it is situated along the Yakima River and in Washington wine country, it has a unique character and flavor. It is a town where you can experience a good, laid-back and easy-going life.
At Prosser, you can find family-owned farms, orchards, and wineries. So, you’ll have the chance to experience a traditional way of life with different tours and events. Furthermore, Prosser has a charming downtown where you can learn of the town’s history and part in the development of Yakima’s fame in wine.
Nowadays, Prosser has become one of the top destinations for wine enthusiasts. After all, it is one of the Yakima Valley’s premier destinations. The town is within a lush agricultural area and has numerous wineries. So, it is the perfect spot for tasting some of the best wines of America while having remarkable views as a background.
What Wine is Prosser Known For?
Prosser is known as the birthplace of the Washington wine industry. This little town is home to more than 30 wineries and often are within walking distance of each other. Prosser area is part of the Yakima Valley which contains over 17,000 acres of producing vineyards and produces more than half of Washington State’s wine grapes.
As Yakima Valley’s viticulture has matured in the last few decades, Prosser’s winemakers have grown and established a respected name in the Northwest. Thanks to the area’s balanced climate of sunshine and rain, Prosser has the perfect growing conditions for producing intensely flavored wines such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Syrah.
Unlike some other famous wine regions, Prosser Area has unique opportunities you won’t find anywhere else. The wineries here are unpretentious, the winemakers friendly, open, and will definitely give you an intimate and rewarding wine tasting experience.
Furthermore, Prosser can visit the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center, a fantastic wine tasting and educational center where you can learn more about the quality and diversity of Washington State wine and agriculture.
See Also: 10 Best Wineries in Woodinville
Best Wineries in Prosser
Prosser Wineries Map:
14 Hands Winery
- Location: 660 Frontier Rd, Prosser, WA
- Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 11:00am-5:00pm
- Contact Number: (509) 786-5514
- Website: https://www.14hands.com/
14 Hands Winery opened in 2005 and was inspired by the wild mustangs that once roamed the untamed countryside of Washington State. Once upon a time, these horses would travel down from the hills every day to drink from the Columbia River, graze along the riverbank, and then retreat to the mountains at night. Today, they are known for their endurance and wild spirit.
This charming and wild landscape gave the wild horses their spirit and tenacity. Now, this energy has been embedded in the vineyards. 14 Hands winery features loamy-sand and gravel soils that produce strong and determined grapevines resulting in big, bold, juicy red wines and crisp, fruit-forward white wines. You can experience the spirit of 14 Hands in person, as well as in the bottle, through several events and tasting activities.
Reserve Flight Wine Tasting: try out four of their premium wines from their Reserve and Limited Collections.
Crazy for Cab: If you are a cabernet sauvignon lover, you can try four of the best cabernet sauvignon wines of their collections.
Vintage Series Red Wine Blend Flight: For red wine lovers, you can enjoy a selection of their exceptional 2016, 2017, and 2018 red wines handcrafted and blended by 14 Hands Head Winemaker Keith Kenison.
Reserve Wines and Chukar Cherry Chocolate Pairing: If you like your wine with some delicious chocolate, you can taste a selection of Reserve red and white wines paired with four different styles of chocolate bites from local Washington chocolatiers, Chukar Cherries.
Live from the Loft – The Red Experience: join a more educational experience, where you can learn more about their impressive portfolio of handcrafted wines.
Alexandria Nicole Cellars
- Location: 2880 Lee Rd, Suite D, Prosser, WA
- Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 11am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm
- Contact Number: (509) 786-3497
- Website: https://www.alexandrianicolecellars.com/
Alexandria Nicole Cellars first started as a vineyard in 1988 by Jarrod Boyle, who was born and raised in Prosser. As a local, his passion for wine grape growing and winemaking has been present since a young age. Thus, Jarrod naturally learned the art of viticulture and successful vineyard management quickly from the best winemakers of Prosser.
In the beginning, Jarrod’s vision was to produce wine grapes for other wineries in the area. However, once he realized the grapes’ outstanding quality, he decided to establish his own Winery. So, since 2004, Jarrod has been monitoring the fruit quality from bud to bottle with his excellent viticultural techniques. Overlooking the majestic Columbia River, Alexandria Nicole Cellars’ Winery and vineyard site provide awe-inspiring scenery and fantastic special events for wine and food enthusiasts.
Prosser Tasting Room: Enjoy tasting the excellent wines of the Winery in a spacious, elegant tasting room in the heart of the wine country. You can reserve a tasting available upon appointment.
Destiny Ridge Tasting Room: An elegant and charming tasting room nestled in the heart of the Estate Vineyard just past Paterson along the Columbia River. You can reserve a tasting available upon appointment.
The Estate: At the crest of the Estate vineyard sits a beautiful home to entertain visitors with special events or private tours.
Tiny Houses: You can have a wine-cation at the Winery by getting a small glimpse into vineyard living with the “Tiny Houses.” Waking up in wine country, far from the hustle and bustle of the city, you can enjoy the sunshine in the beautiful vineyard and the remarkable Columbia River views. At the moment, tiny houses are closed for the season. But you can start booking again for the next season in January 2022.
Airfield Estates Winery
- Location: 560 Merlot Dr, Prosser, WA
- Opening Hours: Sunday-Wednesday 11am-5pm, Thursday-Saturday 11am-6pm
- Contact Number: (509) 786-7401
- Website: https://www.airfieldwines.com/
Airfield Estates Winery has a long history in the area and has played a significant role in developing the Yakima Valley wine industry. In fact, H. Lloyd Miller, the founder of Airfield Estates, met directly with President Roosevelt and acquired the political support necessary to fund the Roza Canal Project.
Airfield Estates started as a farming and trade industry. Then in 1974, it shifted into 830 acres of wine grapes and 350 acres of Concord juice grapes. Until 2005 the Estates only sold their wine grapes exclusively to other wineries, but the Airfield Estates Winery was established. Today, the Winery offers several services and events. For instance, there are private virtual wine tastings, wedding packages, and wine club pick-up parties.
Prosser Tasting Room: Enjoy the excellent wines of the Winery at the Airfield Estates Winery while having the magnificent vineyards and Prosser’s countryside as the view. You can simply walk in, and depending on availability, you can enjoy wine tasting. No reservations are needed.
Desert Wind Winery
- Location: 2258 Wine Country Rd, Prosser, WA
- Opening Hours: Daily 11am-5pm
- Contact Number: (509) 786-7277
- Website: https://www.desertwindwinery.com/
In 1992, the Desert Wind Vineyard was established on a 540-acre parcel of land on eastern Washington’s Wahluke Slope, an area particularly suited to growing hot-climate varietals. It has become home to Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and a handful of other varieties.
In 2001, the Desert Wind Winery and production facility in Prosser, Washington, was founded. Overlooking the Yakima River, the Winery offers an incredible view to the guests. Furthermore, the Winery has a tasting room, restaurant, event space, offering overnight accommodations, and a spa.
Group Tours: The Winery welcomes groups of two to up to 50 people. The staff specializes in providing a unique glimpse of the winemaking process. Then you can learn more and taste their one-of-a-kind Southwestern style or their award-winning wines. After the end of the tour, you can enjoy a picnic at the Riverview patio while sipping at one of the Winery’s delicious wines.
Group Tastings: It is available for groups of 10 to 50 people. Advance reservations are required. Taste the best wines of the Winery’s wine collection.
Vineyard to Glass Tour: Those seeking a more leisurely yet educational tasting should join the Vineyard to Glass Tour. It includes an estate vineyard tour and a guided seated tasting flight led by one of Desert Wind’s wine educators. Guests will be led through the estate vineyard surrounding the tasting room and Winery and have a historical discussion of the Columbia Valley, the Wahluke Slope, and their viticulture practices. Then, you’ll enjoy a tasting with a wine educator and a flight of small-lot wines, each expertly paired with a fine selection of hors d’oeuvres.
Barrel Springs Winery
- Location: 46601 N Gap Rd, Prosser, WA
- Opening Hours: Thursday-Monday 10am-5pm, Tuesday-Wednesday closed
- Contact Number: (509) 786-3166
- Website: https://www.barrelsprings-winery.com/
Founded in 2006, Barrel Springs Winery is a small boutique winery in the heart of Washington wine country. It is a family-owned business that provides premium products at affordable prices.
The Winery mainly provides virtual experiences and exceptional customer service to shoppers from the comfort of their own homes through their website. Still, wine enthusiasts can visit the Winery and have a grand tour and tasting of their premium varietal wines while enjoying the grounds and surrounding estate vineyards.
Barrel Springs Tasting Room: Taste the Winery’s excellent and tasty wines in their rustic room while gazing at the remarkable view of the vineyards.
Daven Lore Winery
- Location: 23103 S Davlor PR SW, Prosser, WA
- Opening Hours: Friday-Sunday 11am-5pm
- Contact Number: (509) 786-1575
- Website: https://www.davenlore.com/
Daven Lore Winery is situated in the foothills of the Horse Heaven Hills. The Winery overlooks the beautiful Yakima Valley. The panoramic views span the Cascade Mountains, through the irrigated desert and onto the distant Rattlesnake Mountain. It is truly a magnificent site and sight.
Daven Lore wines begin with hand-harvested grapes and continue with personal efforts in every process, from fermentation to bottling. Family-owned and operated, they always strive to produce ultra-premium wines. The Winery often has events and tastings throughout the year.
Daven Lore Tasting Room: Taste the beauty of Daven Lore while drinking in its vistas of the Prosser landscape.
Final Thoughts
Prosser is in the heart of Washington’s Wine Country and, in fact, is the birthplace of Yakima Valley’s wine industry. If you are a wine enthusiast and do not only love the taste but also wish to know more about winemaking, then Prosser is the right destination.
No matter which winey you choose to visit you will undoubtedly have an unforgettable experience. You can taste the elegantly flavored and balanced wines of Washington while enjoying stunning vistas of the wine country. If you love the small pleasures in life, you should not miss the opportunity to visit one of these fantastic wineries in Prosser.
Related Read: The 10 Best Wineries In Seattle You Should Visit