City: Seattle, WA

Category: Tours & Attractions

Description: This is the largest viticultural region in the state, with approximately 150 wineries on some 7,000 vineyard acres. Whether you are looking for a small boutique winery or one of the largest in Washington, you will find it here. If you are traveling in Sept, be sure to catch the annual harvest festival, called Catch the Crush. One of the most well-known wineries in the area is Columbia Crest (Hwy 221, Columbia Crest Drive, 509-875-4227, www.columbiacrest.com), fashioned after a French chateau. The largest winery in Washington state, Columbia Crest is best known for its popular Chardonnay and the outstanding Merlot that helped establish Washington’s reputation for the varietal. The tasting room and gift shop are open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, and guided tours are available on the weekends. Other wineries in Columbia Valley include Buckmaster Cellars (509-628-8474, www.buckmastercellars.com), Terra Blanca (34715 N. Demoss Rd., 509-588-6082, www.terrablanca.com), Oakwood Cellars (40504 N. Demoss Rd., 509-588-5332, www.oakwoodcellars.com), Kiona Vineyards (44615 N. Sunset Rd., 509-588-6716, www.kionawine.com), and Sandhill Winery (48313 N. Sunset Rd., 509-588-2699, www.columbiavalleywine.com/sandhill).