Cascade Valley Wine Country: Washington’s Peak Wine Experience!

By Madeline Nelson
EDITOR’S NOTE: Madeline Nelson is the Executive Director of Cascade Valley Wine Country, a not-for-profit organization charged with promoting the 70-plus wineries and tasting rooms located in the cities of Lake Chelan, Leavenworth and Wenatchee, WA. Make sure to check out the organization’s website – www.cascadevalleywinecountry.com — where you’ll find detailed information and scenic photos of this beautiful region, which is situated in Washington State’s North Cascades Mountain range.

Located in the heart of North Central Washington, Cascade Valley Wine Country encompasses three of the state’s premier vacation destinations. Beginning in the north at Lake Chelan (the longest lake in Washington) this region travels through Wenatchee (“Apple Capitol of the World”) and winds up in the charming Bavarian village of Leavenworth, where the “Willkommen!” sign is always up. The region’s terrain varies from mountains to valleys and forests, providing a world-class wine growing region with endless opportunities for scenic vistas and outdoor adventure.

Cascade Valley Wine Country is easily accessible by car (just two hours from Seattle/Puget Sound), by bus or train, or by flying into the greater Wenatchee area’s Pangborn Memorial Airport.

Wine enthusiasts will find wines made here every bit as spectacular as the region itself. With more than 70 wineries and tasting rooms, the region boasts world class, award-winning wines with endless opportunity for adventure.

Designed by renowned Montana architect Jerry Locati, Silvara Winery’s lodge-style tasting room is located just two miles east of Leavenworth, WA. The lodge boasts spectacular views of the upper Wenatchee River Valley and is one of the most sought-after wedding venues in Cascade Valley Wine Country.

Lake Chelan: Naturally Intoxicating

Encompassing the Lake Chelan AVA and a portion of the Columbia Valley AVA, wines produced in Cascade Valley Wine Country are an excellent reflection of the rich, complex textures, minerals, and elegant depth the grapes draw from the region. Lake Chelan’s favorable mild temperatures and “Lake effect” result in a longer growing season, allowing the grapes to extract a distinguished character enhanced by glacially carved soils with distinctive properties like coarse sandy sediment, and notable amounts of quartz and mica.

The region provides destination wineries with stunning vistas surrounded by vineyards pulsing with activities from live music, festivals, shopping and endless outdoor recreation both on and off the lake.

For a complete list of wineries located in the Lake Chelan Valley AVA, plus a calendar of wine events, visit the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce website at: www.lakechelan.com. The Lake Chelan Wine Alliance is also a good source of information about the Lake Chelan Valley AVA. Check out their website at: www.lakechelanwinevalley.com. You’ll also want to check out the in-depth article about the Lake Chelan Valley AVA on DiscoverWashingtonWine.com. To find the article, click on the “Wine Regions” tab at the top of our Home Page, then scroll down to the article about the Lake Chelan AVA.

The Jones of Washington tasting room at Pybus Market in Wenatchee, WA.is a popular hangout for locals and tourists alike.

Wenatchee: What will you pick today?

Wenatchee’s lush fertile valley is bordered by ice age volcanic basalt cliffs and the majestic granite of the Cascade Mountains have long been known for providing ideal growing conditions for apples and other tree fruits world-wide. The combination of warm sunny days, cool nights, rich volcanic soils and abundance of pure mountain water have proven to give grapes grown here the same optimal conditions, expressing a delightful character resulting in outstanding wines. The largest city in the region, Wenatchee has all the comforts of home, with exciting adventures to be discovered just outside your door.

There are many places to stay in Wenatchee, including Warm Springs Inn and Winery. Offering the perfect wine country escape, the Inn is located in a 1917 Mansion. After a good night’s sleep at the Inn, you’ll head off to any one of the region’s 11 tasting rooms for the day, then wind down for a farm to table French inspired meal at Chateau Faire Le Pont Winery.

With Wenatchee’s own downtown visitors’ center and tasting room offering wines, beers, and ciders from the region, it can be the perfect place to start your self-guided tour of this historic town. With plenty of unique shopping along the way such as Pybus Market, you can enjoy year-round access to fresh produce, fantastic cuisine, and a much-needed visit to the Jones of Washington tasting room.

For a breathtaking vista of the mighty Columbia River and surrounding valley, stop by Malaga Springs Winery and let this incredible hidden gem complete your vacation. Wineries in the greater Wenatchee area include:

1. Bella Terrazza Vineyards
2. Brender Canyon Vineyards (Warm Springs Inn and Winery)
3. Chateau Faire Le Pont
4. Del Rosario FamilyVineyards
5. Jones of Washington at Pybus Market
6. Malaga Springs Winery
7. Stemilt Creek Winery
8. The Chamber of Commerce Tasting Room
9. Cashmere Cellars
10. Crayelle Cellars
11. Horan Estates Winery
12. Leony’s Cellars
13. Snowgrass Winery
14. Martin Scott Winery
15. Virginia Thomas Winery

For information about Wenatchee area wineries, lodging, restaurants and things to see and do in town, contact the Wenatchee Chamber of Commerce, which is located at 137 N. Wenatchee Ave., Suite 101, in downtown Wenatchee. Call them at (800) 572-7753 or visit their website at: visitwenatchee.org. The Chamber’s Tasting Room is located in the same building. The phone number for the Tasting Room is (509) 662-2416.

There is one spot in Leavenworth, WA. that is home to seven tasting rooms. It’s called The Wine Cellar. Located in this one building are Basel Cellars, Isenhower Cellars, Obelisco Cellars, Napequa Vintners, Patterson Cellars, Sigillo Cellars and newcomer Water From Wine.

Leavenworth: Bavarian Charm

Nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, Leavenworth’s transition of warm summers and a crisp shoulder season, the grapes grown and wines produced in this region culminate in a bright, smooth character that is truly a one of a kind treat. This charming village has more than 30 small tasting rooms and wineries, most within walking distance of your hotel. This small mountain village is sure to please, offering plenty of shopping, dining, live music, world renowned recreation and exciting festivals all year long.

These conditions have attracted innovative wine makers and enthusiasts who call this spectacular region home. From a cluster of 21 unique downtown tasting rooms and winery co-ops, to lavish breathtaking destination wineries such as Icicle Ridge Winery’s log home, Boudreaux Cellars off-grid winery, Plain Cellars rustic cabin, Eagle Creek Winery’s cozy hideaway, and Silvara Vineyards hillside tasting room, any wine lover will find themselves in paradise. Following is a list of tasting rooms located in Leavenworth. You’ll find seven of them in a wine co-op called The Wine Cellar. It is located at 217 9th Street.

1. ‘37 Cellars
2. Baroness Cellars
3. Basel Cellars at The Wine Cellar
4. Bergdorf Cellars
5. Boudreaux Cellars- 2 locations
6. D’Vinery
7. Eagle Creek Winery- 2 locations
8. Goose Ridge Winery
9. Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards
10. Icicle Ridge Winery – 3 locations
11. Isenhower Cellars at The Wine Cellar
12. Kasia Winery
13. Kestrel Vintners
14. Obelisco Cellars at The Wine Cellar
15. Napeequa Vintners at The Wine Cellar
16. Patterson Cellars at The Wine Cellar
17. Plain Cellars — 2 locations ,
18. Ryan Patrick Wines
19. Sigillo Cellars at The Wine Cellar
20. Silvara Vineyards
21. Stemilt Creek Winery
22. Swakane Winery
23. Villa Monaco
24. Wedge Mountain Winery
25. Willow Crest Winery
26. Wine Girl Wines
27. Water From Wine at The Wine Cellar.

You’ll find addresses, phone numbers and website addresses for all of the wineries/tasting rooms listed above by visiting: www.leavenworth.org/experience/wine-tasting. Or, you can talk to a live person at the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce at (509) 548-5807.

Outdoor Recreation

With Mission Ridge and Stevens Pass ski resorts just 20-45minutes from Wenatchee and Leavenworth, and miles of cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobile touring, sleigh rides, and sledding in all three locations the region is the perfect winter recreation destination!

If sunny days and perfect weather is your ideal wine country escape, the endless abundance of recreation continues.  Surrounded by the impressive Cascade Mountain range, each region has its own unique activities ranging from whitewater rafting, kayaking, paddle boarding, wake surfing, boating, fishing, golfing, tennis, or just lounging on the pristine beaches and winery patios over-looking breathtaking vistas. In addition, the region offers miles of scenic day hiking, backpacking, camping, ORV and motorcycle touring, downhill-mountain biking, cross-country/road biking, sky diving and paragliding, speed wing flights, hang gliding, horseback riding, and is a bouldering, and alpine/sport rock climbing mecca.

In Cascade Valley Wine Country, our doors are open year-round to discover an experience any wine lover with a taste for adventure is sure to adore.