Travel Writers Taste Yakima Valley Wines from Two of its 120 Wineries - Food, Wine & Travel (2024)

This collaborative post includes contributions from six IFWTWA (International Food Wine Travel Writers Association) members. Sixteen members participated in a wine share webinar via Zoom with representatives from Two Mountain Winery and Dineen Vineyards.

Yakima Valley, Washington, which now supplies a third of the state’s grapes, invites visitors to “Come to the Source.” Its location, about two-and-a-half hours from Seattle and three hours from Portland, Oregon, is considered the “sweet spot” for growing grapes. The Yakima Valley is on the 46˚North latitude, the same as France’s Burgundy and Rhone regions.

Since its first vines were planted in 1914, it can boast of being the oldest wine region in the state. It was also the first federally recognized wine grape growing region in Washington and the first north of California. The Yakima Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area), established in 1983, extends 70 miles from Yakima in the west to Richland in the east. Rattlesnake Hills, Snipes Mountain, Red Mountain, and Candy Mountain were later developed as sub-AVAs.

Its 120 wineries, many family-owned and operated, cover nearly 19,000 acres. Eighty varieties of grapes are grown in 20 growing regions.

Yakima Valley’s Recipe for Success

The Yakima Valley’s “recipe for success” includes:

Climate – Located in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains, it’s considered a continental semi-arid desert with only 8 inches of rain annually and 300 days of sunshine.

Elevation – It is the highest AVA (American Viticultural Area) in Washington state (850-1,600 ft. above sea level), with rocky hillsides, ideal for growing grapes.

Soils – Its silica-rich soils differ from other growing regions outside the Missoula flood area. In the glass, this translates to mineral, savory, velvety tannins.

Read on to learn more about the wines we enjoyed, including food pairing suggestions and the two wineries where they were produced. While we couldn’t fully immerse ourselves in the experience of being there, we are more enthusiastic than ever to plan a trip to Yakima Valley.

For more information, visit Washington Wine and Visit Yakima Valley.

Two Mountain Winery‘s beginnings can be traced back to 1951. Land that was once Schmidt Orchards, owned by their grandfather, was planted with grape vines in 2000 by Matthew Rawn, along with his uncle, Ron Schmidt. The first vintage was produced in 2002.

Matthew serves as Winemaker and Director of Sales and Marketing while his brother, Patrick, handles Vineyard Operations. They are proud to have become the first growers in Washington state to be certified-green through RULES for Sustainable Winegrowing, a science-based certification program headquartered in Lodi, California. In addition, the 2022 vintage was the first to be certified under the new Sustainable WA program.

Located in Zillah, 2151 Cheyne Rd., visitors are invited to stop by for a tasting experience and a stroll through the vineyard.

I received the 2022 vintage of Two Mountain Vineyards Reisling. It is described as a “juicy fruit mélange of tart green grapes, sweet cantaloupe, and pear and balanced with a slight minerality and firm acidity on the finish that lingers as long as the summer evening at 46˚N.” I am admittedly not good at descriptive language when it comes to wine tasting. However, I will agree it was just dry enough for my tastebuds to enjoy it with my “happy hour” accompaniments of several cheeses — Gouda, Havarti with Dill, and CoJack. Another evening, it paired well with shrimp co*cktail and sushi.

Two Mountain Winery’s 2023 Riesling is now available

The 2023 vintage is out now, with a production of 1,050 cases. If you’d like to try it, visit the tasting room or the Shop on Two Mountain Winery’s website. I also found it on Wine Searcher, where it’s available at wine shops throughout the U.S. It is among the top 10 most highly rated Rattlesnake Hills wines, based on critic scores. Cheers to that!

Two Mountain Winery, Tempranillo 2019

Taster/Contributor: Robin Dohrn-Simpson, robindohrnsimpson.com

Two Mountain Winery, inspired by the splendid views of Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier, is the backdrop for the 300 acres of vineyards farmed by the Rawn brothers, Patrick and Matthew. Well, not just the two of them… A crew of 18 people make the magic happen. They term this “humble roots.”

Yakima Valley in eastern Washington is cut off from the cool ocean air and loads of rain that batter the western coastline from Oregon to northern Washington state, by the Cascade Mountains to the west. The soil from the Missoula Flood 15,000 years ago brought unique soils north from the Columbia River. That combined with wind, cold weather in the winter, and very warm weather in the summer all contribute to the terroir of the valley. The soil allows grapes to grow deep into the ground in search of water, making them stronger and heartier.

2019 Tempranillo – Rustic, full-bodied, big and bold

“Rustic” is the term that most comes to mind for the 2019 Tempranillo. It offers the typical fruit-driven flavors of dried berries, plums, and raspberries with an added twist of earthiness of leather and tobacco. Tempranillo is typically a medium-bodied wine, but Two Mountain Winery’s Tempranillo is full-bodied, big and bold. Tempranillo is typically paired with red meats and ham; however, it can be paired with many foods such as pasta and roasted vegetables.

It is one of Two Mountain Winery’s small production wines that you may be able to taste only in the Tasting Room. Patrick Rawn, the winery’s owner, let us in on how the Tempranillo varietal came about. “Matt and the production team found a few barrels from that vintage they fell in love with and decided to bottle it.It tasted awesome and production decided it needed to be bottled on its own.We only bottled three barrels worth and it sold much faster than anticipated. It was a great way to show the diverse range of what Rattlesnake Hills vineyard sites can do.The next vintage will be available in Fall 2024.”

Two Mountain Winery, Show Pony

Taster/Contributor: Jo Clark, Have Glass Will Travel

Two Mountain Winery’s Show Pony is a small production varietal that was made primarily for the tasting room.

It blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and just enough Merlot to make you smile. Its rich aromas of coffee and chocolate are sure to tickle your nose, and a whisper of tannin will linger after you wash down your steak.

I love pairing wines with food — even in my mind. As I roll the taste around on my tongue, I imagine what that taste will do alongside a choice morsel. The Rawn brothers say, “Show Pony pairs well with a fireplace, cozy blanket, and Office reruns.” For my money, the wine was perfect with the juicy steak pictured above. I would also enjoy it with oven-roasted chicken or my homemade Chocolate Bark (recipe available on Recipes, Travel Culture magazine).

The latest bottling of Show Pony will be available for tasting and purchase in Two Mountain Winery’s tasting room or from its online Shop.

Wondering how Show Pony got its name? Ask someone to tell you the story when you visit the Tasting Room. After a survey of Wine Club members, it was the winning name by a mile!

Dineen Vineyards, Cabernet Franc 2021

Taster/Contributor: Joelle Machia, Wanderers Compass

I had the privilege to indulge in the rich flavors of the 2021 Cabernet Franc. This exquisite wine offers a captivating blend of elegance and intensity, showcasing the true essence of the Yakima Valley terroir. This is a beautifully balanced and expressive red wine. On the nose, it offers enticing aromas of ripe red berries and black currants, with subtle hints of spice and tobacco. As I take my first sip, the palate is rich and velvety, accompanied by a hint of earthiness and herbs, and even a touch of vanilla. With each sip, the flavors evolve. The tannins are surprisingly smooth and well-integrated, providing structure and length to the wine. Though still young, this wine is very drinkable now.

Suggested food pairings

Overall, the varietal’s elegance and complexity make it a perfect choice for pairing with grilled meats, roasted lamb or pork, or hearty vegetarian dishes.

Dineen Vineyards stands as a testament to the artistry of winemaking. Meticulously tended grapes, hand-harvested and sorted to perfection, are the heart of the winery’s commitment to excellence. Through a perfect union of tradition and innovation, the dedicated winemakers have mastered transforming these grapes into captivating wines that beautifully express the terroir of the Yakima Valley. The Dineen family’s unwavering devotion to sustainable farming practices ensures that each bottle reflects their deep passion for stewarding the land. The vineyard benefits from the region’s ideal climate and soil conditions, which contribute to the development of grapes with excellent flavor and balance.

Dineen Vineyards, Condriesque 2022

Taster/Contributor: Janice Sakata-Schultze, The Sansei Traveler

Have you ever wondered how a wine blend can be sophisticated and worthy? Dineen Vineyards Condriesque white blend is the answer. Crafted from an unpredictable growing and ripening season, it’s a testament to the winemaker’s ingenuity and deep understanding of the perfect blend of varietals.

Prepare to be captivated by the intriguing blend of roughly half Viognier grapes and half Roussanne grapes. This Rhone style blend, with its golden color, brings the aromatics of pear, cantaloupe and dried apricot, with just a hint of vanilla. The smooth mid-palate and flavors of lemongrass, agave and green papaya make it a delightful warm-weather choice. The finish is wonderfully subtle, a perfect companion for many food pairings.

Suggested food pairings

Try some of these foods during the late spring to early fall months. Seafood is an ideal pairing, especially sushi, sashimi or shellfish, including lobster, oysters and clams. Condriesque also goes well with poultry and pork. I personally tried it with homemade bacon, chicken and ranch pizza, which elicited the wine’s fruitiness. If you prefer pasta with a cream, cheese or butter-based sauce, it will balance well with the heartiness of these dishes.

The salad pictured above is a recommended pairing for the Condriesque Rhône White Blend. Find the recipe (and many others) at this link on Dineen Vineyard’s Blog under Recipes.

The white blend will also bring out the flavors of many kinds of cheese, mainly soft-rind kinds like Brie and Camembert, but it will also stand up to cheddar or Manchego. Condriesque will also harmonize well with stone fruit tarts such as pear and creamy desserts like cheesecake.

Dineen Vineyards History

Contributor/Marni Patterson, MP Travel Writing

Pat and Lanie Dineen founded Dineen Vineyards in 2001. They began with 12 acres outside the town of Zillah and soon purchased additional land, which increased their estate to almost 100 acres.

Their daughter Marissa was living in Europe and working in the financial services industry. In 2012, she began taking more interest in her family’s business and enrolled in enology and viticulture programs at Washington State University.

Marissa took over ownership in 2020 and began to expand the vineyard’s winemaking capabilities to showcase the vineyard and terroir. Until now, Dineen’s wines had been in limited production and were only available in its onsite tasting room. Samantha (Sam) Mallory came on board to assist as Chief Winemaker. She brought years of experience gained by working at respected Yakima Valley vineyards.

Sustainability is a priority

Sustainability is at the core of everything they do. Marissa and Sam are committed to achieving prosperity while protecting the planet and caring for their customers. They prioritize environmental stewardship, from nurturing our soils with compost and cover crops to fostering biodiversity and minimizing chemical sprays.

This year, Dineen Vineyards earned Certified Sustainable designation. During a rigorous audit a third party validated all vineyard management practices and operations.

“At Dineen Vineyards, everyone is part of the family and united by a shared mission of excellence,” said Marissa. We have long-term employees, which is evident in the health and quality of the vineyard and grapes.”

You may also enjoy reading: Explore Washington State’s First AVA – the Yakima Valley