There’s no better way to explore wine country than by cycling over rolling hills, down scenic country roads, past fruit orchards, irrigation canals and vineyards on a bright summer afternoon. But no matter when you visit the Yakima Valley, it’s still a great way to get out and explore wine country. Ride in the spring, when the fruit trees are in bloom, the weather is warm and wineries are premiering the new spring barrel releases. Or choose the fall for the when the vineyards are laden with grapes, and the peach, pear and apple trees are full with the fall harvest. Just make sure to pack a snack to munch at one of the many wineries on the Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail.
This 12-mile round trip ride will provide you with a good variety of hills and flat sections, and give you plenty of wineries to taste at. But you can always veer off the course and discover more of the many wineries in the area!
Begin at Two Mountain Winery. The winery allows riders to park and unload bicycles at the winery. Want to get an early start, no problem! You don’t have to wait for the winery to open, just park and go. (Please call ahead for large groups)
Two Mountain Winery is a family-owned operation nestled in the Rattlesnake Hills that was established in 2002. Brothers Matthew and Patrick Rawn own and operate the winery and estate vineyard, drawing on the experience of three generations who have farmed the rich soil of the Yakima Valley.
As you leave Two Mountain Winery, turn to the right onto Cheyne Road then left on Gilbert Road. Ride 1.3 miles to Hyatt Vineyards on your left.
Hyatt Vineyards was established by Leland and Lynda Hyatt in 1983. Evolving from a modest estate vineyard surrounding the winery, Hyatt Vineyards has grown to 180 acres in four separate sites all within three miles of the original plantings.
From Hyatt Vineyards, continue on Gilbert Road 0.4 miles and turn left onto Bonair Road. Ride 0.9 miles to Tanjuli Winery, which will be on your right.
Tanjuli Winery is a quaint cellar winery and tasting room that is cut into their hillside vineyard. Taste an extraordinary selection of unique estate-grown wines. Group tours of 10 or more are welcome with prior arrangement by phone.
Leaving Tanjuli turn left on Bonair Road, continue to the intersection of Bonair Road and Highland Drive; go straight on the unpaved road to visit Bonair Winery or turn left to continue on:.
Bonair Winery farms 40 acres of estate vineyards in the Rattlesnake Hills of the Yakima Valley to ensure the quality of the grapes that make their wine. This is a great place for a picnic as you sit by the duck pond, relax, and enjoy the sunshine.
Leaving Bonair, turn right onto Highland Drive. Continue along Highland Drive to visit three more wineries that are just minutes away from each other.
Maison de Pagett Winery features bold Tuscany-style architecture, including crushed marble pillars imported from Spain, handcrafted oak wrapped iron doors, high ceilings and custom stone work that make this winery a feast for the eye. Stroll through their meticulously groomed European gardens, then enjoy a picnic on their covered patio.
Paradisos del Sol is a small family owned estate winery, using grapes primarily from their Vineyard del Sol and other small family vineyards in the Yakima Valley. Grapes are crushed and wines are bottled with the help of friends.
Cultura Cellars offers handcrafted limited edition premium wines from the Yakima Valley. Fine wines can only be achieved by personally controlling the whole process from planting the vines, aging in French Oak barrels, to bottling!
Turn left on Vintage Road and follow the upward slope to Silver Lake Winery.
Silver Lake Winery released its first vintage in the fall of 1989. In the past fifteen years the winery has grown from 2,000 cases to more than 50,000 cases of handcrafted wine annually. The winery began as the outgrowth of the passion for fine wines shared by three professors at the University of Washington and a local real estate investor. Today, Silver Lake is owned by over 1,200 wine enthusiasts who have pooled their resources together to make Silver Lake one of the state’s largest locally owned wineries.
Return back the same way to turn right on Highland Drive then right onto Roza Hill Drive to Agate Field Winery.
Agate Field Winery is a small family owned and operated vineyard and winery. The vineyard is located on a hill overlooking Whiskey Canyon where the volcanic soil is optimal for growing wine grapes. The fields are full of beautiful agates rich in color and clarity. The same is true of the wines produced from Agate Field Vineyards.
Turn right on Roza Hill Drive when leaving Agate Field Winery, then turn left onto Gilbert Road. Dineen Vineyards will be on the left.
Dineen Vineyards overlooks the Yakima Valley, offering wood fired pizza on selected Saturdays throughout the year. Chef Chris Guerra from Guerra’s Gourmet hand crafts his pizza with fresh local ingredients. Open weekends and by appointment.
Continue on Gilbert Road, then left onto Cheyne and back to Two Mountain Winery to the end the day!
Preparations for your ride: Use thorn proof tires, plastic thorn shields or bring extra tubes, bicycle tire slime protection for goat heads, a low-growing weed with two sharp thorns (known locally as “tire killers”)
Yakima Valley Hand-Crafted Stories 