Spokane is a small town in Washington DC and gets its special name from the Native Americans who occupied the land. Spokane means “children of the sun”, which is derived from the land always being bathed in the sunlight.
The Spokane wineries in Washington have joined the chat on how the wine industry can keep up with the trends and stay fresh, modern and trendy. They know how to attract customers of all backgrounds, and how they can stand out in the sea of winemakers all over the US and globally.
Want to find out more about Spokane Washington wineries? Our guide tells you all about the vino that comes from this part of the world.
How Many Wineries Are In Spokane?
Spokane is home to at least 20 wineries, but the industry continues to grow. The Spokane wine farms and residential locations have proven to be popular to visit. The tourism industry around the Spokane wineries has blossomed in the last decade, and now the region has a wide variety of renovated and stunning places to stay or hosts big events like weddings and birthdays.
The Spokane wineries are situated on mountain cliffs and hills overlooking warm sunsets and infinite vineyards spanning acres. The buildings and style of the vineyards can be seen as Tuscan inspired, with gorgeous buildings where wine is aged and guests are welcome to stay. Spokane is aptly named, as it really is bathed in sunshine, making anyone who visits feel like a child of the sun. This place is heaven on earth, and the wine isn’t too bad either.
How Big Are The Spokane Vineyards?
The people of the Spokane winemaking scene believe in quality over quantity, and their farms can be seen as tiny in comparison to those of other wine countries in the USA. Not all of the wineries are actually growing the grapes themselves, they usually get from the Walla Walla, Yakima and Columbia Valleys. However, there have been a few in the last decade or so that have taken up a small amount of land to start growing their own Spokane native grapes to produce a proudly Spokanese product.
One of these wineries is the Red Hawk Ranch, encompassing around 80 acres of hillside property, and the actual vineyard makes up for 11/2 acres of that property. The owner of this ranch, Steve Schaub, has said “It’s minuscule and special. This really is Spokane wine.” With this statement, you can tell how much the locals love their wine, and how they’re not interested in mass-producing or turning the land into a place swarming with tourists, but rather a place to appreciate the beauty of the unique landscape and its tasty wine.
What Is The Oldest Winery In Spokane?
The wineries near Spokane in Washington may be smaller than the average, but don’t let this fool you. These farms also hold a good amount of history and have thought up methods and wine tastes that are unique to the Spokane region.
One of these wineries is the Latah Creek winery, with it being a family-run institution since the 80s, boasting a 40 year-long run in the wine game.
They’ve become masters in growing the Muscat grape variety, among other white wines. The thing that makes the land so special is the temperature that is experienced and how it affects the grapes, the Spokane region is known for high temperatures during the day and low temperatures during the night, which allows the grape to ripen but not rot, and keeps good levels of acidity in the flavour.
Noteworthy Names To Look For At Wineries Near Spokane, Washington
Because Spokane isn’t currently AVA designated, it is rare that you’ll see the Spokane name on the bottle, but these local masterpieces are putting Spokane wineries on the map, whether its made from grapes that come from Washington the state (such as Walla Walla or Columbia Valleys) or if the grapes were grown right here in Spokane, the wineries are making some fantastic varieties of wine.
You’ll see the names of the wineries on the Spokane grown and made wine, such as the Latah Creek variations (of which there are many). Or there’s the Maryhill winery and tasting room, that offers pairings, tours and the ability to purchase their wines online.
Washington Wine Month
The Spokane wineries all joined together last month to celebrate the season of wine and the success of their vineyards in the last decades, in addition to raising awareness of the incredible vineyards of the small part of Washington. The state is known for their incredible contribution to the wine industry and has been the second-largest producing wine state in the USA next to California.
Spokane may be small, but it’s a part of a giant in the wine industry, making it worth celebrating. In case you missed it, the wineries that participate and are likely to next year were Arbor Crest Wine Cellars, Barili Cellars, Barrister Winery, Bridge Press Cellars, Cougar Crest Winery Craftsman Cellars Helix Wines Latah Creek Wine Cellars.
Where To Stay When Visiting Wineries Near Spokane, Washington
Now that you know Spokane boasts an amazing wine country, you’re probably wondering if it’s got some great loggings to match the vineyards and wineries. The answer is yes, there are some incredible places to stay all over Spokane, and if you are looking to see a big city while you’re in Washington, Seattle is only a 4 hour’s drive away.
If small cottages or Air BnB isn’t your vibe, Spokane has a wide range of luxury hotels to choose from, such as the historic Davenport, a hotel that has four start ratings and the most comfortable and spacious rooms to lounge around in if you enjoyed the wine a little too much.
Bathe In The Spokane Sunshine
Why not try something different when travelling the great states and enjoy a wine country that hasn’t gotten the credit it deserves. When you think of Washington, your mind probably goes to the White House (wrong Washington), or the space needles of rainy Seattle.
Now there’s Spokane, Washington to think of as the next wine pioneering town of America. Visiting for leisure, wine tasting, sampling some of the many tasty cuisines or attending the Washinton wine month in March of 2023, you know there is plenty of fun to be had in the Spokane Winelands.