Town of Prosser Benefits from Increase in Washington Wineries

Prosser is one of many Eastern Washington towns that have benefited tremendously by the State’s expanding wine industry.

What used to be a sleepy little burg located about a half hours drive west of the Tri-Cities has now blossomed into its own full-fledged wine destination. I suppose you know you’ve “arrived” as a bona fide wine town when close to 30 wineries have a Prosser address and you start seeing street names such as Cabernet Court and Merlot Drive.

I attended the Prosser Wine and Food Fair last month; a fun, folksy sort of outdoor event that’s set up on the Prosser High School football field. I’ve always been a big proponent of wine fairs and festivals because there’s always a nice variety of wines to sample and often times you get to chat with industry staff and winemakers.

A couple of favorites at this year’s event: The Pontin del Roza 2007 Chenin Blanc (about $11), a tasty, refreshing wine with plenty of green apple and pear flavors and a touch of sweetness on the finish. Chenin Blanc has long been the signature wine for winemaker Scott Pontin, who will soon be marking his 25th year in the wine industry.

Also noteworthy was the Airfield Estates 2007 Unoaked Chardonnay (about $17). I appreciated the lack of oak in this wine, because it really allows the gentle fruit flavors to shine through. It displays a slightly citrusy character, with a clean, crisp finish.

While visiting Prosser I also took the time to visit a few local tasting rooms. Recently opened Milbrandt Vineyards offers several selections, including a 2005 Legacy Merlot (about $25) that I particularly enjoyed. It’s full of dark berry flavors, along with nuances of smoke, spice and coffee. I picked up a bottle and plan to serve it at a later date with duck ravioli.

And finally, a trip to Prosser would not be complete without a stop at one of its oldest wineries, Chinook Wines. The quaint but charming tasting room featured a chardonnay, a cabernet franc and a newly released, non-vintage white wine blend of sauvignon blanc and semillon – an absolute steal at only about $11 a bottle.