Unpretentious Atmosphere at Paradisos del Sol

When visiting Northwest wineries you’re never certain what you might find. From large, antiseptic corporate venues to rustic mom and pop operations, Washington truly has them all.

Last summer I came across Paradisos del Sol winery, located near Zillah, which is about a 15 minute drive east of Yakima. This has to be one of the most unpretentious wineries I’ve encountered. The tasting room is actually part of winemaker Paul Vandenberg’s house and is surrounded by orchards and gardens, with dogs, cats and chickens casually roaming about the premises.

Once inside, you’re treated to samples of homemade artichoke and crab dip along with current releases of red and white wines. My favorite, which I recently opened, was the Lot 2 Paradisos del Sol Red (about $18), a blend of Lemberger and Cabernet. The wine displays a tinge of bright cherry for starters and then plenty of spicy berry flavors – notably blackberry and raspberry – followed by a soft finish. The Cabernet gives the wine a bit of structure without being obtrusive.

In addition to the laid back atmosphere, one of the things that impressed me about the winery was their concern for the environment. Farming is done using natural methods with no synthetic pesticides and all of the wines are bottled in clear glass, which is 100 percent recyclable.

I wasn’t able to find Paradisos del Sol wines locally, but they can be ordered online at www.paradisosdelsol.com or by phoning (509) 829-9000. Better yet, pay the winery a visit. You’ll find it to be a unique and relaxing experience.

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