This is our busiest day in Prosser. We are visiting several wineries: Desert Wind, Mercer Estate, Willow Crest, Milbrandt and  Gamache Vintners. Desert Wind is a destination site. The winery has a production facility, tasting room and retail area, restaurant and four suites for overnight guests. Desert Wind has a sister winery, Duck Pond Cellars, in Oregon. Try there Ruah blend.

Mercer Estates is located off Interstate 82 in another area of several wineries. From the road one drives around an acre of Pinot Gris to the parking area. The winery and tasting room facility was positioned so people can see the views in every direction. Outdoors, beautifully landscaped areas are next to the winery and vineyards. Pathways encourage  you to walk amongst the many rose bushes out into the vineyard. The large tasting room provides a tasting bar and chairs and tables.

Willow Crest Winery is in Prosser’s other wine park, Vintner’s Village. The winery production area has a small tasting room and retail area and a large patio area perfect for warm weather sitting and taking in the area while having a glass of wine.

Milbrandt is an impressive facility. The large Tuscan styled facility has a courtyard where visitors can spend part of their day sipping wine while reading a book. The tasting room is large with a three-section tasting counter. A fireplace at one end of the tasting room is the focal point of a living room with a sofa and chairs. It looks like a living room in someone house giving the tasting room a cozy comfortable feel.

Gamache Vintners is owned and operated by ob and Roger Gamache who are winegrowers in the region. They emphasize that wine is made in the vineyard and hired a winemaker that knew how to make wines where the grape expresses itself. The large tasting room has a curved counter and plenty of room to discover wine related items in the retail area.

A long day of wine tasting came to a close. Prosser is a must visit wine region that should be on the wine travelers radar.

Cheers,
Terry