Visit Tri-Cities
Words by Jan Lee
When the famed American explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark arrived at the confluence of the Columbia and Snake Rivers some 200 years ago, they had no idea that underneath the windswept desert they were about to map, lie the source of an economic goldmine.
Washington State, after all, is known for its lush, expansive forests, snow-shrouded mountain tops, and jaw-dropping scenery. But it is the southeastern region – vast expanses of the shrub-steppe desert – that today owns a distinctive geographic title. Often compared to rich, fertile lands of the Bordeaux wine region in France, the hills and plateaus surrounding the Tri-Cities area of southeastern Washington are home to the state's largest and most varied wine district.
More than 200 wineries have established roots here, where sandy loam soil, abundant sun, and an unusually temperate Northwest climate create the perfect setting for producing wine, beer, and other craft liquors. The Tri-Cities wineries are part of what is called the Columbia Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA), a sprawling collection of small, localized viticultural areas that together, represent more acreage than California's Napa Valley AVA. The Tri-Cities area is one of the AVA’s most popular RV destinations.
Wineries, Breweries, and Tasting Tours
The secret to the Columbia Valley AVA’s success, according to wine experts, lies in its soil. “Sandy loam soils are well-drained and retain heat,” explains the authors of the blog, Wine Folly. In warmer climates, such as South African viticultural areas, soils that retain heat become problematic for growing balanced, flavourful wines. But that’s not necessarily the case in the Northwest. “In cooler climate regions, sandy soils benefit vineyards by retaining heat and draining well to produce highly aromatic wines.”
That wine-friendly soil and temperate dry climate is part of why the Tri-Cities area is such an ideal growing region. More than 30 different kinds of grapes are cultivated throughout the greater region. To the wine connoisseur, that means a more extensive array of wines to sample. At least 10 different vintages are produced in and around the Tri-Cities area, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Syrah, Bordeaux blends, Pinot Gris, and Gewurztraminer and Chardonnay.
Many of the Tri-Cities wineries and breweries are perched in the hills overlooking the Snake, Columbia and Yakima Rivers, but others are clustered in the nearby cities of Prosser and Benton City, an easy drive from any local RV park.
Some of the more renowned wineries include 14 Hands Winery, Kestrel Vintners, Columbia Crest Winery, Bartholomew Winery, and Goose Ridge. Some are better known than others for their tasting rooms: the Alexandria Nicole Cellars in Prosser, Hedges Family Estate in Benton City and J. Bookwalter Wines in Richland are favourite destinations. Visitors will also find a selection of wine bars, tap rooms, and breweries scattered across the Tri-Cities area.
Organic viticulture isn’t entirely new to the Columbia Valley AVA, but it’s been slowly growing in popularity. The demand on water resources and the impacts of climate change have encouraged some wineries to explore more sustainable ways to produce wines. Bio-dynamic wineries – wineries that are often described as taking a holistic, ethical-ecological approach to production with a nod toward organic practices, are the latest example of this trend.
For those who prefer organic and bio-dynamic wines, Badger Mountain Certified Organic Vineyard in Kennewick and J. Bookwalter are top local choices.
Visit Tri-Cities
Tri-Cities: Washington’s fair-weather destination
One of the best times of the year to visit the Tri-Cities is in the spring. While the summer months are often hot and dry (the temperature has been known to reach as high as 40 C/104 F in late summer), April and May are considerably milder. Temperatures normally range between 18 C/66 F and 23 C/74 F and rainfall averages less than 8 inches during those months.
The area's three primary cities, Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco make up the majority of the Tri-Cities area. It's easy to think of these three cities as one large metropolis, but they each have their own distinct culture and attractions to offer.
Kennewick is best known for its rambling waterfront walkways, nightlife attractions, and shopping areas. Pasco, on the other hand, is home to the area's most famous historical landmark, the Sacajawea State Park and museum. The park commemorates the exact location where the local Wanapum Indians first gathered to meet Lewis and Clark as they made their way down the Columbia River. Richland, located at the northwest corner of the city, is famous for its emerald-green golf courses, parks, and wildlife sanctuaries and preserves.
The Tri-Cities area is also within driving distance of other wine regions. Yakima to the northwest and Walla Walla, to the southeast of Tri-Cities, are two smaller AVAs that host wine festivals in the springtime.
Wine tours are another great way to sample the many diverse vintages of the region. The Tri-Cities Visitor’s Centre can provide a list of tour companies in the area, or suggest some self-tour routes of outlying areas.
Tri-Cities RV parks
There are numerous RV parks in the Tri-Cities area, and many are located close to the city or within its limits. Most overnight rates start around $45-$55 USD, with additional costs, in some cases, for pull-through and peak season periods. Most offer weekly or monthly rates as well.
If you are traveling with a four-footed friend, some RV parks charge a pet fee and a few have limitations on types of breeds and size over 30 pounds. It’s worth asking ahead of time about rules and limitations if you are planning to bring a dog.
As always, reserving your site ahead is recommended, as springtime is a favourite time to travel in Washington’s sunny southeast.
For those who prefer a country ambiance, the Elm Grove RV Park in Benton City puts you amid the trees and green spaces, with three-way services for up to 40-footers and a selection of wineries to sample nearby. Richland breweries aren’t far away, either.
The Columbia Sun RV Resort at the south end of Kennewick, but minutes from city amenities, accommodates up to 30 m (100 ft) in length and offers 20/30/50 amp service. It also has a fenced pet play area, a swimming pool and hot tub, as well as an on-site store. The park puts you close to Kennewick's select wineries, wine, and tap bars.
The Franklin County RV Park in Pasco has 30 and 50-amp service. The 50-amp sites come with water and sewer; the 30-amp sites do not include sewer. The park is located close to both the freeway and stores in the centre of town, but according to the owners, far enough away from thoroughfares to be comfortably quiet. Pasco has a selection of wineries, and the freeway puts you within easy range of all Tri-Cities destinations.
Getting to the Tri-Cities
The Tri-Cities is about 2 hours southwest of Spokane, Washington via US 90 and Washington State Road 395. Spokane is about 2-3 hours from the Canadian border and eastern BC, depending upon your preferred route.
Once on U.S. 90/WA 395, the road rambles through Washington’s open farmland. The route is fairly flat and straight with some moderate hills and turns. As you enter the outskirts of the Tri-Cities area, don’t be surprised if the route takes you briefly on to US 182 as you merge on to WA 240 at Richland.
Be sure to take note of the address of your selected RV Park ahead of time and follow the directions to the city in which it’s located. The Tri-Cities has a great freeway system but pre-planning and mapping are always helpful in eastern Washington’s bustling wine district.
The Tri-Cities Visitor Centre's website has a comprehensive list of wineries, breweries, craft distilleries, and other destinations to enjoy. It also is a great place to find your preferred RV park. The following is the main office of the visitor centre in Kennewick, although satellite offices are also located in Pasco and Richland.
Tri-Cities Visitor Centre
(Main Branch - Kennewick)
7130 W. Grandridge Blvd., Suite BKennewick, WA 99336
(800) 254-5824
http://www.visittri-cities.com
Open Monday-Friday 8 am-5 pm in the spring
June-August open Saturdays as well.