The Wine Knows

The Vintner Village, a 12-acre stretch of land just off Interstate 82 in the middle of Washington's Yakima Valley, is pretty well sold out, so the Port of Benton is looking to expand by purchasing an adjacent 18 acres for $1.1 million.

In just two years, the Vintner Village has attracted Thurston Wolfe, Willow Crest, Airfield Estates, Olsen Estates and the Milbrandt Brothers as stand-alone wineries. Importantly, the Winemaker's Loft also has opened, which is home to 12 additional wineries - all within easy walking distance. Next to the cluster of wineries is a wonderful plant nursery.

The Port of Benton, which developed the area into a wine destination after a wine-storage warehouse dropped its plans, now has its eyes on adjacent property. A beautiful old house is on this property, which the port hopes will become a bed and breakfast - something badly needed in the Prosser area.

This clustering concept is fairly new to Washington. We see it a little at the Walla Walla airport (though most wineries aren't really close enough together to walk between) and in Richland, where Bookwalter, Barnard Griffin and Tagaris are within a few yards of each other. Downtown Walla Walla also has good tasting room clusters.

This could well be a model of success for the future. It's certainly proving to be in Prosser.

The Port of Kennewick, a separate but similar entity, recently purchased the unused Tri-City Raceway, which is in the shadow of Red Mountain in West Richland. I wouldn't be shocked if a similar concept popped up there to take advantage of the wine tourism that is being drawn to Washington's smallest appellation.