Prosser, the Birthplace of Washington Wine

The New Network:  Prosser Wine Network

From time to time there is a wine region that, while part of the larger Regional AVA (Columbia Valley) and mere miles from a famous AVA (Horse Heaven Hills), seems to get overlooked.

Special thanks to Wine Folly for sharing this map

Launched in Spring of 2014, there are 18 wineries and 10 non-wine entities that grouped together to form what is known as the Prosser Wine Network.  This network developed independently in the region to promote and support the wine being made in the town of Prosser. It is all under the tag line “Prosser, the birthplace of Washington Wine. “

According to the Prosser Wine Network,“The Prosser Wine Network is an organization focused on the promotion of Prosser wine within community and beyond. Its formation represented a concerted effort by everyone involved in the area of Prosser and environs, the lower Yakima Valley AVA.”  This network offers a voice that functions as an extension of the tourism office and other location specific marketing destination entities surrounding Prosser—but with a wine industry focus.  The purpose is to network and connect people within the wine industry in Prosser, not to create an alliance or an AVA.

Kay and Clay Simon of Chinook Wines, Jenna Hannan of Mercer Estates Winery , Monica Martinez of Martinez & Martinez Winery, and Gordon Taylor of Davenlore Winery were the main people supporting and leading this effort in building the Prosser brand. In tangent, the Walter Clore Center opened in June of this year through the support of a number of private donors in efforts to promote the Washington wine industry in this area.

For more information on the Prosser Wine Network, please visit http://www.prosserwinenetwork.com/ and be sure that your first stop in the Prosser area is at the Walter Clore Center.  There you can learn more about the AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) of the region and taste some of its amazing rotating wines.  The Walter Clore Center is located at 2140 Wine Country Road, in Prosser, Washington 99350.  Do visit them at http://www.theclorecenter.org/.

 The Prosser Wine Network:

White wines of the Prosser Wine Network:
Albarino, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Marsanne, Muscat Canelli, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Riesling (Dry), Riesling (Sweet), Rose, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Sparkling, Viognier, White Blend, Rhone Blend, Rousanne

Red wines of the Prosser Wine Network:
Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Counouse, Dolcetto, Durif, Grenache, Lemberger, Malbec, Meritage, Merlot, Mourvedre, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Primitivo, Red Blend, Rhone Blend, Sangiovese, Syrah, Tempranillo, Zinfandel

Dessert wines of the Prosser Wine Network:
Ice Wine, Late Harvest, Port

Wineries in the Prosser Wine Network:
14 Hands Winery
Airfield Estates Winery
Alexandria Nicole Cellars
Apex Cellars
Bunnell Family Cellar
Chateau Ste Michelle Tasting Gallery
Chinook Wines
Columbia Crest Winery
Coyote Canyon Winery
Daven Lore Winery
Desert Wind Winery
Domanico Cellars
Gamache Vintners
Hogue Cellars
Martinez & Martinez Winery
Mercer Estates Winery
Milbrandt Vineyards
Pontin Del Roza Winery
Prosser Vineyard & Winery
VineHeart Winery
Willow Crest Wine Estates