Bookwalter Winery

An oasis in a desert, Bookwalter Winery serves as a gathering spot for local residents and wine aficionados. Set in the arid land by the Columbia, Snake and Yakima rivers, the winery presents visitors with an experience of local culture as well as acclaimed wines.

Old World to New

The Bookwalter family agricultural roots stretch from eighteenth-century Europe to present-day eastern Washington, by way of California. Winery founder Jerry Bookwalter graduated in 1963 from UC Davis and worked in central California before bringing his expertise to Washington and managing several vineyards. He partnered with his wife to start Bookwalter Winery in the early 1980s.

Their son John joined the family business in 1997 after a successful career in beverage sales and marketing. The tenth American generation of Bookwalters to be involved in agriculture, John has focused on producing ultra-premium red wines.

As winemaker, John brought in winemaking and vineyard consultant Zelma Long in 2000, after she had retired from a 30-year career in the wine industry. She was the first woman CEO of a major California winery and is considered one of the pioneers responsible for the modern California wine industry.

Their partnership brought rave reviews for their 2000 Columbia Valley Merlot and 2000 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wines. More awards and praise have followed, including two top 100 wines of the year rankings. Bookwalter was also named a Washington Winery to Watch in Wine Spectator and was named Washington Winery of the year by Wine Press Northwest in 2005.

Winery with Metro Flair

Built in 1993, the winery is contemporary in style, decorated to convey the romance of wine. The winery's attached residence was converted into a wine lounge in 2002. Its modern, urban space offers many small places to gather, painted in rich, warm colors. Outdoors, visitors find more seating and a pergola with a fireplace adding to the intimate ambience.

Several tasting tours are available, including the common daily tasting in which visitors sample and discuss the wines with trained staff. For the full experience, visitors may take part in an exclusive tour with the winemaker, available with advanced reservations. This tour includes light or heavy appetizers and is tailored to suit visitors' interests. John shares his knowledge of winemaking as he gives a complete tour of the facility.

Music in the Lounge

For a relaxing afternoon or evening, the wine lounge offers a place to get better acquainted with all the Tri-Cities have to offer. Along with live entertainment and Bookwalter wines, the lounge serves up local appetizer fare, such as artisan cheeses and salamis, including a hearty winter fondue. The summer menu may include a delicious grilled portabella doused with goat cheese, balsamic vinegar and basil.

Bookwalter produces a range of wines, from Chardonnay and Viognier to an approachable Cabernet Sauvignon and many red blends. As winemaker, John aims to bring passion, fastidiousness, continuity and energy—along with superior vineyards sources and winemaking—to produce red wines rivaling the best in the world. As Paul Gregutt of The Seattle Times wrote, "Second-generation winemakers…John Bookwalter (J. Bookwalter)... are making wines that surpass the legacies they were handed."