A variety of wine and lots of good times — that’s what you’ll find in the city of Prosser, otherwise known as the birthplace of Washington wine! Since its establishment in 1889, the historic city of Prosser has always been the region’s agricultural center, with the addition of the Washington State University Irrigated Agricultural Research Extension Center in 1919 and the introduction of wine grapes in the area in the 1930s further cementing this legacy.
Today, the city is home to over 30 wineries. In celebration of this grape-growing tradition, each year, Prosser hosts a series of full-bodied annual wine events, inviting locals and attracting visitors from across the globe to uncork the good times and sip and savor these liquid libations that can only be found here in the home of Washington wines.
Historic Downtown Prosser’s Annual Sip and Stroll
For the past four years, Historic Downtown Prosser and the Prosser Chamber of Commerce have teamed up to kick off Spring with their new annual Sip and Stroll event. During the four-hour craft beverage tasting event, participants can expect to sip and sample what area brewers, winemakers, and cider-makers have to offer while they shop and explore each location before strolling to the next venue.
Downtown restaurants also participate in the wineful extravaganza and will offer small bites. The event is the perfect opportunity to emerge from the winter slump and rekindle your spirits, all while indulging in the region’s flavors. And with over 22 esteemed wineries and breweries participating, there’s no shortage of opportunities to discover new favorites and reconnect with old classics.
Spring Barrel Tasting in Prosser
Spring is officially sprung in Prosser each April, as the last weekend of the month is reserved for Spring Barrel Tasting. The weekend is every wine connoisseur’s chance to get a jump on tasting and purchasing some of the best wines in Washington wine country. During this weekend, many favorite local wineries will offer visitors a chance to sample their delicious, yet unfinished wines straight from the barrel. Many of the participating wineries will be those on the Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail, with others from the Prosser Historic District participating as well. Be sure to check your favorite winery’s website or calendar of events to see if they’ll be participating in this sip-sational weekend.
Prosser’s Art Walk & Wine Gala
What do you get when you mix art, music, food, and, of course, some of the richest wines Washington has to offer? Well, get you the city’s annual Art Walk & Wine Gala! It’s a celebration that’s been 20 years in the making and is held every July to create a perfect summer evening attendees won’t soon forget.
During the event, guests will sip award-winning wine and stroll on the Art Walk promenade featuring the Pacific Northwest artisans’ creative works exhibiting various mediums from fine art to glass, pottery to jewelry, wood to recycled whimsy, and so much more! This delicious pairing brings out the best in the region, from canvas creativity to intoxicating concoctions in a glass.
Red Wine & Chocolate
It’s no secret that the natural affinity between dark chocolate and red wine has been one for the ages, so every February, Prosser is happy to host their famous Red Wine & Chocolate event during the Valentine’s Day weekend. Yes, Cupid’s favorite holiday is also a favorite among the city’s local wineries, with many of them even celebrating this perfect pairing all month long by offering specialty menu items in the form of decadent chocolates and even richer wines. Careful, or your taste buds might just get struck by Cupid’s arrow, and you’ll be stuck marking your calendars year after year for this wine-ing event!
Of course, these aren’t the only annual wine events happening in Prosser. While the city itself holds these vino celebrations, many of the region’s wineries also host their own annual events throughout the year in recognition of these grape drinks. For instance, Coyote Canyon Winery hosts Library Wine Fridays every Friday in their Tasting Room and Mercer Wine Estates likes to frequently hold Bunco Nights. And if wine isn’t your liquid libation of choice, there’s even an annual Prosser Beer & Whiskey Festival. So whether your favorites be classic reds, crisp whites, or something a little more rough around the edges, there’s always a reason to raise a toast in the home of Washington wines, Prosser!
