The Best Wineries in Chelan
Last Updated on July 21, 2024 by Kelly
The Lake Chelan region has over 30 wineries, and trust me when I say all of them are spectacular. It doesn’t get much better than enjoying an excellent local wine with a view of the lake right in front of you!
Over the years, I’ve personally been to many of the wineries mentioned in this post. I’m excited to share some of the best wineries in Chelan. I’ve organized the wineries by region (north shore, south shore, downtown, and other), so that you can easily plan your own wine tour if you’d like to visit several wineries in the same day. I also share which wineries are pet-friendly, serve food, and more!
I recommend that you visit as many wineries as you possibly can. I think wine tasting is one of the best things to do in Chelan!
Our Favorite Wineries in Chelan
If you only have a few minutes, here’s our short list of our favorite wineries in Chelan:
|
Winery Name |
Why We Like It |
| Tsillan Cellars | It feels like we’re in Italy when we visit Tsillan Cellars! We like to do a wine tasting, explore the property, and then have dinner at Sorrento’s. |
| Siren Song Wines | This winery has a beautiful backdrop of Lake Chelan. We love taking photos in front of the arch. |
| Rio Vista Wines | This winery is on the river, and you can even drive a boat and moor it at their dock! This winery is very laid-back and we love relaxing here. |
Read on to learn more about the dozens of wineries at Lake Chelan!
About the Wineries
The reason that there are so many wineries in Chelan is because the region has ideal soil conditions for growing grapes. Because of the ice glaciers that formed the lake and the surrounding hills thousands of years ago, the soil is coarse and sandy, which happens to be perfect for the vineyards. As a result, the Chelan region has been designated as an American Viticultural Area (AVA), which is a specific demarkation used on wine labels to let consumers know that the grapes were grown within the boundaries of an established wine region.
There are over 30 wineries in Chelan and the vineyards cover over 300 acres. That’s a lot to explore! Some of the wineries are perched in the hills with sweeping views of the lake, some are located in trendy shops downtown, and some have grand estates that are perfect for hosting weddings and large events.
Grape varietals in the area include Syrah (47 acres), Pinot Noir (24 acres), Chardonnay (22 acres), Merlot (22 acres), and Riesling (20 acres). Some unique varietals that grow in Chelan include Aglianico, Dolcetto, and Tannat.
| See our post on the 18 Best Restaurants in Chelan! |
North Shore Wineries
- Lake Chelan Winery: They offer multiple wine tastings, one of which is a complimentary tasting of four wines! The winery also has a BBQ in the Vineyard on select days, and they are also the makers of Lake Chelan Cheese. Wine and cheese sure do make a great pairing!
- Hard Row to Hoe: This vineyard is built on land that previously a housed a brothel for local miners. Today, it’s the Hard Row to Hoe winery! You’ll find some decor that nods to its scandalous past, and it’s a whole lot of fun! This is a great winery to visit if you’re planning on hosting a bachelorette party in Lake Chelan as well. I think this winery is a lot of fun.
- Chelan Ridge Winery: The views of the lake are beautiful, and this winery is pet-friendly. In addition to the tasting room, they serve pizza from brick oven.
- Cairdeas Winery: Pronounced “cardis”, the word means “friendship” in Gaelic. Currently you can get a tasting flight for $15.
- Succession Wines: After their house burned down, they pursued their passion and created an award-winning winery. They often have live music on Sunday afternoons from May through October.
- Benson Vineyards Estate Winery: The stone patio is gorgeous and so is the view! You’ll see the lake in the background and the vineyard in the foreground, which makes for beautiful photos! They also frequently host concerts.
- Silver Bell Winery: This winery has sweeping views of Lake Chelan and a large tasting room. My parents recently visited Silver Bell Winery and really enjoyed this one!
South Shore Wineries
- Tsillan Cellars: When you drive into this estate, you will feel like you have been transported to Italy. Their tasting room is decorated with marble and hand-carved wood. Their wines are 100% estate wine, meaning that all of the grapes are grown right on their property. After your wine tasting, we recommend that you dine on their property at Sorrento’s Ristorante. This is easily one of the best wineries in Chelan. I visit this winery often.
- Siren Song Wines: This is another gorgeous winery painted in a deep yellow with plenty of stonework. Their arbor overlooking the lake is the perfect spot for photos. I absolutely love this winery.
- Mellisoni Vineyards: With sweeping views of Lake Chelan, Mellisoni Vineyards offers an intimate setting to enjoy their wines. Their tasting fee was $20.
- Tunnel Hill Winery: The historic stone buildings were built in 1937. Guests are invited to walk through the grounds, including the vineyards and the Waterfall Garden. I think that this is such a peaceful spot to relax and do a tasting.
- Nefarious Cellars: If you have a group of six or less, this is the place to go. They offer an intimate wine tasting experience for smaller groups.
Downtown Wineries
- Vin Du Lac Winery: This winery has a farmhouse vibe. Their bistro serves some excellent food to pair with your wines. There is outdoor seating under a covered pergola.
- One Wines Inc.: Their tasting room and patio is located in the main downtown area. They focus their efforts on making three excellent wines per year: one red, one white, and one rosé.
- Rio Vista Wines: This winery is located a little bit out of town, but it is definitely worth the drive! The winery is built right alongside the river. (You can even drive your boat up to their dock!) This is one of our favorite wineries.
- Sigillo Cellars: Their patio has a view of the lake, and they have paninis on their food menu.
- Rocky Pond Winery: They have a tasting room in the heart of downtown.
Chelan Trolley Co.
During weekends during the summer season, the Chelan Trolley takes riders to many of the most popular wineries. It’s very easy to use. You just purchase a ticket, and you can use the app to track the trolley. You can hop on and off, so it’s really easy to visit multiple wineries responsibly in the same day. (And who doesn’t love riding a trolley?) You can also charter the trolley for a special event.
Organized Tours
One of the best ways to experience the Chelan wineries is to book a wine tour. Many of the companies have private shuttles or limousines that will take you to several different wineries. That way, you don’t have to worry about driving or parking! (It’s so important to drink responsibly, so if you’re planning to consume wine, please consider one of the tours.)
If you’re planning on going with a group, it’s also a convenient way to travel since everyone can ride together. (Instead of needing to coordinate separate vehicles and drivers.)
The tours do not include the tasting fees at the wineries, so keep that in mind when you are planning your visit.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.
Here are a few companies to consider:
- Chelan Wine Tours and Excursions: You can choose between a 4 or 6 hour tour. Currently their 4-hour tour costs $70 per person. They provide a list of wineries, and you can customize your tour by choosing the wineries that you want to visit.
- Limousine Wine Tours: They offer a silver package (4 hours of wine tasting), a gold package (4 hours of wine tasting plus a two hour meal block), and weekday specials. Their silver package currently costs $75 per person. They also offer special rates to pick you up where you are staying.
- Chelan Water to Wine: This is a unique company that will boat you to different wineries. When you’re not sipping wine at the wineries, you will be on the lake! The cost ranges from $145-$165 per person.
We booked a shuttle for my own bachelorette party in Chelan, and it was such a fun experience! The day was stress-free, and all we had to do was enjoy each winery we visited. (Which wasn’t hard to do!)
Wine Events
There are several large events that take place among the wineries each year. These include:
- Washington Wine Month (March): Each of the wineries offer unique discounts and perks during this month.
- Spring Release (April): This is the event for white and rosé wine lovers.
- Lake Chelan Wine and Jazz Festival (May): Over a four day period, you can listen to numerous artists play at different wineries.
Wineries That Serve Food
The following wineries in Chelan also have restaurants:
- Tsillan Cellars
- Siren Song Winery
- Sigillo Cellars
- Vin du Lac Winery
- Benson Vineyards
- Lake Chelan Winery
(Although please note many of the other wineries offer small bites and snacks!)
Dog-Friendly Wineries
The following wineries in Chelan are dog-friendly:
- Succession Wine
- Lake Chelan Winery
- Cairdeas Winery
- Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards
- Mellisoni
- Tunnel Hill Winery
- Tsillan Cellars
Wineries Within Walking Distance of Each Other
If you’re planning on driving and you’d also like to visit multiple wineries, it might be best to choose wineries that are close enough together that you can walk between them. Here are a few suggestions:
- Downtown: Rocky Pond Winery and One Wine Inc.
- North Shore: Succession Wines, Cairdeas Winery, and Lake Chelan Winery
- South Shore: Nefarious Cellars and Siren Song Wines
Tasting Tips
To make the most of your experience, we recommend the following tips:
- Avoid use of fragrances like cologne or perfume (they can interfere with smelling the wines)
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day
- Wear dark colors if you’re afraid of spilling wine
- Be sure to eat throughout the day
- Wear comfortable shoes
- Wear comfortable clothes and dress in layers
- Bring hand sanitizer
- Make reservations when you can
- Typically allow 60-90 minutes per winery
- Drink responsibly
Looking for a hotel in Chelan? Check out Campbell’s Resort! It’s one of our favorite waterfront hotels in Chelan.
Summary
There are so many amazing wineries in Chelan. We find ourselves visiting Tsillian Cellars, Siren Song Wines, and Rio Vista Wines frequently. We hope this post was helpful as you plan your visit to Lake Chelan’s wineries!
Disclaimer: We always strive for content accuracy. Since the time of publishing, travel-related information regarding pricing, schedules, and hours may have changed. Please look up such information directly from each vendor or institution for the most current information.
